How Soon Can You “Feel the Burn” After Breast Surgery?
While considered cosmetic or elective surgeries, breast lifts and augmentations are still serious procedures and cause trauma to the body that will require adequate time to heal.
But having breast surgery doesn’t mean you can’t stay svelte; there are plenty of modified exercises you can do while you’re healing. Moderate exercise – as outlined below – is beneficial for minimizing the risk of infection, scar tissue, and stretch marks.
With the right guidance, you will be back to your regular workouts in no time. Heed theadvice of your plastic surgeon who will understand the specific circumstances surrounding your procedure, and keep you informed about postoperative best practices.
Exercising After a Breast Lift
Patients undergo a breast lift (mastopexy) for a variety of reasons but one of the main factors is to counteract gravity and aging; having youthful, lifted breasts tends to make a person look and feel younger. One of the best ways to achieve optimal results and retain this new look is by maintaining your weight following surgery. The question is – how soon is too soon for exercise?
The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery recommends curbing workouts, other than light walking, for the first 2 – 6 weeks after surgery. Gentle exercise and stretching should be fine to resume after the initial healing period. During weeks 5 – 8, light jogging, squats, lunges, glute kickbacks, and bicep/tricep curls are all doable. However, aerobics and weight lifting activities should be avoided for at least 6 weeks.After 9 weeks, high-intensity activities such as sprints, jumping rope, and lunge jumps can be resumed.
Exercising After Breast Augmentation
After breast augmentation surgery, light walking is recommended in the days immediately following your procedure. Brief walks around the room or your home can increase circulation, oxygenate bruised muscles, reduce inflammation and help prevent blood clots. More rigorous cardio such as uphill climbing can be resumed after 2 weeks.
Ease back into things. For some, 8 – 12 weeks is the “sweet spot” when it comes to resuming weight training after an augmentation procedure. Lifting excessive weight before the body has properly healed can cause your breast implants to appear malformed, or to migrate.
When it comes to any surgery, communication is key. Are you a very athletic person? Speak with your doctor, so he or she is aware of your expectations for returning to sports. Placement plays a huge role in how implants can be affected by exercise; placing the implant under the pectoral muscle is typically the preferred choice for athletes, as it’s less susceptible to damage. Those with lower body fat percentages also tend to steer toward this technique; the extra tissue in between the muscle and implant results in a more realistic appearance.
Modification is Key
If you have an exercise routine you adhere to, stick to it up until the time of your surgery. A study published by the National Institutes of Health maintains that therapeutic exercise before and after surgery might enhance the postoperative outcomes by improving functional status and reducing complications.
The key to maintaining a healthful lifestyle is modification. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, patients should always “listen” to their bodies. Don’t overexert yourself; it will only hinder your recuperation.
Led by board-certified and fellowship-trained surgeon Dr. Louis Iorio, Iorio Plastic Surgery & Medspa provides personalized services for each patient. Call 732-780-9191 for Colts Neck, New Jersey, and 732-458-7400 for the Brick, New Jersey, location.