Exercising After Breast Surgery
Many of our Breast Augmentation clients are keen to return to their lives as quickly as possible after their procedure – this naturally includes exercising. While good for the soul, getting back into fitness, be that running, catching a yoga class, or more physical forms of exercise can be difficult to navigate. Your Surgeon will provide personalised advice tailored to your individual recovery. Read on and you’ll discover when you can start exercising again, what to avoid, the warning signs to watch for and how to look after your Breast Implants when working out.
WHEN CAN I START EXERCISING AFTER A BREAST AUGMENTATION?
Exercise is great for both mental and physical health, so while you should expect to have some down time following Breast Augmentation surgery, you will generally be able to resume light exercise two weeks after your procedure. In fact, light exercise can actually improve the blood circulation and aid the healing process.
IS IT SAFE TO WORKOUT WITH BREAST IMPLANTS?
Yes, it is safe; however before you start pounding the pavement, you’ll need to get clearance from your Surgeon before starting any activity. Please also remember you’re recovering from surgery and your focus needs to be on optimal healing and not jeopardising your Breast Implant results. To help, please adhere to the following:
DO
- Consult with your Surgeon before introducing exercise and always follow your Surgeon’s advice
- Be patient, listen to your body and do not push yourself too hard, too soon.
- Gradually reintroduce activities ONLY after two weeks. Keep reading to see what activities may be safe to incorporate at different stages of your Breast Augmentation recovery, pending your Surgeons advice.
- Wear your post-surgery support garment, even when exercising
- Just as you would normally, drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration and maintain a healthy, nutritious diet
DO NOT
- Lift, push or pull objects more than 4.5kgs until cleared by your Surgeon as this can result in your Breast Implants dropping or becoming displaced.
- Raise your arms above your head until cleared by your Surgeon
- Immerse your breasts in water until cleared by your Surgeon
WEEK-BY-WEEK GUIDE TO EXERCISING AFTER BREAST AUGMENTATION
We’ve outlined a list of exercises that are safe at each stage of your Breast Augmentation recovery. Please note, this is general advice only, and you should always seek your Surgeon’s advice before starting any activity.
FIRST WEEK – REST
In the first week after a Breast Augmentation, your Breast Implants will appear high on the chest and your chest will feel tight. Your discomfort should subside in 3 – 5 days, until which time it can be managed with ice packs and prescribed medication. Initial fatigue is normal and rest is critical, so physical activity should be strictly limited to the following:
- Shortly after surgery, you may be up walking around to help to promote circulation, which is important to kick-start the healing process, and also helps prevent blood clots from forming. After 2 – 3 days, start gently walking around the house every other hour to promote circulation.
SECOND WEEK – LIGHT WALKING
The incision sites will begin to heal 2 weeks after surgery and may be uncomfortable or itchy. Swelling will still be present which will make arm movements difficult. Some light exercise lower-body exercise can resume, which includes:
- A gentle walk outside
- A gentle walk on the treadmill
AVOID:
- High impact Exercise such as Running, Jumping or Bouncing
- Upper Body Workouts
- Core Exercises
- Squats
- Raising your heart rate too much as this will only extend your recovery time and could even impact on your results
- Walking at the hottest part of the day
THREE WEEKS – GENTLE CARDIO
Your body may be ready for some gentle, low intensity cardio by week three, which may include:
- Stair walks
- Walking Uphill
- Gentle Cycling on an Exercise Bike
AVOID:
- Upper Body Workout
- Core Exercises
- High Impact Exercise such as Running, Jumping or Bouncing
- Squats
- Raising your heart rate too much as this will only extend your recovery time and could even impact on your results
ONE MONTH – POTENTIAL RETURN TO THE GYM
Your Surgeon will be able to advise you further on this; however, we find that most of our clients can slowly return to the gym for low impact exercise from 4 weeks after their Breast Augmentation.
Remember though, you’re still in recovery and your body will have deconditioned over the past four weeks. So be guided by your body – do not push through the pain and gradually build yourself up to a normal gym workout over the next few months.
AVOID
- Weights or Any Other Activity that involves the Pectoral Muscles
- Activity that targets the Core – this includes ‘leg-work’, which generally requires stabilisation of the core
- High Impact Exercise such as Running, Jumping or Bouncing
SIX WEEKS AFTER YOUR BREAST AUGMENTATION
Swelling, bruising, and discomfort generally takes at least 4 to 6 weeks to completely subside. After which your Surgeon may clear you for:
- Jogging or Gentle Running – Remember to wear a compression bra when running and start slow as you won’t be able to run at your pre-surgery sprinting pace straight away
- Light Weight Training at the Gym
- Pilates and Yoga
- Swimming
- Golf
THREE MONTHS – CONTACT SPORTS
If you’re into contact sports, then you’ll spend much of your recovery on the side lines. At three months, your Surgeon may approve your return to the field or court; however, this will depend on the type of contact sport you play and how your healing is progressing.
When Should I Stop Exercising?
When reintroducing exercise after a Breast Augmentation, its important to listen to your body an always follow your Surgeon’s advice. There are also particular symptoms you should be watching for. If you experience any of the following, please stop exercising immediatly and contact your Surgeon:
- Pain or Numbness
- Bleeding or Non-Healing or Reopening Incision Sites
- Restricted Movement – ie Difficulty Moving Your Arms
- Increased Bruising or Swelling
- Redness
- A Rash Under the Breasts
- Fever
- Difficulty Breathing
- Fluid or Pus at the Incision Sites
- Breast Implants Visible Through Skin
- Asymmetrical Breasts
How do I look after Breast Implants while Exercising?
- Larger breasts can make certain workouts more challenging, and uncomfortable initially. So, wear a high-quality sports bra with a wider back to minimise movement
- Reassess your choice of activity – If your exercise routine no longer works for you, then it may be time to mix things up a little by branching out to a new workout or altering your current workout. Draw on the expertise of trainers, teachers and coaches as they will be able to guide you.
- Listen to your body and familiarise yourself with the signs that you may need to stop exercising.
- Choose high quality implants to minimise the chance of Breast Implants rupturing. The premium Mentor and Motiva Breast Implants used by CosMediTour come with a lifetime warranty for ruptures.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What happens if I exercise too soon after a Breast Augmentation?
There are several things that can happen if a patient exercises too soon after their Breast Augmentation. This includes:
- Delayed healing and prolonged recovery
- Increased swelling and bruising
- Bleeding
- Implant displacement – Breast Implant/s shifting or dropping
- Increased risk of capsular contracture, a condition where hard scar tissue forms around the Breast Implant
Can I Walk After a Breast Augmentation?
Once you wake from your procedure, you may be encouraged to start walking around. This will help to promote circulation, which is important to kick-start the healing process, and also helps prevent blood clots from forming.
What Exercise is Safe After a Breast Augmentation?
This really depends on where you’re at with your recovery. Please refer to our Week-by-Week Guide to Exercising after a Breast Augmentation for further information.
Does Exercise Cause Capsular Contracture?
Avoiding vigirous activity for the first several weeks of your recovery is thought to lower your risk of Capsular Contracture, or the hardening of scar tissue around the Breast Implant.
Can I lift weights after a Breast Augmentation?
Yes, your Surgeon will generally clear you for light weight training after about 6 weeks after your Surgery; however, you may need to wait longer for intensive strength training. Please note that lifting weights too soon after a Breast Augmentation can result in your Breast Implants rotating and Seroma formation (fluid accumulation within the breast pocket), so always consult your Surgeon before reintroducing any form of weight training into your workout regime.
Can I do yoga with Breast Implants?
Yes; however, as with all forms of exercise, you will need to adjust your practice during your recovery to gradually reintroduce various yoga poses – particularly those that place strain on your chest muscles.
Can I play Contact Sports with Breast Implants?
Absolutely; however, you’ll need to expect a minimum of 3 months before you can return to the field/court. As with all exercise, your triumphant return will be guided by the type of sport you play, how your healing is progressing and your Surgeon’s advice.
FURTHER Information
To learn more about Exercising after a Breast Augmentation, feel free to connect with our friendly Client Support Team.