Breast augmentation and tennis: is it enough time to fully recover and start to play?

Question

Hi, Im a student-athlete(tennis) and every day I play tennis. I want to do breast augmentation in the beginning of June however I have to start practice again around beginning / mid August pretty much every day.. is it enough time to fully recover and start to play? Or I shouldn’t risk it because it’s not enough time for recovery? I would greatly appreciate your advice. Thank you

Sacha Obaid, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question!  I recommend that my patients wait 3 weeks until resuming cardio exercise such as elliptical without the arms, treadmill, seated exercise bike, and stair master and  6 weeks until resuming full physical activity such as weight lifting, yoga, or in your case, swinging a tennis racket.  Each surgeon will have their own guidelines for physical activity following breast augmentation so ask your plastic surgeon what he or she recommends.  Best of luck!

Jaime S. Schwartz, MD, FACS · Answer

I appreciate your question.  
Typically, my guideline is, the first week is the hardest. By the second week you feel better, at four weeks you feel 100% and at six weeks you can go back to complete normal routines and exercising.  
Four days after surgery, I would be careful as you are still at risk for bleeding. If you are taking any pain medication, I would not drink alcohol.  With my 'Schwartz Rapid Recuperation' recovery, most of my patients are out to dinner the following evening.
The best way to assess and give true advice would be an in-person exam.  Please see a board-certified plastic surgeon that specializes in aesthetic plastic surgery. 
  
Best of luck! 
    
Dr. Schwartz 
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon 
#RealSelf100Surgeon 
#RealSelfCORESurgeon

Christopher J. Davidson, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Although post operative instructions do vary from one plastic surgeon to another, I advise my patients to return to normal activities 4 weeks following breast augmentation.  For an aggressive tennis schedule, you may want to allow 6 weeks.  Best to follow the specific instructions of your plastic surgeon.  Good luck.

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.  The
best advice you can receive is from an in-person consultation.  That will be an adequate amount of time for your recovery.  The size, profile, and shape of the
implant is based on your desired breast size/shape, your chest wall
measurements, and soft tissue quality.  This decision should
be based on a detailed discussion with equal input from both you
and your surgeon.   Make sure you specifically look
at before and after pictures of real patients who have had this surgery
performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results.   The most
important aspect is to find a surgeon you are comfortable with. I recommend
that you seek consultation with a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon who
can evaluate you in person.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.  FACS
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Ted Eisenberg, DO, FACOS, FAACS · Answer

Six weeks should be ok. My competitive body builders begin their training at that time and take 2 more weeks to gradually return to full weight lifting. Always a good idea to keep your surgeon in the loop.
Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author

Richard Baxter, MD · Answer

Usually 6 weeks is enough time to resume full athletic activity after breast augmentation, but there are a few things to be aware of: One, the dual plane procedure for under muscle placement will detach a portion of the pectoral muscle and weaken it; consider subfascial or split muscle as an alternative. Two, avoid large implants - they will cause more problems over time specially for athletic women.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Timing to return to specific types of exercise will vary from one patient to another. Best to check with your plastic surgeon for specific advice.  
 In our practice, I ask patients to start walking from day one. Lower extremity exercise, such as use of stationary bicycle, weights, lunges... can be resumed at the two-week mark (sometimes sooner depending on the exact operation performed and how the patient is doing clinically).  Returned to upper body workout and running usually begins 4 to 6 weeks post op.  In my practice, assuming you are doing well, I would okay your return to tennis beginning/middle of August.

Best wishes for an outcome that you will be very pleased with.

Christine Blaine, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi and thank you for your question.  I typically recommend that my patients avoid any exercise and heavy lifting for at least four weeks following their breast augmentation.  With roughly 8 weeks between your desired surgery date in early June and the start of your tennis season, you should have plenty of time to recover from your surgery and be ready to play by early-mid August.  I would suggest scheduling a consultation with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to review your candidacy for a breast augmentation.  I hope that this helps.  Best of luck to you!

Richard Bloom, MBBS (Hons), FRACS · Answer

Hi there and thanks for your question,8 weeks should be ample time to recover from BAM.My minimum recommendation before resuming full activity is 6 weeks. Best wishesRichard

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

I usually allow patients to go back to vigorous exercise within about 6-8 weeks. you should check with your surgeon.

Breast augmentation and tennis: is it enough time to fully recover and start to play?

Answers (17)

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