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When is It Okay to Start Exerciing After Ventral Hernia/diastasis Repair? (photo)

I am 4 1/2 wks. post op. & feeling more like myself again. Still notice that I do get winded easily..When is it okay to begin exercising & what r the best exercises to do? I was doing P90X, Insanity & Asylum up until my surgery. I know I should start slow, but I don't want to undo any of the good or have a recurrence of hernia. I also don't want to baby myself, but not sure if I should push myself. Sorry, I don't have any b4 pics to post..my PS has those. Any advice would appreciated. Thanks.

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14 Doctor Answers | Asked by RunNay11

Doctor Answers (14)
Community Comments (2)

Exercise following diastasis repair

I ususlly permit my patients to begin some low impact aerobic activity i.e. walking either outdoors or on a treadmill 2-3 weeks post op. I ask them to avoid activities that cause a strain on the abdominal muscles for 2-3 months. Common sense would dictate that stressing the diastasis repair too early might cause it to fail. Some dumbell curls and extensions and isolated resistance work for your legs would also be acceptable. Stop immediately if you feel any pain in... more

Appropriate Time for Strenuous Exercises After Repair of Ventral Hernia and Diastasis

Your surgeon is best qualified to recommend the timing and intensity of any excercise routine since he is most familiar with the exact nature of your repair and the quality of your abdominal tissues. Generally speaking, you should start excercising slowly and gently such as walking and when it's time to increase the intensity of the excercises you should report to your surgeon any discomfort or pain which you may experience before pushing yourself any further. more

When to exercise after tummy tuck

This answer is easy. You need to ask your surgeon. Only your surgeon knows exactly what was done at surgery and how long it will take to heal before you can safely return to exercise.

Don't mess up your splendid result with over-zealous exercising!

You have a great result, so your first resource should be your own surgeon, who has a vested interest in your continued good outcome, and will be the person you go to should you tear your muscle repair and develop a hernia or bleed. Truly, at 4 1/2 weeks post-op these are unlikely, but with the intensity of the exercise programs you were previously involved with, you should hold off at least 6 weeks, and more if your surgeon tells you so. Only s/he knows the strength and thickness of... more

Post-abdominoplasty exercising

Congratulations on a great result. I personally advise patients to refrain from exercise for at least six weeks after abdominoplasty. Only your surgeon knows the extent of the procedure and I recommend that you take his advice on this. In the meantime, you can certainly walk for exercise and, whenever you are cleared to resume more strenous fitness training, you should ease into it gently.

Exercise after Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

Only your plastic surgeon knows exactly what was done, so the safest thing to do is to as them. In general walking is encouraged after your tummy tuck. Heavy lifting and strenuous activity is delayed a minimum of 6 weeks, and sometime longer. If you were doing P90X, Insanity & Asylum prior to surgery, you will want to get clearance form your plastic surgeon before restarting them. When you do restart, do so gradually. Starting too fast may effect your surgical results or cause a muscle... more

Joseph Mele, MD

4 reviews

Walnut Creek Plastic Surgeon

www.DrMele.com

What to know about exercise after tummy tuck

The muscle repair that is a routine part of a tummy tuck has a healing process similar to hernia repairs, and we know from studies that it takes a minimum of 6 weeks for those to heal strongly enough to withstand stress. So no lifting or resistance training until 6 weeks, but gradual return to lighter forms of exercise before that. You should discuss this with your own surgeon who should be able to give you specific recommendations.

Resuming exercise after abdominal surgery

Ultimately, each surgeon has preferences regarding how long a patient should wait before resuming exercise after surgery. Most people can resume very light activity within a couple of weeks and can then gradually increase from there as tolerated. Paticularly dynamic exercises (such as P90X) should likely be the last types of activity that you resume. Please ask your surgeon about their preferences.

When can exercise post tummy tuck

I would strongly suggest you discuss this with your surgeon. The surgeon knows the extent of your separation and how strong the repair was. I usually wait 3-4 months before permitting the type of exercises you are looking to start. I have seen the repair stretched if not waiting that long.

Rick Rosen, MD

3 reviews

Norwalk Plastic Surgeon

Start Exercising After Ventral Hernia/diastasis Repair

This question is best addressed to your surgeon(s). I usually allow patients to resume abdominal exercises, gradually, beginning at 6 weeks, when the wound strength reaches 90% of its final strength. However, your surgeon(s) should make the recommendation, knowing what was done, and how your incisions are healing. Thanks and best wishes.

Returning Back To Exercise After A Tummy Tuck And Hernia Repair

Dear RunNay11, The best recommendation I can give you is to ask your doctor or doctors if you also had a General Surgeon involved in your procedure. Your doctor(s) know your unique medical situation and can best advise you on when and how to return back to exercise. You are very correct to start slowly and gradually work your way back into your routine. As far as getting "winded" easily, this is very normal after any larger surgery as your body is still recovering and... more

When is It Okay to Start Exerciing After Ventral Hernia/diastasis Repair?

No matter what any of us, EXPERTS, say to you it means nothing! You should ALWAYS follow/ask the advise of the treating surgeon. He/she did your surgery, knows you, has examined you, offers follow up care to you-so best to ask them FIRST.

Slow and easy exercise after tummy tuck with hernia repair

You should be walking after tummy tuck, however the hernia repair will slow the return to exercise. We suggest to our patients exercise after six to eight weeks to allow the hernia adequate time to heal to prevent recurrence, and a gradual program with low impact and more cardio, with resistance exercise later on.

ADL's after Tummy Tuck

I have my patients wait 6 weeks before starting strenuous activities, longer if there are other issues. Once cleared, I advise stretching and warm up activities, and not to carry on if pain is experienced. You really need to get cleared by your doctor. You have a really nice result, congrats. sek

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Comments (2)

Dr. J. Ditesheim 23 Sep 2012

You look great. If you still feel "winded" might be that you had a significant degree of tightening. If so would slowly start exercising now, toning without straining.

RunNay11 25 Sep 2012

Thank you for your comment. You are correct, I think I did have a fair amt. of tightening as a I had not only a large hernia, but a fairly large diastasis after having to large babies & a set of twins. I did have a few complications after my 1st surgery ( a 2nd surgery about 12 hrs later to repair a hematoma that developed in my lower abdomen), severe loss of blood due to that, & a collpased R lung. "Winded feeling is getting better everyday. Iron levels, platelet cnt. have come up, too. Thanks again.

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