Tips For Exercising After Undergoing Plastic Surgery

I completely understand the impulse to want to get back into your daily routine after undergoing plastic surgery. And for many people, regular exercise is an integral part of their daily routine. Exercising regularly is a healthy lifestyle choice that can help patients maintain their aesthetic results in the years following their cosmetic procedure. However, it’s important to understand when it will be safe and advisable to fully dive back into your workout routine after plastic surgery.

I wanted to begin by reminding readers that every patient is different and post-surgery recovery varies from patient to patient. There are many factors to consider before a recommendation like when to begin exercising again can be made. Speaking generally, a simple rule that I explain to my patients is that it is likely safe to begin lighter exercise one to two weeks after a minor procedure like a Band Aid facial surgery and two to four weeks after more invasive procedures like a tummy tuck or mommy makeover. Readers may find the following tips for exercising after plastic surgery helpful:

• Wait six weeks or more before any more strenuous (high impact) physical activity or heavy lifting in order to give the body time to properly heal after surgery
• Start slow and build back your strength over time instead of instantly going as hard as you did before surgery
• Make realistic goals and stick with them
• Wear supportive garments (if applicable to your surgery) while exercising if advised to do so by your plastic surgeon
• Make sure to take rest days between exercises and not push yourself too hard too soon

In the video below, I discuss exercise after plastic surgery in more detail:

Showing patience in the short term during the plastic surgery recovery period can provide several long-term benefits for patients. If you would like to learn more about plastic surgery or to schedule a plastic surgery consultation, contact me, Dr. John LeRoy. Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook or Twitter for more videos, tips, and updates from my practice.