Push ups and pull ups after arm lift?

The answer is 6 weeks.  After any surgery, the incisions get progressively weaker for the first 3 weeks and then from week 3 until week 6 will slowly regain strength.  At 6 weeks, most wounds are back to 70% of final wound strength and are finally strong enough to withstand exercise- stress your incisions before that and the scars will spread, thicken more and may even open up.  Compression is optional-I usually have my patients wear a light compression sleeve for 6 weeks as well.  This supports the incision at the same time. 

Thank you for your question regarding exercise and compression garments after your arm lift. Typically, I recommend avoiding strenuous upper-body exercises, including push-ups and pull-ups, for at least 8–12 weeks after surgery. These exercises place significant strain on the arms and may disrupt healing or worsen scarring if done too early. Your specific timeline may vary, so it's essential to consult your surgeon about your readiness for these activities.

Regarding the compression garment, most patients wear it 24/7 for the first 4–6 weeks post-op, only removing it for showers. After that, your surgeon may allow you to transition to wearing it for part of the day or at night, depending on your healing progress. Compression helps reduce swelling, support the tissues, and improve the final contour of your arms.

When you’re cleared to resume push-ups, pull-ups, or similar exercises, ease back into them gradually. Start with modified versions and lower resistance to avoid overloading your arms and potentially affecting your results. Proper guidance from your surgeon or a physical therapist is invaluable for safely returning to these activities.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Thank you for your question! For my patients, I recommend they take 3 weeks off of cardio at the gym, and 6 weeks off of weight training and yoga exercises. For push ups and sit ups, it is best to wait the full 6 weeks. In regards to the garment, I recommend they wear it for the first 3 weeks, 24/7, then an additional 3 weeks at night only. I recommend discussing specific post op instructions with your plastic surgeon. Best of luck!