When you’re a fitness enthusiast, it can be hard to take some time off from your workouts. When breast augmentation surgery is on your agenda, it’s important to know how to handle your transition back into the gym following your procedure. Following breast augmentation surgery, your doctor will likely recommend that you give yourself at least six weeks before getting back into the gym, although this timeframe may vary from person to person.
Why is it so important that you take time off from your regular fitness regimen? Your body needs this time to heal. Working out too soon after surgery can lead to serious complications, even infection. The best way to recover from any kind of surgery is to follow the advice of your surgeon so that you can get back on track as quickly as possible—and without any setbacks.
Working out too soon after surgery can lead to serious complications, and it is best to follow the advice of your surgeon when it comes to recovering from breast augmentation surgery. At MidAmerica Plastic Surgery, board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Ryan Diederich, typically recommends these fitness guidelines to breast augmentation patients who are passionate about their workout routines:
- Do not lift anything over 5 pounds for 72 hours (about 3 days) after surgery. This includes children and pets.
- No exercise that bounces the breasts or activates chest muscles for atleast 4 weeks following surgery. This includes jogging, running, jumping rope, and high-impact aerobics classes.
- After a 2-3 week period, you may begin low-impact activities such as riding a stationary bike or walking on an inclined treadmill at a slower pace.
- Lower body workouts and light activity may begin 1-2 weeks after surgery (depending on how well you are healing).
- When reintroducing cardio to your workout routine, start slow. Avoid activities that activate your chest muscles such as swimming or push-ups.
If at any point you experience pain or increased swelling during recovery, we recommend contacting your medical provider immediately to receive guidance regarding the next steps and to help modify what activities are appropriate until all concerning issues have been resolved. After 6 weeks, your recovery should be near completion so that you can resume normal life activities, such as working out at the gym, without any restrictions.
It is important to remember that everyone’s body is different, so we encourage you to discuss these issues with your surgeon before making any decisions about your recovery. The team at MidAmerica Plastic Surgery, located in Glen Carbon, IL, is committed to helping patients reach their goals when it comes to cosmetic surgery. To schedule your one-on-one consultation with Dr. Diederich, we invite you to call our office at 618-288-7855 or fill out an online contact form.
Leave a Reply