Activity After Liposuction: when can I resume horseback riding again?

The short answer is that exercise early in the recovery period will increase the swelling.  I have patients refrain from strenuous or vigorous exercise for 6 weeks, but your surgeon may have different recommendations.
Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Los Angeles, CA

Hi. In general, we recommend waiting about 4 weeks after liposuction before resuming most rigorous exercise. However, horseback riding is particularly strenuous, especially in the region where you had liposuction performed. As a result, you may want to wait a little longer before riding again. However, it’s crucial that you discuss a timeline for resuming horseback riding with your plastic surgeon, and you should wait to ride until you receive approval to do so.

Thank you for your question. Healing after liposuction is usually pretty straight forward.  There is a process of swelling and bruising that peaks at 3 days after surgery and then undergoes the first stage of major resolution in the first 2 weeks after surgery.  The later phase of healing takes place over the 2-3 months after surgery where everything really settles and softens.  It is after this time that we are getting close to the final result, though this varies patient to patient. Patients can return to light activities almost immediately after surgery, normal activities 2 weeks after surgery, and vigorous exercise 4 weeks after surgery.  We usually experience a slow steady improvement for 3 months or so after surgery.

Thanks for your inquiry, horseback riding is on of the most strenuous activities on earth!  You really need to run it by your surgeon and get his/her instruction,  I wish you a quick recovery. 

I recommend following up with your Doctor about their protocol regarding activities like horseback riding after liposuction. After hi definition liposuction, I recommend waiting 3-4 weeks before beginning exercise and physical activities and to stop if there is any discomfort. For liposuction after care, I recommend adding hyperbaric oxygen and lymphatic massage along with your compression to help decrease swelling. To improve your final results, I also recommend adding vanquish for further fat removal, exilis/venus legacy for skin tightening, cellutone/z wave to make the skin smooth, remove scar tissue, and improve the skin’s appearance. Best, Dr. Emer

The extent of the liposuction performed is variable depending on the patient’s goals and the surgeon’s operative plan.  Despite the small size of the port site incisions, there is usually a significant area treated underneath the skin.  Your body needs time to recover from the inflammation, bruising and swelling.  So resuming strenuous activity too soon may affect your result.  We generally recommend that the patient wait 6 weeks before resuming intensive exercise.  Your board certified plastic surgeon will give you specific post-operative activity instructions which will include when you are cleared to ride.  

Thank you for your question. Usually I recommend to wait 3 weeks after surgery for that type of activity and I see them before I release them for this type of activity. Please talk to your PS for clarification.