Fitness After Breast Implants: A Plastic Surgeon's Advice
Exercise is an essential part of our lives. Maintaining some type of fitness activity improves our overall physical and mental health, boosts energy levels, and aids in weight management. However, it’s crucial to understand that when considering fitness after breast implants, not all exercises are appropriate for women who have implants under the muscle. In fact, some exercises can actually make your implants sit off to the side and go more into your side boob rather than staying in the proper position.
Interested in learning what modifications to do to your workout and what exercises to avoid after breast surgery? Read on for my advice to you, from a female plastic surgeon to women seeking implants or women who have implants and are wanting to protect and maintain their beautiful result.
Why it is Critical to Modify your Fitness after Breast Implants
If you are planning (or have) submuscular breast implants (under your pectoralis major, or pec major) muscle, certain exercises can negatively impact the long-term outcome of your plastic surgery. Specifically, I recommend you avoid exercises that isolate the pec, and only strengthen the pectoral muscle. I don’t recommend this lightly. I recommend this forever. This is not a short-term recommendation for the early part of healing. This is a change in the way you exercise so you can have the most beautiful breast implant result. I demonstrate why in the video below. Let me explain what I mean.
When you contract your pec major, it will push your breast implants out of place – and off to the side, or under your armpit. That is not the intended place for your implants. With each pec major contraction and with increased strength to that muscle, you increase the force of that movement and you are more likely to have one of a few things happen.
Pecs that are overly strong cause animation, where every single time you contract your pec, your breasts change shape and position (implants move way out to the sides) while contracting your pec. Further, your muscles could eventually heal back down to your ribcage, and displace your implants off to the side of your chest permanently. Those implants will no longer be centered behind your nipple, and instead will bother you when you swing your arms or move your arms along the side of your body, and you will likely be frustrated with the altered look of your breast implant result.
Exercises to Avoid after Submuscular Breast Augmentation
Specifically, my advice as a female plastic surgeon to you is this. To ensure the best possible results, I recommend you avoid the following isolated pectoral exercises forever after having breast implants under the muscle:
- Chest press: This includes any variation that isolates the pectoralis major, including bench press, any sort of chest press, incline and decline chest press.
- Chest Fly: This is another exercise that specifically isolates the pectoral muscle and should be avoided.
Modifications to Full-Body Exercises after Submuscular Breast Implants
To maintain your fitness routine while protecting your implants, consider these modifications:
- Push-ups: Instead of a wide stance for your arms, bring your arms closer to your body, focusing on using your triceps. (see my demo in the video)
- Burpees: Adjust your stance to minimize pectoral muscle involvement as above, using your triceps over your pecs.
- Planks: Utilize your core and triceps to support your bodyweight with your stance to avoid excessive focus on your pec major.
When Can I Return to Regular Exercise?
The timeline for resuming regular fitness after breast implants varies depending on the type of surgery and individual healing process. If you have a lift with your implants your recovery time will be longer before you can go back to your fitness routine. It’s essential to check with your board certified plastic surgeon about her recommendations for you after your own surgery.
Tips for a Successful Recovery after Breast Implants
- Listen to your body: Pay attention to any pain or discomfort and adjust your exercise routine accordingly.
- Gradually increase intensity: Start with low-impact activities and gradually increase the intensity as you heal. Our exercise guide is here.
- Maintain good posture: Stabilize your body by contracting your core, or your rectus abdominis muscles. This posture helps support your trunk from the front and prevents strain of your back muscles.
- Wear a supportive bra: A well-fitting bra provides additional support during exercise.
Consult with a Professional
While this guide provides general information, it’s crucial to consult with your board-certified plastic surgeon for personalized advice and professional recommendations. Physical therapists and personal trainers can help you develop an exercise plan that suits your specific needs and goals.
Considering breast surgery? Contact us today to schedule a consultation and discuss your post-surgery exercise options.
