Exercising After Submuscular Breast Augmentation
The first few days are the toughest. At 4-5 days post op, you should be able to walk on a treadmill as long as you feel well and are not taking narcotics.
After a week, you should be able to perform low impact aerobic activity like walking up a steep incline or spinning.
You can also use an elliptical as long as you don’t use your arms.
After two weeks, you can increase these types of activities and go longer and faster, without bouncing activities or using the pectorals muscles.
After four weeks, you probably are ready to do everything but push ups or bench presses. (George C. Peck, Jr, MD, West Orange Plastic Surgeon)
When can i start exercising after submuscular breast augmentation photo
Physical exercises are very important for your health, and it is fine to remain active. It is important though to refrain from exercises that affect your upper body for the first three weeks following augmentation to minimize further swelling and reduce the risk of developing a hematoma.
Your breast implants are partially under your pectoralis muscles, and it is important to allow sufficient time for breast augmentation swelling to resolve. Lower extremity exercises, in general, though, should be fine for breast augmentation patients even as you wait to heal. You can start with a simple walk and feel how your body is responding.
Even when adjusting to upper body exercises, it is good to proceed as based on your comfort level. Start by light exercises and move towards heavier exercises as your body allows. As always, you need to get advise about your specific recovery instructions from your own surgeon. (Jeffrey Weinzweig, MD, Chicago Plastic Surgeon)
No exercise for 3 weeks is recommended
When can i start exercising after breast augmentation picture
Avoiding exercising for at least three weeks after breast augmentation surgery is highly recommended. The rational for waiting 3 weeks is that exercise leads to an increase in blood pressure, and tiny clots sealing blood vessels will be dislodged and cause bleeding and hematomas. If the bleeding causes a large hematoma then surgery will be necessary to remove the hematoma. If you desire a complication free recovery, then no exercise for 3 weeks is recommended. (Norman G. Morrison, MD, FACS, New York Plastic Surgeon)
Working out after breast augmentation
I always make my patients wait 6 weeks for hard cardio. Light working out after 4 weeks. There is no rush you want to heal. (Norman M. Rowe, MD, New York Plastic Surgeon)
When can i start exercising after breast augmentation surgery
Most women who request a breast augmentation are thin – and, they got thin by exercising. So, in my experience, most women who get breast implants love to exercise and are dying to get back to the gym. So, the bad news is that I ask women to avoid the gym for one month post-op. Sorry! But, you can walk as much as you like – without restrictions ! (Christopher J. Davidson, MD, FACS, Boston Plastic Surgeon)
Submuscular Breast augmentation and exercising
I recommend to my patients that they have no heavy lifting or vigorous exercise for at least 4 weeks after surgery. It is not a good idea to have sweaty, fresh incisions and most patients want to heal well the first time around. Be patient for your best result. Always make sure to consult a board certified plastic surgeon so that you can be given good guidance during and after surgery. (Elisa A. Burgess, MD, Portland Plastic Surgeon)
Exercising after submuscular breast augmentation
When can i start exercising after breast augmentation procedure
I would recommend not doing any cardio for 2 weeks. After this, I would gradually return to normal exercise. I do ask that patients avoid pectoralis muscle and upper extremity resistance exercises for 4-6 weeks to minimize the risk of implant displacement. (Paul S. Gill, MD, Houston Plastic Surgeon)
Every surgeon has post-operative guidelines. Contact your board certified plastic surgeon’s office for specific post-operative instructions and restrictions.
How Soon to Exercise After Breast Augmentation
As every surgeon has noted here, always follow your surgeons recommendations.
That being said, many of us have different protocols based on our training and past experiences. Activities that we have seen that increase the possibility of risks or less than ideal results.
For example, I have seen a hematoma (blood accumulation) occur as late as 7 days post op, so I request that my patients do only “very light” activities for the first week (“hanging around” and “being pampered”).
I also restrict upper arm motions requiring them to keep their upper arms at their sides; this includes no driving.
This helps to reduce the possibility of shearing of healing tissue which might knock off a blood clot and start bleeding. This limitation also helps to reduce production of fluid within the pocket, and also helps keep discomfort under control.
At a week post op, I let my patients begin to do “light duty” activities.they can resume movement of the upper arm, thereby allowing them to drive, if they feel comfortable doing so. I don’t want them to cause a car accident and injure themselves or someone else if they have issues with normal arm movement.
They can also go back to a desk job, but still no exercising. As a major exercise fanatic myself, I remind them they will NOT turn into jello if they are not exercising for 2 weeks. In fact, sometimes the body enjoys the rest, and they can be more effective in their work-outs after the break. At 14 days post op, they can begin low impact exercise and all weight training, except pectoral exercises. At 21 days post op, they can resume virtually all exercises. High impact aerobics IF they wear a tight sports bra and it is comfortable. Most runners say it doesn’t really “feel right” until about a month out.
I restrict pectoral exercises to 5 pounds each side for 3 months IF the implant is under the pectoral muscle. The reason is that if excessive flexion to the muscle occurs, it will press down on the implant and press it to the path of least resistance, i.e., where there is no muscle, and that is down and outward. the pocket can be shaped so that the implant prefers to sit “down and out”.not the way I shaped the pocket during the operation. This means no push-ups, downward facing dog, etc..yes it’s a sacrifice, but the time and expense will be worth the more aesthetic result.
Remember, this restriction is for sub-pectoral implants only, NOT submammary implants. Sometimes the restrictions sound excessive, but remember, as a surgeon, I recommend these not for MY benefit, I do so to get the best possible result for my patient. Remember, a hematoma or infection will increase your risk of capsular contracture (that hard and ball-like breast). Furthermore, if you shape your breast implant pocket by doing certain activities, surgical revision may be necessary to restore the appearance to its aesthetic shape. The time and expense you have spent on this surgery are well worth following your surgeons instructions! (Jana K. Rasmussen, MD, West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon)
