Once you've had your tummy tuck, you'll be slimmer than ever. Those annoying little pockets of chub here and there will disappear like they were never there. But, there is bad news: if you don't take care of your body properly, the fat pockets can reappear, and you may find yourself back at the doctor.

There is only one way to prevent this - exercise! This doesn't mean that you should jump right into your exercise routine as soon as you walk out of the doctor's office. There are some things you need to know about post tummy tuck exercise, and how it will help you.

If you're a person who exercises regularly, eats well and maintains good overall health and fitness, your recovery from a tummy tuck will be much quicker. Typically, it takes 3-6 weeks until patients are completely back to normal. If you are in good shape, you might be up and running and feeling 100% in just a week or two.

But, the most important thing about your post tummy tuck exercise plan is that you should avoid rigorous exercise immediately after the operation. In fact, getting back to your normal exercise routine (or starting that exercise routine!) could take longer than the actual recovery period.

Listen to your body and avoid any activity that causes discomfort. Don't do anything that could cause strain on your abdominal muscles. You should be fully healed from the operation before you exert yourself too much. In particular, avoid any heavy lifting. It's a terrible shame, but you'll just have to get those around you to do the hard work!

Wonderful news, isn't it? Now, you've got your snacks and remote control ready. It looks like it's going to be a 2 week (at least) vacation on the couch with your best friend, the TV... um ... I don't think so. Actually, exercise is an important part of recovering from your surgery. So, get up off that couch!

Exercise helps you recover by preventing swelling, blood clots and also getting your muscles toned. You should start exercising as soon as you get out of the operation, but start light.

The best exercise is simply walking. Every day, walk around for about an hour or so. This will ensure that your blood is getting to all the places it needs to go. Vegging out all day may cause complications, and may mean another trip to the doctor to fix things up.

Most people can start back on their regular exercise routine in 3 or 4 weeks. It differs slightly from case to case, though, so always consult with your doctor.

So, what if you fall off the wagon and start putting on the pounds? Has the tummy tuck operation been all for naught? Will the little flab come back to haunt you like an old enemy?!

Actually, the answer is no, not likely. It depends on the specifics of the operation, but most tummy tucks actually remove fat cells. The doctor also removes loose skin, and this will not grow back.

That doesn't mean you shouldn't exercise, though. Remember that exercise and tummy tucks are two different things. If you let yourself go after your surgery, you won't see little pockets of fat reappearing on your abdomen... you might see it all over! And it's much tougher to get rid of that fat than just going to the plastic surgeon.

With a balanced diet and regular exercise over time, you can keep yourself fit, and your tummy tuck will be a complement to a wonderfully shaped body. Always talk with your doctor about your specific post-tummy tuck health and diet plan.