How to start a workout routine after a Mommy Makeover?

Question

I had a mommy makeover a week ago on 12/18 and I was wondering, how soon can I start going to the gym. Should I start with low impact cardio…..how do you know when it's too much?

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

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.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.

Ozge Ergun, MD · Answer

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

Janet Turkle, MD · Answer

I usually advise to hold on cardio activities for the first two weeks to lessen the risks of bleeding and to avoid strenuous activities that could disrupt the wounds for six weeks to allow adequate healing.  I would strongly encourage you to discuss your exercise activities with your surgeon and get his/her advice as they know what procedure(s) were performed and an best advise you on your return to full activities.

Matthew Schulman, MD · Answer

Without knowing which procedures you had during your mommy makeover, it is hard to tell you when to return to your workout routine. Your plastic surgeon will be able to give you specific recommendations based on your healing.

Richard Baxter, MD · Answer

Your plastic surgeon will give you specific guidance on this. If there was a muscle repair with the tummy tuck then you will need to be careful about lifting for 6 weeks, but how you ramp up to full exercise depends on what exactly was done.

How to start a workout routine after a Mommy Makeover?

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Answer: Working out after Mommy Makeover

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Answer: Resuming exercise after mommy makeover

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Everything you need to know about Mommy Makeover

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

How to start a workout routine after a Mommy Makeover?

Answers (8)

Answer: Working out after Mommy Makeover

Answer: Working out after Mommy Makeover

Answer: Resuming exercise after mommy makeover

Answer: Resuming exercise after mommy makeover

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Mommy Makeover

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.