Running after breast augmentation and how to protect implants if one has dropped before the other implant, any suggestions?

Hi, thank you for sharing your question. Every surgeon has his/her own specific set of instructions that help to guide their patients to a successful outcome. I usually allow patients to return to light exercise at 2-3 weeks and gradually increase to full activity at 8 weeks. Sports bras are recommended. I hope this helps.

As anatomy varies between patients and no two procedures are exactly the same, I personally modify and individualize post operative care for my patients. As your surgeon is the person who knows you best and is most familiar with your surgery, I would recommend following his post operative protocol. 

Hello Intuitive773216, Thank you for your question. Every surgeon has their own individual post-op protocol, so I would advise you to follow the recommendation of your surgeon.Typically, it takes 3 months for the capsule/scar tissue to be completely healed. I always recommend my patients wear a good high impact sports bra when they are doing any activity that would be considered high impact. Best of luck!

Hello, thank you for your question. I recommend speaking to your surgeon because they will know exactly how you are healing.  Usually for my own patients I recommend gradual return to exercise around 4-6 weeks, depending how they are progressing.

Instructions can be individualized for each person, each with their own parameters that need to be minded: size of implant, quality of breast tissue, initial outcome of surgery and position of implants, etc. Obviously, I know nothing about your specifics, so I can't say whether this strict regimen is called for. In general, it takes a full three months for the capsule around the implant to gain maximum strength, so a limitation of excessive forces on that weak capsule is probably a good thing. One of the most frustrating things to happen to a patient is to have a stellar outcome that is ruined by implant migration over the course of the first 3 to 6 months. 

HI Intuitive,As every other surgeon has said below, each of us have their own protocol after doing a Bam. If one breast has already dropped, perhaps your PS does not want the other to drop as well. Is the dropped breast too low? Will it need a correction? Hard to say without photos. Really, the best thing to do is to ask your own surgeon as to why he/she wants you to follow these instructions. Maybe even a phone call to the his/her assistant ( nurse, Pa, patient coordinator might be helpful?I ask my patients not to do heavy running until about 2 months out, especially if I am satisfied as to the position of the implants. A good supportive bra is also a necessity as to hold the implants where I want them to be.Hope this helps a bit.Best,Dr. Christine Rodgers

It is not unusual for one implant to drop before the other. I don’t think running will affect it much if any. If the high implant isn’t dropping you can use a breast strap over the implants to help push that side down. Your surgeon might have this strap of you can buy it online.

I'm sorry to hear that your surgeon's office has not been more helpful with the questions you are posing. That said, it is indeed correct that every surgeon has his or her own set of recommendations with regard to post-op care. Not knowing your frame. breast size, implant size, implant position within your breast (under versus over the muscle) it is difficult to make specific recommendations for you. However, no harm will come form being extra cautious and providing extra support to your breasts while running, especially early after surgery. In my own practice, I try to avoid very large implants for routine cosmetic augmentation, since they have a higher risk of "bottoming out", especially in a patient who is a runner. I tell my patients that after four weeks, they can usually start running with a good sports bra. But if you are concerned about bottoming out, it is definitely a risk. Hope that helps. Good luck. 

Every surgeon has their own recipe for after care and time off.  I allow my patients to return to full activity including high impact at 4 weeks time.  I do ask them to wear a very good sports bra, maybe 2 if they need to when they are engaging in the high impact activities.  Generally at 2 months time, I allow my patients to wear an underwire bra.  These are general guidelines and at times I do adjust them for each individual patient.I would discuss this with your surgeon as you will get a variation of answers here and it may not pertain to your case.  Every surgeon is different as is every patient.Hope that helps.

Thank you for sharing your question.  Each surgeon has their own protocol in the return to activity after surgery, but my patients are allowed to light cardio activity at two weeks, using a sports bra or equivalent undergarment that does not have an underwire.  Patients can then increase their speed weekly until not having restrictions at 6-8 weeks after surgery.  Hope this helps.