When can I start walking after a tummy tuck?

At two weeks, with the drains out and everything healing well, you can start to increase your activity level. It is  important to do this in moderation however.  At one month, you can resume normal activities. Between two weeks and one month, you should be working your way towards that goal.  Start out slowly and see how you feel. Advance gradually as you are able. 

There is no advantage to jumping in to an exercise program too soon and setting your recovery back. 

Easy does it,

Doug Hargrave

 

Greetings,

After an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), walking is encouraged in our patients. We try to have our patients up and around immediately (night of surgery), with assistance. Thereafter, we encourage ambulation to tolerance. We also keep an abdominal binder in place for four weeks. Activity helps to resolve normal post-surgical swelling and fluid retention. This is, in my opinion, the approach that I prefer for my tummy tuck patients.

Walking is not on a treadmill or an elliptical. Walking is for reasonable and daily increasing distances which are not exhausting.

"to walk or not to walk" is a question which you should clarify with your plastic surgeon.  He (she) may have concerns that you and I are unaware of.

Best Regards,