How long after getting a BA do you generally need to wait before resuming with sexual activities and intercourse?

Question

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS · Answer

What do you mean by "sexual activities?" Trapeze sex? Missionary intercourse can be pretty boring (or not).
Honestly, I have told my patients for years that "When" is not for me to say, but that I will indeed have rules about "How?" or "What kind" of sexual activity! 
For the first two weeks after surgery, nothing that raises blood pressure or pulse is allowed. Bleeding, even small amounts, can lead to capsular contracture. Lots of bleeding can lead to re-operation and more cost! So if you can be intimate in a quiet, careful, tender way, go for it! But if you're the kind of couple that swings from the chandeliers and has eardrum-blowing orgasms, God bless you !! But  you should wait. After two weeks, light cardio exertion is allowed, but no heavy exercise until after 4 weeks.
No tackle football, pole vaulting, or trapeze sex for 6 weeks (and you know what other activities fall into this category--bowling, downhill skiing in the bumps, kickboxing, etc.) After that, anything is allowed except tanning the scars, as long as the exercise or activity is started slowly and gradually.
So you can see where different types of sexual activity can fall within these restraints. Plus, if you can't lay on your breasts yet, then neither should your partner! Also breast manipulation should not be like hanging on in a bronco-riding rodeo, if you know what I mean. Gentle, especially at first, will be appreciated, and might just avoid a costly re-operation now or later.
Preventing even a small amount of bruising or oozing around your implants can have life-long effects on the softness and movement of your new breasts. Don't mess it up with too much, too soon! It's not about when, but HOW! Best wishes! Dr. Tholen

Richard H. Fryer, MD · Answer

Intimacy after breast augmentation can be started fairly soon, you just have to play it by ear.  For example, if you are still taking pain medication and don't feel good then it is too early for intimacy (how can you really be considered a consenting adult if you are impaired with pain medicine).  At least twenty percent of my patients never take narcotic pain medication (Ibuprofen is all they need).  In that case intimacy can be started a little bit earlier.Intimacy CAN lead to early bleeding complications, so please be careful.  We call this "bedroom trauma" ;)  You need to avoid any vigorous movement of or significant pressure to the breasts as this can cause bleeding and result in having to operate to remove the blood.  The other thing you need to try to avoid is rapid or significant increases in your blood pressure.  Intimacy can cause both of those to occur, which in turn could possibly lead to a bleeding problem.  Monitoring your blood pressure is a little bit difficult, but there is SOME correlation between your heart rate and your blood pressure after surgery.I typically tell my patients that they need to keep their heart rate below 120 beats per minute for the first two weeks and then below 140 beats per minute up through the fourth week.  I don't know what that typically correlates to with blood pressure, but it does mean minimal or mild exertion at the 120 level or mild to moderate at the 140 level.  Remember my previous answer (about caring for your kids)?  Be creative with what you do and I think you'll be just fine.We are excited to be able to take care of you!

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

Hello,Thank you for your question. I advise my patients to avoid cardio workouts and sex for 3 weeks post-op in order to reduce the risk of bleeding. I also advise no aggressive breast touching for 6 weeks. Ask your Plastic Surgeon what their protocols are.All the best

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Your plastic surgeon will always be your best resource when it comes to specific instructions in regards to returning to activities. Generally speaking, best  to limit strenuous activity for at least 2 weeks after breast   augmentation surgery, assuming you are doing well and there have been no complications.  Care should be taken during the first one to two weeks after surgery not to allow for elevation of heart rate, blood pressure, and/or direct trauma/contact to the chest wall. Again, generally speaking, most my patients are able to return to lower body exercise at the 1 to 2 week post operative mark, wait to lift/run for about 4 to 6 weeks after surgery. Swimming may have to wait a similar amount of time. Other exercises, involving the pectoralis major muscles, may resume several months down the line, if not longer. Again, address your specific questions/concerns to your plastic surgeon, who knows your situation best, and is ultimately responsible for your care. Best wishes.

Wesley G. Wilson, MD · Answer

As other have stated, I would like patients to restrict activities that increase blood pressure for two weeks to make sure we do not have any bleeding.  After that common sense should be used.  Acute phase of healing is not completed until 6 weeks and care should be taken as you continue to heal.  If an activity is uncomfortable, don't do it!
Dr Wilson

How long after getting a BA do you generally need to wait before resuming with sexual activities and intercourse?

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Answer: How long after getting a BA do you generally need to wait before resuming with sexual activities and intercourse?

Answer: How long after getting a BA do you generally need to wait before resuming with sexual activities and intercourse?

Answer: Sex and Surgery

Answer: Sex and Surgery

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How long after getting a BA do you generally need to wait before resuming with sexual activities and intercourse?

Answers (10)

Answer: How long after getting a BA do you generally need to wait before resuming with sexual activities and intercourse?

Answer: How long after getting a BA do you generally need to wait before resuming with sexual activities and intercourse?

Answer: Sex and Surgery

Answer: Sex and Surgery

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Augmentation

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.