How Long After a Breast Reduction and Lift Before I Can Run Without Hurting the Result?

Question

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.

Stephen T. Greenberg, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.Generally speaking, I recommend that my patients refrain from exercising and heavy lifting for 4 weeks following a breast reduction procedure.  Depending upon how a patient is healing and the the progress made, I will sometimes advise patients to wait up to 6 weeks before hitting the gym.  It is important that patients wear supportive sports bra's while exercising once all restrictions have been lifted and that they continue to see their operating surgeon for routine follow up.If you have already had a breast reduction procedure, please discuss any exercise restrictions with your operating surgeon as he/she is most familiar with your specific case.  Every patient is different, every patient heals differently, and not every recovery is exactly the same for a given procedure.  I hope you find this helpful and I wish you the best.

Richard J. Bruneteau, MD · Answer

Recovery varies from patient to patient following breast
reduction surgery.We generally
recommend that patients avoid strenuous activities including running for a least
six weeks following surgery.Running in the immediate
post-operative period may adversely impact the aesthetic results following
breast reduction and lead to a higher rate of complications.The constant bouncing of the breasts can lead
to wound breakdown and spread of the scars.In addition the breasts may bottom out and develop recurrent sag.This is especially true when the
breasts are left relatively large following the procedure. It’s therefore
important that patients wear a quality support bra when running after breast
reduction procedures.It’s important to discuss this issue
with your plastic surgeon before running.Your surgeon has important information regarding your situation and when
it’s safe to resume this activity.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thanks for the  question. Congratulations on having undergone breast reduction surgery;  it is one of the most patient pleasing operations we perform.
 Generally, it is best to follow your surgeon's  guidelines in regards to return to activity/ exercise. Most of my patients are able to return to this type of activity about 4 to 6 weeks after the breast reduction surgery.
 I hope this helps.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

If you have had an uncomplicated postoperative course, the simple answer is 6 weeks. However, you could return sooner if your surgeon approves.

How Long After a Breast Reduction and Lift Before I Can Run Without Hurting the Result?

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How Long After a Breast Reduction and Lift Before I Can Run Without Hurting the Result?

Answers (9)

Answer: Breast Reduction and Exercise?

Answer: Breast Reduction and Exercise?

Answer: Exercise after Breast Reduction

Answer: Exercise after Breast Reduction

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