Running and elliptical. How soon can I resume these activities?

I would speak with your surgeon since everyone has his or her own post-op protocol, but I advise my patients to wait at least 4 weeks before returning to vigorous exercise. Best, Dr. Nazarian

Thank you for your question. You definitely want to follow your own surgeon's post-op activity instructions. This is a general guide I give to my patients:
1) No heavy lifting or strenuous activity for 6 weeks.
2) Resume walking at a leisurely pace right after surgery (e.g. 2 mph)
3) At 2 weeks, you can walk 2 miles at 2mph
4) At 3 weeks, you can walk 3 miles at 3mph
5) At 4 weeks, you can walk 4 miles at 4mph
6) At 5 weeks, you can jog 5 miles at 5mph
7) At 6 weeks, you can resume all activities, but listen to your body and use discomfort or tightness as a guide so you don't over do it.

Most patients bounce back fairly quickly following a breast augmentation; patients require 3-5 days off work to recover, however 2-3 weeks of downtime may be needed for patients who have physically strenuous jobs.  Pain and soreness should be well controlled with prescribed pain medications and usually dissipates within the first few days; after the first few days, pain and soreness can usually be relieved by over the counter medications.  I typically permit my patients to get back to their activities of daily living but do not release them back to strenuous activities until 4-6 weeks following surgery.  Exerting yourself too much too soon following surgery can extend the length of your recovery and increase your risk for complications.  In my practice, the most common complication for patients who do too much too soon following surgery is wound dehiscence; this occurs when the incisions are put under too much strain and break open.  When this happens, a patient develops a higher risk of infection and could need additional surgeries to get the wound closed.  I know it can be extremely difficult for active patients to take a few weeks off, but it is necessary.  It is very important to follow your plastic surgeon's post operative instructions.  Best of luck!