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How Much Can I Exercise After Male Tummy Tuck?
You may wonder why we all have such strong opinions and post-operative care instructions for our patients. It is important to understand the risks of exercise in the early post-operative period following abdominoplasty. Here's a quick summary - in no particular order. First - any narcotics that you are using to control the pain can make working out dangerous. I advise patients not to drive or operate heavy machinery while using narcotic pain medication. This would likely include strenuous workouts. Second - increase in heart rate and blood pressure can cause bleeding at the surfaces cut. This bleeding can be significant and can cause the need for re-operation or hospitalization. It can also greatly impact the final result of the surgery. Third - Exercise, especially crunches, for post-op abdominoplasty can mechanically damage the muscle plication or even the skin closure. For these reasons it is important carefully discuss a post-operative regimen including when you can begin exercise with your surgeon.
Clinical Context
In a full tummy tuck, the surgeon stitches the abdominal muscles back together (muscle plication) in addition to closing the skin incision. This creates two separate healing processes that both need time before crunches, heavy lifting, or vigorous cardio are safe. Pushing activity too soon can strain the muscle repair or the incision itself. Recovery pace varies by individual, so follow your surgeon's specific guidance on when to resume exercise.
