This blog post is going to go over some of the exercises you can do to help with your recovery and make sure you get back in shape after breast augmentation surgery.
Breast augmentation (also known as breast enhancement) is a procedure where silicone implants are placed into the breasts to increase their size, fullness, and symmetry. The goal of this surgery is to create a more feminine physique, resulting in increased confidence and self-esteem.
The first few weeks after surgery are crucial and it’s important that you follow all of your doctors instructions carefully. You should avoid strenuous activities such as running or weightlifting for at least 6 weeks after your procedure.
It’s also recommended that you use ice packs several times per day for 2-3 days after surgery (or until the pain goes away). This will help reduce swelling around your incisions so they heal faster and reduce bruising/discoloration around them as well!
Once you’ve been cleared by your doctor then it’s time to start working out again! The following exercises are great for building strength back up after breast augmentation surgery:
6 weeks post breast augmentation exercise
Exercise after breast augmentation
Many patients ask me when they can work out after breast augmentation surgery. Patients should start light walking immediately after surgery – nothing strenuous, just short walks around the room or home every other hour. This is good for the circulation and helps prevent blood clots. After two weeks, patients can start more intense cardio such as walking on a treadmill or walking uphill. At a month most patients can resume most exercise except heavy lifting. At six weeks, patients are generally completely healed and can resume all exercises.
After breast augmentation, especially with implants under the muscle, I recommend patients try to avoid strenuous chest exercise such as push ups. Since the implants sit under the muscle, contraction places downward and outward pressure on them which, over time can result in the implants dropping or becoming displaced over time. As a general rule, I also tell patients to listen to their bodies – if they do something that causes swelling or discomfort, stop doing it and give it a little more time.
Being someone who has implants and also in the fitness industry, I can tell you that implants shouldn’t impede you from having an active lifestyle. It will be important in your consultation with your surgeon to discuss what sports or exercise you do to help guide your decision when it comes to sizing or implant pocket placement. Definitely use a good supportive bra when exercising and wait until you are fully recovered and cleared by your surgeon before starting any activity.
It’s great to hear you are thinking about these factors before your augmentation surgery, as they are important pre operative considerations.
After breast augmentation surgery you will spend about one week not doing much – you will be able to do basic tasks like showering, getting a drink or chilling on the couch, but not much more than that! During the following week, you’ll return to tasks like making your bed, going for light walks, cooking a meal or driving a car.
The most challenging restriction for many of my breast augmentation patients is the requirement to not lift anything over 2kg for at least 6 weeks after surgery. And that doesn’t mean returning to bench pressing 10kg or lifting a toddler at 6 weeks and 1 day post op! Even at the 6-8 week post operative mark, it’s important to ease back into your exercise routine and tasks like shopping, cleaning and lifting small children. Listen to your body and if you experience pain, discomfort or swelling, cease the activity for another 2 weeks and ease back into it. Upper body workouts or things like rock climbing or ergo work will need to wait much longer than 6 weeks, but in the interim there’s other activities you can do to retain your fitness. We work with an experienced personal trainer to create customised workouts during the months after surgery, so talk to us if you’d like to discuss the options available to you, with a carefully selected workout routine.
It is important to emphasise that it’s still possible to do damage during this period, placing strain on the supporting structures and new scar tissue in your breast, which can have long term impact on your results! So the short term frustration of ‘taking it easy’ is worth it in the long run – and something worth committing to prior to undergoing breast augmentation surgery.
If you use exercise to manage your mental wellbeing, it’s important to discuss this openly with your surgeon prior to surgery, so s/he can discuss the impact that your recovery period could have, and weight up the challenges you might encounter.
Exercise After Breast Augmentation: Guide to 1-12 Weeks Post-Op
Many breast augmentation patients who are passionate about health and fitness look forward to resuming their exercise routines as soon as possible. If you are a wellness enthusiast planning to get breast implants in Scottsdale, AZ, here is everything you need to know about how to exercise after breast augmentation, including the potential complications of doing too much too soon.
Dangers of Exercising After Plastic Surgery
Some movement is good for healing. However, too much physical or strenuous activity poses negative consequences. The tissue in your breast requires ample time to heal, even if it appears your incisions have closed.
Activities that put too much pressure on your upper body can compromise your results and may increase the risk of implant displacement or malposition. Working out too soon after surgery may also cause post-surgical bleeding, which could necessitate additional surgery.
Exercises to Avoid After Breast Augmentation
Some of the activities you should avoid throughout the healing process include:
- Lifting more than 10 pounds
- Bench pressing or upper body weight lifting
- Doing push-ups and pull-ups
- Pulling or pushing of heavy objects
- Playing tennis, golf, or any sport that requires carrying heavy equipment or swinging your arms excessively
- Using arm attachments on elliptical trainers and other exercise equipment
Everyone recovers at a different pace, but reviewing the guidelines below can help set your expectations and protect your investment.
Exercising 1-7 Days After Breast Augmentation
Ensure to get plenty of rest and stay hydrated. Your body is burning calories just by healing, so give yourself the downtime you need. Gentle walking, even on day one, is beneficial, as a bit of movement improves your blood circulation for faster healing. Moreover, it can help prevent blood clots.
In summary, during the first week of recovery:
- Spend most of your time resting
- Drink enough water to keep yourself hydrated
- Slow-paced walking is advisable
7-21 Days After Breast Enhancement Surgery
As the anesthesia’s effects subside and your swelling begins to go down, you may start extending the length of your walks or reintroduce yourself to some forms of lower-body exercises. Light, lower-body stretching is safe, but avoid all upper-body workouts. During this time, do not attempt high-impact activities, especially those that can cause bouncing in your chest.
In short, during the second week of recovery:
- Longer, normal-paced walking is okay, perhaps with some guidance from a friend or family member
- Low-impact, lower-body cardio is safe
- Avoid upper body stretching and strength training
- No high-impact activities, including running, jumping jacks, and others
3-4 Weeks After Breast Augmentation in Phoenix, AZ
After two weeks or so, you might feel comfortable enough to return to the gym. During this stage of recovery, you can break a sweat when performing lower-body cardio. You can also begin the gentle transition from leg and thigh stretches to lower-body strength exercises. In addition, you can ease yourself into doing some core exercises, as long as you avoid straining or adding excessive pressure to your chest. High-impact exercises and upper-body workouts are still inadvisable.
To reiterate:
- Cardio and strength training for the lower body is okay
- If your incisions have closed, you can break a sweat
- You can carefully complete core strengthening exercises, except for planks
- Continue avoiding upper-body stretching or strength training
- No high-impact activities
4-6 Weeks After Getting Breast Implants
About a month after surgery, you may begin doing some upper-body stretches and strength training. However, limit your upper-body range of motion and avoid physically demanding, heavy weight lifting until you are at least three months into recovery.
As you slowly reintroduce yourself to high-impact cardio, including jogging and running, ensure to keep your breasts well-supported. During one of your post-op appointments with Dr. Aldo Guerra, he will examine your results and inform you when you can switch from a post-surgery garment to a sports bra.
To review, avoid breast implant displacement or malposition a month after surgery by pacing yourself when:
- Building your lower body cardio intensity
- Introducing jogging and other impact-exercises
- Introducing upper body strengthening
- Limiting your range of motion and avoiding heavy weight lifting
What About Sex After Breast Augmentation?
Sex, as we all know, can be a good form of exercise. If you are curious about when you can jump back into bed with your significant other, in truth, it is best to wait for a minimum of two weeks before having sex again. Pay attention to your incisions, as they are susceptible to bleeding and infection if not cared for properly. Waiting to resume physical intimacy until your incisions heal can reduce these risks.
After two weeks, approach sexual activities slowly and carefully. Also, for around six weeks, avoid manipulation of the breasts or movements that may disrupt the placement of your implants.
Returning to Full Fitness
With Dr. Guerra’s approval, you could be running at your usual pace within six weeks after breast augmentation surgery. It would be best to keep weight lifting light for as long as you have your implants.
Of course, as mentioned earlier, everyone’s body heals differently. Thus, remember to listen to your body before exercising after breast augmentation.
Seek Professional Guidance, If Needed
There are many professional trainers and physical therapists adept in recovery routines for breast augmentation patients. Still, keep in mind that Dr. Guerra must approve your program beforehand. Many patients enjoy having a professional help them develop a safe post-surgery workout routine, while others do well on their own. Whichever route you choose, make sure to discuss everything with Dr. Guerra to prevent unwanted complications.
Good Things Take Time
The bottom line is that you need to be patient with your body as you recover from breast augmentation surgery. As you most likely know from your fitness-oriented lifestyle, results do not appear overnight. Waiting until your body heals completely and being patient with your return to pre-surgery physical activities will safeguard your results and overall investment.
Feel a Surge of Confidence and Higher Self-Esteem
Contact board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Aldo Guerra today if you want to take your toned, well-contoured physique to the next level. You can call 480-970-2580 or complete this online form to schedule your breast augmentation consultation in Scottsdale and Phoenix, AZ.
Categories: Breast Augmentation