Should Chest Exercises Be Stopped Before Breast Augmentation?

Question

Hi, should I stop chest exercises i.e. bench press/push-ups etc. prior to Breast augmentation under muscle?

Young R. Cho, MD, PhD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  You do not need to stop exercise prior to your surgeon.  Afterwardsyou 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 strenous 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 activties, but listen to your body and use discomfort or tightness as a guide so you don't over do it.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question. There is no need to stop upper or lower body exercise prior to undergoing breast augmentation surgery. Your plastic surgeon will guide you postoperatively when it comes to resuming activities. Best wishes for an outcome that you will be very happy with.

Guy Watts, MBBS (Hons), FRACS (Plast) · Answer

Thank you for the question. There are no clear rules on exercise prior to surgery but I advise my patients to avoid heavy or strenuous exercise the few days leading up to surgery. With heavy pectoralis muscle workouts like bench press, you may cause inflammation or swelling in the muscle that may contribute to increased post operative swelling and discomfort. More importantly you need to limit your muscle use post operatively, particularly if your implants are placed sub-muscularly. In this scenario I advise my patients to avoid heavy lifting for 6 weeks. The concern is that earlier activity may displace and shift the position of the implants. Best of luck!RegardsDr Guy Watts

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

Exercise is greatly beneficial to general health, but it’s important to refrain from vigorous activity the day before. However you should ask your surgeon for their advice as they may have different guidelines.

Vishnu Rumalla, MD · Answer

I have my patients stop excercising their chest muscles for two weeks before surgery.  In my personal belief I believe this helps minimize post-operative pain and might reduce intraoperative bleeding.

Should Chest Exercises Be Stopped Before Breast Augmentation?

Answers (10)

Answer: Better to refrain right before surgery

Answer: Better to refrain right before surgery

Answer: Stop two weeks before

Answer: Stop two weeks before

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Augmentation

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Should Chest Exercises Be Stopped Before Breast Augmentation?

Answers (10)

Answer: Better to refrain right before surgery

Answer: Better to refrain right before surgery

Answer: Stop two weeks before

Answer: Stop two weeks before

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Augmentation

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.