How soon after Breast Augmentation can I start running again?

Question

I just got a breast augmentation 8 days ago and my doctor gave me the ok to do the stationary bike for I now...Prior it my surgery, I was in the middle of my full marathon training program, I have about 5 weeks till the race. Would you reccommend that I just for go running this race or do you think I could start running again sometime before then??

Young R. Cho, MD, PhD · Answer

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.  In your case, running a marathon in 5 weeks time would be too much.

Ozge Ergun, MD · Answer

Thanks for the question. After 6 weeks your surgery area is totally healed and yes you can running and also do other sport activities. I wish you all the best.

Dhaval M. Patel, MD · Answer

thank you for your question. It's always best to follow your surgeon's instructions for post surgery activity. I typically have my patients do everything except strenuous activity and heavy lifting for 6 weeks.It's not worth rushing into something that is not safe and have your healing process disturbed.

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

to have your surgery 6 weeks before a big race?  If you're wanting to just participate, great.  But if you're wanting to be in your best form and try to win the race, you should have put this off to afterwards.  If you stress your wounds too early and for too long (26 miles?), you can affect your outcome.   My recommendation would be to defer marathons until you are completely healed and focus on healing.  Then you can all out!

John Strausser, MD (retired) · Answer

You'll be at 90% of scar strength at 6 weeks post-operatively. Obviously sub-muscular placement of the implants will provide more support for them, but this placement also relying on the sutures for strength until the healing is complete. My usual protocol is to allow running at 4 weeks post surgery requiring double bra support.Remember, you want the results to last a lifetime (or as near as possible) and you should think twice about jeopardizing the healing for a mere few weeks delay in return to your routine. Tearing sutures out, or stretching the immature scar tissue can lead to long lasting cosmetic issues.I must admit that I am continually surprised by those who ask about the return to normal activities. Don't their doctors discuss this with them pre-operatively? It's a critical part of the information the patient needs to make the decision on whether or not to proceed, and when.

How soon after Breast Augmentation can I start running again?

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