A tummy tuck is a cosmetic surgery performed on the abdominal area to remove excess fat and flatten the abdominal muscles. After having the procedure, you may experience bruising, redness, swelling or muscle soreness around the area of the surgery. Light exercise after your surgery, such as walking, can help speed your recovery process. However, some forms of exercise, such as swimming, can inhibit your healing or cause you injury. Consult your doctor before exercising after a tummy tuck.
Healing
Recovery from a tummy tuck can last three to six months. However, your tissues have 80 percent of their strength by the fourth week, explains Dr. George J. Beraka, a plastic surgeon with a private practice in New York City. You can expedite your healing process by wearing a specialized elastic support, similar to a girdle, around your abdominal area for two to three weeks after your surgery. Do not perform any exercise other than very light housework or easy walking first four weeks post-surgery.
Swimming For Leisure
After a month of recovery, you can start spending time in the water. Relaxing in the pool or watching your children play should cause you no physical damage after the four-week mark, explains Dr. Armando Soto, a plastic surgeon at Aesthetic Enhancements Plastic Surgery in Orlando, Florida. He advises that four weeks post-surgery is to soon for performing any form of stroke or exercising in the pool in any way. Swimming for exercise places stretches the abdominal muscles to much for this point in your recovery. Consult your physician prior to getting into a pool to ensure your safety. Wear a swimsuit or swimsuit cover that covers the area of your incision to protect it from sun damage.
Swimming For Exercise
Your body needs to recover for six to eight weeks to withstand the stress of any moderate to vigorous exercise. Most forms of swimming or water aerobics falls into this category of exercise. Once you have permission from your physician to start exercising, get back into swimming gradually. Increase the intensity or duration of your swim as you regain your fitness.
Considerations
Your recovery may take longer than average, making any form of exercise, including swimming, dangerous even after two months of recovery. Complications of surgery or recover may require you to wait as long as three months before you can swim laps in a pool. Avoid this situation by scheduling regular follow-up appointments with your physician. Contact your physician immediately if you experience discomfort, pain or bleeding while swimming or performing any other form of exercise.
References
- George J. Beraka; Plastic Surgeon in Private Practice; New York, New York
- Dr. Armando Soto; Aesthetic Enhancements Plastic Surgery; Orlando, Florida
- MedlinePlus; Abdominal Wall Surgery; George F Longstreth, MD; February 2009
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