Working Out After Breast Augmentation: When Can I Exercise Again?

It is common for women to feel insecure about their bustline, and plastic surgery with breast augmentation can help. Saline or silicone gel implants were created to increase breast size by placing the devices either under the breast tissue or behind the chest muscles. While every woman has different reasons for considering breast enhancement, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Sean Kelishadi at SSK Plastic Surgery has successfully performed countless augmentation surgeries for patients in Newport Beach, CA.

Many of our patients ask about recovery time for breast implants and when they can begin working out again after their procedure. Although regular exercise does play a role in helping women maintain their new silhouette, there are guidelines that should be followed in order to promote healthy recovery. As an experienced breast implant surgeon, Dr. Kelishadi takes the time to provide these guidelines, so patients are prepared every step of the way. Learn more by reaching out to our Orange County clinic and scheduling a personal consultation.

Breast augmentation recovery

Since any plastic surgery is taxing on the body, you will likely feel very tired and sore in the days following the breast procedure. At this time, patients should be getting plenty of rest and nutrition, so the body has time to heal. Unfortunately, many individuals believe that working out soon after surgery will speed up their recovery time. Exercising too soon, however, can cause breast implants to shift around in the chest, affecting the end results or making them appear asymmetrical.

Even worse, exercising before you are ready risks additional swelling, bruising, bleeding, and other injuries to the healing breast tissue. For this reason, keep in mind that recovery time for breast implants varies with each individual. Dr. Kelishadi will schedule a follow-up appointment at SSK Plastic Surgery no later than a week following the breast augmentation. This session allows us to monitor your progress and make sure healing is going as planned before approving you for exercise.

Exercise after breast augmentation

Regular activities may be resumed by the end of two weeks, but for those who like to exercise, Dr. Kelishadi may give you some restrictions to ease back into your routine. This includes not lifting anything over 10 pounds for at least two weeks, sometimes longer based on your individual case. When working out after breast augmentation, keep in mind that exercises that activate the chest or the pectoralis major muscles should be avoided for even longer. The duration of these restrictions and more will also be discussed during your consultation at SSK Plastic Surgery. Here are a few examples of popular exercises our patients like to participate in and how they should be handled after surgery:

• Walking: the good news is that patients can start light walking almost right away. This is the best way to encourage healthy circulation and prevent dangerous blood clots.

• Cardio: it may take up to two weeks to begin incorporating light cardio activities into routines. This includes taking long walks on a treadmill or cycling on a stationary bike.

• Strength: after the first month, patients can begin lower-body workouts such as lunges and squats. Individuals should wait longer to start upper-body exercises.

• Swimming: surgical incisions cannot be submerged underwater for the first several weeks after surgery. Additionally, patients should wait two months for swimming laps in the pool.

As you begin to exercise after breast augmentation, you may want to invest in a new and supportive sports bra. Since your breasts will be larger and fuller after getting implants, a sports bra will help reduce overall movement, so you feel completely comfortable while working out. Exercising with a friend or personal trainer is also a great way to get the motivation and support you need during breast augmentation recovery.

Dr. Kelishadi and the staff at SSK Plastic Surgery want to stress the importance of listening to your body before going back to the gym. For instance, if you start to feel faint or dizzy during a workout, stop what you’re doing and sit in a safe place right away. Drink plenty of water and slowly work yourself back into your usual habits. Ask our team at SSK Plastic Surgery about other tips for easing into a new exercise routine safely and effectively.

Breast augmentation consultation

When done right, working out after breast augmentation can make you look good and feel great. Our many fitness-focused patients may be impatient to return to the gym, but we promise the results are worth waiting for! To learn more about how to exercise after breast augmentation and the recovery time for breast implants, contact the SSK Plastic Surgery office in Newport Beach, CA for an initial consultation.

At our state-of-the-art facility, we strongly believe in patient education, so individuals know exactly what to expect during breast augmentation recovery. Not only that, our collaborative approach means that patients are involved in every part of the decision-making process. Dr. Kelishadi is a highly trained Orange County plastic surgeon who delivers exceptional personalized care to patients who want to create a fuller silhouette through implants.