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Can I Exercise 6 Weeks After Tummy Tuck?

asked 1 year ago by CJ8 in San Jose, CA
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 767 times
Tags: female, exercise, running, timing, weight, weight lifting

I Will Be 6 Weeks Post Op (FTT, Lipo of the Flanks, BA, BL) Next Week What Excercise Are Recommended? I use to go to the gym 5-6 times a week & would run 3-5 miles. Can I do squats, lunges, lift weights if so how much. I would love to run again.

11 answers to Can I Exercise 6 Weeks After Tummy Tuck?

Exercise limitations after tummy tuck

Ask your surgeon. Only they know what they did in surgery and what their protocol is for surgery limitations. We generally allow patients to resume full exercise, at their tolerance, at 6 weeks time.

Brent Moelleken, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

www.drbrent.com

Exercise should be light after six weeks

Some form of light exercise can start three to six weeks after surgery. I encourage walking around even beginning the day after surgery. Light exercise consists of light lifting no more than 10 pounds. Climbing stairs can begin at about three weeks. However, heavy exercise including leg lifts and sit ups should wait until about nine to twelve weeks after surgery. I would rely on the advice of your surgeon. see video

James Tang, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

Exercise after tummy tuck

I advise my patient to perform only lite activity for the first 3 weeks after an abdominoplasty. If there is no seroma and no other complications, I allow my patients to gradually increase activity as tolerated. Usually this means low impact aerobic exercise such as an elliptical bike after 3 weeks, high impact aerobic exercises by 4-6 weeks and potentially light weight training after 6 weeks. I always inform my patients to listen to their own bodies. If they hurt or swell after exercise, I... more

Geoffrey E. Leber, MD
Paradise Valley Plastic Surgeon

Exercise after Tummy Tuck and Liposuction

I advise my liposuction and tummy tuck patients as follows. I do many many very large tummy tucks and very large volume liposuctions. Patients are advised to get up and walk the evening of their surgery. Al have pain pumps that reduce discomfort by 80%. Every day they are advised to walk a liilt more and a little further....5 to 10 x a day. Walk, but do not run. At two eeks post surgery a return to the gym is allowed... more

George Commons, MD
Palo Alto Plastic Surgeon

www.pacfps.com

Exercise after Tummy Tuck?

Thank you for the question. Questions like this should be addressed to your operating surgeon who knows your situation the best. Sometimes return to exercise may need to be delayed if the patient is experiencing complications. Generally speaking, many patients are able to return to lower extremity work out, without heavy lifting at the 6 week postop mark. I hope this helps.

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

Exercise after TT, lipo, and BA

This is a question most appropriate for your plastic surgeon. I usually recommend light cardio at 4 weeks; full cardio at 5 weeks; and weight training and abs at 6 weeks. Keep in mind that it does vary patient to patient and everyone has a different tolerance for pain. If you do decide to resume your workout regimen please take it slow. It is important to listen to your body and slow down if it tells you to.

Neil J. Zemmel, MD
Richmond Plastic Surgeon

Exercise After Tummy Tuck

Every patient is a bit different, so it is always advisable to check with your surgeon. That said, I usually allow patients to resume exercise 6 weeks after surgery. However, I do caution them to incrementally increase the intensity of their exercise. Even patients who were exercising regularly before surgery will feel more tired after not working out for 6 weeks. Furthermore, patients who have had their muscles plicated often need some time to adjust, so that... more

B. Aviva Preminger, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Exercise 6 weeks after tummy tuck is usually just fine!

Assuming you have had an uneventful recovery, and that your surgeon approves, exercise at 6 weeks is not only possible but recommended! BUT, you should start gradually so you do not injure areas that have not fully matured in the 6-12 month long healing process! Also, keep your scars out of the sun (or tanning booth) as long as they are pink (6-12 months). Permanent ultraviolet avoidance is actually good, since you can obtain Vitamin D from fortified milk or oral vitamin supplements.... more

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS
Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon

www.mpsmn.com

Exercise after Surgery

You really need to consult with your surgeon for recommendations for exercise after your procedures. I like to see my patients in post-op to ensure that they are healing properly before advising on resumption of exercise. However, in most cases six weeks is enough time for recovery. Just make sure that you do not push your body too much. Good Luck.

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

Post -Operative Excercise after Tummy tuck

I agree with most of these surgeons about inquiring with your plastic surgeon about resuming you exercise routine. I normally have my clients wait at least 4-6 weeks for all aerobic exercise and any strenuous heavy lifting. All clients heal differently and I have all different age groups having the tummy tuck procedure from mid 20's to last month I had a 72 year old women. Your age is usually a factor in healing quickly however my 70 year old client was back in the... more

John Ward, MD
Phoenix Plastic Surgeon

Ask your plastic surgeon about allowed and restricted activities after your tummy tuck

You need to fully discuss what activities you can engage in and what should be avoided - with your plastic surgeon as he/she operated on you. Each plastic surgeon has a different protocol with regards to activities and there is not one right answer. Typically, my patients can get on a treadmill or stationary bike at 3 - 4 weeks but heavy lifting, straining and sit-ups should be avoided for 8 weeks.