I have diastasis recti and lots of wrinkly loose skin from having 3 large babies. Before the kids I did extremely taxing ab routines of 40-60 minutes of various exercises working all the ab muscles. I also do six or more hours of cardio per week and weight train. If I get a full tummy tuck and repair the diastasis will I eventually be able to resume all of these exercises? I've heard some women are instructed never to do things like pushups etc. Will the stitching be like cheesewire on my abs?
Will I Be Able to Do Ab Exercises, Etc. After Tummy Tuck Heals?
Doctor Answers 8
Dear Arik,
I have my patients begin light activity at 2 weeks. They are performing more strenuous activity including core exercises by 6 weeks. You will experience soreness and minor discomfort for a short period of time after you resume activities but this resolves with time. Be sure to ask specific questions about your activity level with your surgeon before and during your recovery.
Web reference: http://www.mpsmn.com/dr-gervais
Ab Exercises are not a problem and in fact recommended to all of my patients after they are full healed from their Tummy Tuck
Light walking but not running begins immediately after surgery once you are home. In general for most of my patients, after the operation, basic exercises are recommended, such as walking immediately and progressive activities beginning on the third week. Walking can usually begin in a few days after surgery. Normal activity may be resumed at 3-6 weeks post operation to tolerance and that would include elliptical and light cardio. At 6 weeks core exercises especially crunches (starting slowly and building each week to tolerance) is particularly helpful to show your results following a tummy tuck. Specific time periods for resumption of daily activities, work, and exercise with be further discussed by your surgeon post surgery.
Light walking but not running begins immediately after surgery once you are home. In general for most of my patients, after the operation, basic exercises are recommended, such as walking immediately and progressive activities beginning on the third week. Walking can usually begin in a few days after surgery. Normal activity may be resumed at 3-6 weeks post operation to tolerance and that would include elliptical and light cardio. At 6 weeks core exercises especially crunches (starting slowly and building each week to tolerance) is particularly helpful to show your results following a tummy tuck. Specific time periods for resumption of daily activities, work, and exercise with be further discussed by your surgeon post surgery.
Web reference: http://www.pacificcenterplasticsurgery.com/body-procedures-newport-beach/tummy-tuck/
At my plastic surgery practice I tell my abdominoplasty patients it's ok to hit the gym at 6 weeks. For dedicated ab exercises and intense core training like pilates I ask them to wait until 8 weeks. By then your muscles should be healed enough to tolerate pretty vigorous activity. Remember that exercising is something that you should ease into, and I find that many patients don't realize they overdid it until the next few days after so take it easy and start slow. Best of luck, Dr Kerr
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After you receive Tummy Tuck surgery and diastasis recti repair, you will eventually be able to return to full and unrestricted physical activity. Many surgeons ask patients to wait at least 6 weeks before returning to vigorous exercise. This time period allows your body to heal enough so that the scar tissue and wounds will reach their maximum post operative strength. Since the Tummy Tuck procedure does not injure your muscles, there is no reason that your muscles won't function after surgery. After you have surgery and are cleared for vigorous activity by your surgeon, I would start slow and not overdo it at first. Your body will very quickly tell you if you are "doing too much." After the tissue on your abdominal wall has healed, it is unlikely that you will cheesewire through your abdominal wall. I hope this helps.
Yes, with normal healing you should be able to resume all activity at 6-8 weeks after surgery. Discuss specific instruction with the board-certified plastic surgeon you choose to do you surgery. Good Luck!
Hello,
The short answer is yes. You will have to wait about 6 weeks or so for full healing. I would also encourage you to start out slow and ramp up the intensity of your workouts. You should also know that it will take a while for you to feel like you're 100% back to normal during your workouts. How long this feeling will take varies, but it is not uncommon to feel some soreness and discomfort after your workouts many months and maybe up to a year after your tummy tuck.
All the best,
Dr Remus Repta
Web reference: http://www.aaaplasticsurgery.com
I would recommend waiting 8 weeks prior to doing any ab exercises or core exercise. Lower extremity workouts and upper body exercises can be started sooner as long as you don't use your abs. Once everything has healed, ie. after 8 weeks, I would just do what feels comfortable. If it hurts , don't do it. Eventually you will be able to do your regular workout without risk of doing any damage to your abdominal repair.
All the set-ups in the world won't rehab an abdomen that requires an abdominoplasty for aesthetic correction. Once all the post pregnancy damage has been fixed, there's no reason to do ab work unless you enjoy it. The results will leave you flat for life unless you get pregnant again or have major weight gain.
These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.
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