When can I start walking on treadmill after Mommy Makeover?

The Mommy Makeover is a combination of procedures to bring a woman’s body back to the way she looked prior to pregnancy. Most commonly some variation of a #TummyTuck and #BreastSurgery are performed. Additional procedures can include liposuction, umbilical hernia repair.  The most common #breastprocedures include #mastopexy or #breastlift, #breastaugmentation, or #breastreduction.    

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. #Healing will continue for 2-3 months following your #Augmentation #Mastopexy procedure. There may be some swelling, bruising, malposition, color differences. Sensation will be abnormal. Scars will also be changing. But, it can be up to one year see your final result. Your doctor may require you to move or massage the implants within the breast pockets during the #postoperative period. #Textured implants do not require breast massage. You will be informed about this at your post-operative visit. Also, the two breasts commonly heal quite differently so #asymmetry is not unusual. One breast may swell more, feel more uncomfortable, or have a different initial shape. After complete #healing, they will be more similar and natural. You must have patience, but if this causes concern, ask questions of the doctor or the nursing staff.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.

The exact timing of when to return to exercise after surgery varies widely depending on the specific surgery, patient health, and healing process.  I would definitely recommend you ask your surgeon about his/her restrictions and follow those closely.  In general, I tell people to lay low for the first week following surgery.  Simply moving around the house will be hard enough at first.  After the first week, walking is strongly encouraged beginning at a slow pace and only advancing faster as you feel up to it.  Actually getting on a treadmill should wait for at least two weeks (and then still at a slow to moderate rate). 



In your case, the wound healing issues must be taken into consideration as well.  A long stride or twisting motion would put more strain on your incisions and should be avoided.  At 2.5 weeks, you certainly can be walking, but at your next checkup get specifics from your surgeon. 

After a mommy makeover, it takes time for the implants to
settle (if you got implants) and it takes time for the swelling to resolve.
This can take up to 6 months so I don't usually recommend any revisions
for that time. Specific questions about problems with the surgery are usually
best directed to the plastic surgeon who performed your surgery. Thanks
for your question!

In my Raleigh, NC practice I advise patients to wait at least four weeks following mommy makeover to resume exercise.  My recommendation would always be to follow the advice of your own plastic surgeon. He or she would be most familiar with your individual progress following mommy makeover.Best of luck,

You would be permitted to walk on a treadmill as soon is able after a mommy makeover in my practice. However, it is the responsibility of your own surgeon to prescribed postoperative activity.

Please talk to your plastic surgeon who is most familiar with your procedure.  I advise no heavy lifting or strenuous activity (including the treadmill) for 5 weeks after mommy makeover procedures.

Your surgeon will advise you what is safe based science and their experience.  In my practice, I stress to my patients that walking is extremely important to avoid life threatening complications like blood clots in the legs that may travel to the lungs.  However, too much exercise can cause harm to healing process.  I have found that slow walking for 10-15 minutes in a controlled environment (not on a treadmill) three times a day (spaced 4 hours apart) has been excellent.  I do not recommend vigorous exercise of any sort for 6 weeks after an abdominoplasty.  The risk is that the strong core muscles can loosen the corset effect at the midline.  Good question.  

Absolutely need to ask your surgeon's advise on this. What I tell my patients is that I prefer them to walk outside, not on a treadmill. Falling on a treadmill could cause serious injury so soon after surgery. Walking outside, not too briskly, is much easier on the body. I allow walking right away and in fact encourage it. But it's important to do things in moderation and gradually build up. Not overdo it. 

Thank you for the question.Questions like this should be addressed to your operating surgeon who knows your situation the best. He/she knows exactly what procedure was performed, how you are progressing, and whether or not you have any ongoing complications. Sometimes return to exercise may need to be delayed if the patient is  experiencing complications. Best wishes.

Definitely a question I would ask your plastic surgeon as everyone has a different opinion and a reason for that opinion. How you heal in the first several weeks can also impact the decisions. Check with you plastic surgeon for specifics. Best wishes, Dean Vistnes.