Exercise after breast augmentation?

Different surgeons will have different restrictions for different procedures and different patients.

My general recommendation is for a return to light exercise for 4 weeks. This is followed by a slow escalation over the next 2 weeks toward full actIvity.

As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).

After breast augmentation, particularly with under-the-muscle implants, weight training requires thoughtful adjustments to protect your results. For the first 6 weeks, no lifting or intense exercise—this is when the implant pocket needs to heal and stabilize. From 6 to 12 weeks, you can resume lower body, back, shoulders, and arm training, but avoid direct chest exercises like push-ups, bench press, and chest flys, which put pressure on the pectoral muscle and can shift the implants. You can also consider going above the muscle which would decrease those risks caused by muscle contraction.

I permit patients to start doing lower body workouts immediately (low impact, no significant jumping/sprinting/running). At 2 weeks, they can start incorporating core workouts. At 4 weeks, they can start doing arm workouts and 6 weeks full return to all workouts.

Recommendations for exercise limitations following breast augmentation vary from surgeon to surgeon and also depending on the specific technique. Generally speaking, if a partial submuscular or dual plane approach is utilized, the restriction will be longer (4-6 weeks) as vigorous chest muscle exercises can displace the implants undesirably. If the implants are placed above the muscle this problem is much less likely and therefore restrictions can be less.

Thank you for your inquiry! Restrictions are typically for 6 weeks after surgery. We encourage you not to lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk. Also, not activity that will increase your heartrate or blood pressure. We would love to meet with you to discuss your options. Schedule a consultation with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon.

Hi Thrifty191943, That is very exciting you are starting to plan your long awaited surgery. In regards to exercise, we advise patients to avoid exercising for at least 6 weeks after surgery as long as you are fully healed. This includes any exercise that increases your heart rate and lifting/pulling/pushing over 10lbs. We recommend restarting exercise slowly and listening to your body as it takes time to get back to where you were before surgery. The other restriction that should be of note is arm restrictions otherwise known as Trex arms to avoid splitting open your incision, risk of hematoma and breaking through pocket for 6 weeks as well. We also recommend avoiding pull ups/push ups for closer to 8-12weeks post operatively as these movement use your pectoral muscles in particular. Always defer to what your surgeon recommends as well in regards to restrictions. Hope this helps!

Hello, thank you for your question and best of luck with surgery. Here in my practice, I have my patients keep from any exercise for 3 weeks post op. I instruct them NO chest, bench press, push-ups, lat pull downs or flies until 3 months post. I even suggest keeping chest exercise out of your routine for lifetime to keep that soft beautiful cleavage we create with a breast augmentation. Hope this helps and best of luck again.

After breast augmentation, please avoid chest exercises like bench presses, push-ups, and others that may apply pressure to your breasts.

More intense exercise, heavy lifting, upper body exercise and repetitive arm movements should be avoided for 3 months

Dear Thrifty191943,
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

In the early postoperative period after breast augmentation no exercise due to the risks of bleeding and incision healing. Usually around 2 weeks, I allow patient to restart light cardio, leg exercises and certain abdominal exercises. Around 6 weeks, patients can perform arm exercises and plank. There is variability among plastic surgeons especially regarding push-ups and pectoralis/ chest exercises.