What is the Truth About Chest Workouts After Breast Augmentation Under Muscle?

I do believe that it is very important for patients to refrain from any activities which would involve significant use of their chest (pectoral) muscles or would cause excessive stretch of those muscles during the recovery from a retropectoral (behind the muscle) breast augmentation.  However, once all the healing has completed, and everything is looking good, there is no reason to withhold from any activity or exercise.  Enjoy your new look and body shape in every way you desire without a second thought!  Isn't that what this is all about?

Like many things in plastic surgery - there is no right answer to your question - but let me tell you what I tell my patients - it is just fine to do chest workouts starting one month post-op.  Obviously I recommend that you start gradually - and work your weight and number of reps up gradually - it will likely be uncomfortable at first - but you will get there - and in my experience I have not seen patients hurt their implants by resuming exercise in this manner.Best of luck!

I always advice six weeks no gym, excercices or heavy lifting after breast augmentation. If implants are over the muscle could be easier even after four weeks. When implants are sub muscular the muscles are stretched like if you pull a muscle in the gym and you will come out from the operating room with an injury to your pecs. This sort of muscular injuries take 6 to 8 weeks to heal.

It is important that you not engage in strenuous activities in the first 6 weeks after surgery. Aerobic exercise will raise your bloodpressure, which could cause late bleeding and harm your result. If your job keeps you sedentary, you may return to work when you feel comfortable, several days after surgery. Once you begin exercising again, start gently and let your body tell you what it can tolerate. Don’t rush!!You should ask your plastic surgeon about his recommendations for exercise after surgery. Every surgeon has different post op recommendations. I let my patients take gentle walks within a few days, light aerobic exercise in 2-3 weeks, and unrestricted exercise after 6 weeks.#breastaugmentation#BA#exerciseafterBA

Thank you for your question. You definitely want to follow your own surgeon's post-op activity instructions. This is a general guide I give to my patients:
1) No heavy lifting or strenous activity for 6 weeks.
2) Resume walking at a leisurely pace right after surgery (e.g. 2 mph)
3) At 2 weeks, you can walk 2 miles at 2mph
4) At 3 weeks, you can walk 3 miles at 3mph
5) At 4 weeks, you can walk 4 miles at 4mph
6) At 5 weeks, you can jog 5 miles at 5mph
7) At 6 weeks, you can resume all activties, but listen to your body and use discomfort or tightness as a guide so you don't over do it.

You can definitely start doing upper body exercises with no problem, after you've recovered. However, your doctor may think that your implants will distort, something that can happen (although not usually). You'll still be able to do strength training,so don't worry about that. However, you may want to ask your doctor why they recommended that since they're more familiar with your situation.

To expect someone to never do any exercises that involve the chest are a little unrealistic.  Most surgeons will ask patients to refrain from chest exercises for 6-8 weeks after augmentation.  After that period of time, you should be well-healed. 

Implants placed under the pectoral muscle have a big drawback of being shifted sideways when pec muscles contract. However the many benefits outweigh this one issues.  As to the limitations asked about in your question.  To limit your physicial activity is futile.  You might as well never move your arms and let your pecs whither away to ensure you don't displace your implants.  It's unrealistic.

Martin Jugenburg Reviews

Thank you for the question. Long-term patients who undergo breast augmentation surgery should be able to return to all activities with full strength. 
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. Generally, I suggest patients gradually ease back into the strenuous aerobic exercise 4 to 6 weeks postoperatively, assuming that they are doing well and there have been no complications. Lower body exercise can generally be resumed 2 weeks postoperatively. Use common sense, listen to your body, and gradually resume previous activity. In my practice, I ask patients to avoid contact and strenuous exercise involving the pectoralis major muscles ( such as push-ups, bench press, burpees, dancing on a pole…) for at least 3-6 months. Best wishes.

I recommend no heavy lifting or strenuous activity for 3-4 weeks.  I will clear my patients to start exercise as tolerated or resume heavy lifting in 3-4 weeks after their surgery *gradually*   The key word here is gradually.  You should be cleared to resume your activities without restrictions 4 weeks after your procedure.  Many of my patients have your activity level and some are semi-pro athletes or fitness professionals.  All have been able to return to their baseline strength and activity level without difficulty.  Please talk to your PS about his/her specific recommendations.  Best wishes.

Dr. Basu

Houston, TX