Can you continue crossfit after breast augmentation?

Several of my breast augmentation patients either own cross fit gyms or go to them and report to me that they are having no issues with their exercise routine.

The recovery process is much easier than most people expect. My patients tell me that they were able to spend time and enjoy their evening at home the very first night after surgery. They felt some discomfort and pressure over the chest, but this was easily improved with medications.
 My patients are able to shower the first day after surgery. They felt tired and required rest for the first two days. Most people tell me they wake up on the third day with much more energy, less pain and are able to participate in much more activity. Many patients go out to eat, meet up with friends or go shopping by the third day. 
The recovery rapidly improves each day. You will have more energy and less discomfort as each day goes by. Most patients are off all medications by the fourth or fifth day. Many patients return to work, school and driving by the fifth day. Everyone is different. Patients are able to gradually ease back into their exercise routine after about 4 weeks and may definitely continue to do crossfit as they normally would, but it will take some time to be able to exercise with the same intensity as you previously did.
A thorough consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon will allow you to communicate what your desired result is and will inform you as to what is possible to achieve your goals. Specific details about your recovery will also be discussed during your consultation. We have a device called the Vectra 3D imaging system that shows you what you will look like with any implant. Our patients are very happy with the choice of implant they make when using this system. To learn more about breast augmentation, you can read “A Comprehensive Guide to Breast Augmentation."

Submuscular placement may be more uncomfortable the first few days following surgery. The possible benefits of submuscular placement are that it may result in less palpable implants, less capsular contracture, and it will make it easier to image the breast with mammography. The appearance may be more “natural” for patients who are very thin. Subglandular placement may make your surgery and recovery shorter and you may have less discomfort. This placement may provide a slight “lift”. Subglandular placement may result in more palpable implants, more capsular contracture and more difficult imaging of the breast with mammography. This placement is often recommended for those patients with sagging, but do not want a breast lift (mastopexy) and for tubular breast deformity.AFTER BREAST AUGMENTATION SURGERY
Rest: After surgery you will be groggy from the anesthesia. We recommend going home and resting or sleeping on your back by propping yourself up with several pillows.
Food: Once you feel up to eating, start with bland items such as toast or crackers or even a smoothie. Test your stomach to make sure you do not feel nauseous when you eat. Try to maintain a healthy well-balanced diet to improve your recovery process. Be sure to eat fiber rich foods, because the medications you are taking can cause constipation.
Medication: Be sure to begin taking all mediations as prescribed. Initial discomfort of the breasts is controlled with pain medication and a muscle relaxer.
Showering: You may shower three (3) days after surgery.
Dressings: These will vary from patient to patient. Some patients may be placed in a sports bra; others will wear a stabilizing elastic support strap. Your doctor will decide after surgery and in subsequent weeks, what is necessary for your needs.
Sutures: Most sutures dissolve on their own within a few weeks.
Walking: Once the anesthesia has worn off, begin walking around the house periodically throughout the day. This will help minimize swelling and bruising and help with the healing process. You do not want to lay in bed for days and days without some mild activity.
Driving: You can usually drive a few days following surgery, if you feel comfortable doing so. Your chest may be sore and your arms may be limited in movement, so take this into consideration before you get behind the wheel of a car. You cannot be under the influence of pain medication or muscle relaxers when you drive.
Work – Most patients can return to work in a few days, unless their occupation requires particularly strenuous movements and lifting. In such a case, up to 6 weeks off may be required depending on the physical demands of your job. Some employers will modify a person’s job duties so they can back sooner, but without physical activity. Our office can provide you with a note stating you are not to engage in strenuous activity for a specified period of time. The note will note disclose what procedure you underwent.
Breast Appearance – The final appearance, shape, and movement are not exactly the same as normal breasts. The surgically enlarged breasts do not move in the same way as normal breasts. They tend to be firmer. The contours are usually somewhat different than normal breasts. In some patients these discrepancies may be rather noticeable. Although every effort is made to place the implants symmetrically, complete symmetry is rarely achieved. Immediately after surgery, the breasts are swollen and firmer. The final shape and size is approximated after 2 to 3 months, but up to one year may be required for the end result.
Massage – Your doctor may require you to move or massage the implants within the breast pockets during the postoperative period. Textured implants do not require breast massage. You will be informed about this at your post-operative visit.
Physical Activity/Exercise: Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activity for six weeks. You may, however, do normal activities at any time if they cause no pain or discomfort. Let your body tell you what you can or cannot do. Aerobic exercise will raise your blood pressure, which could cause late bleeding and harm your result. Once you begin exercising again, start gently and let your body tell you what it can tolerate. Don’t rush!! It may require the full 6 weeks before you can do any upper body work-outs, yoga, etc.
Exposure to Sunlight: Scars can take at least one year to fade. During this time, you must protect them from the sun. Even through a bathing suit, a good deal of sunlight can reach the skin and cause damage. Wear a sunscreen with a Skin Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 30 at all times when in the sun. Be extremely careful if areas of your breast skin have reduced sensitivity.

After breast implant surgery, I advise the patients to take one week off from work.  At that point we take out their stitches and teach them the implant massage technique.  We suggest 5 times per day with the massage and no bra for one month.  The patients may return to work, but may not engage in any strenuous activity.  At one month, the patients start to wear a soft cup bra with no underwire and can start low impact cardio.  At two months they can wear an underwire bra and engage in more strenuous physical activity.  Breast massage continues forever, although only once per day.

Thank you for your question.  Although post operative instructions do vary from one plastic surgeon to another, my advice is to wait a full 4 weeks before lifting anything greater than 15 pounds.  During that time you would be advised to walk as much as you like and then follow good common sense in resuming your normal exercise routine.  Good luck.

Hello and thank you for your question.  Every plastic surgeon will have their own recommendations, but my magic number for return to full activity and heavy exercise (including crossfit) is 6 weeks.  Up until then, I would recommend a low impact workout routine such as a stationary bike, starting at about 3-4 weeks, as long as healing has proceeded smoothly to that point.  That way you would get the cardiovascular benefit with limited tension on your breasts.  Good luck.Mark K Markarian, MD, MSPHHarvard-trained Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon