Can I Start Contracting Stomach Muscles 5 Days Post-Op Tummy Tuck with Lipo?

It is important to let the stomach muscles heal.

Most tummy tucks have sutures in the midline holding the very important fascial layer.  It is unwise to disrupt the sutures by exercise of any kind.

Most doctors ask their patients not to exercise their abdominal muscles for six to eight weeks after surgery.  For patients with wound healing issues, that period could be even longer.

Fluid collections or worse, a disruption of the deep layer requiring surgery to fix, could result.

Seriously, how can any of us respond since we are not your treating surgeon. Give the surgeon a call to check if this is acceptable in his post operative protocol. In mine, it is not, I tell, write my detailed instructions to all my patients. No muscle use for atleaast 10 days. 

Aftercare instructions should always be directed to your surgeon and their nursing team as each procedure and each patient is different. In general, you can and will contract your muscles gently this early after a tummy tuck but you must allow for more time to heal before any exercise. If you had your muscle "repaired" as part of the procedure it is advisable to avoid strenuous activity for 6-8 weeks. Too much activity too soon can increase your risk of complications and prolong your recovery. Why would you want to take a chance on compromising your result?

Dr. Mosher