A common question is “When can I exercise after Breast Enlargement Surgery?” Breast augmentation aims to change the size and shape of the breasts using implants or fat transfer. For women considering the procedure it’s crucial to understand that breast augmentation is a significant operation that requires careful planning and recovery. As with any surgery, recuperation is crucial to the success of the procedure. It’s important to prioritise your health and recovery to ensure optimal results. One of the aspects to consider during your recovery is when and how to resume physical activity, including exercise, after breast augmentation.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, is essential for overall well-being. However, after undergoing breast augmentation, you need to be cautious about when to return to your workout regime, as premature exercise can pose risks to your recovery and surgical results.
In this blog, Sydney Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Bish Soliman will discuss the right time and method to get back to exercise after undergoing a breast augmentation surgery.
Recovery after breast augmentation is an individualised process that varies from person to person. Immediately following surgery, you’ll likely experience tenderness, swelling, and bruising. Over time, these symptoms will gradually subside, and you will begin to see the new contour and size of your breasts.
Dr Bish Soliman will provide personalised instructions on wound care, pain management, and physical restrictions during recovery. It’s crucial to adhere to these guidelines to facilitate healing and prevent complications. One of these guidelines will include when to resume exercise after breast augmentation.
Resuming physical activity is a gradual process. Initially, gentle movements and light walking are encouraged to promote blood circulation and prevent blood clots. Keep in mind that strenuous workouts, particularly those involving the upper body, should be avoided until Dr Soliman gives the green light.
The timeline for resuming exercise after breast enlargement surgery varies depending on the patient and the specifics of the surgery. Here is a general timeline that can be outlined for different types of exercises:
In the immediate post-op phase (Days 1-7) make sure to avoid any form of cardio. Focus on rest and recovery. Gradual walking is encouraged for weeks 1-2. Start with short, gentle walks and gradually increase the duration as comfort allows. You may increase the pace and duration of your walks in weeks 3 and 4 after your breast augmentation. Light cycling on a stationary bike is often permissible, avoiding any vigorous movements or resistance.
In the first and second week post-op, gentle stretching exercises, avoiding the upper body, can be started, focusing on areas like the legs and lower back. During week 3 and 4, the patient can gradually incorporate more extensive stretching, still being cautious of the chest area. Avoid any stretches that pull or put pressure on the breasts.
It’s generally advised to avoid strength training during the first month post-surgery to prevent strain on the surgical area. Starting with week 5, light strength training can be reintroduced, starting with lower body exercises such as leg presses or squats with minimal weight. Depending on your recovery and with Dr Soliman’s approval, you can gradually start incorporating light upper body exercises from week 6. Begin with low weights and avoid exercises that directly impact the chest muscles, like chest presses or push-ups.
Avoid high-impact exercises as they can cause discomfort and increase swelling in the first month after breast augmentation surgery. Depending on how you feel, you may start with light jogging in week 6 or 7. Pay attention to how your body and particularly your chest feels during and after the activity. If there’s no discomfort, you can gradually increase the intensity and duration of high-impact exercises from week 8.
Avoid swimming during the first month of recovery as it involves extensive use of the chest muscles and poses a risk of infection to the surgical site. You may start swimming with gentle breaststrokes, avoiding vigorous or extensive upper body movements after week 8.
It’s important to remember that these are general guidelines and individual recovery rates and experiences can vary.
When you’re given the green light to reintroduce exercise after breast augmentation, it’s essential to follow certain guidelines to protect your surgical results and promote healing.
Like mentioned before, start slow and gradually increase the intensity of your workouts. This approach allows your body to adapt and prevents undue strain on your healing breasts. Another recommendation is to avoid exercises that directly engage your chest muscles initially. Activities like push-ups, chest presses, and heavy lifting can exert pressure on the augmented breasts, potentially leading to complications.
Keep in mind that it is to wear a supportive sports bra during workouts. The right sports bra provides adequate support and reduces movement of the breasts during exercise, minimising discomfort and strain.
While high-impact exercises and those that engage the chest muscles should be avoided initially, certain exercises can be beneficial during the recovery phase. Here are some recommended exercises:
Lower Body Exercises:
Light Cardio Workouts:
Stretching Exercises:
Core Strengthening:
Balance Exercises:
While exercise is beneficial, certain precautions need to be taken when resuming physical activity after breast augmentation.
Avoid high-impact exercises and activities that put pressure on your chest until Dr Soliman gives the all-clear. Also, ensure you’re wearing a supportive sports bra during workouts to minimise movement and provide comfort.
If you experience any unusual symptoms such as severe pain, increased swelling, or changes in the shape or position of your breasts during or after exercise, seek medical attention immediately. These could be signs of a complication.
Resuming exercise after breast augmentation can have several benefits. Regular physical activity can help reduce post-operative swelling, enhance circulation, and improve your mood. Exercise also aids in maintaining a healthy weight, which is crucial for overall health and well-being. In the long term, regular exercise can help maintain the results of your breast augmentation.
Resuming exercise prematurely after breast augmentation can pose risks. High-impact activities or strenuous workouts too soon can lead to complications such as implant displacement, increased swelling, and prolonged recovery.
It can also raise the risk of capsular contracture, a condition where the scar tissue around the implant hardens, causing discomfort and changes in breast shape. Therefore, it’s important to follow Dr Bish Soliman’s guidelines on when and how to resume exercise safely after breast augmentation.