Tummy Tuck: Q&A
Ask a QuestionRunning After Tummy Tuck?
I will begin training for my third marathon on the first week of February. However, I am scheduled to have a tummy tuck on January 12. Is that range of time (3 weeks) sufficient enough for to recover and begin running again? I run an average of 4 to 7 miles at 3 to 5 times a week.
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13 Doctor Answers |
Asked by
running7
in New York
+6
Long term outcome will be better with patience
Hi there,
There are many different variations on the tummy tuck, but if your planned procedure will involve tightening of your abdominal muscles, I would personally not want you running (not even lightly) until the 6 week point. Human scars do not gain in strength in a linear fashion after surgery, but rather exponentially for the first 6 weeks, and it is only at that point that your muscle repair will be at 90% of it's eventual strength.
Running is obviously very taxing to the body core...
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+5
Running after tummy tuck
Every patient and every surgeon is different, but we do not recommend light running after TT until 4 weeks postop.
The dangers in exercising too early are swelling or fluid formation. Often the lower abdomen gets very firm if the patient "overdoes it", and then subsides as they take it easy.
Exercise right after surgery is especially bad since the "flaps" (surgical areas) cannot stick to their new homes if they are moved too much.
Many of our patients are eager to...
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+4
Absolutely not!
Running 7,
I appreciate your enthusiasm for running. You also probably have a high tolerance for pain, but there is no way that you will be able to achieve that level of exercise 3 1/2 weeks after a tummy tuck. It will simply be too painful, aside from the fact that you will likely tear the stitches that are used to tighten your abdominal musculature. Put the endorphin rush on hold for at least 6 weeks and even then, be careful and listen to your body. Good luck!
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+4
Vigorous exercise after tummy tuck - No way!
Wound healing strength increases significantly from the 14th day after surgery up to two years after surgery, when the optimal strength will have been achieved. At 6-8 weeks after surgery, your wound healing strength should be at 60-70%. At 3 weeks, you are too weak to start running. Be patient!
+3
You should be able to start with brisk walking at 3 weeks
In general most patients wouldn't feel like agressive running until about 6 weeks after a "full" abdominoplasty. After checking with your surgeon you should be able to start with brisk walking or perhpas an elliptical trainer at about 3 weeks. The bouncing and pounding from running will likley be too uncomfortable until aobut 6 weeks.
Each patient is unique so please confirm with your surgeon.
+3
Ask your surgeon
It may be pushing it a bit to begin that type of training after 3 weeks, but do what your plastic surgeon advises. I tell my patients that within 3 weeks they can begin some light cardio such as fast walking on a treadmill and work up gradually from there.
+2
At that level - I'd give yourself at least 5 weeks
All patients are different, and some do heal more quickly than others, but 3 weeks is not enough time. With that level of training and the amount of running you are planning on doing, you need at least 5 weeks.
I recommend to all my tummy tuck patients to wait at least 6 weeks to resume full activity, but 5 weeks is acceptable. Any quicker than that and you are risking your results, and your health. The body needs time to recover.
+1
Running after an abdominoplasty
Your plastic surgeon is the best source for answering your questions. For my patients I allow light activity at one week, building up to some light physical activity, walking on treadmill, elliptical between the third and fourth weeks. I advise patients to avoid vigorous activities such as training for a road race for eight weeks.
+1
Running after tummy tuck
Our office will guide you through the process. At each visit, we will tell you your limits. We usually don't have tummy tuck patients run until about 6 weeks after surgery. We will have you walking, doing the recumbent bike etc to get your heart rate up and then work up to running.
+1
Running and vigorous exercise after tummy tuck
Regarding "I run an average of 4 to 7 miles at 3 to 5 times a week". I admire your discipline and feel sympathetic exhaustion just reading it.
But - I WOULD NOT resume such exercises for at least 6-8 weeks after your operation.
To understand why - consider what Plastic surgeons do in a tummy tuck and what the end point of healing is. We undermine a large portion of the anterior abdominal wall - separating skin and fat from the muscles. The muscles are tightened and brought back...
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These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.
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