Recommendations will vary from physician to physician.

That being said, in my practice, exercise is discouraged for one month post-op, and more strenuous activity and heavy lifting are reserved for outside of 6 weeks.

These rules are not written in stone but represent reasonable benchmarks. You may find yourself to be slightly ahead of or behind this pace.

As always, discuss your concerns with a board-certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).

Published on Jul 11, 2012

I recommend my patients wait three weeks after breast augmentation surgery to resume exercise. And when they do, they should start slowly. If they experience pain in their breasts or their chest muscles, I suggest they stop and try again after a few more days.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

As long as the implants were placed under the muscle, you can begin to work out as long as there is no jumping, bouncing or lifting more than 5 lbs. per arm.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

You should ask your plastic surgeon this question.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Thank you for asking. Patients and workouts vary. In general, light workouts may be possible 4-6 weeks after augmentation. Full exercise may be possible after 6 weeks. See your PS who can guide you specifically.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Thank you for your question. As each surgeon has their own set of postoperative instructions, it is always best to discuss questions with your operating surgeon. That being said, in our practice, we advise our patients to refrain from exercise that increases your heart rate for a minimum of 2 weeks. In regards to exercise that involves chest presses or exercise that utilizes your chest muscles, they should be refrained from for a minimum of 2-4 months.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

I allow my patients to begin low-impact cardiovascular exercise after 2 weeks, that includes walking, using a stationary bike, and the elliptical machine without using your arms. Jogging or running usually can start approximately 2 to 3 weeks postoperatively. I would restrict any type of upper body exercise for a minimum of 6 to 8 weeks. These are general guidelines. I always tell my patients to begin slowly and see how they feel, if an activity or exercise feels uncomfortable, stop immediately. Please check with you plastic surgeon if see if he or she has specific recommendations for postoperative exercise.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Most breast implants are placed under the muscle. With that in mind it is necessary to limit that muscles' activity. I prefer patients not drive for one week. No lifting more than 10 lbs. for 3 weeks and no strenuous exercise for 6 weeks. Walking right after the surgery is not only allowed but encouraged. If you have a stationary bicycle, you can resume riding that in 3 weeks also.Any movement of the arms excessively will cause swelling or worst case scenario-bleeding.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Upper body workout and typically 4 to 5 weeks

Published on Jul 11, 2012

It depends on what you want to do. I have patients begin to speed walk in a few days. Lower body exercise with machines can be in a week. Upper body will depend on the individual, but usually two to three weeks before you feel comfortable with light resistance. To give you some perspective on what most surgeons will tell you, the usual answer is 4 to 6 weeks. I've not made those recommendations in years, and have found my more rapidly progressing schedule keeps my patients happy.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Three to four weeks for heavy duty/ break a sweat/ type of workout
Steven Yarinsky, MD, FACS

Published on Jul 11, 2012

I recommend waiting about a week before starting lower extremity light exercises. Walking, not jogging. Not working out in a hot humid environment. Start with light weights for the upper arms at about two weeks, full routine 3-4 weeks

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Hello and thank you for your question. As a general rule you would want to discuss this specifically with your treating plastic surgeon. We will allow our patients to do lower body exercises including running after approximately 2 weeks. We do not want them doing anything with their arms or chest for approximately one month. Best of luck.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

This is a question that you really need to discuss specifically with your surgeon.It will depend on the technique used(over or under the muscle), the type of implant (smooth or textured) , etc.
In general for my patients with submuscular, smooth implants, I use the following approach.
Long walks after 10 days, steady bicycle( gently) after 2-3 weeks. No heavy duty excercises (jogging, spin cycle, heavy weights, cross fit, etc.) for eight weeks. You can resume all your normal activities after that.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

This will vary by surgeon so I defer to your personal physician. In most instances, I allow patients back to low impact exercises at 2 weeks. light lifting can begin at 3 weeks. At 6 weeks, I allow patients to resume high impact activities and lifting 50% of previous weights increasing 10% per week with no restriction at about 12 weeks after surgery. This may be adjusted according to the procedure. More caution is usually recommended with lifts.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Typically you can do some light exercises about 2-3wks after your surgery. From there you progress to more normal activity as you heal and your body recovers. Each person is different and the best thing to do is see your surgeon for regular follow-ups to monitor your recovery and they can guide you on which activity is safe to do.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Thank you for your question.
Each patient differs depending on how they are healing and so I always recommend that you speak with your surgeon as he/she has your best interest in mind and knows your history.
In general, I allow for lower body exercises soon after surgery when the patient is up to working out but ask patients to wait on the upper body workouts (especially those that involve the pec muscles).
I hope this helps.
Tom Pousti MD
www.PoustiPlasticSurgery.com

Published on Jul 11, 2012

There is no set timeframe for a return to exercise - every physician is different in terms of their approach to resuming all activities. For my patients, after the first week, they are allowed to resume exercise with a few limitations - no running/jumping and no chest exercises. Besides those things, they are able to get their heart rate up and work other parts of their body. I just ask them to avoid high impact activities for a month. I hope this helps.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Return to activity is very surgeon specific. After a breast augmentation my protocol is cardio starting at 2 weeks and lifting greater than 30 lbs at 4 weeks. Patients can lift their arms above their head immediately after surgery. The 2 week point is the point when any heart rate or blood pressure increase has limited effect on any bleeding or hematoma risk. Lifting too much may cause muscle spasms which can hold the implant up under the muscle.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Great question. The exact time will depend on several factors including:
-type of breast augmentation performed
-your individual healing
-plastic surgeon preference
-and type of workout

Most plastic surgeons will recommend that their patients hold off from working out for 4-6 weeks.

All the best,
Dr. Remus Repta
Scottsdale Plastic Surgery

Published on Jul 11, 2012