Exercise After Breast Augmentation Surgery
Wed 28th Jan 2026
After undergoing Breast Augmentation surgery, it’s normal to want to return to your usual lifestyle and exercise routine as soon as possible. Recovery will take time, though, so it’s crucial you don’t rush into things too quickly. This article covers practical information on exercise and breast implant surgery so you can enjoy your return to exercise without the guesswork.
Listen to Your Body
Everyone’s recovery after Breast Augmentation surgery is different.
Dr Dona will give you guidelines for your return to exercise, but you must still listen to your body. If it tells you that an activity doesn’t feel right, stop and don’t overexert yourself. Importantly, stay in contact with Dr Dona and his medical team to discuss your activities and any concerns.
Wearing Bras After Surgery
For the first six weeks after your surgery, you’ll wear a surgical bra. This bra is also known as a compression bra. It applies pressure on the breasts to give them stability and comfort, and helps the breasts maintain the placement of the implants.
When returning to any form of exercise after breast surgery, you must wear a bra (or often two) that helps prevent your breasts from bouncing up and down. If your breasts are bouncing while you’re running, then you’re wearing the wrong bras.
Walking After Surgery
You’ll be encouraged to take short walks around the house the day after your breast surgery. Walking promotes blood flow throughout your body and prevents blood clots from forming. After the first few days following surgery, gradually increase the duration of your walks each day, provided you feel comfortable. Over the next four weeks, make sure you walk at a moderate pace and no more.
Running After Surgery
You can slowly return to running at the four-week mark. Start running at a light intensity, then gradually increase your running distance and speed, provided your body remains comfortable.
What happens if you work out too soon after Breast Augmentation?
During your recovery, your body will build a scar capsule around the breast implant. This scar capsule holds the breast implant firmly in place. Engaging your chest muscles too intensely in the first four to six weeks after your surgery can cause the implant to shift before the scar capsule has fully formed. This implant shifting can cause the breasts to have an asymmetrical and unnatural shape. To avoid this, chest exercises such as push-ups and pull-ups should be delayed and done in moderation.
Too much exercise can also increase swelling, bruising and soreness. Undesired scar formation can also develop, so follow Dr Dona’s advice and don’t exercise too soon.
Returning to The Gym After Breast Augmentation Surgery
For those who love the gym, you can slowly return at the four-week mark. However, four weeks away from the gym is a long time, and you would have deconditioned considerably. Also, keep in mind that you’ve just had surgery, so you must start gently to avoid discomfort.
Start your workouts with light, short sessions and listen to your body. Gradually build up to your regular training levels over the following weeks and months.
If you experience pain, you must ease off a little bit. This is your body saying it’s not quite ready to be pushed so hard.
Going to the gym before four weeks to ‘just do legs’ is strictly not allowed. Any leg work requires your core and upper body for stabilisation, so avoid any gym exercise before this time.
CrossFit and High-Intensity Workouts
Returning to CrossFit will take some time, as it’s more physically intense than regular gym activities. We suggest you explore the gym after the four-week mark, and gradually build your strength and fitness up for another four weeks before considering your return to CrossFit or similar activities.
