Running after tummy tuck: When can I run at least or jog?

Question

Hello, I had a tummy tuck march 24 , I've been healing fine i feel great now, 50% swelling down. When can I run at least or jog, even use my boxing bag again (free standing) I'm use to exercising daily and I'm going crazy. Btw it was only excess skin removal ,no lipo nothing else.

Leila Kasrai, MD, FRCSC · Answer

It’s understandable that you may be getting stir crazy due to activity restrictions during your recovery. However, these restrictions are to protect your health and results. You may need to wait a bit longer to do more physically intense exercises, however you can always start with something lower impact and less intense, such as walking.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

I would consult with your plastic surgeon and see the post op care that you would follow. For my patients I tell them after 3 weeks they can do brisk walking on the treadmill and if everything is going well in 6 weeks they should be cleared for running.

Kamran Azad, MD · Answer

Every surgeon has their own recovery protocol so it is best to ask 
him/her what their specifications are and recovery time is highly 
dependent on the patient and the extent of the tummy tuck surgery. With 
that said, I generally recommend patients not to resume vigorous 
exercise and heavy lifting of weight more than 15lbs, sit-ups, and 
crunches, until 8 weeks after the surgery. Good luck!
Kamran Azad MD, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

I usually tell my patients to wait at least 6 weeks before going back to regular activities, consult with your PS for his or her instructions.

Carolina Restrepo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your questions.  It's best to follow your surgeons specific advice post-operatively. Usually, 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.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

This question is best answered by your surgeon.  She/He is most familiar with the details of your surgery and how you've been progressing through recovery.  In general I advise my patients they can return to non strenuous activity after two weeks, light exercise after four weeks, and strenuous activities after six weeks.  It's best to follow your surgeon's advice for optimal results.

Jonathan Hall, MD · Answer

I strongly recommend that my patients wait 6 full weeks from the time of surgery to do anything more than light, slow walking. When surgery is performed many patients make the mistake of thinking they are “fixed”and ready to go, like a repair of a piece of furniture. But the tissues actually get weaker and weaker for the first 3 weeks after surgery, reaching the weakest point at the three week mark and then slowly healing and regaining strength from the third week on so that by the 6th week the repair is back to 70% of normal, and usually strong enough to withstand the normal forces of exercise. If you start moving too much,too soon you will have problems. The incisions can open or pull apart. A seroma can develop- this is a fluid collection that builds up under the skin. “Progressive tension sutures” help to tack down the tisssues and decrease the risk of a seroma but if you move the tissues too much they will still pull apart. So you need to give things time to “set” or “cure”. The same reason a cast stays on a broken arm for 6 weeks.

Running after tummy tuck: When can I run at least or jog?

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