How long before I can return to work, and lift my baby?

Healing after a  #tummytuck 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.

Based on all the procedures that you are going to have I would recommend 6 weeks of now heavy lifting to give your hernia repair the best chance to heal.  Concerning lifting your year old I would wait 3-4 weeks if possible.Earl Stephenson, Jr, MD, DDS, FACS

You should probably avoid lifting your child for about 2 weeks.  During that time, I generally recommend that mothers of young children hold them while sitting on a sofa or chair to avoid putting stress on the diastasis/hernia repair.  As far as your work as a physical therapist goes, I would avoid any strenuous activity that involves your abdominal muscles for at least 3-4 weeks.  The risk of doing too much too soon is that it puts too much tension on the diastasis and hernia repairs which may affect the healing and final result.  Nothing worthwhile ever comes easy or quickly…Good luck! 

In general it is best for patients to take it easy for 2 weeks after tummy tuck.  It is important to move early after surgery, and walking should be encouraged.  However, vigorous activity that raises the heart rate or blood pressures should be avoided for 2 weeks. I don't like my patients to lift more than 10 lbs for two weeks. After, that they can start to progressively increase their activities with the goal of returning to unrestricted activities at 6 weeks post op. I hope this is helpful to you

As a general guideline I would recommend taking it easy for a couple of weeks. This means that you can do all of your non-strenuous activities of daily living starting a few days after your surgery. I don't like my patients to lift more than 10-15 lbs for two weeks. After, that they can start to progressively increase their activities with the goal of returning to unrestricted activities at 6 weeks post op. As a physical therapist you have a very strenuous job. You can start working with restrictions after a couple of weeks. If you cannot work with restrictions you should consider taking 6 weeks off after your surgery.Please consult your surgeon for further discuss these issues. Good luck!

The true answer will depend on the extent of the repair as well as if you are having your implants placed above or below the muscle.  I would limit lifting to 5-10 pounds for a minimum of two weeks, and it may extend longer depending on how you're healing.  I know it's hard to limit yourself from doing what you normally do, but if you lift too much too quickly you can injure yourself and prolong your healing.

I would check with your surgeon as we are all different depending on your tissues and the type of repair. I am more concerned with your work as a physical therapist then lifting your child. The reason is for your son you can use your arms and legs which I assume are quite strong considering your line of work. I would recommend at least 2 weeks off from work, and then go light. But I would discuss this with your surgeon in advance. I would also keep a garment on for support for your abdomen for an extended period while at work.

Hello,You will need to avoid lifting any weight over 20 lbs for 6 weeks after surgery, especially with diastasis and hernia repairs.  You should be able to hold your son, but not lift him off the ground.  As for your work, I would say 2 weeks with light duty or a month off minimum if you have to be lifting and moving heavy patients.Good Luck!