Upper Body Weights After Implants?

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 as to the recoveryWeek 1) Discomfort level
progressively decreases with each day. Swelling decreases a great deal
after one week. Most people return to work in some capacity. Driving
is feasible if you are not on narcotics.Week 2) Unlikely to need
any narcotic support except maybe at night. Swelling continues to
improve compared to week 1. You can start breast massage and slowly
increasing your range of motion.Weeks 3-6) May need tylenol or
ibuprofen for intermittent discomfort. Swelling completely resolved.
You should steadily regain your range of motion. May need additional few
months for implants to settle into their final position. As far as activity, here is a safe guide: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 2mph4) At 3 weeks, you can walk 3 miles at 3mph5) At 4 weeks, you can walk 4 miles at 4mph6) At 5 weeks, you can jog 5 miles at 5mph7)
At 6 weeks, you can resume all activities, but listen to your body and
use discomfort or tightness as a guide so you don't over do it.

I generally have my patients wait six weeks after augmentation, especially if the implants are beneath the muscle (or dual plane). Otherwise, flexing the Pectoralis muscle can push the implant down and out. It takes about six weeks for enough scar tissue to form to hold the implant in position. But even then I would do only light weights till about 3 months after surgery.

Most plastic surgeons will recommend that you
wait at least eight weeks before resuming any intense physical activity or
heavy lifting, especially if it involves use of the pectoral muscle.

I usually have my patients wait 4-6 weeks before they start high impact exercise and weight lifting. Closer to 6 weeks than 4. When they resume weight lifting, I recommend they ease into it - so it's really 8 weeks before they are doing really strenuous workouts.

Remember....this is an emotional and financial commitment, and you really don't want to have complications.

I strongly recommend you ask your surgeon what he/she recommends.

Best of luck,

Jennifer Harrington MD

I typically recommend that patients do not workout their chest after sub-muscular breast augmentation- especially if the implants are large.  This is not a demand, but a strong suggestion because, in general, strenuous workout of your chest has little benefit in your case and potentially some downside.  Let me explain...

With implants under your muscle, the muscle only covers about the upper half to two-thirds of the implant.  What happens when you push down on only half of a balloon?  The other half bulges out.  The really strong contractions when working out your chest muscles will squeeze the implant hard.  The continuous bulging of the lower part of the implant that's not covered by muscle eventually stretches out the tissues of the lower breast making room for the implant to eventually move down a bit...changing your shape significantly.

With sub-muscular implants the chest muscles are no longer important cosmetically.  The pectoralis muscle is one of the most used muscles in your body so it gets plenty of exercise.  Working out your arms is fine, but try to isolate the muscles by locking your elbows against your side when working out.  Following these simple instructions will give you a longer lasting result.

If I can answer other questions please feel free to contact me.

...Dr Newman