Weight lifting after breast augmentation: When can I resume push ups, dips, pull ups and bench pressing?

The short answer to your question is you can start any and all exercises "now". At 12 weeks post-op you are well and truly beyond the point where your physical actions could potentially compromise your results. So attempt whatever you want, and don't hold back. Also, because your implants are under your muscle, it follows that every time you activate your pectoralis muscle the implants will move up and out in the same direction that the muscle pulls. This is perfectly fine and normal. It does of course feel a little strange in the beginning but once you get used to it you'll realise its no big deal.When it comes to exercising I provide all my patients with these general guidelines:- You can walk from day one post op. - At 2 weeks you can sit on a stationary bike
and do some cardio work to burn some calories and maintain some cardio
conditioning. - You can slowly return to running at the four
week mark. You must wear a bra or often two that helps prevent your breasts
from bouncing up and down. If your breasts are bouncing up and down while you
are running, then your wearing the wrong bras!- For those who love the gym you can slowly
return to that at the four week mark. However, as you would know four weeks is
a long time away from the gym and you decondition a lot. Also, you've had chest
surgery so will still have some discomfort from this. So when you do go back to
the gym, start with very light short sessions and be guided by your body.
Slowly and gradually build yourself up to normal training over the following
weeks and months. However, unlike normal training pain where you "push
through", experiencing pain in a post-surgical state means you need to
pull back a little. It's your body saying it's not quite ready to be pushed
that hard.- Going to the gym prior to four weeks to do
"just legs" is not allowed. Any leg work requires core and upper body
for stabilization etc so it's still forbidden.- For those crossfit junkies - you have no
chance of doing this for at least two months after surgery. Go to the gym at 4
weeks post op, gradually build yourself up, and when you feel your crossfit
ready (typically no sooner than two months post-op), then you can get back to
it.

At 12 weeks you should be able to lift weights.  However, you must listen to your body.  If you do something that is particularly uncomfortable, it is too much.  The plastic surgeon cannot be with you to make decisions about every exercise.  You must use some common sense.  If you had shoulder surgery, you would have some idea about what your limitations were just based on common sense.  The same is true for breast augmentation.  

thank you for your question. Exercising too soon or too aggressively after surgery may slow your recovery. The size/placement of your implants will partially determine the type and how intense of an exercise you can do right after surgery. Listen to your body's warning signs of pain/discomfort, and modify your workout accordingly. Best of luck!Dhaval M. Patel Double board certifiedPlastic surgeonHoffman EstatesBarringtonOakbrookChicago 

Recovery times following breast augmentation surgery
vary from patient to patient. These times are significantly impacted by the
nature of the procedure, the patient’s employment, and the patient’s social
situation.

We generally recommend light activity for the first week
following the procedure. After one week, patients are allowed to gradually
resume non strenuous activities. Strenuous activities such as weight lifting
aren’t allowed for at least 6 to 8 weeks in most cases. Patients are instructed
to go slowly at first and to listen to their bodies. It’s important not to
overdo it when restarting a weight lifting regimen. Eventually most patients
are able to resume their normal exercise routine.

It’s important to remember that
every patient is unique. The specifics of their exercise routine will have a
significant impact upon their recovery. Make sure you discuss this issue with
your surgeon. Your surgeon’s insights, regarding your procedure will provide
important information regarding when you can resume your exercise routine. Your
breast augmentation represents a significant investment. The best way to
protect that investment is to follow your surgeon’s postoperative instructions.

I usually recommend that upper body weight training and push-ups not be done until 6 weeks. Please ask your surgeon for their advice.

Great question and one that I am always asked by my very active Colorado patients.  In my practice, I suggest that patients begin light exercise about a week after surgery and limit their more strenuous activities (e.g.: yoga, pilates, weight lifting) to around 5-6 weeks after surgery. 

Even after that, many patients will notice some elevation of the implants the day after but this is simply temporary spasm of the pectoralis muscle and will usually resolve with breast implant massage.

Surgical techniques for breast augmentation had dramatically improved over the last 10-15 years and, as a result, patients are getting back to normal activities very quickly with minimal downtime and much less discomfort.

I hope this helps!

I tell my patients to wait 6 weeks after surgery before resuming any upper body exercises.  At this time, the implant should be well-settled in its new position.  As far as the implants moving during exercises, this is a common occurrence with implants placed under the muscle.  That motion is unlikely to change much with time.  Also, there is a low chance of harming the implants by lifting heavy weights.

This is called the Dynamic breast deformity or Animation deformity and is most common wihen the implants are placed  have prepared a video to dicuss this. Prolonged pectoralis contraction may result in pushing the implants towards the outside of your chest.

Most my patients are allowed to resume their normal exercise routine six weeks after surgery without limits. It would be a good idea to check with your plastic surgeon, as they have all the necessary information with which to make the decision in your case.

More information is available via the link below.

When can I resume weight lifting following breast augmentation surgery? Thanks so much for your question. At 12 weeks you have healed to the point that you will not injure yourself doing any type of exercise. Enough healing has typically occurred by the six week mark.  I don’t think you need to limit yourself with any type of exercise either aerobic or upper body or lower body. In terms of the implants moving that’s simply a function of your pectoralis major muscle contracting.  If this continues to bother you there are ways to address that and fix it. Unfortunately, they often require further surgery. I wiuld talk to your plastic surgeon and get their opinion on the matter since they know you’re anatomy better than anyone.