How Soon Can I Exercise After a Tummy Tuck?

Having a tummy tuck can help you get that dream stomach. You probably want to do whatever you can to keep up your results. A common question patients have after a tummy tuck is how soon they can exercise. It is very important to follow all post-op restrictions and instructions. After your tummy tuck, there are several things to keep in mind before jumping into your exercise routine.

Start Slow Two week after your tummy tuck, you should be beginning to feel like yourself again. Light walking can start at this point, which will help to get the blood flowing again. When you hit six weeks after your tummy tuck, strenuous activity can resume, as long as you go slowly and progress steadily. More strenuous activities can be resumed at the six to eight-week mark. Again, start very slowly and do not push yourself too hard. After such a long time of not exercising, your muscles will need time to rebuild. You also do not want to risk damaging the healing tissue.

Abdominal Muscles You may be wondering when you can start the all-important crunches and sit-ups to maintain a flat stomach. It is important to wait until these muscles have 100% healed before beginning these types of exercise. This will likely take around four to six months, so be patient. Again, follow your post-op instructions and take it easy while you are healing. Healing is a very individualized process. How soon abdominal exercises are safe for you will depend on what is going on with your body. An appropriate timeline for all exercises, including abdominal ones, can be created for you by Dr. J. Timothy Katzen.

Daily Activities On top of exercising, several daily activities may need to be modified or avoided after your tummy tuck. Lifting heavy objects can put pressure on the healing tissue— something that should be avoided at all costs. Even things such as eating and sleeping will need to be slightly modified in the days after your surgery. You will want to eat lighter meals and move to larger ones gradually. Sleeping on your stomach should be avoided until all of the soreness has faded. How long you will need to stay home from work will be determined on a case-by-case basis. It may be two weeks or longer. On top of physically recovering from the procedure, you will also need time to wean yourself off pain medications correctly. Another thing to avoid while on pain medication is driving. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff at the office of Dr. J. Timothy Katzen in Beverly Hills, CA will be more than happy to answer any of your questions. Contact Dr. Katzen's office today to schedule your consultation!