When to go back to work after TT?

If you have an office job, you will probably be ready to return to work after two weeks. That being said, there are many variables that could affect this, so you need to seek out the recommendation of your operating surgeon. In addition, you should wait until your drains are removed. The variables include how much if any muscle tightening was performed and how much tissue was removed. As for physical activity, I typically tell my tummy tuck patients that they can resume some light exercise such as brisk walking after two weeks. It usually at least 6 weeks before they can resume strenuous fitness such as running. Again, it is best to ask your surgeon. 

Hi there and thanks for your question! I advise all my patients to refrain from any exercise or heavy lifting for 4-6 weeks after their procedure. At 2 weeks post op you should be fine going back to work, especially if it does not entail any strenuous activity.  I recommend speaking to your plastic surgeon for his/her post op instructions as each surgeon tends to have their own protocol. Best of luck! 

Thank you for your question! For my patients having a tummy tuck procedure, I recommended that they take 10 to 14 days off of work, three weeks off of cardio at the gym, and six weeks off of weight training and yoga exercises. I hope this helps!

Thank you very much for your question and congratulations
on your upcoming tummy tuck. The initial recovery from an abdominoplasty will
take about two weeks, during which time you can expect to be sore, swollen, and
tired. Depending on your individual recovery, you will probably feel
comfortable enough to return to an office job after two weeks. However,
everyone heals at a different rate and you may need additional time to rest and
recover. I recommend speaking candidly with your operating surgeon about when
he/she advises that you return to work. Carefully follow your physician’s
instructions to ensure a safe recovery and satisfying results

Most can return to an office job after 2 weeks. Other physical activity is typically resumed at 6-8 weeks depending on how you are healing. Your surgeon will be the best to guide you in the timeline. All the best!Dr. BlaggAustin, TX

This is something you should discuss with your surgeon who knows you best, for my patients I tell them they will probably be able to return to work (desk jobs) in 10 to 14 days, and return to formal exercise in about 6 weeks. Good luck!

  I usually advice patients for two weeks or at least until the drains are out and you feel that you  have been cleared by your board certified surgeon to go back to work.Clearly you need time for the muscles to heal together and this takes a minimum of six weeks.

There is great variation in the opinions of when it is best for you to resume exercise and so I would defer to your operating surgeon who will have the best knowledge of your anatomy (i.e., how far apart) and repair (i.e., how tight?) after surgery.

However, the correct exercise if done properly can not only reinforce but enhance the repair as well. Please ask your surgeon for guidance. However, I highly recommend core strengthening exercises as advocated by Pilates and Yoga instructors; NOT the crunches as advised by body builders.

If you are undergoing a full tummy tuck (muscle and skin repair), you may be ready to return to work at two, and you may not. Each patient's recovery is different. You should not return to work while drains are in place. Drains are sometimes left in for up to three weeks, depending on your fluid output. Exercise is typically resumed gradually after six weeks. Your surgeon should go over specific details at a pre-op visit prior to your surgery, and give verbal and written instructions. 

Every surgeon has their own recovery protocol so it is best to ask him/her what their specifications are and recovery time is highly dependent on the patient and the extent of the tummy tuck surgery. With that said, most patients should be able to return to work (if a desk job) about 5-7 days after the surgery and resume most activities after 5-7 weeks. A week after the surgery, a patient may start resume light exercise, but heavy lifting of weight more than 15lbs, sit-ups, and crunches, should not resume until 8 weeks after the surgery. Good luck!

Dear soto3,Recovery time after tummy tuck is approximately 2 weeks. Vigorous activities should be limited for at least six weeks. If you have any concerns, I would suggest you to discuss them with your plastic surgeon. Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery  
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery