Exercise after Tummy Tuck surgery

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... more

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. .

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... more

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.

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.

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... more

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... more

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.

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.... more

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... more