Recovery after abdominoplasty

[Slowe]

Hi,
I have two small children (3 and 1).  Before them, I was very fit.  I am 5'4 and weighed 125#.

I gained 60# a pregnancy and am finally down to 135#.  I plan to lose at least 8 more # (God willing) with diet, running, and yoga.

My stomach however is totally disfigured.   It is drooping and raisin like.  I never thought I'd consider surgery but I am.

My big concern is recovery - how long?   Can I exercise and how soon?   Can they remove a bit of fat with it?

When we can afford it, I have decided I want it so any information appreciated.

Thanks.

[jodie414]

A related discussion, contemplating tummy tuck was started.

[Boppy]

A related discussion, exercising after abdominoplasty was started.

[TTFan]

Would you recommend power yoga at 6 wks post op? Was a regular yogi before my surgery but now nervous about starting again.  any advice is appreciated!

[Slowe]

Thank you so much to both!  

We are on the fence about a third and I won't even consider it until we are settled for good.  

So we'll see when it gets done but I've pretty much made up my mind that I need it.  I can even sink my hand between my muscles in that area and that is after trying to tone with power yoga.   Its a disaster area.

[NancyT]

I had a tummy tuck in march 2004.  I wore a compresion garmet for 6 weeks and my doctor said absolutely no exercises of any sort for 6 weeks and no stomach exercises for 3 months.  My results are terrific.  My waist is small and tummy is flat as a board with sculpted abs and all I do is go to Curves 4 times a week and walk 45 minutes about every other day.

[Howard Rosenberg, MD]

It does sound like a tummy tuck is the thing for you.  If you plan more children, wait until your family is complete before proceeding.  The typical recovery time for a tummy tuck is about two weeks.  By then you are back to normal except for heavy exercising.  By three weeks post-op most patients are back to exercising vigorously.