Exercise Before Tummy Tuck ? Yes Or No ?

Question

Exercise Before Tummy Tuck ? Sit ups / Crunches etc Yes Or No ? Is Surgery more Difficult to perform ? Thank You

Armando Soto, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi there-

	If you exercise routinely as part of your healthy lifestyle, then I say continue you routine until a few days before the procedure, at your usual pace and intensity. I would not want you working out extra hard because you are having surgery.

	Similarly, if you are not a person who normally exercises regularly, I do not think it benefits you to start an exercise program in the weeks leading up to your surgery if you are doing so because you think it will improve your outcome or recovery- it probably will not.

	On the other hand, if your surgery is months away, and you would like to achieve a better state of health, and you are beginning an exercise program as part of a healthier lifestyle that you think you will be able to maintain over the long term after your recovery period, then doing so is a smart thing.

	I hope that helps you!

Steve Laverson, MD, FACS · Answer

Most certainly, yes, exercise before tummy tuck for strength, flexibility, endurance, and your mental well being. Not just your core, everywhere. Increasing your lean body mass will provide more protein that your body will mobilize post operatively to support healing. From a metabolic standpoint, surgery is a stressful event. You become catabolic for a while. You will not be able to exercise during this period, so get it in now.

Howard Webster, MBBS (Hons), FRACS · Answer

It makes no surgical difference either way.  However, if you are exercising not for enjoyment but specifically in order to prepare your body for a tt, then you don't need to do that.  You're better to just be healthy, then starting 3 months after the tt to work on toning and strength.  You will lose muscle mass and strength during the 3 months after tt as you can't exercise those muscles during that recovery phase, so there's no great benefit to build them up preop.

	Good luck with your surgery.  And good question.

Shain A. Cuber, MD · Answer

There is nothing wrong with exercising prior to a tummy tuck. Losing as much weight possible before the procedure will help give you optimal results. Often times the tummy tuck is being done because the abdominal muscles are weak, so exercising will not really help. If you do choose to exercise, don't over do it right before the procedure so you will not feel any soreness. Also be sure to discuss it with your surgeon to get his or her recommendations. Good luck!

Pamela B. Rosen, MD · Answer

Exercise is permissible prior to abdominoplasty (tummy-tuck surgery). However, it is important that your weight is stable before the surgery. Do not attempt any major weight-loss regimen immediately prior to the procedure, as this may result in poor healing due to inadequate nutritional status. Any weight reduction regime should be completed well before the surgery, so that weight is stable for the best possible outcome.

Erez Sternberg, MD · Answer

This is a question that I am often asked when patients are preparing to undergo surgery.  There is absolutely nothing wrong with working out, running, or any other type of exercise in the days prior to surgical procedures.  I am happy for patients to continue a healthy diet and exercise plan up to the day before surgery when this is something that they have already been doing previously.

	I would not BEGIN any type of restrictive diet or strenuous exercise plan in the days before your surgical procedure if this is not something that you have been doing previously.  Doing so may increase your blood pressure and therefore the strain on your heart which could be bad prior to a surgical procedure.  As always, when starting any new exercise or diet plan, consult with your doctor if you have any prior medical problems.  Hope this helps.

Donna Rich, MD · Answer

Exercise is always a good idea. However, if you have excess skin and muscle laxity, then it is not likely to improve with exercise alone. However, exercise does not make the surgery any more difficult. Good Luck.

Robert L. Kraft, MD, FACS · Answer

Any prep exercise which improves muscle tone and cardiac wellbeing is an excellent thing. The ability to motivate yourself to exercise suggests that you will similarly be a motivated participant in your own care and will be compliant with postop instructions and that is terrific. Best of luck with your planned surgery!

Fatema S. Alsubhi, MD · Answer

Thank you.

	You asked two questions:

	1. To exercise or not? Absolutely, please do. situps and crunches will strengthen your muscles, the rectus and other abdominal muscles. And that will help the final results by giving the uptight and retracted muscle, and taht will help your surgeon during the operation by giving him a thick muscles to suture and minimize the work he has to do for the muscles repair.

	2. Is surgery difficult to do? The abdominplasty ( or TT) is a very common procedure in certain areas of the world. It is 2-3 hours procedure, can be done under different types of anasthesia, can be daysurgery procedure and all depends on the size of the deformity, and the general status of the patients and many other factors.

	And It requires a qulaified and expert plastic surgeon to do.

	Just make sure that your surgeon is qualified and had enough experience to proceed.

	Good luck

Eric T. Emerson, MD, FACS · Answer

Exercise in the weeks and months leading up to a tummy tuck is a great idea. I always encourage my patients to get as close as possible to their goal weight before proceeding with an abdominoplasty and exercise is bound to help. Exercise will also benefit your heart, lungs, and well-being. While the exercise is unlikely to significantly improve the excess skin and laxity that the tummy tuck is designed to improve, it will strengthen the underlying body. A tummy tuck will contour the skin and fat of your body allowing the underlying shape to show through. The exercise will help contour the underlying structure of your body. Good luck and have fun with the exercise.

Exercise Before Tummy Tuck ? Yes Or No ?

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