Exercises After Abdominal Liposuction

Abdominal liposuction can help contour your body for a better shape, but the results aren't foolproof. Resuming an inactive lifestyle or unhealthy diet could cause you to gain excess weight back and cause dissatisfaction with your results. But before you hop back on the treadmill, it's important to give your body time to heal and ease back into physical activity.

Time Line

Your plastic surgeon will give you an exact time line for your recovery period. Typically, you'll need to rest immediately after your procedure. Then you'll be urged to walk as part of your recovery. Walking can help you heal faster while protecting your health. After two to four days, you should be able to resume light activities. The amount of liposuction you received will dictate how quickly you begin exercising again, so heed your doctor's advice for your specific case.

Walking

If your doctor allows, getting out of bed as soon as you can to begin walking is an important way to protect your body from harmful blood clots by aiding circulation. You'll probably be encouraged to walk during your recovery period at the surgery center, and then continue walking when you're sent home to finish your recovery. In general, you should be able to do some walking the night after your surgery.

Light Aerobics

After two to four day, you should be able to do light aerobic activities, including walking, light jogging or golfing. You'll likely be asked to wear a support garment for two or three weeks immediately following the surgery, so some types of exercise may be uncomfortable. Try resuming around 25 percent of your previous exercise to slowly ease your body back into your routine. It's normal to experience mild pain and swelling, but contact your surgeon if you experience pain so severe you cannot exercise at all.

Vigorous Exercise

See your plastic surgeon for a follow-up appointment three to six weeks after your appointment. There she'll remove your support girdle, observe your healing process and ensure that the liposuction results are acceptable. This is also when you'll be able to begin vigorous exercise, if desired. Between three to six weeks, you should be able to run, dance, swim and even try ab exercises. Continue to be on the lookout for pain and swelling, and discuss appropriate exercise with your doctor to ensure that the type of exercise you choose won't interrupt the healing process.