Aerial yoga after breast augmentation?

Question

I have scheduled my breast augmentation for January. I participate in aerial yoga and pole dancing classes and love both. Will I still be able to do this once my capsules have formed? It's a lot of body weight lifting with my arms.

Leila Kasrai, MD, FRCSC · Answer

Your ability to do intense physical exercise, including aerial yoga and pole dancing, won’t be affected by your breast augmentation. You’ll be able to continue doing these activities after your surgery, as long as you’re adequately recovered. Usually, this can take about 6-8 weeks, or more. Your surgeon will be able to tell you when you can start again.

W. John Bull, MD · Answer

I typically say that strenuous activity like this would take 6 weeks before it is safe to do it, but you should be fine. I have had MMA fighters that had breast augmentation and they do fine, just I don't allow full contact like that until 3 months. Congratulations on your decision and good luck , but you will be fine, don't worry.

Paul W. Papillion, MD · Answer

Hello, in general yes, you will be able to return to all of your activities at some point. Every surgeon is different with their recommended limitations. I typically hold off on aerobic activity for 3 weeks. From 3 weeks on I gradually increase the activity until around 6 weeks when patients are cleared for most activities.

George Volpe, MD · Answer

It is always best to discuss this with your surgeon but in almost all individuals, once the strength in healing has maximized, one can resume previous activities that utilize the chest muscles. In most individuals this can be around six weeks postoperatively. Your surgeon may have special instructions for you and allow you to resume either earlier or later than that. Discuss your concerns and he or she will make their recommendations.

Jaime S. Schwartz, MD, FACS · Answer

I appreciate your question.

I would recommend that you discuss this question with your surgeon as every surgeon has their own respective post op protocol for his/her patients.  Your surgeon is your best resource as he/she is most familiar with your medical history and how you will be healing following surgery.For my patients, I recommend no strenuous activity or heavy lifting for 6 -8 weeks following surgery.

The best way to assess and give true advice would be an in-person exam.

Please see a board-certified plastic surgeon that specializes in aesthetic and restorative plastic surgery.

Best of luck!

Dr. Schwartz

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

#RealSelf100Surgeon

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question and congratulations on your upcoming surgery.  After a breast augmentation patient's are able to return to their full level of activities but because of the upper body work and stamina required to perform aerial yoga you may need 8-10 weeks of uncomplicated recovery before starting to slowly work back into your former level of intensity.  Hope this helps.

Steven J. Rottman, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. Most patients are cleared to perform lifting > 10 pounds 4 - 6 weeks following breast augmentation. You may return to walking and light lifting sooner, but would not perform any strenuous activity without clearance from your surgeon. It is best to have an in-person follow up examination for recommendations regarding what you should and should not be doing. Good luck with your recovery.

Ted Eisenberg, DO, FACOS, FAACS · Answer

I advise my patients that it's a lot about listening to their body after the third week. This is when the normal capsule around your implant is mostly formed. At this point, my patients are comfortable with activities like running, aerobics, lower body weights, and swimming. They are more comfortable with upper body activities and weights closer to six weeks. Always a good idea to check with your surgeon's protocol. Hope this helps and good luck. For more information on this and similar topics, I recommend a plastic surgery Q&A book like "The Scoop On Breasts: A Plastic Surgeon Busts the Myths."

Suzanne M. Quardt, MD · Answer

Most plastic surgeons will recommend that you wait at least eight
weeks before resuming any intense physical activity or heavy lifting,
especially if it involves use of the pectoral muscle.  You may be able to resume dancing before that
eight week point depending on how much stress the activity puts on the chest
and arms.  I would encourage you to be
patient and take time to heal, and definitely wait until your plastic surgeon
gives you the go-ahead before resuming dancing or other physical activity.

Grady B. Core, MD · Answer

It depends on the route of placement of the implant. We have found that endoscopic breast augmentation where the incision is hidden under the arm does not require the activity restriction of the approach where the incision is left on the chest under the breast. With endoscopic breast augmentation we actually encourage early activity with range of motion and yoga would be excellent from our standpoint and will not hurt your result. Our philosophy is that if there is no need to put a scar on the chest ( and there isn't) then why do it? So, in your situation the best of both worlds would be a discrete incision under the arm with no scar on the chest and able to do yoga early.