Undergoing a body contouring procedure is an exciting event. Even before surgery day, most patients are busy imagining what it will feel like to live in a new and improved body. They may be able to wear the clothes they’ve wanted to but been unable to, or they may finally feel comfortable wearing the clothes they have tucked away in their closet. When it comes to achieving dramatic results, there may be no procedure that does what a tummy tuck can. This popular procedure is known for astonishing outcomes. It is also known for a lengthy recovery. Patients often want to know when they can get back to a normal exercise routine. We discuss that here.
What a Tummy Tuck Does
A tummy tuck, also called abdominoplasty, is the procedure that removes loose, excess muscle and skin. Some degree of fatty tissue is removed along with these tissues. The procedure involves an incision between the hip bones, the tightening of the abdominal muscle so it lies flush, and the trimming of extra muscle and skin. Abdominoplasty is an artistic procedure that requires attention to detail and excellent suturing technique, resulting in beautiful contouring.
Life after Abdominoplasty
Most people who research a tummy tuck learn that their recovery may include at least a few days of being hunched over. This is not due to pain; it is due to the tightening of the abdominal muscle. Each day, the muscle smooths out and relaxes, allowing increasingly more mobility. Still, patients are advised to limit their physical activities for at least one week. Light activity, including a desk job, may resume after about 2 weeks of recovery at home. It can take up to 4 weeks for patients to start to feel like themselves again, with full range of motion and normal amounts of energy throughout the day. This is when patients can get antsy to return to their exercise routine. The time may not be right yet.
A tummy tuck is an investment of time and money. We want to achieve results that are consistent and long-lasting. We want patients to avoid the unpleasant experience of post-operative complications. For this reason, the general recommendation is that patients postpone exercise for approximately 6 weeks after their tummy tuck. Dr. Altamira performs routine follow-ups after surgery to evaluate healing. These appointments provide important information to clear patients for activities they wish to engage in.
With surgical excellence and adherence to post-operative instructions, patients can achieve outstanding cosmetic results from a tummy tuck. To learn more about this procedure, schedule a consultation at 713.271.9000.