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.