Planning mini-tummy tuck and lipo - can I play tennis again after 3 weeks? (Photo)

Question

I am very active and getting a mini-abdominoplasty and lip hips, hip rolls, abdomen, waist, thighs, lower buttocks. My goal is to be able to play tennis again after 3 weeks off. Is this realistic? My doctor says yes. I want more opinions. I did have a breast augmentation from same dr a couple of years ago and his prediction was accurate, so I trust him, but.... reading some of the comments in blogs has me a little worried! I cannot take more than 3-4 weeks off tennis! ha

William Andrade, MD · Answer

Hello, your own plastic surgeon is always your best source of info regarding return to regular activities, since they can actually assess your healing progress.  They will likely assess you at the 3-4 week point before making a definite recommendation either way.

Jose M. Soler-Baillo, MD, MS · Answer

Thank you for your question and photo.  If you were my patient, I would advise you to wait until the six week mark before you resume playing tennis.  All the best,Dr. ResultsMiami, FL

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

Hello,In my practice, 3 weeks is usually a suitable mark to allow cardio and lower body workouts provided that all is going well, however Tennis may be too much exertion/intensity at 3 weeks. I would advise you to be prepared for the possibility that you will not quite be ready for tennis at 3 weeks and wait closer to 6.All the best

Nagi T. Ayoub, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for the question and picture.I advise my patients to wait the full six weeks after any major cosmetic procedure.  The reason for that is that your incisions and muscle plicacation reach 80% healing strength by then.  At three weeks you probably are at 30% healing strength.  This is due to the logarithmic healing curve.  Between the second and sixth weeks the healing strength goes from 10% to 80% and for the next year it goes from 80% to close to 100%.It is a little confusing when I cannot draw a graph. I hope this answer helped.Best RegardsNagi T Ayoub MD, FACS

Young R. Cho, MD, PhD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  I would recommend waiting until the six week mark before starting tennis.

John L. Burns Jr., MD · Answer

It might depend on if your doctor plan on tightening your abdominal muscles; anterior rectus plication.  If not and just skin is removed then you might get back to tennis in 3 weeks.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Recovery will vary by the patient but generally speaking I tell my patients they can resume light impact exercise after four weeks and return to strenuous activity after six weeks.  You may want to wear your compression garment when you return to activity as well in order to support the tissues as they heal.

Sugene Kim, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi, rsaund.  Thanks for your question.   Plastic surgeons can vary in our surgical techniques and post-op recommendations.  I allow my patients to do light cardio workout (elliptical, stationary bike, treadmill) after 3 week. For more strenuous exercise (tennis) and weight lifting, I ask them to wait for at least 6 weeks.Best wishes.

Jules Walters, MD · Answer

If your surgeon says yes to you playing tennis after 3 weeks, then I would listen to him.  It all depends on the amount of surgery that is performed.  If I perform a muscle plication, I have my patients take it easy for 1 month.

Gloria de Olarte, MD · Answer

Dear rsaundEvery body heals different and many factors are involved but if everything goes well and you are well healed,without complications ,you should be able to play tennis in 3 weeks,just be careful and don't overdo it in the first week,go slowly.Good luck with your surgery

Planning mini-tummy tuck and lipo - can I play tennis again after 3 weeks? (Photo)

Answers (11)

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