How long until I can exercise after a breast lift with no implants?

Hi, thank you for sharing your question. Typically, I recommend waiting 6 weeks until resuming exercise and sports. Wait three months before piercing. Check with your surgeon for specific instructions to guide you.

Hi-Your question is a very good question that frequently comes up during peri-operative discussions. Every surgeon has their own protocol regarding exercise after surgery. My particular protocol regarding exercise involves no restriction on walking or on a stationary bike beginning two days after surgery. At the two week mark a patient may perform light workouts involving lower body exercises. Upper body exercises can be started six weeks after surgery. During all exercise and activity for the first six weeks a supportive compression bra must be worn at all times to avoid tension or stress to the incision sites. Regarding nipple piercing, I advise patients to wait until the areola surgical sites are fully healed. I recommend to wait twelve weeks after surgery to assure that the blood supply to the nipple is stable prior to piercing.Hope this was helpful.Dr. Rodriguez

It is best to wait a week before resuming light exercise such as walking, pedaling on a stationary bike, and other exercises that are not too strenuous. After about a month, you are brand new and can get back into your regular exercise routine you had prior to surgery. However, you should always ask your surgeon and follow his or her instructions for recovery. We recommend waiting 6 weeks after surgery to pierce your nipples.

Please follow the post-op instructions of your plastic surgeon as it pertains to exercising. In my practice, however, I am comfortable with my patients easing back into exercise at 4 weeks post-op. Start back any exercises as if you have never done them before and let your body be your guide - if it hurts/pulls/burns, stop.

Dear Woffaw,
I ask my patients to refrain from raising their heart rate and much arm movement for the first three weeks after surgery. After that, I tell them they can start easing into more normal things but recommend six weeks before going hard in the gym. Of course, follow the directions of the surgeon you choose. We all have different opinions on the subject.
Best wishes!

Dear woffaw,
I understand your concern. It is best that you consult your plastic surgeon regarding post operative care and management (i.e including massage techniques and timing) specific to your case. Your surgeon knows your condition well and has preferences on when and what to use for faster healing and recovery. Post operative care and management depends on the type of surgery performed and the technique used during surgery among other factors.It is best, however, that you follow your plastic surgeon's advice on post operative care management for a smooth and faster healing and recovery.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Always best to check with your surgeon's protocol. I also recommend to my patients; Three weeks after surgery, it’s OK for you to do aerobic activity (treadmill, stationary bike, etc.), running and lower-body weight training. Women are usually comfortable doing arm exercises (upper-body weights) starting about six weeks after surgery. Among my patients are Triple Crown bodybuilders and kickboxers who go back into competition. They start with light training at six weeks and heavier training after eight weeks. Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author. RealSelf Distinguished Hall of Fame Inductee. Philadelphia, Pa., USA

You will need to allow the surgical site to heal and the tissues to become strong before there’s any stress placed on them. 2 to 3 weeks is usually sufficient time for this to happen so you can return to full workouts. You will likely need to wear a bra support for several weeks after the surgery, so that the tissues don’t undergo any sheer force. If your light workouts do not involve any jarring or jostling of the breast tissue, you can likely return to light workouts proximately 5 to 7 days after your surgery. You can pierce nipples at any time.

You should awoid upper body rigorous excersise for about 4 weeks after breast lift. Nipple percing can be done couple a weeks after surgery. Hope this helps.

Hello @woffaw, thank you for your question. Well it is important to understand that this depends more on the doctor's recommendations, because not all surgical techniques are the same. So is best to ask the specialist that will perform the surgery. Starting to excesirzeshould be progressive and may take months. Best wishes! Alan Gonzalez MD, FACS. Best wishes! Alan Gonzalez MD, FACS. American Society of Plastic Surgery Member (ASPS), International Federation for Adipose Therapeutics and Science” Member (IFATS), American Society of Plastic Surgery Member (ASPS), Colombian Society of Plastic Surgery member (SCCP).