HEAVY Weight TRAINING .. Extended Abdominoplasty for Male

One of the most important parts of the abdominoplasty operation is the rectus plication, this is a tightening of the outer layer of the abdominal wall with sutures. These sutures grab tissue, then your body heals this tightening over time, giving a long lasting improvement to the shape of the upper and lower abdomen.

Weight lifting, particularly squats and dead lifts create a very high amount of intra-abdominal pressure. This pressure is directed at the abdominal wall which must "contain" this pressure. Although the suture line is strong, your body is stronger.

I encourage walking starting the day of surgery. Starting at 3 weeks post surgery, I think it is reasonable to resume mild cardio type exercises.  I strongly encourage no heavy weight lifting until 6 weeks post op, then encourage a gradual resumption over 2 weeks.

I know this seems to be a long time, but you would hate to disrupt the work of your surgery and need to have it redone.

It is difficult to give a timetable to return to pre-surgery strength.  If you are competitive, I would guess it may take six months or so.  If this is non-competitive, maybe 3-4 months.

in my personal practice I recommend a minimium of 3 weeks after operation. But that is for my patients only you need to follow the advise and post op protocols of your chosen surgeon.