Tummy-tuck surgery is a procedure in which excess fat and skin are removed from the abdomen, leading to a fit and trim appearance. Typical tummy-tuck patients include women after pregnancy, people who have lost a lot of weight, and people who have developed excess tissues due to normal aging and heredity.

The mini tummy tuck involves only the abdominal region below the belly button. If you’re interested in a mini tummy tuck, you may be wondering how long it will be before you can exercise normally again. First, let’s discuss the details of the procedure.

The Mini Tummy-Tuck Procedure

An incision is made horizontally along the lower abdomen, between the belly button and the pubic hairline. Because the tissue changes are all made below the belly button, no other incisions will be needed. Tissues are then lifted, and the abdominal musculature is examined.

If the muscles have stretched out during pregnancy or the aging process, they are repaired using internal sutures to tighten and firm the abdomen. The excess skin and fat is removed, and the incision is closed with stitches.

Recovery After Your Mini Tummy Tuck

At the end of the mini tummy tuck, sometimes plastic tubes are placed under the skin to help drain out fluid or blood that might collect. Dressings are then put on the incision and a post-operative compression garment is put on to help with healing and to keep the swelling down.

Recovery after a tummy tuck can take several weeks. Immediately after the operation, patients can expect a tugging sensation accompanied by swelling, numbness, pain, and bruising around the wounds or sutures.

The best thing for patients to do is take plenty of rest and keep the compression garment on during the healing process.

How Soon Can I Exercise After a Mini Tummy Tuck?

After your mini tummy tuck, the degree to which you can exercise will depend on which step of the recovery process you are experiencing.

Immediately after surgery: Although exercise is necessary to lead a healthy life after the surgery, patients must start slow and see how the body copes before starting rigorous exercise. Physicians will ask patients to walk around a bit to help with blood circulation and prevent blood clots from forming.

Two weeks after surgery: The soreness might fade at this point, and so patients may attempt activities such as walking on a level surface for exercise.

Four to six weeks after surgery: Patients can start a moderate workout routine such as walking on an incline, riding a stationary bike, or working out on an elliptical – in short, all cardio exercises can be performed.

Six to eight weeks after surgery: Patients are mostly out of their bandages by now, making exercise more comfortable. 90% of the abdominal muscles are healed at this point, but it is better to wait until that reaches 100% before starting any strenuous abdomen-specific exercises.

The difficulty of exercises should start low and be increased gradually. However, it must be remembered that the workout should not be continued if any pain ensues.

It is also very important to remember that every patient is different and must wait for Dr. Hustak and Dr. Wentworth to approve before resuming rigorous workouts. Diving into a workout too soon exposes the patient to risks such as bleeding at the sutures and abdominal muscle damage.

Arranging Your Mini Tummy-Tuck Consultation

Find out more about the mini tummy-tuck recovery process – contact the office of Dr. Hustak or Dr. Wentworth, experienced plastic surgeons, for a consultation. During this consultation, Dr. Hustak and Dr. Wentworth will answer any questions that you may have.