I am 9 weeks post op and have swelling after exercising, do I need to stop working out?

Question

9 weeks post swelling after exercising do I need to stop working out? I am post op 9 weeks from extended tummy tuck. I started exercising ( walking and elipitical) about 6 weeks ago.. my swelling mild-moderate. At post op 9 weeks I started running like before 3 miles of running 30 of elipitical.. this week I abdomen have swelled up like a balloon.. at this point do I need to back off from working out or continue working out.. I workout 3-4 days a week.. would appreciate any help. Thanks!

Stephen T. Greenberg, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you prabha1985 for your question and congratulations on your surgery.  I would recommend slowing down the exercising.  I typically recommend no exercise for 4-6 weeks and then slowly getting back into routine.  I would also recommend a follow up appointment with your surgeon to be examined and see what he or she recommend.  Best of luck to you during your recovery.

Aldo Guerra, MD · Answer

Swelling after tummy tuck and exercise is normal. You should seek your plastic surgeon’s advice after an exam. Good luck! Dr. Aldo

Ryan E. Austin, MD · Answer

Swelling when you get back to physical activity is normal after surgery. You want to make sure that you ease back into activity and dont go too hard all at once. If the swelling is really bad, I would ramp back the intensity of your workouts. You could also consider wearing a compression garment on your abdomen while you workout to help manage the swelling. The swelling can sometimes last for 3-6 months post surgery so dont be surprised that its not all back to normal at once!

Gregory DeLange, MD · Answer

Yes, back off.  You need to let the muscle repair scar down before you restart your activity. Hopefully your repair has not separated.  If you swell or the activity hurts a lot, you have to back down and wait for the repair to strengthen.  
I recommend mild activity starting 2 weeks after the surgery and nothing intense for 3 months.

Carolina Restrepo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Healing after a tummy tuck is usually pretty straight forward.  There is a process of swelling and bruising that undergoes the first stage of major resolution in the first 2 weeks after surgery.  The lateer phase of healing takes place over the 2-3 months after surgery where everything really settles and softens.  It is after this time that we are getting close to the final result, though this varies patient to patient. Normally patients are able to exercise after 4 weeks of their surgery. If you're swelling after working out then try to give your body more time to heal. Make sure to follow up with your surgeon. Best!

Katerina M. Gallus, MD, FACS · Answer

Congratulations on getting back to a dedicated exercise routine! That is important to maintain your new look.  Swelling is expected after a return to working out.  In my experience those women who are most active physically before and after tummy tuck surgery take the longest to heal.  This can be a bummer but you also are more likely to retain your results.  The area of surgery, in this case your abdomen, can take up to a year to completely heal.  During this time collagen is remodeling (at your incisions) and nerve ending are coming back and the lymphatic drainage and blood supply to your abdominal skin is regrouping.  When you exercise, you are challenging these systems and will have more swelling there relative to the rest of your body.  Are you using compression? That may help ease the journey if you wear a compression garment during exercise and afterwards for a couple of hours.  Good luck!  It should get better.  You can always check in with your surgeon to make sure you are on the right track.

Larry Lickstein, MD · Answer

Your experience is not surprising, and in fact, quite common, especially with your dedication to physical activity.  Surgery interrupts lymphatics, which are the channels that drain tissue fluid.  The injury of these channels contributes to swelling.  As they heal, and as inflammation from surgery abates, swelling slowly resolves.  But as you become more active, and you elevate your heart rate and blood pressure, there is greater circulation, and simply put, the increased flow may just be too much for the healing lymphatic pipes, resulting in more swelling.  Over time, you likely will be able to return to all activity without experiencing swelling, but your workouts are rigorous and it is still early after surgery.  Consider wearing firm compression for activity and you may want to restrict some of your activity until your result has matured.  Contact your surgeon to discuss more specific activity recommendations and restrictions.

Diego Franco, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hola prabha1985!
Typically I recommend my patients wait at least 4 to 6 weeks before returning to the gym or exercise regimens and upon returning it is best to take it slow and work your way up to full on intensive workouts.
If you had an extensive tummy tuck with muscle repair then it is safe to say that the inflammation is a good sign for you to take it easy and avoid aggravating the abdominal area.
Remember in some cases the immediate return to physical activity at high intensity levels too early may actually prolong your recovery period and extend the amount of time you have to wait to see your desired results.
If it is possible to schedule an appointment with your surgeon for an exam to discuss in detail what suggestions he/she may have regarding your case.

Trent D. Douglas, MD, FACS - Account Suspended · Answer

Your experience is not uncommon and is part of the healing process.  Because the veins and lymphatic channels were disrupted during surgery, it will take some time for new connections to be established and for the lymph drainage to find these pathways.  Most of the time patients experience swelling a few inches above the incision as tissue fluid can't move downward.  It's similar to standing all day and having your feet swell at the end of the day.  It can take 3-4 months to resolve so be patient and be sure and see your surgeon if you feel anything is really amiss in your recovery.  Getting back to exercising is important, but do so cautiously and gradually.

I am 9 weeks post op and have swelling after exercising, do I need to stop working out?

Answers (9)

More Tummy Tuck Questions

How should you sleep after having a tummy tuck and Brazilian butt lift done?

I have 100 more lbs to lose. Was diagnosed with a mild abdominal aorta aneurysms. Will I still be able to get a tummy tuck?

Necrosis or scab 5wk post tummy tuck? (photos)

Is Abdominoplasty considered reconstructive surgery? And does Medicaid cover it? (photos)

What else can I try for scar hyperpigmentation from tummy tuck several years ago? (photos)

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS