Tummy Tuck: Q&A

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Beneficial to Exercise Before TT?

Is it beneificial to exercise before a TT? Do you do it to get rid of as much fat as you can? Also, exercising before TT help your muscles?

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15 Doctor Answers | Asked by Tucson1886

Doctor Answers (15)
Community Comments (1)

Tummy Tuck as a reward or a jump start to healthier lifestyle?

This seems to be the age old question...when to do a tummy tuck? I agree with many others that in order to achieve the best results, one's weight should be stabilized at or near their ideal body weight for a significant period of time (i.e. 3 months). This usually occurs due to a healthy diet and regular exercise. Many patients use this surgery as a reward to themselves for the successful lifestyle changes they have made. However, I have also seen the patient population... more

Maintain your normal, healthy lifestyle before surgery

Hi there- Unless being overweight is a reason you are currently not a candidate for surgery, there is no benefit to altering your lifestyle in a way that will not be sustainable for you over the long term, as whatever changes your body goes through as a result will be reversed as you return to your more normal lifestyle after surgery- leading to an unpredictable result and the potential for your unhappiness. Stick to the healthy, normal diet and lifestyle that has made you a good... more

Exercise before Tummy Tuck

As my colleagues have stated, to achieve the best results from a tummy tuck, you should be at or close to your ideal body weight. And healthy lifestyle with balanced nutrition and exercise is encouraged before and after your surgery (after you have recovered) to maintain and optimize your results. Best of luck Dr. Basu Houston, TX

Exercise Before TT

You should be be at your healthy, long term stable weight prior to your surgery. If exercise and healthy eating habits are part of your routine then you should continue prior to the surgery. You do not want to ramp up exercising and then stop as the resulting increase in weight may impact the results. see video

Exercise and weight loss before tummy tuck?

The best scenario before tummy tuck surgery is to be of near ideal body weight , and physically fit, with a healthy diet. This gives you the best chance for great results and an uncomplicated, rapid recovery. So while it is beneficial to exercise before tummy tuck, all diet and exercise changes should be part of a lifestyle change many months prior to undergoing surgery. Crash diets and intense exercise that are not normal for you very close to surgery can be detrimental.... more

Need to exercise before a tummy tuck?

It's always beneficial to exercise, but you don't need to do anything special prior to a tummy tuck, because all the excess skin and fat is totally excised anyway. The muscles are sutured back together the way they were before your first pregnancy. Exercise by itself cannot create a flat tummy. You need surgery to repair the abdominal muscles. The older you get, the more important exercise becomes. Better get started now regardless of you upcoming surgery. Dr Foster more

Exercise Before a Tummy Tuck

Excellent question. I would recommend following these general guidelines. 1. Exercise: Yes, I think that patients who exercise regularly before surgery recover more quickly. Make sure that you include strengthening of your core including your abdominal muscles in your workouts. In addition, regular exercise is an important component of a good weight loss program. 2. Losing weight through a healthy, well-balanced diet and regular exercise is also a good idea.... more

Laurence Weider, MD

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Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Your weight should be stable at the time of tummy tuck for approximately 3 months.

Thank you for your question. It is always good to stay fit with a healthy diet and exercise. Your weight should be stable at the time of tummy tuck for approximately 3 months. It is unlikely that you would get predictable results if your weight is changing or going to change. To be sure, see two or more board-certified plastic surgeons in your area for a full and complete evaluation to make sure you are a good candidate and that it is safe for you to have surgery. I... more

Working Out Before a Tummy Tuck

I hate to be a contrarian, but I think that setting a goal to lose fat before a tummy tuck and associated liposuction is putting the cart before the horse. Most of my post pregnancy tummy tucks (abdominoplasties), are done on women over 30 whose hormones are starting to change, have a separation of the abdominal musculature, have worked hard to try to lose inches and weight in the past only to find they don't have enough time to work out and take care of their families, especially... more

Benefits of exercise before tummy tuck

Everything you said is correct. And that is good, because maintaining an ideal weight and good health is essential for successful outcome and longevity of the results. You have to look at surgery as one episode in your life. The maintenance of these results rests on you by maintaining your weight and exercising. I wish you all the best.

Exercising Before Tummy Tuck Surgery?

Thank you for the question. Yes, there are many benefits to appropriate diet and exercise prior to undergoing any type of body contouring surgery. Achieving as close as possible to a long-term stable weight prior to surgery will help minimize the risks/complications associated with the procedure, potentially improve the results of the procedure, minimize the potential need for further surgery in the future, and potentially make for a smoother postoperative... more

Excercise is always beneficial.

Hello, Diet and exercise is always a good thing. If you have additional weight lose before your tummy tuck then yes it would help to so before your tummy tuck procedure. If you are close to your ideal weight exercise before your tummy tuck will just be for your own health and well-being and will not make much of an impact on your final tummy tuck result. All the best, Dr Remus Repta

Tummy

Hello, That is very good question, yes you would get better results if there is let fat to work with and only loose skin.

No need to exercise before tummy tuck.

Hi. The tummy tuck removes excess skin and fat and tightens the muscles if necessary, and you do not need to do anything in advance.

Exercise before a tummy tuck

Abdominoplasty patients have the best results when the procedure is used to remove almost only excess skin. The most disappointing results are when it is used as an attempt for patients to lose weight. So exercising before a tummy tuck procedure will only improve your end results. I have seen that patients that are healthy and exercising also recover a bit more quickly than those who are out of shape. I am not certain that focusing on your abdominal muscles will necessarily make a big... more

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Comments (1)

ABSCAPE 27 Jul 2012

I had this very same question. I am 7 days PO and am thankful I focused on certain exercise. First off exercise should be a regular part of your lifestyle, not just because a TT is on the calendar. I read about the back pain associated with TT from the long term position of the body. I focused on back extension flex exercises and stretching several times a day. I have had no back pain because, I believe those muscles were in good shape,

I double focused on all core exercises and stretches. In the waiting room at surf center everyone else was sitting around looking nervous, I was on the floor stretching everything thinking of mountains and flowers.

Also make sure your upper body can pull you up and push you up ( I.e, buyy lifted up off the floor when seated, or lifted up out of a chair). Your legs need to be strong enough in isolation to lower you to the floor to pick up small stuff and raise you back up.

You have got to be in the best physical overall shape you can be. Your pain will be less and recovery smoother.

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