Ab workout after tummy tuck?

Question

I’m 5 months post op a tummy tuck. My dr. Gave me the ok to workout months ago but told me to take it easy and to listen to my body. I’m wondering if it’s ok to start doing ab workouts or do I even have to worry about them anymore? My stomach is super tight but I would like to see some abs and to tighten my sides up abit. Will ab workouts help this or this about as tight as my abs will get?

Jeffrey Umansky, MD · Answer

At 5 months postoperatively,
you should be safe to resume abdominal workouts provided that everything has
healed normally. As your doctor advised, it is important to resume these
exercises gradually and listen to your body. While tummy tucks do help tighten
the muscle, abdominal workout will help improve your strength and further tone
your abdomen. If you have further questions regarding your recovery, I
recommend reaching out to your surgeon. Good luck!

Ryan Hoffman, MD · Answer

In your case, always checking with your operating surgeon about their specific restrictions is the best answer.  In my practice, I allow core strengthening to start about 2 months after surgery. You may begin with a small fraction of the exercises that you were doing prior. For example, if you are used to doing 50 sit ups you would start with 5-10 and see how you feel before progressing to more over the next week. Your muscles have been pulled together but strengthening them as they are pulled together is still possible.  5 months post op should be fine to start- just double check with your surgeon. It never hurts to be 100% sure.

Charles Nduka, MD · Answer

At 5 months, it is safe to do abdominal workouts but be sure to have a gradually increasing intensity in your workouts to avoid injury. Remember that for the past 5 months you avoided strenuous activities. Consult your surgeon regarding the safe intensity of work and its progression.

Gary L. Ross, MBChB, FRCS · Answer

Yes at this time you can get back to your normal exercise and you can work on your abdominal muscles.

Richard Wellington Swift, MD · Answer

Thank you for posting your interesting question. It is generally safe to return to abdominal work core works outs after 6 weeks.  Too avoid injury, it is always best to discuss returning to the gym with your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, as you did.  Core exercises will strengthen your abdominal muscles and you will see further improvement. Many gyms offer these types of classes and are beneficial. Best wishes, Richard Wellington Swift, M.D.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

BY 6-8 weeks after surgery, I will often give the go ahead to start weight training and the like. Many times I will have them wait to do sit-ups for another 3-4 weeks after that.

Angeline Lim, MD · Answer

For my own tummy tuck patients, I tell them to avoid any exercise that might strain their core muscles (like the abs) for the first six weeks after surgery.  Even after being given the go-ahead to start exercising again, many patients are reluctant to dive back in out of fear of messing up their results.Your surgeon gave you excellent advice - to take it easy when you feel ready to start working on your abs, and equally important, to listen to your body as you're exercising.  I tell my patients who are interested in getting back to their regular workouts that strange/weird sensations can be normal at the beginning, that gentle post-exercise soreness is fine, but pain is not and can be an indication that you're doing too much.Five months after a tummy tuck, continuing a healthy lifestyle - which may include an ab-focused workout - can help you maintain and refine your great results.Hope this helps, and best of luck,Dr. Lim

George Lefkovits, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

I generally tell my patients that they can begin ab exercises after 6-8 weeks. But they need to use judgment; if it painful then you need to hold back and start slowly. After 5 months you should confidently be able to start abdominal exercises

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