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Exercise After Tummy Tuck Surgery

How long after tummy tuck do I have to wait before I can start doing strenuous exercises (such as sit ups, crunches, weight lifting)?

Asked 36 months ago by loripack in pennsylvania

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Exercise is comfortable 8 weeks after Tummy Tuck

Hi there, Because of the timeline of human wound healing, I don't let my patients try exercising for 6 weeks after this type of surgery. Human wounds reach about 90% of their eventual strength at 6 weeks, and this increase in strength is not linear (so at 5 weeks, your wound is NOT 5/6 of the way there, but much less). When you do start to try exercising at 6 weeks, you will probably experience some discomfort and limitation, so that you probably shouldn't expect to really breaking a... more

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Armando Soto, MD

Orlando Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Usually 6 weeks or so

A tummy tuck usually includes tightening of the muscles (plication of the rectus abdominus muscles with sutures). Because of this, I tell my patients to hold off of strenuous exercise for 6 weeks to allow the tissues to heal so that the tightening of the muscles is not dependent on the sutures anymore. That being said, I allow my patients to do aerobic type activity in 3-4 weeks after a tummy tuck, and increase activity as tolerated after that.

Leonard Lu, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Wound healing is a slow process!

Wound healing is a slow process! It will take at least one year for the tissues to reach maximal healing strength. Maximal healing strength is never as strong as unoperated tissue strength. The tissue will reach about 74% strength at 6 months and 50-60% strength in 2 months. I tell my patients to wait three weeks before walking, or riding a bicycle; Two months for all exercise except crunches, and 6 months for crunches.

Robert M. Freund, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Exercise gradually and have a plan

Few wish to sit still after abdominoplasty. Once the soreness passes, usually about two weeks we have our patients begin walking on a level surface. Even this activity will help you feel better. I like to gradually start low impact aerobic activity at four to six weeks, and keep in mind there may be a delay if the tummy tuck involves repair of the muscle or a hernia was present. It makes little sense to "test" the sutures or repair and brisk walking is best until the tissue has... more

Peter E. Johnson, MD

Des Plaines Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Exercise after Tummy Tuck at 6-8 weeks

I have my patients take it easy for the first 2-3 weeks after a tummy tuck, and then allow them to do non-impact cardio (elliptical, bicycle). After 6-8 weeks, all restrictions are off, but I encourage them to slowly ramp up to their regular regime. The reasoning behind this is that enough healing has occurred after 2-3 weeks that we are very unlikely to develop seromas or hematomas, but the muscular repair in the midline is not strong enough to be challenged until almost 2 months after... more

Michael A. Bogdan, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Exercise usually okay 6 weeks after Tummy Tuck

My recommendation is 6 weeks from the day of the Tummy Tuck for heavy excercise and strenuous activities, but lighter activities can be resumed earlier. In my experience, there were no problems when patients followed the 6-week recommendation.

Antoine A. Hallak, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Ask your surgeon, but usually a few weeks

I would ask your surgeon what his usual plan is for his patients after surgery, but I usually have patients wait 6 weeks until they resume heavy, strenuous activity.

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Shahram Salemy, MD

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Activity and exercise post surgery

I ask my tummy tuck patients to refrain from any heavy-lifting or strenuous exercise for 6-8 weeks to prevent any complications and ensure proper healing. It may be 4-6 months before you reach your full strength. An abdominal binder is provided to wear for 4 weeks to help minimize swelling and aid in the healing process. Consult your surgeon regarding limitations on physical activity prior to resuming any exercise. On this site, I do my best to give advice without a physical examination... more

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Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Exercise after tummy tuck

Clearly you need time for the muscles to heal together and this takes a minimum of 6 weeks. There is great variation in the opinions of when it is best for you to resume exercise and so I would defer to your operating surgeon who will have the best knowledge of your anatomy (i.e., how far apart) and repair (i.e., how tight?) after surgery. However, the correct exercise if done properly can not only reinforce but enhance the repair as well. Please ask your surgeon for guidance.... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Exercise after a tummy tuck with liposuction

Tummy tucks are a very popular and effective way to contour the abdomen. Patients undergoing this procedure should understand that there is a significant recovery process afterwards. In our practice, we encourage patients to begin walking in yearly after the surgery. This aerobic exercise will help open up their lungs, prevent some fevers, increase their appetite, and help them return and feel back to normal. However, rigorous exercise such as running, going to the gym, or working with... more

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B. Pat Pazmino, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Protect abdominal wall repair for 6 weeks

I tell my tummytuck patients to refrain from strenuous activities for six weeks and then gradually work up to full activity over 2-3 weeks. even if feeling well, resist the temptation to overdo it too early and cause problems. .

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Bruce K. Barach, MD

Schenectady Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

In most cases 6 weeks

In most cases you can return to regular exercise 6 weeks after tummy tuck surgery. However, every patient is different and you really have to go by your own doctor's recommendations. Good Luck.

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David Shafer, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Exercise after Tummy Tuck

Lori, One of the major repairs performed during an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) is a plication of the rectus abdominis fascia. I reinforce this repair with two layers of permanent suture material. It is important that patients abstain from vigorous activity for 6 to 8 weeks following abdominoplasty.

Daniel Reichner, MD

Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Gradually increase activity after Tummy Tuck

I would start with walking and other low impact exercices after 2 weeks. Upper body exercises 3 to 4 weeks after surgery. I would not do any abdominal exercises or core exercises that put a strain on your abdominals until the 8 week mark. Always listen to your body. If it hurts, don't do it.

Robert M. Jensen, MD

Medford Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Exercise at least 6 weeks after Tummy Tuck

This is a BIG opeation. The concern with overdoing it too early is that the suture may tear through your tissues and leave you with a bulge. Usually six weeks is a long enough time to start getting back into the swing of things. It is important to warm up and stretch out completely so you don't tear anything. Of course, your particular case may be different depending on what the surgeon did, and what your particular health issues are, so check with him first.

Scott E. Kasden, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Exercise after Tummy Tuck

A classic tummy tuck involves the tightening of the abdominal wall fascia or plication. The soreness alone will require you to avoid straining activity. Each surgeon will have a protocol that they will follow to assist you with your recovery. My protocol is no lifting more than 10 pounds for the first two weeks, then 20 pounds maximum up to six weeks. You can do aerobic activity after 3 weeks. No sit-ups or crunches for the first three months but you can do weight lifting of other muscle... more

Marcus L. Peterson, MD

Saint George Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Eight weeks

Ask your doctor this question, but in my own practice I allow patients to begin exercises that get their heart rates and blood pressure up after 2 weeks from surgery. I ask them to avoid straining their abdomens for eight weeks until the full strength of their muscle reapir has been obtained.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Normal activity 6-8 weeks after Tummy Tuck

In general you start mild workout after 2-3 weeks and increase as you go. By 6-8 weeks you should be able to get back to your normal range of activity. I would still confirm that schedule with your plastic surgeon.

Hisham Seify, MD, PhD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Exercise after tummy tuck

Most surgeries require 6 weeks before you start strenuous exercise. I would, however, wait longer for sit-ups after a tummy tuck. Each surgeon has their own routine and I would ask your surgeon what their specific guidelines are. You can start light exercise typically after about 3 weeks which involves walking and light upper body work and then slowly work up to the 6 weeks when you can stress your body more. Remeber - always listen to your body and if something hurts or does not feel right,... more

Bahram Ghaderi, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Tummy tuck post-op

I usually instruct my patients that they should avoid any strenous acitvity or exercise (like sit-ups or heavy lifitng) after a Tummy Tuck for at least 6-8 weeks.