Flat tummy, beautifully tapered waist, tight abdominal muscles – these are results that patients enjoy after a tummy tuck. In one operation the excess fat and skin are removed, the 6-pack muscles are tightened, and the love handles (muffin-tops) are sucked away via liposuction. Once they heal, tummy tuck patients are eager to show off their new figures & buy new form-fitting clothes. They’re also very inspired to start exercising to maintain these dramatic results.
What do I tell post-tummy tuck patients about exercise? I want them walking the evening of surgery. I don’t want them just lying in bed and I want family members to help them but also to make them walk. As their body heals and the discomfort improves I want them increasing their activity and within 2-3 weeks after surgery I have no problem with brisk walks, or elliptical machine type exercise (low-impact!). Within 4-6 weeks the tummy tuck patient may resume her typical workout or exercise activities.
The most common exercise-related questions I get relate to situps or crunches. When should patients resume situps after a tummy tuck? Do patients need to do situps after a tummy tuck? Can abdominal exercises hurt or “mess up” a tummy tuck?
Here’s my answer: The patient will see a dramatic difference in her tummy before & after surgery. The entire torso is flatter & more trim after abdominoplasty. In the first few weeks after surgery there is not a need to resume situps or crunches after tummy tuck. Patients may resume these exercises many weeks after surgery without any adverse effects. After a few months performing abdominal exercise will help support and even improve the tummy tuck results.
For more information on procedures offered by Dr McCluskey and the Plastic Surgery Institute of Atlanta visit http://sexualaesthetics.com/