How to Stay in Shape While You Recover from Breast Augmentation
Are you considering breast augmentation, but worrying about losing your flat abs or gaining a pound or two while you recover? The good news is that there are ways to stay fit and recover safely.
First, let me emphasize that proper care must be taken to ensure a safe and speedy recovery. You may experience swelling, bruising, and drainage for several weeks after a breast enhancement. For these reasons, strenuous activity must be avoided as it raises the heart rate. Your first priorities should be to simply follow your cosmetic surgeon’s recovery recommendations and watch your diet by eating healthy, nutritious meals.
Now let’s talk about having a safe recovery from breast enhancement while maintaining your fitness level. Here are some general guidelines I give my patients for staying in shape while they recover.
Weeks 1 and 2: Let Your Body Heal
Remember how great it feels to take a leisurely walk? As a matter of fact, walking is part of my recommended recovery protocol. I advise my patients to walk for 15 minutes each hour they’re awake; you may be surprised to learn that you burn more calories walking at low speeds than high speeds, because your momentum isn’t propelling you as you stroll. You shouldn’t walk fast enough to raise your heart rate, though, so easy does it. A healthy diet rich in vitamins and nutrients will help your healing, so don’t skimp on the calories for the first couple of weeks. And no free weights! Don’t lift anything heavier than 5 pounds.
Weeks 3 and 4: Resume Light Activity
Walking is still recommended, but after about 3 to 4 weeks, most of my patients get the green light to ease back into aerobic workouts and lower body strength exercises. There are some activities there are still off-limits, however; running, swimming, and upper body strength training need to wait another couple of weeks. After about 3 weeks, you can resume sexual activity, which can burn a few calories too! You may increase your lifting capacity to 10 pounds during this timeframe.
Weeks 5 and 6: Back to the Gym!
If you’ve gradually returned to your exercise routine, you can continue to add some aerobic intensity to your workout and increase your lower body weight training. Although each patient heals at a slightly different pace, after about 6 weeks, most breast augmentation patients are able to go for a run, ride horses, swim laps, and resume upper body weight work. You’re back to your regular workouts!
It’s natural to want to stay in shape after breast augmentation, but it’s also important to follow your surgeon’s recommendations and to maintain a healthy diet for optimum healing. While you may be eager to resume an active schedule, remember that a few weeks of rest and a few extra calories is not much in the grand scheme of things, and that letting your body heal properly should be your primary concern. Keep your end goal of beautiful, enhanced breasts in mind. After a short period of downtime, you’ll love your reflection in the mirrors at the gym!
5 Comments Posted to "How to Stay in Shape While You Recover from Breast Augmentation"
When can at home video workouts like boxing, kick boxing or tae bo be started after breast augmentation surgery? I am someone who is used to exercise at a very vigorous and high intensity. And I am always doing some kind of exercise every single day of the week. I did right up to the day before surgery and am now on day 4 post op and haven’t done a thing beside wash some dishes and fold some laundry and my mind is going crazy! I’m used to hitting the gym daily and now feel like a prisoner in my home and in my mind as it is what I use as a natural form anti-depressant for myself and don’t want to fall back into the thoughts I had prior so would you possibly have any ideas when some at home videos on top of daily walks can be done until I can start with at least the cardio equipment at our gym? Thank you very much in advance.
Hi Miranda,
Thank you for your question. Right now, being 4 days post-op, you’ll want to focus on your recovery and give healing more time. Even at home workouts can be too strenuous during the first couple of weeks and you’ll want to take it easy. However; every patient is different, so it’s crucial to talk to your surgeon about when you can begin adding workouts back into your routine.
Please contact us using the form on our site if you have any more questions:www.drpancholi.com/contact/. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Cosmetic Surgery of Las Vegas
Hi Miranda,
I am just like you and recovery 3 1/2 weeks now post breast augmentation from a 34AA to 34C (as of now anyway). I started walking around 3 days post, and at about a week…was using a reclining stationary bike along with stair climbing to alternate days for light cardio. It didn’t hurt or bother me and could feel my heart rate increase a bit. It felt really good, just to do that. No pressure or force was applied at all on the pectoral area. I am almost 4 weeks post and itching to start running again. I will aim to try elliptical at 4 weeks with really good support bra. Hope this helps! I was also able to do all lower strengthening exercises on stationary machines only, that didn’t involve any upper body pressure. Good luck, time with fly by as you recover..
Hi 👋
I perfectly understand the worries and self-esteem.
I exercise all my life from very young age. I just have my 3rd boob job.
1th after baby I lost my boobs so I went 300CC under muscle.
I felt I my boobs was restricting me from rowing and weight, in fact they they was start looking to high.
I have 2nd 10 years later so I went from 300CC to 450 CC on top of muscle.
I was very happy 😃.
I increase my workout plan during covid and depression and got obsessed with perfect six pack. My body was in perfect shape, but just my boobs shrunk as I hardly did have body fat %.
So I went for my 3rd boob job from 450CC to 590CC
I am very happy can’t wait for new outfits and bikinis. In fact I went shopping second day after my stitches come out and I have to call lady in changing room to help me as I was stuck by tying on tight outfits lol. When I told you I just have boob job and I have no patience she laugh and pull the dress off me lol.
I heal very fast, usually after every surgery I have I walk straight away as soon as I wake up. It’s takes me roughly 2-3 days to straighten my back and walk normal. After 2 weeks I feel absolutely fine. In fact I have to keep reminding myself not overdoing. I been walking ftom day one, by increasing every day more and more. Week 2 I am back in gym, I am very careful mainly only lover body workout. I do look on weight area with jealousy, thinking I could do my arms, ass and six pack lol. I did read a lot and spoke with my surgeon, it’s very important not to use your upper body muscles for at least six weeks, because it’s time when implants grow inside the body and position themselves in place. So I am counting every day and telling myself muscles have a memory and everything will come back in 2 weeks, just need patience!
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment and share your experience, Serafina!