Can I Do a 6-mile Race 8 Weeks After Tummy Tuck?

asked 3 years ago by martinwe6sk in new jersey
Latest answer by Robert M. Jensen, MD
Question viewed 539 times
Tags: abdomen

Will it be safe for me to do a 6 mile race at 8 weeks post op from Tummy Tuck?

7 answers to Can I Do a 6-mile Race 8 Weeks After Tummy Tuck?

Wait at least six weeks before training

I don't think you will do any damage to the muscle repair 8 weeks after surgery, however, your body may not be ready for that kind of assault. I would start training cautiously 6 weeks after surgery, and listen to your body. If it hurts then slow down. Your body will tell you if you are overdoing it.

Robert M. Jensen, MD
Medford Plastic Surgeon

Doubtful

I agree with Dr. Beraka, when would you train? Although you may feel okay to do the race I would not recommend it. Why don't you get the surgery in the winter when there are less problems with races. Remember, if you're willing to pay all that money for surgery why do something that's going to screw it up? There will be other races. I've had a lot of patients like you and it's like keeping a race horse in the gate. Think of it this way-the race is just a blip in time and life. So... more

Christopher L. Hess, MD
Fairfax Plastic Surgeon

No running 8 weeks after Tummy Tuck

You probably have a line of sutures in your muscle fascia. Why risk breaking them? Wait at least three months and start off slowly. 1 mile/day for one week. 2 miles/dayfor another week, etc. Maybe in 4 to 6 months you'll be up to more.

G. Gregory Gallico III, MD
Boston Plastic Surgeon

When would you train?

Hi. You probably would not injure your abdomen, but you would be so out of shape. In New York, we don't let patients start training until 6 weeks after an abdominoplasty. I don't think it makes sense.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Running six weeks after tummy tuck safe, racing after eight unlikely

For an athlete or a runner there can be nothing worse than being sidelined for recovery, especially during racing season. We have waited all winter to begin running and racing but healing takes time. Recall that even a taper in your running schedule will cause a falloff in strength that will take twice the training time to regain. After tummy tuck we encourage walking immediately and allow patients to resume non-impact aerobic activities after two weeks, such that by two to four weeks after... more

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

6 mile race 8 weeks after tummy tuck.

Safe-probably. Smart -no. Depending on what type of abdominoplasty you had and whether muscle repair, liposuction and a large skin and fat resection were done are important factors. These effect the amount of intraoperative blood loss which may effect your safety and energy level. Additionally the strength of your repairs is not yet 100%

Barry H. Dolich, MD
Bronx Plastic Surgeon

Race? No.

I do not permit my patients to do any impact type of aerobics until 6 weeks after a tummy tuck, and then they can build up to normal (slowly) over the next 2 weeks. The reason behind this is that when you jog or run, both feet are off the ground, and you impact on one foot. This sudden force requires you to flex your truncal support muscles to stabilize your upper body. This will strain the diastasis repair, and could potentially damage it if you put this much stress on it too early. At... more

Michael A. Bogdan, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Ask a question

Get Free Email Updates