How long after a TT surgery can I go on a ski trip? Trying to plan ahead

I appreciate your question.



I would recommend that you discuss this question with your surgeon as every surgeon has their own respective post op protocol for his/her patients.  Your surgeon is your best resource as he/she is most familiar with your medical history and how you are healing at this time.



The best way to assess and give true advice would be an in-person exam.



Please see a board-certified plastic surgeon that specializes in aesthetic and restorative plastic surgery.



Best of luck!



Dr. Schwartz



Board Certified Plastic Surgeon



#RealSelf100Surgeon

Thank you for your question. After a tummy tuck procedure patients can return to light activities almost immediately after surgery, normal activities 2 weeks after surgery, and vigorous exercise 4 weeks after surgery.  We usually experience a slow steady improvement for 3 months or so after surgery. Best is to follow your surgeon´s post op instructions. 

It's best to ask your surgeon since he/she will know to what extent your tummy tuck was. However, typically you'll want to wait around 2 months before such activity. Best wishes,Dr. BlaggAustin, TX

Thank you for your question. I usually recommend 2-3 months depending on how the healing period. Please talk to your surgeon who knows your healing and recovery.

Thank you for your question.  I typically tell patients to refrain from any strenuous activity for six weeks after tummy tuck, in order to avoid wound healing complications or separation of the internal abdominal wall sutures.  My advice would be to get clearance from your plastic surgeon before doing any skiing.

I would say a minimum of 8 weeks if you have no complications. Skiing is vigorous activity. Recovery times can vary by patient. Your personal tolerance for pain, swelling and compression, your pre-surgical state of fitness.Enjoy your vacation 

If you are a good skier and recover normally from your tummy tuck, you surgical areas should be strong enough to ski, 6 weeks after surgery. You won't be in your best form and will likely be sore while you ski, but you won't damage the results of your surgery.  I am an avid skier and skied 2 months after Achilles reconstruction.  I enjoyed the trip, but it did hurt.

 As you can imagine, the recovery experience after tummy tuck surgery will vary from one patient to another. Your plastic surgeon will be your best resource when it comes to assessing your progress and advising you when you return to relatively strenuous exercise such as skiing.   In my practice, I ask my tummy tuck patients to refrain from any heavy-lifting or strenuous exercise for 6-8 weeks to prevent any complications and ensure proper healing. Keep in mind that it may be 2 to 4 months before you return to full strength/stamina;  it is somewhere in this range where you will be able to return to skiing. Best to “go slow” and listen to your body as you gradually increase your activity level. Best wishes.

A tummy tuck which is also referred to as an abdominoplasty is a procedure to enhance the appearance of the abdomen.  It consists of 3 basic steps:

Skin removal and tighteningSubcuataneous fat removalMuscle tighteningThe recovery is very similar to a C-Section or Hysterectomy recovery.  The first week lifting is limited to 15 lbs maximum and the patients usually walk slowly and bend over.  The second week the weight limitaion is increased to 30 pounds and more normal walking.  After the second week many patients return to work if it is more sedentary, active work jobs and heavy lifting, pulling or straining are still difficult for another 2 weeks.  Most women need help with small children for the first week.

Vigorous physical activity and contact sports are limited for 4-6 weeks.  Everyone's recovery is different, and everyone's tummy tuck is different, the recovery time will vary from individual to individual.

This is a wonderfull operation that will make the tummy flat FOREVER, WITHOUT SIT-UPS!!  But, you have to be willing to trade the appearance for the scar, which is long, but well placed, and hidden in all clothing and bathing suits.

If you are having the muscles tightened as part of the TT, it will be at least 8 weeks before you should consider something as active as skiing. Even at that point it may not be much fun as you will not have been able to do the core strengthening vigorous skiing requires.