A stomach tuck, more commonly referred to as a tummy tuck, is a cosmetic surgery procedure that involves removing excess fat and skin in the abdomen. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, a tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, also restores weak abdominal muscles, leaving you with a firmer, slimmer silhouette. There are precautions that you must take following the procedure. Resume exercising according to your doctor's instructions. Certain exercises can help you recover quicker and will help to maintain your new profile.
Walking
Abdominoplasty is a major surgical operation in which you will be under general anesthesia for two or three hours. Chicago plastic surgeon Otto Placik advises patients to begin walking as soon as possible following the operation to decrease the risk of developing blood clots. You are at risk for blood clots as long as you are immobile, report doctors at Merck. Walking also improves blood circulation, which aids in the healing process. Start by walking around the hospital corridors to make sure the pain medication you are receiving is manageable. At home, walk around your house for a couple of minutes every hour and venture out for short walks, about a block or so, until you begin to feel better. Most people resume regular walking schedules within a week or so. Avoid speed walking or running until approved by your doctor, usually after about six weeks.
Sit-ups
Although the tummy tuck tightened your abdominal muscles, you must do ab exercises regularly to maintain the muscles. One of the reasons to get a tummy tuck is to reorient the stomach muscles so they will be more receptive to ab exercises. To promote toned and lengthened muscles in the abdomen that give you that long, lean look, concentrate on sucking in the abs when performing the exercises. You should expect some discomfort and soreness when you begin.
Start by lying on the floor on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Cross your arms in front of your chest or rest them beside your head. Lift your shoulders off the floor, keeping your head straight, Push your ribs toward your hips and lower yourself back down. Repeat 10 times, keeping your breathing regular. Add repetitions as you get stronger.
Crunches
After getting used to performing sit-ups again, you can add variations and intensity to your workouts with variations on the crunch. Strengthen your lower abs with a reverse crunch. Get in the position on your back to do a sit-up, but instead of raising your shoulders, lift your hips off the floor. Keep your knees bent and push them back towards your chest. Repeat 10 times. Use a stability ball to add even more intensity and strengthen more core muscles. Lie on the stability ball on your back and walk yourself forward so that your upper back is resting on the ball and your thighs are hanging loosely. Keep your knees bent and cross your arms over your chest as lift your shoulders off the ball. In addition to getting the benefits of a crunch, you must engage other core muscles to maintain your balance on the ball while working out.
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