How long after my mommy makeover can I start working out?

Dear Jane,    You are asking about the post operative recovery, but after reading about the amount of surgery that you are contemplating, I would recommend to you to reconsider. I understand that you want to do it all at one time, but it is too risky. Patients over estimate their ability to recover from painful surgery. The combination of your surgery can be associated with severe complication like blood clots, dehydration , pneumonia etc. Cosmetic surgery is purely elective and as such, complications should be reduced to a minimum.  Also the length of time for the surgery will get your surgeon fatigued and the end results might be less than optimal. Based on my 28 years of plastic surgery, I would recommend to you to split the surgeries into , at least, two sessions. Your safety is more important than anything else.          Stay safe,                        Dr Widder

Thanks for the question. After 6 weeks your surgery area is totally healed and yes you can do gym and also do other activities.

It is good to get into an exercise routine on a long-term basis.  Fast starts and intense/grueling bursts frequently lead to burnout and failure.  If possible, it would be good for you to start an exercise program before your surgery.  Initiate good habits today and you will be more likely to resume them once you are healed! You may even tone up or loose weight to create a better result from your surgery!



     After surgery, you will need to take at least the first week completely off.  Getting up and around the house will be plenty of stress on your body.  After the first week, gentle walking should be okay, but even then do not try to get your heart rate up or break a sweat.  Between 3-4 weeks you usually can start to engage in vigorous activity (like a slow treadmill or elliptical without using your arms).  By 4-5 week you may be able to step up the pace to jogging and aerobics.  Heavy lifting, kickboxing and core exercise have to wait until later depending on healing. My limit for lifting for patients is usually 5 lbs. for 3 weeks, advancing to 10-15 lbs. for another week or two progressing to unlimited lifting by 6-8 weeks (depending on healing).  Specifics of these timelines will vary depending on the exact surgery, your health, and your healing process. Be sure to follow your surgeon’s recommendations on these issues.

In our practice we would wait at least 4 to 6 weeks before any kind of intense work outs. Also depends on the individual and what their situation is. But check with your surgeon first because every practice is different and will give you specific instructions. Jaime Perez MDPlastic Surgery Center of Tampa

Thank you for your question.  I advise my patients to wait for six weeks until resuming exercise.  Then, they can begin to build up the intensity of their workouts moving forward, being sure to listen carefully to their bodies.All the best,Dr. ResultsMiami, FL

A couple of things: specific instruction should come from your own surgeon, the convalescence will be dependent upon the operations chosen. Having said that in my practice you would be expected to be up and walking the next day. Aerobic activity can begin when the sutures are removed at about 10 days. The abdominal muscles cannot be targeted for six weeks and from then until three months activity is increased.

This question is best answered by your surgeon as opinions may vary. Generally my patients can return to work and non strenuous activities after two weeks. Low impact activities can be resumed after four weeks and strenuous activities after six weeks.

Walking is good for the first week, gradually increasing to fast pace walking the 2nd or 3rd week, and finally vigorous exercise between 4-6 weeks.  Everyone recovers differently, so follow your surgeon's advice.

In our practice we would say six weeks to eight weeks. Check with your surgeon and follow that advice since he/she will have your best interests in mind and they know the extent of what was done. Best wishes.

I would say light cardio or aerobics after 20 days , weightlifting after 2 months and specific professional training for a marathon or a match after 4 months.