After Mommy Makeover - When Can I Resume my Intense Workouts?

It’s vitally important to give your body ample time to heal after surgery, especially before getting back to intense exercise. I generally clear my patients for light cardio week 1-2, but I do mean “light” walks around the block or slowly on the treadmill Plan to take at least 8 weeks away from p90x. At the 8-week mark, it may be safe to slowly resume that again. Start easy and start slowly, and be sure not to push yourself. If something hurts or is uncomfortable, pull back. Now is not the time for “no pain, no gain.” Giving yourself enough time to heal fully can greatly improve your recuperation and the longevity of your results. 

Thanks for the great question! Mommy makeovers typically include an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) and some kind of breast procedure (e.g. augmentation, lift, reduction). The abdominoplasty is the rate limiting step of the recovery (breast surgery recovery is much faster than abdominoplasty recovery). I advise my patients to return to work 2 weeks following an abdominoplasty, and allow them to ramp up to full activity after about 5 weeks. p90x should probably wait 6 weeks, but you and your surgeon can decide together to see if you are ready sooner.

The Mommy Makeover is a combination of procedures to bring a woman’s body back to the way she looked prior to pregnancy. Most commonly some variation of a #TummyTuck and #BreastSurgery are performed. Additional procedures can include liposuction, umbilical hernia repair.  The most common #breastprocedures include #mastopexy or #breastlift, #breastaugmentation, or #breastreduction.    

Healing after a  #tummytuck will require time. Some patients are out of bed and walking the night of surgery and every hour while awake. I allow my patients to return to work at one to two weeks with 14 days preferred.  However, no lifting or straining.  At three weeks, increased level of activity and full with no restrictions, at 6 weeks. #MummyTummy is a term given to modified tummy tucks which can use liposuction and skin tightening with radiofrequency such Vanquish, Vela3, thermage, thermiRF and others.  The actual fat contouring can be done non-surgically as well with #UltraShape or Cool-Sculpting.As I advise my patients, if your work keeps you sedentary, you may return whenever you feel up to it. If your work is strenuous, wait until your work activity does not cause any superficial pain. Some employers will modify a person’s job duties so they can back sooner, but without physical activity. Our office can provide our patients with a note stating they are not to engage in strenuous activity for a specified period of time. The note will not disclose what procedure they have underwent. Therefore, you may have to request a similar note from your surgeon if you are not independently employed. I recommend avoiding heavy lifting and strenuous #activity for six weeks following your surgery. With that said, it may help you plan your return to work accordingly.

As for heavy lifting and other #strenuous #activities, it should be avoided for until you have clearance from your surgeon. You may, however, do normal activities at any time if they cause no pain or #discomfort. Let your body tell you what you can or cannot do. Aerobic exercise will raise your blood pressure, which could cause late bleeding and harm your result. Once you begin exercising again, start gently and let your body tell you what it can tolerate. Don’t rush!!  If you have concerns about your healing, or pain that you question to be unusual, it is important to call your plastic surgeon to discuss these further asked to be examined.