Exercise after tummy tuck surgery: how long should I wait to resume my workouts?

Hi @LoriPack, Thanks for the question! You can resume walking as early as the evening of surgery, but no lifting greater than 10 pounds until 2 weeks after surgery. After about a month, you can resume most exercises in the gym but defer to your plastic surgeon for detailed instructions. 
After your Tummy Tuck in Minneapolis, the initial recovery period is pretty smooth. You should be up and walking the evening of surgery. I like to see my patients the day after surgery, if possible. Then, we see you again on day 7 after surgery. At about 10 days until you are up and back to baseline routine activities like driving or sitting at a desk. You can get back to work at about one or two weeks as long as your duties don’t involve heavy lifting (>10 pounds). If you have a physically demanding job, you may need to work on light duty for a month. At 6 weeks after surgery we consider you completely healed and OK to get back to all activity including exercise. 
I like for patients to begin walking as soon as possible after surgery in Minneapolis (usually the night of surgery) but you should walk hunched-over for about a week to avoid stressing the delicate incision. Studies show that patients who are in the best shape possible prior to surgery tend to have the fastest recovery.
Although I plan my incisions very low so they can easily be concealed in most underwear and bathing suits, it is normal for the incision to be a little pink for several months and then fade over the subsequent year.
To speed up the recovery, I like for patients to wear a compression garment which can reduce swelling. The standard protocol for the garment is to start wearing it immediately following surgery. Initially you will wear it continuously for 2 weeks. You can take it off to shower, but that is about it. Then, after 2 weeks, you can wear the garment only half of the time---either during the day or at night.


Dr. Chopra, M.D.

Plastic Surgeon

Johns Hopkins Trained

Face, Body and Breast Expert

Returning to different levels of activities after tummy tuck surgery depends on the specific activity.  It's ok to start distance walking even 1-2 weeks after surgery.  Rigorous workouts take longer to return to.  For low impact cardio or light weight training I recommend waiting at least 6 weeks, and for full abdomen exercies or extreme stretching like with Yoga or Pilates I suggest waiting 3-6 months.  Everyone's recovery will be a little different.  Always stick with the advice of your plastic surgeon.  Best of luck!

In all cases depends on the type of tummy tuck was performed, if there was a hernia repair you may resume activity with clearance of your surgeon after 6 to 8 weeks. Only with a tummy tuck performed without a hernia repair you can resume activity with clearance of your surgeon 4 to 6 weeks. Please be mindful to ease in and always listen to your body!