Working out Post-Tummy Tuck

You would need your own surgeon's advice, but for my patients, I suggest resuming moderate exercise slowly at six weeks. Rather than performing all of the activities you mentioned, I would tell them to start with one. Try it for a few days and expect mild soreness since you haven't done this for weeks and you had surgery. If it did not cause discomfort, then add another type of exercise activity. If it was uncomfortable, them progress more slowly. It could take some time to get back... more

To barb-hoss, Usually, 6  weeks after an abdominoplasty is more than enough time to exercise. But you have to listen to your body. If you have sharp localized pain  (as opposed to a little diffuse soreness) when you exercise, stop and see your surgeon. Most likely, you have not done any harm.

I tell my patients to start by walking on the treadmill at 3 weeks. At two months they can resume all exercise except crunches. Workouts should also start slowly. Do not start at the same level as you finished with prior to the surgery.

I usually have people wait 6-8 weeks to go back to heavy exertion or sit-ups.  But, I always tell my patients that that is the average.  Some people need longer, and some lesser time.  If you having pain, then you should probably wait some more.   Steven Wallach,MD www.stevenwallachmd.com

Barb, The idea is to start your exercising at about 6 weeks. However, even if you had simply stopped working out and not had surgery you would not expect to return immediately to your prior level of exercise. You need to start slow, listen to your body and progress slowly as your body tolerates. Expect some soreness, but it should be more generalized over the muscle groups worked. Good luck!

I allow my patients to begin some light "movement" exercises (elliptical machine, bike) at 3 weeks after a tummy-tuck, but no impact or weight activities until 6 weeks after surgery. At that time, I do not think they will damage our result (specifically the muscular tightening) by beginning to exercise as before, but certainly they are deconditioned and need to move into their regime slowly. Think about it like going swimming on a cool day. Don't jump in right off the bat - the... more

I would be irreponsible if I tried to advise you on your post-operative regimen. The best person to ask is your plastic surgeon.