Weight Lifting After Tummy Tuck?

Question

I am 3 weeks post op. Had my full TT and muscle tightening. My youngest child is 2 years old and weight about 20 lbs. By when and how long can I start lifting her?

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

Healing after a  #tummy tuck 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.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.As you know the tummy tuck operation is a major operation;  every patient experiences a different recovery course. This makes it difficult to discuss “general rules of thumb”.I would suggest planning for the worst-case scenario which will hopefully be about 4-6 weeks away from child care activities. Your  plastic surgeon will help guide you  with activity level depending on how your recovery proceeds.I hope this, and the attached link, helps.

Anire Okpaku, MD FACS · Answer

In general you need to be very careful in the first month or so after a tummy tuck.  Refrain from lifting anything that requires you to tighten your abdominal muscles.  Obviously this will be very hard with a two year old daughter.  Try not to lift her but you can still hug her etc.  I generally allow my patient to lift at around 6 weeks at the gym.  They need to start slow of course.  Please discuss this with your surgeon.

	 

	Good luck and thank you for the question.

	 

	Sincerely,

	 

	Anire Okpaku MD

	 

	En general usted deve de ser muy cautelosa en el primer mes de su abdominoplastia. No se recomienda levantar nada que requiera esfuerzo de los musculos abdominales. Obviamente esto sera muy dificil teniendo una niña de dos años. Trate de no levantarla pero si abrazarla. En general yo les recomiendo a mis pacientes levantar peso alrededor de 6 semanas en el gimnasio. Hay que empezar de espacio claro. Por favor converse con su cirujano acerca del tema.

	 

	Suerte y gracias por la pregunta.

	 

	Antentamente,

	Anire Okpaku MD

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

Your plastic surgeon is best to answer this question as he/she knows what was done to your rectus muscles, if anything. When in doubt, don't do it. You have invested a lot to get to this point so unless the activity is essential for life, you should avoid it for now.

Mennen T. Gallas, MD · Answer

Lifting restrictions after a tummy tuck are common as time is needed to let the tummy wall heal.  The amount of weight and time frames vary patient to patient based on her personal recovery as well as the extent of the procedure performed.  Check with your plastic surgeon and he/she should be able to further direct you.  Good luck.

Weight Lifting After Tummy Tuck?

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Answer: Lifting A Child After A Tummy Tuck

Answer: Lifting A Child After A Tummy Tuck

Answer: Lifting restrictions after tummy tuck

Answer: Lifting restrictions after tummy tuck

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Weight Lifting After Tummy Tuck?

Answers (7)

Answer: Lifting A Child After A Tummy Tuck

Answer: Lifting A Child After A Tummy Tuck

Answer: Lifting restrictions after tummy tuck

Answer: Lifting restrictions after tummy tuck

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

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