While you want to start walking immediately after your surgery, you do not want to resume running. Running can pull and damage the abdominal muscles that are working in overdrive to heal. Most patients are cleared to start running four to six weeks after their tummy tuck.
About 3 months after your San Diego tummy tuck, you can start trying to tone your abs with exercises like sit-ups, crunches, and planks. Again, take it easy at first. If you notice an unnecessary amount of pain associated with these activities.
Tummy Tuck Preparation Exercise
The Tummy Tuck Preparation Exercise is designed to help you prepare your stomach muscles for the surgery by strengthening them, which will make the recovery process easier.
Developing good exercise habits starts before surgery: Here’s how to do it
Doctor Bernard recommends that his patients start a regular exercise program at least three months before their surgery date, but ideally 6 months is best. Not only does it take time to tone your body, but developing new habits is said to take about one to two months. Exercise takes some getting used to if you are not used to working out. It can be challegning at first to get motivated to work out…and sometimes, even harder to stick with it.
The trick is knowing that if you do stick with it, it becomes routine. And therefore, it is far less difficult to exercise 3-5 times per week once it is a habit. The key takeaway is to develop healthy exercise habits several months before your tummy tuck to ensure you get used to the habit of exercise.
Running After Tummy Tuck
Walking improves blood circulation, which is essential to reduce inflammation (swelling) and prevent blood clots.
You should start walking as soon as possible—even around your recovery room or your house the night of your surgery.
You may need to have someone present to help stabilize you.
Gradually increase the distance and speed of your walking over the following week.
When Can I Start Running
While you want to start walking immediately after your surgery, you do not want to resume running. Running can pull and damage the abdominal muscles that are working in overdrive to heal.
Most patients are cleared to start running four to six weeks after their tummy tuck.
When Can I Do Yoga?
Yoga is split into two categories: asana and pranayama.
Asana, which are the physical positions and stretches in yoga, should be avoided for at least six weeks because they place too much strain on the abdomen. Any exercise that involves deep bends and contraction of the abdominal muscles should be avoided until the incisions and tissues have healed.
On the other hand, pranayama—breathing practices—can be resumed immediately to help circulate blood flow and purify your body.
When Can I Start Weight Training?
Most men and women can resume weight training after six weeks, but that is depending on if they were weightlifters to begin with.
If your body was already used to this practice, it should be conditioned to resume weight training earlier than if you are starting fresh.
Even if you have a history of weight training, you will want to avoid lifting anything over 15 pounds for the first six weeks. Once you feel comfortable with that, you can gradually increase the weight.
When Can I Do Sit-Ups?
Sit-ups place an extreme amount of pressure on your abdomen, and these exercises can cause significant damage if they are started too soon.
You should wait for clearance by your surgeon before you resume these practices. It may take seven to 10 weeks to get to this level and obtain medical clearance.
Is My Body Ready for Exercise?
Even though the above timeline is when you could hypothetically return to exercise, it is not the definitive answer.
Everybody heals at a different rate, and you may need additional time before you can safely return to your normal routine and strenuous exercise.
Start Working Out Those Abs
After about 5-6 weeks following your tummy tuck procedure, and once your surgeon has given you approval, you can gradually start to expand your exercise program, including pilates and yoga. Again, a personal trainer is an invaluable resource during this time. They can coach you on form, duration, and even progression of exercises as you regain strength in your abdominal muscles. You should still avoid any heavy weight lifting or exercises that target the abdominal muscles until your physician permits it. This is because ab toning exercises after a tummy tuck only lead to stress in the region, which can adversely affect your recovery.
6. Resume Your Normal Workout Routine
Congratulations! At around 7-10 weeks after your tummy tuck procedure, you should be cleared to ease into your normal exercise routine. You can begin doing crunches, sit ups, and planks, as long as you progressively increase your repetitions. We recommend focusing on performing these exercises with impeccable form. Be sure to pay attention to your body as you resume your routine. Start slow, set reasonable goals, trust your body, and listen to what it needs.
Every patient is unique and every recovery process is personal; your recovery will not be the same as your sister’s or your friend’s. Your genetic makeup, pre-surgery fitness level, nutrition habits, environment, and support structure all play a part in your recovery time – and your surgeon’s advice takes these and many other factors into account. In order to achieve the results you desire, it is critical to follow your surgeon’s recovery instructions for care after a tummy tuck with precision. Trying to skip recovery steps or pushing through the recovery process too hard not only yields frustration, it can undo the results you have already achieved.
Is a Tummy Tuck or Abdominoplasty Procedure Right for You?
Here are some tips to keep in mind during this time:
• Always stretch before exercising, especially if you have recently undergone surgery.
• Make sure you perform all exercises slowly and deliberately, with proper form and control.
• Do not overdo it! If you feel pain, stop immediately! The goal is to build strength slowly over time, so that you can gradually increase the duration and intensity of your workout routine.
Toning Abs After Tummy Tuck
After about 5-6 weeks following your tummy tuck procedure, and once your surgeon has given you approval, you can gradually start to expand your exercise program, including pilates and yoga. Again, a personal trainer is an invaluable resource during this time. They can coach you on form, duration, and even progression of exercises as you regain strength in your abdominal muscles. You should still avoid any heavy weight lifting or exercises that target the abdominal muscles until your physician permits it. This is because ab toning exercises after a tummy tuck only lead to stress in the region, which can adversely affect your recovery.
6. Resume Your Normal Workout Routine
Congratulations! At around 7-10 weeks after your tummy tuck procedure, you should be cleared to ease into your normal exercise routine. You can begin doing crunches, sit ups, and planks, as long as you progressively increase your repetitions. We recommend focusing on performing these exercises with impeccable form. Be sure to pay attention to your body as you resume your routine. Start slow, set reasonable goals, trust your body, and listen to what it needs.
Every patient is unique and every recovery process is personal; your recovery will not be the same as your sister’s or your friend’s. Your genetic makeup, pre-surgery fitness level, nutrition habits, environment, and support structure all play a part in your recovery time – and your surgeon’s advice takes these and many other factors into account. In order to achieve the results you desire, it is critical to follow your surgeon’s recovery instructions for care after a tummy tuck with precision. Trying to skip recovery steps or pushing through the recovery process too hard not only yields frustration, it can undo the results you have already achieved.
Is a Tummy Tuck or Abdominoplasty Procedure Right for You?
A tummy tuck procedure is a big decision, but can also be life changing. At Belcara Health, we want you to be as comfortable as possible and excited about your decision, which is why we offer a private in-person consultation with your doctor, as well as, virtual consultations to address any concerns you may have prior to surgery.
A tummy tuck procedure is a big decision, but can also be life changing. At Belcara Health, we want you to be as comfortable as possible and excited about your decision, which is why we offer a private in-person consultation with your doctor, as well as, virtual consultations to address any concerns you may have prior to surgery.
The tummy tuck preparation exercise is an important part of your recovery process. It will help prevent muscle separation and scarring, as well as improve your overall posture and appearance.