According to the Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery, a tummy tuck flattens your stomach by removing excess fat and skin. Dr. Michael Bermant says patients may struggle to stand up straight shortly after surgery, but they should try to begin to walk and exercise as soon as possible since exercise is an important healing tool after a tummy tuck. There are a few points to remember when beginning to lift weights after a tummy tuck.
How to Lift Weights After a Tummy Tuck
Step 1
Start slowly and build yourself up to your previous level. Most people don't return to work for at least a week after the procedure and some take up to a month. The Albany Medical Center recommends waiting about six weeks to lift weights after surgery. In addition, The University of Michigan Surgery Department also recommends to avoid straining abdominal muscles for six weeks after surgery.
Step 2
Start with light cardiovascular exercise like walking for a couple of weeks. The Albany Medical Center notes that it is important to get some daily aerobic exercise because that will signal your body to burn fat instead of unused muscle. The Albany Medical Center says that progressing to swimming or other water exercise is fine after a couple of weeks.
Step 3
Use a circuit training program. Circuits are great tools to do one or two sets of a variety of exercises. They not only tone and strengthen muscles, but circuits also give you a great cardiovascular workout in about 30 minutes. According to the Sports Fitness Advisor, circuit training is great for developing strength and both aerobic and anaerobic endurance. This is important for patients hoping to tone up after surgery as there is no specific exercise to target fat loss; however, a whole body program will tone muscles and burn fat everywhere.
Step 4
Incorporate a stretching program into your workout. Stretching helps lengthen muscles and can aid the healing and strengthening process. According to the MayoClinic.com, stretching increases blood flow to your muscles and improved circulation can speed recovery after muscle injuries.
Things You'll Need
- Dumbbells
References
- Bremant Plastic Surgery: Recovery After a Tummy Tuck
- Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery: Tummy Tuck: What You Need to Know About Tummy Tuck
- Albany Medical Center: Frequently Asked Questions: Life After Surgery
- University of Michigan Health System: Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) Post-Operative Instructions
- MayoClinic.com: Fitness: Stretching Focus on Flexibility
- Sports Fitness Advisor: Circuit Training Section
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