A tummy tuck procedure helps eliminate excess fat from the middle and lower abdomen, along with tightening the muscles of the abdominal wall. This is a common surgery to correct loose skin and pockets of fat as a result of recent weight or pregnancy. If you would like to have a leaner, smoother midsection and live in Greater New Jersey, a tummy tuck may be the answer. This transformative procedure changes your waistline by eliminating stubborn fat that may not go away due to traditional diet and exercise programs.
The Peer Group is a renowned plastic surgery practice located in Florham Park, NJ that offers tummy tuck procedures for patients concerned about their midsection. One of the more commonly asked questions to our board-certified plastic surgeons at our facility is: When can I return to my regular exercise regimen? While every individual case is different, we have provided several general guidelines for recovery so you can get back to your active lifestyle.
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Follow Your Post-Op Instructions
While you may be eager to get back to your active routines, for men and women in Greater New Jersey, a tummy tuck is a major procedure performed under general anesthesia and takes about 2 to 4 hours to complete. Immediately following the surgery, the board-certified plastic surgeons at The Peer Group will give you any required prescriptions along with a compression garment to wear for several days to promote proper blood flow.
It is absolutely essential that you follow any detailed instructions given to you by your plastic surgeon. This includes taking your medication at the right times, resting properly, and slowly easing your way back into your active routine. If you exert yourself too quickly, you risk damaging the surgery site, which means an even longer recovery period. Based on the type of tummy tuck procedure you receive, the trained experts at The Peer Group can provide you with details on what you can do and at what time.
Walking
While we encourage Greater New Jersey tummy tuck patients to take a walk the day after their procedure, an important part of the healing process is to start slow. For the first two weeks after your tummy tuck, you must allow your body to rest and heal properly. When you begin with strenuous activity or push yourself too hard, you risk injuring the surgery sites, leading to a longer recovery period. After this two-week period, under the approval of your plastic surgeon, you may participate in light exercise.
Walking is a low-intensity activity that doesn’t require special equipment and does not harm the surgery sites. In fact, walking helps promote blood flow and circulation that could help you heal faster. Regular walks could also assist with joint and muscle stiffness and pain if you have been sitting or laying down for long periods of time.
Regular and Core Workouts
A tummy tuck procedure requires an extensive amount of work to the abdominal wall, which is why workouts are not advised for at least 6 – 8 weeks post-op. At the 6-week mark, ask your board-certified plastic surgeon at The Peer Group about incorporating low-impact cardiovascular activities if there were no issues or injuries during the healing process. More intense exercises that focus on the core are prohibited for three months so these muscles can heal properly.
Leg or arm exercises can keep you active, as long as you don’t place any unnecessary stress on the abdominal area. Though every patient recovers in their own time, it can take up to six months to fully recover from tummy tuck surgery and get back to your normal workout routine. Slowly incorporating new movements is a great way to transition into harder exercises. Be sure to clear certain exercises with your doctor if you are uncertain if they are appropriate for you.
Risks and Concerns
So what happens if you ignore the advice of your physician or push yourself too hard right away? Strenuous workouts tend to raise your blood pressure and heart rate, which can cause bleeding and other complications. If you are taking pain medications, this can also affect how you move or control your muscles, placing you at higher risk for injury. Patients who had their stomach muscles tightened must take extra precautions as core exercises can cause a great deal of damage following a tummy tuck.
Remember to schedule a follow-up appointment as needed so that your plastic surgeon at The Peer Group in Florham Park, NJ can assess the surgery site and underlying muscles to ensure they are healing properly. They will be able to give you the clearance to perform certain core activities like pelvic thrusts, leg lifts, and planks so you can show off your newly toned and sculpted midsection once again.
Contact The Peer Group
Working with a board-certified plastic surgeon makes all the difference when it comes to getting the outcome you want from a tummy tuck. Though every patient’s recovery period looks different, it is best to follow the instructions of your practitioner so you can make the most of your procedure and obtain the aesthetic outcome you desire. At The Peer Group, our leading, board-certified plastic surgery experts in the Greater New Jersey area offer a safe, comfortable environment in our on-site surgical center to accommodate your needs. Our staff invites you to reach out to our office for a tummy tuck consultation today.