Best Exercises After Tummy Tuck and Liposuction?

Maintaining good physical shape after surgical procedures
can enhance your results in addition to the physical fitness benefits it provides. For now, I would say stay with aerobic exercise for
the next six weeks, Core exercises of the abdomen will be very useful to
enhance the results we hope to achieve through body contouring procedures. There are no limitations three months after
surgery. Your best guide for the types of exercises that can enhance your
abdomen and other areas will be a good trainer whom you trust.

I would actually refrain from all exercise after tummy tuck for 8 weeks.  At that time I have the patients start will low impact cardio.

Thank you for your question. I always recommend to my patients to start exercises tend six weeks after PO, gradually: first, gentle walks without sweating, then, you can go to the gym to do aerobics, and, after four months you can stats with machines exercise and start with light weights, and, if there are no problems, only six months after PO may charge "free weights".
Respectfully,Dr. Emmanuel Mallol Cotes.

Dear, BP8ME2
Thank you for your questions regarding the best exercises to do after a tummy tuck and liposuction. It is very important that you consult with your plastic surgeon after a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty combined with liposuction. Each plastic surgeon has their own method and regime when it comes to exercising after a tummy tuck. For my patients, approximately one month after the surgery, I allow them to do unlimited walking. If they are able to walk, then at about six weeks, I allow them to go back to the gym. This includes resistance training as well as lifting weights. I allow them to do this at about 25% capacity. At about two months, I allow my patients to increase their capacity to 50%. At three months, I allow my patients to go at 75% and at four months you should be able to reach 100%. As far as the abdomen goes, I do not let my patients do sit ups for at least six months after a tummy tuck. First of all, there is no reason to do sit-ups after a tummy tuck because the abdomen is flat. Second, there are permanent sutures placed in the rectus abdominis or six-pack muscles. These sutures are placed from the sternum, to the top of the pubic region. This keeps the abdomen nice and flat. For the first six months, I do not want any strain on the abdomen from extraneous exercise. The strain could cause the sutures to tear and thus, a suboptimal tummy tuck. I would allow yourself at least six months after a tummy tuck before considering doing sit-ups or any specific core exercises. However, this is just my regime. Please consult with your plastic surgeon in regards to specific exercises after your abdominoplasty. Thank you for your questions regarding exercising after a tummy tuck and liposuction. I hope that I have answered your questions. When considering a tummy tuck or liposuction procedure, please seek an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon who has done thousands of tummy tucks in their career. Good luck! Thanks!
Sincerely, Dr. Katzen

Thank you for your question.  I would normally ask patients to wait 6 weeks before considering heavy lifting and exercise after a tummy tuck with liposuction.  I remind them that they are still healing and may experience some fluctuations in swelling in the surgical sites with exercise.  I also mention that they should listen to their bodies.  If it hurts in the surgical sites, then consider dialing back the intensity level and try waiting a few days before testing the same intensity again.   The same goes with regaining your flexibility after surgery.  You want to gradually regain the same level of flexibility you had before surgery.As far as which kind of exercise.... this is a tougher question to answer because there are such a wide variety.  Adding aerobic exercises to your weekly regimen is a great starting point.  I would recommend that you focus more on the frequency and duration of exercise that you can do on a routine basis every week, and find a regimen that you enjoy.   This way you are more likely incorporate this into your lifestyle.  The same goes for diet.  You have just made a big investment.  I would recommend that you find a steady balance between diet and exercise that allows you to maintain your results.

Cardio is your best bet as the way to begin exercising after about 4-6 weeks post-op. More strenuous exercise shouldn't being until at least 8 weeks and with your surgeon's approval to get started. Good luck.

Generally I recommend casual walking after 2-3 week, walking for exercise at about 3-4 weeks[treadmill ok, elliptical not ok], and more strenuous exercise after 6 weeks.Every patient and every surgery is different, so your recovery may affect this timeline; and will be closely monitored by me for the first 6 weeks.

Abdominoplasty removes excess abdominal skin while simultaneously tightening the abdominal muscles. Patients can anticipate limited physical activity for two weeks following surgery. During this period of time patients are allowed kitchen and bathroom privileges. At two weeks, they are allowed to gradually resume normal activities with the exception of strenuous activities. Patients can usually return to work in two weeks if no strenuous activity is involved. After six weeks they can resume all their normal activities including heavy lifting and strenuous activity. It's important to go slow at first and gradually resume your normal exercise program. This process takes an additional two to three weeks. Make sure you listen to your body. If you're not ready for a specific activity, your body will let you know.  

Avoid straining, lifting, and bending completely over. You may be able to begin cardio  at 3-4 weeks and strength training/ab work at 6 weeks after surgery. There, you may be safe to start working out again now. I suggest targeting your midsection to reclaim any lost strength while you were recovering. Remember to take it easy! Crunches are great for this.

Light walking but not running begins immediately after surgery once you are home. Normal activity may be resumed at 3-6 weeks post operation to tolerance and that would include elliptical and light cardio. .  After the operation, exercises are recommended, such as walking immediately and progressive activities beginning on the third week. Walking, swimming, or a stationary bicycle can usually begin in a few days after surgery. Specific time periods for resumption of daily activities, work, and exercise with be further discussed by your surgeon post operation.                                                                          At 6 weeks core exercises especially crunches (starting slowly and building each week to tolerance) is particularly helpful to show your results following a tummy tuck and liposuction of the tummy.