I agree with most of the comments posted by the other plastic surgeons below.
You may wonder why we all have such strong opinions and post-operative care instructions for our patients. It is important to understand the risks of exercise in the early post-operative period following abdominoplasty.
Here's a quick summary - in no particular order.
First - any narcotics that you are using to control the pain can make working out dangerous. In my San Francisco area practice I advise patients not to drive or operate heavy machinery while using narcotic pain medication. This would likely include strenuous workouts.
Second - increase in heart rate and blood pressure can cause bleeding at the surfaces cut. This bleeding can be significant and can cause the need for re-operation or hospitalization. It can also greatly impact the final result of the surgery.
Third - Exercise, especially crunches, for post-op abdominoplasty can mechanically damage the muscle plication or even the skin closure.
For these reasons it is important carefully discuss a post-operative regimen including when you can begin exercise with your surgeon.
I hope this helps.
