I recommend patients to wait 6 weeks before they begin doing strenuous exercise. Once you have met your 6 week mark, start slow as you will feel some discomfort when you first start working out.
Every surgeon is different. Consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss post surgery do’s and dont’s. (Jaime Perez, MD, Tampa Plastic Surgeon)
Exercise after tummy tuck
Many people are so excited with their new physique that they can’t wait to show it off and start exercising. It is important to follow your doctors orders. Strenuous exercise can create problems soon after surgery.
Follow your doctors orders carefully and be sure to be present for all of your post-operative visits. Your plastic surgeon will likely tell you that you may resume exercise slowly, starting with walking, adding more and more with each passing week. Be patient and you will have the best possible outcome. (Michael Law, MD, Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon)
Tummy Tuck Recovery and Exercise
I am a little conservative and recommend no strenuous exercise for at least 8 to 10 weeks after the procedure. If my patients are very active, I have in the past limited their activity up to 12 weeks. I encourage walking from day one. (Wandra K. Miles, MD, Seattle Plastic Surgeon)
Exercise After Tummy Tuck Surgery
I let my patients begin exercising at 4 – 6 weeks but heavy exercises involving the abdominal muscles should wait at least 4 6 months. The problem with exercising too soon is that the blood pressure will increase and bleeding can occur. (Thomas Guillot, MD, Baton Rouge Plastic Surgeon)
Exercise after tummy tuck may be done sooner than one thinks!
A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that does take time to recover from. But at the same time it is important for the patient to get mobilized very early. In my accredited surgical facility we routinely use epidural anesthesia with intravenous sedation for this very specific reason. My patients are able to WALK out of the office 2-3 hours after tummy tuck surgery.
They are able to start “fluid” exercise such as riding a stationary bicycle at 2-3 weeks post surgery. Full activity, such as weight lifting or crunches may be performed 4-6 weeks post op. (Z. Paul Lorenc, MD, Manhattan Plastic Surgeon)
Exercise After Tummy Tuck Surgery
We all try to get back to training quickly. However healing takes time. With abdominoplasty the concern is with the muscle repair. In the first three weeks there is not a lot of strength in the repair- basically the stitches are carrying the load. Your body’s healing strength increases dramatically in the next three weeks (weeks 4-6). In general, one should avoid strenuous exercises involving the abdominal muscles until about week six. Of course that does not mean that one can not exercise the body elsewhere (but as always- discuss this with your surgeon first). (George Volpe, MD, Boston Plastic Surgeon)