So, you finally took the plunge and gave yourself a new pair of breasts. Breast augmentation surgery can work wonders for you. Most people want to return to their normal life as quickly as possible after the surgery but hurrying into your normal life will do more harm than good. Hence, it is better to take certain days off as per your surgeon’s suggestion and then slowly ease into the process. Exercising after breast augmentation surgery can be difficult to navigate, but with Dr Doyle‘s post-surgery recommendations you can be confident knowing what to do.
Exercise is one of the major concerns for most patients especially if they lead physically active lifestyles. In this article, we will discuss the right way to start exercising after breast augmentation surgery.
Rest is Important
Your body needs rest to heal properly from the surgery. You need to take extra care for the first 48 hours after the surgery. Take complete rest and make sure that you have someone to help around the house, so you don’t have to bother with chores. After the initial 2 to 3 days have passed, lightly move around the house to keep the circulation going. Don’t do any drastic exercise at this point. Simply going to the kitchen to grab a glass of water counts as a light activity.
Introduce Light Exercise after 2 Weeks
Introducing a light walk, two weeks after the surgery is a great way to ease yourself into exercising after breast augmentation. Make sure to do it in the evenings when the sun goes down or during cooler times of the day. Avoid raising your heart rate too much. Simply warm up your muscles a little.
Time for Gentle Cardio after 3 weeks
Do light exercise for a week or two and then start adding gentle cardio. A stationary bike is a great idea or simply extending the duration of walks works well. Always go for low-impact exercises. Keep the intensity low. Avoid doing squats and any upper body workouts.
Bump It Up after 4-6 Weeks
After 4 to 6 weeks after the procedure, Dr Doyle will see you in for a checkup. At this consultation, Dr Doyle will check your progress and suggest the right exercises for you depending on your health status.
You should still avoid exercise which involves pectoral muscles. Also, stay clear from core exercises. Gentle lower body workouts are fine but avoid bouncing and jumping at all costs.
Running – 6 Weeks
If everything goes as expected, you can start running six weeks after the surgery. Everybody heals at a different pace. So, if you don’t feel like you have healed enough to run, give it some time. Always make sure to wear a compression bra prior to running. Start off slowly over short distances and increase distance and duration as you feel more comfortable. Listen to your body!
Exercising after Breast Augmentation – 2 months
Usually, most patients fully heal after two months and they can start doing lower body workouts and ab exercises as well. However, always check in with your surgeon before making any commitments.
Here are a few exercises you should avoid until you are completely healed:
- Avoid lifting more than 10 pounds of weight
- Do not push or pull extremely heavy objects
- Avoid doing pull-ups
- Do not do push-ups
- Stay clear of bench press
- Do not do upper body weightlifting
- Certain yoga and Pilates poses that put too much stress on your upper body should also be avoided
- Avoid playing certain sports such as tennis and golf
- Using arm attachments on exercise equipment should also be avoided
Trust Your Intuition
While all these exercise timelines will work for most individuals, the pace of healing is different for everyone. The extent to which you start exercising after breast augmentation surgery depends on how quickly or slowly you have healed. Always trust your intuition and follow Dr Doyle’s advice.
Your individual rate of healing and your previous fitness levels will also play a big role in how much exercise you should do after a breast augmentation. Choosing a specialist plastic surgeon you trust will ensure you have the right advice for your unique situation. Avoid following the footsteps of any other patient and you will be good to go.
Post-Surgery Care after Breast Augmentation
Medications
Following your surgery, you will be prescribed medications for nausea, pain and infection.
- Nausea – As the anaesthesia wears off, you may experience nausea and vomiting. These symptoms can last anywhere between 24 to 48 hours. Taking medication regularly will help significantly.
- Pain – Pain is a part of any surgery, but it can be managed easily with the help of pain killers prescribed by Dr Doyle.
- Infections – Dr Doyle will prescribe you antibiotics to minimise the risk of an infection post-surgery.
Personal Hygiene
Your surgeon will give personal hygiene instructions post-surgery that will involve instructions such as bathing and taking care of your wounds. We would not recommend taking baths or diving into hot tubs or pools for several weeks post-surgery. You can remove the outer bandage but leave the waterproof dressings over your wounds intact. You can take a quick shower every day.
Pain Management after Surgery
Most patients will experience some kind of pain after the surgery. After all, it is an invasive surgery. Some patients might feel extreme tightness around the chest area. Dr Doyle will prescribe pain medications. You need to take them as directed. This is important for the first 3 days following your surgery. After this time, please take them only if you need them.
Make sure that you are getting enough sleep. Your body heals when you sleep. Make sure your resting space is free from all distractions and your mattress is super comfortable. If you are doing some house chores or any type of work and your pain starts to worsen, always take a rest. This is a good chance for your partner to learn how to do these chores if possible!!
Post-Surgery Scarring
Scarring is one of the most common concerns of patients after surgery. Your post-operative period is very important. Please follow your instructions. Dr Doyle uses a variety of scar management techniques to minimise your scarring at different stages during your recovery. Some scarring will occur, but it will gradually heal over time. Final results with respect to scarring will not be seen until at least 12 months following your surgery.
Sleep
Avoid sleeping on your sides and sleeping on your stomach is a big no. Sleep on your back for 2-3 weeks if possible and keep yourself elevated on at least one pillow for the first 3 days post-surgery. This will ensure that no damage is done to your new breasts.
Diet
As they say, you are what you eat. It couldn’t be truer, especially when you have undergone surgery. Your body needs the right food, essential nutrients, and minerals to heal properly.
First things first, you can fill your refrigerator with high-density protein choices. Poultry, eggs, meat and fish are great options. They are not only protein-rich foods, but they are packed with nutrients such as amino acids, iron and help with tissue building and repair.
Protein-dense food is high on the list because they aid in a faster recovery period. Combine them with nuts, seeds, fruits, legumes, beans, and vegetables.
A healthy diet will help your body build collagen which plays a critical role in tissue generation.
The meat not only provides protein but also gives your amino acids, body calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, calcium, potassium, and many other essential nutrients. Apart from that, eat as many whole foods as possible. Stay clear of any foods which are loaded with preservatives. Always buy fresh produce. Anything which you make yourself in your own kitchen with healthy ingredients will be good for your body.
If you do not like eating meat, you can always go for a protein supplement. Ask your doctor for recommendations. Adding a scoop or two to your smoothie will do the trick. Plus, get a powder with added zinc as it also promotes healing.
With the right food, your body will be able to maintain a healthy immune system which eventually heals your wounds faster.
To encourage skin health and elasticity, Dr Doyle recommends the Advanced Nutrition Programme Skin Ultimate Package. This pack intelligently synergises a combination of Vitamin A, Skin Antioxidants, Skin Omegas, Skin Asta-Boost (Astaxanthin) and Skin CoQ10. It’s ideal for use when preparing for and recovering from plastic or cosmetic surgery. It boosts the skin’s function and can improve healing and wellness throughout recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if you exercise too soon after breast augmentation?
Working out too soon before your body is properly healed can increase swelling, soreness, numbness, and bruising. There is also a chance that your breast implants will begin to look asymmetrical.
What exercise can I do 2 weeks after breast augmentation?
It is recommended going for very light cardio exercises between weeks 2 and 4. Whether it is taking slow, long walks, or riding on a stationary bike at a slow pace, it all works well.
Does exercising after breast augmentation surgery affect breast implants?
Yes, it can have a negative impact on your surgery if you have not healed completely. If you train too soon, it can put immense stress on your chest and affect your final results.
Why can’t I lift my arms after breast augmentation?
Dr Doyle advises his patients to avoid lifting their arms above their head immediately after the surgery. It helps heal incisions faster and stops stretching of the internal structures. You can lift your arms above the head 4 weeks after the surgery.
Do and don’ts after breast surgery?
Let’s look at a few dos and don’ts after the surgery:
Dos
- Do take rest after the surgery. It is advisable to take a few days off from work after the surgery.
- Always sleep on your back. Try to keep yourself elevated with the help of cushions, recliners, or pillows.
- Do take your pain relievers regularly to prevent pain before it occurs.
- Do eat healthy as it helps you heal quickly.
Don’ts
- Do not sleep on your stomach as it puts unnecessary stress on your new breasts.
- Do not lift any heavy weights until you recover completely after the surgery.
- Avoid swimming until Dr Doyle gives you the go-ahead.
- Quit smoking and alcohol for at least six weeks after the treatment as it can hinder the natural healing process of your body.
- Avoid strenuous exercising for six to eight weeks after the surgery. Always check in with Dr Doyle before going increasing your exercise.
How can I speed up my recovery after breast augmentation?
These five points will help you heal faster:
1. Preparing in advance always helps. For instance, quitting smoking and alcohol consumption a few weeks before the surgery will help your body heal faster. Take a few weeks off from work so you can take some rest.
2. Listen to all the instructions mentioned by Dr Doyle. Feel free to ask any questions you have. Gather all the information so that you are well equipped to take care of yourself.
3. Take it slow and easy. Your body needs time to heal properly. Allow your body to heal and repair at its own pace and do not compare your progress with any other patient.
4. Wear a post-surgical bra. This reduces the swelling and prevents implants from moving around. So please do wear it.
5. Take the medications prescribed by your doctor and go for timely follow-ups. Skipping medications and follow-up appointments is never a great idea.
Can you lay on your side after a breast augmentation?
No, you shouldn’t lay on your side after breast augmentation till you are completely healed. Sleeping on your side can put immense pressure on implants and hinder healing.
What happens at 4 weeks post-op breast augmentation?
By week four, most patients can introduce gentle exercises to their daily routine. However, one should still avoid exercises that involve chest muscles.
Will running ruin my breast implants?
Running should be avoided for a period of four to six weeks. After that, you can go ahead with running after consulting with Dr Doyle. Try wearing a compression bra or a good quality sports bra while running.
Can I run 3 weeks after breast implants?
No, it is best to avoid running for at least four weeks after the surgery. After that, you can continue light jogging after consulting with your surgeon.
For more information on when you should start exercising after breast augmentation surgery, get in touch with Dr Doyle’s office.
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About Dr Mark Doyle FRACS (Plas) – Queensland Plastic Surgeon
Servicing patients in Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Cairns and New South Wales NSW – Northern Rivers, Byron Bay, Ballina, Lismore and more.
Dr Mark Doyle is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon with over thirty years of experience performing Breast, Body, Face and Nose surgery. Dr Doyle is a fully qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon with 30+ years of experience. He has completed all required training and only carries out approved surgical practices. There are absolutely NO undertrained doctors or cosmetic doctors acting as surgeons in our clinic.
As a highly esteemed plastic surgeon, Dr Mark is committed to achieving the best possible results for all his breast, body, face and nose patients, both men and women.
