6 Weeks Enough Time to Heal After Breast Augmentation?

I will be getting a breast augmentation April 24th. I have a fitness competition on Aug 14th. I need to be able to do cardio, weight-training, and aerobic/gymnastics. Will I heal in time? I can afford to take it easy for about 6 weeks, but after that. I really need to be able to train to be ready by August. Is that possible?

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11 Doctor Answers | Asked by Fitgirl in Columbia, SC

Doctor Answers (11)
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Return to workout after breast implant augmentation and enlargement

It really depends on whether you are going under or over. Unders may slow your recovery and there may be certain adivsable limitations on your workouts, specifically avoidance of pectoralis strengthening routines. However, there are other advantages to placing the implants in this location. Alternatively, placing the implants over the muscle would allow you a quicker return to your workout routine. I would highly recommend strongly supportive garments during high-impact activities. I hope... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Six weeks is usually what you need

Given your time frame, you should be fine and healed for your competition. Begin slowly working back into your activities after being cleared by your surgeon, and by 6 weeks you should be able to proceed without any restrictions. One other thing to consider is the size of the implants-- if you are very thin and are planing to have the implants placed behind the muscle, it may give you a "fake" look in particular if they are too large-- discuss this with your surgeon, and you... more

Healing time after breast aug

Thanks for your question - Six weeks is usually adequate for most breast augmentation recovery. Strenuous activity in the immediate post-operative period can subject you to post-op bleeding. Gradual return to exercise is key as well as close contact with your plastic surgeon. Be sure not to compromise your surgery by not following your post-op instructions. I hope this helps and good luck with the competition.

Other issues to consider

Recovery time should not be a major concern given your time frame. In athletic women such as yourself, there are some issues of technique with the augmentation to consider though. Implants above the muscle will look fake because of the low body fat, but going under can create other problems such as animation deformities when the muscle flexes. In cases like yours I use either a split muscle technique or subfascial, which gives coverage where it is needed for a more natural look while... more

Recovery time

You should be okay to have surgery and then recover for 6 weeks and then restart your workouts after that time.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Gradual physical activity after breast augmentation

A gradual return to full physical activity after 6 weeks is possible. You should be able to do mild lower body work out after one week or so. Hope that helps!

Yes, enough healing period for breast augmentation

You should be fine. If the implants are under the muscle, and no complications arise, 6 weeks is adequate to recover. One thing you should expect is that your muscles will be stiff, so you will need to stretch out and warm up even more than before.

Yes you should be fine.

No one can guarantee the absolute time it will take you to heal, but you should have enough time. Usually, I allow full exercise in 6 weeks and light stuff after 2 or 3 - depending on the position of the implants and how fast you heal.

Assuming no complication, yes...

If you have the implants about the muscle, you will generally heal quicker and by able to resume strenuous activities sooner. Even under them uscle, which takes a little longer to adjust to, should allow you to resume your exercises in stages beginning by the 2nd week post-op.

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

4 reviews

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

This shouldn't be a problem

I allow my augmentation patients to begin cardio type activities and light weights after 2 weeks and unrestricted activities including pecs at 8 weeks. You should be fine by August. Good luck with your surgery and your event!

Should be enough time

Recovery occurs in phases and by 6wks you should be able to get back to some strengthening exercises. You may want to see an exercise physiologist/personal trainer to help isolate the muscles you work on so you avoid too much stress on your chest muscle at the start of your exercise training program. Make sure you get the approval of your surgeon prior to starting any programs.