When is it safe to lift up the kids after a tummy tuck?

It is not specifically the strict weight of lifting that concerns us but the use of the stomach muscles. I have had one person. who was accustomed to having a bowel movement everyday, strain so intensely that they ruptured the muscle repair.
Our concerns with lifting are related to two features:

The potential for bleeding in the first 24 hours and then again between 7-10 days
The possibility of rupturing the muscle repair. This can occur anytime for 6 weeks after surgery.

However, the limitations are subject to interpretation and, in my practice, I advise patients to be cautious for 2 weeks. When lifting children, I ask that friends or partners place the child in your lap or that you use your legs and thighs to lift.

Thank you for your question. The recovery time is from 4 to 6 moths.I would suggest to be treated by board certified plastic surgeon with experience in this procedure, to get the best desired results.
Respectfully,Dr. Emmanuel Mallol Cotes.-

Thank you for your question.  I typically recommend my tummy tuck patients refrain from exercise more strenous than walking for 2 weeks after surgery.  Heavy lifting (more that 15-20 lbs) and activities that aggressively engage the ab muscles are prohibited for 6 weeks.  Simply your little one should not be an issue after the first few days; vigorous lifting of either child should probably be avoided for 6wks, until the healing process is complete.

Healing after a  #tummy tuck will require time. Some patients are out of bed and walking the night of surgery and every hour while awake. I allow my patients to return to work at one to two weeks with 14 days preferred.  However, no #lifting or straining.  At three weeks, increased level of activity and full with no restrictions, at 6 weeks. 
As I advise my patients, if your work keeps you sedentary, you may return whenever you feel up to it. If your work is strenuous, wait until your work activity does not cause any superficial pain. Some employers will modify a person’s job duties so they can back sooner, but without physical activity. Our office can provide our patients with a note stating they are not to engage in strenuous activity for a specified period of time. The note will not disclose what procedure they have underwent. Therefore, you may have to request a similar note from your surgeon if you are not independently employed. I recommend avoiding heavy lifting and strenuous #activity for six weeks following your surgery. With that said, it may help you plan your return to work accordingly.
As for heavy lifting and other #strenuous #activities, it should be avoided for until you have clearance from your surgeon. You may, however, do normal activities at any time if they cause no pain or #discomfort. Let your body tell you what you can or cannot do. Aerobic exercise will raise your blood pressure, which could cause late bleeding and harm your result. Once you begin exercising again, start gently and let your body tell you what it can tolerate. Don’t rush!!  If you have concerns about your healing, or pain that you question to be unusual, it is important to call your plastic surgeon to discuss these further asked to be examined.

Its not
unusual for abdominoplasty patients to have small children at home. Unfortunately, lifting children following
abdominoplasty surgery can adversely impact the results of this procedure.Abdominoplasty with muscle plication
can be adversely impacted by heavy lifting.Under these circumstances, muscles can be torn and bleeding can result.For this reason we generally
recommend minimal lifting in the first two weeks following surgery.We also don’t recommend lifting more than
twenty pounds for four to six weeks after surgery.We also instruct patients to allow their
children to crawl onto their laps rather than lift them in an upward direction.This approach hopefully minimizes
complications in the post-operative period.

Thank you for your question. You definitely want to follow your own
surgeon's post-op activity instructions. This is a general guide I give
to my patients as to the recovery after a tummy tuck:Week 1) Discomfort and tightness
level progressively decreases with each day. Swelling decreases a great
deal after one week. Week
2) Unlikely to need any narcotic support except maybe at night.
Swelling and tightness continues to improve compared to week 1Weeks
3-6) May need tylenol or ibuprofen for intermittent discomfort.
Swelling completely resolved. Tightness may continue as the implants
over an additional few months into their final position. Most people return to work in some capacity.As far as activity, here is a safe guide:1) No heavy lifting or strenuous activity for 6 weeks (a gallon of milk as a guide).2) Resume walking at a leisurely pace right after surgery (e.g. 2 mph)3) At 2 weeks, you can walk 2 miles at 2mph4) At 3 weeks, you can walk 3 miles at 3mph5) At 4 weeks, you can walk 4 miles at 4mph6) At 5 weeks, you can jog 5 miles at 5mph7)
At 6 weeks, you can resume all activities, but listen to your body and
use discomfort or tightness as a guide so you don't over do it. So
as far as the little ones, I would recommend having help for basic
needs like lifting into the car seat. You can cuddle with them while
you are sitting down, but you should avoid the tendency to multitask
with one child in your arms while you are busy doing other tasks.

The short answer is that most patients get help with their young children as needed to protect and shorten the repair time. Here are the recommendations and expectations in my office for my TT patients: Within a few hours following surgery, abdominoplasty patients will walk in a slightly bent-over position. Strenuous activity and lifting of more than 10 pounds should be avoided for six weeks after surgery. Most patients are able to return to work and daily activities withintwo weeks of surgery.It may take several months for a tummy tuck patient’s scars to soften, for sensation to return, and for relaxing of the tight sensation in the abdomen. In the case of extensive surgery, abdominoplasty recovery can be uncomfortable and may take longer.

It's hard to suppress the maternal instinct for a while after having a tummy tuck when you have small children, but you do need to focus on your own recovery. Nearly always, when a tummy tuck is needed after pregnancies, the muscles need to be pulled and sutured into their original position. This is analogous to a hernia repair and takes 6 weeks for complete healing. However, you should be able to do most routine activities within a week, just be careful.

We try to have young mothers lift their babies as little as possible.
Certainly the 16 month old can walk with assistance although they would love to be carried. I speak from very recent experience, and how can you deny them when they look at you and hold their arms out?
Beyond those guidelines, I know young mothers ignore my advice on lifting, simply because they have no other choice.
The recurrenrce rate of the tightening of the fascia is almost nonexistent, from my experience, but if an umbilical hernia repair is performed, the recurrence rises in patients who are active too early.

Tummy Tuck RecoveryThe first 2-3 days after surgery there is a good amount of pressure and tightness from repairing the stretched rectus muscles. The feeling is similar to a hard workout. We usually prescribe pain pills such as Norco (Vicodin) or Percocet and a muscle relaxant such as Soma or Flexeril. You will need help from someone the first 2-3 days. A drain is placed which is removed at approximately 1 to 1.5 weeks. Most people usually go on with light normal activities at that time. No heavy lifting or exercising for 6 weeks. The results will be visible right after the procedure. It takes several months for the swelling to subside. Generally, patients wear the compression garment 6 weeks and longer if necessary. Best of luck, Dr. Michael OmidiAn in-person exam with a board-certified plastic surgeon is the best way to assess your needs and provide true medical advice.