15 Exercises to Avoid with Breast Implants & Their Best Alternatives

Breast implants can enhance one’s confidence and body image, but it’s essential to approach exercise cautiously after breast augmentation surgery. Specific exercises can put a strain on the chest muscles and potentially compromise the results of the surgery. In this article, we will explore a list of 15 exercises to avoid with breast implants and explore why they should be cautiously approached.

Understanding Breast Implants

Breast augmentation surgery involves the placement of implants to enhance breast size and shape. After surgery, the body needs time to heal and adjust to the implants. Therefore, it’s crucial to follow post-operative care instructions and be mindful of activities that may impact the implants, particularly during the early stages of recovery.

15 Exercises to Avoid with Breast Implants 

When it comes to exercising after breast implant surgery, specific exercises should be approached with caution or avoided altogether. These exercises can put a strain on the chest muscles and potentially compromise the results of the surgery. To help you make informed decisions about your exercise routine, here is a list of 15 exercises to avoid with breast implants and the reasons behind it:

1. Heavy Chest Presses: Excessive weight on the chest can strain the pectoral muscles and potentially cause implant displacement.
2. Wide Grip Bench Press: The wide grip stresses the chest muscles, which may lead to discomfort and affect the position of the implants.
3. Pec Flys with Heavy Weights: These exercises can overstretch the chest muscles and strain the surgical incisions, increasing the risk of complications.
4. Dips on Parallel Bars: Dips put pressure on the chest and shoulders, potentially leading to implant movement or discomfort.
5. Overhead Presses with Heavy Weights: The strain on the shoulders and upper body during overhead presses can impact the implant positioning and cause discomfort.
6. Pull-Overs: This exercise can stretch the chest muscles and potentially cause discomfort or affect the appearance of the breasts.
7. Close Grip Bench Press: Similar to a wide-grip bench press, this exercise can strain the chest muscles and potentially affect implant positioning.
8. High-Intensity Push-ups: The intense pressure exerted on the chest during high-intensity push-ups can impact the implants and lead to discomfort or complications.
9. Burpees: The high-impact nature of burpees can place stress on the chest muscles, potentially affecting implant stability and causing discomfort.
10. High-Intensity Boxing Workouts: The repetitive punching and movements involved in boxing workouts can strain the chest muscles and impact the implant position.
11. Handstand or Upside-down Yoga Poses: These exercises can put undue pressure on the chest area and potentially affect implant stability or comfort.
12. Barbell Rows with Improper Form: Incorrect form during barbell rows can strain the chest muscles and impact implant positioning, increasing the risk of complications.
13. Kettlebell Swings with Heavy Weights: The forceful swinging motion during kettlebell swings can strain the chest muscles and potentially affect implant stability.
14. Muscle-Ups: The explosive movement required for muscle-ups can strain the chest muscles excessively and potentially affect implant stability.
15. High-Impact Sports Activities: Sports with high impact or contact, such as soccer or basketball, can potentially cause trauma to the chest area and impact implant position or comfort.

This list provides general guidelines, and individual circumstances may vary. Therefore, always consult your surgeon before engaging in any exercise routine post-breast implant surgery. They can provide personalized advice based on your specific situation and guide you on when it’s safe to resume specific exercises.

Safe Exercises for Individuals with Breast Implants

While some exercises need to be avoided or modified, numerous safe and effective options exist for individuals with breast implants. Low-impact cardio activities like walking, swimming, or cycling can be beneficial. Strength training exercises that target other body areas, such as the legs, back, and core, can also be incorporated. Consulting with a professional trainer or physical therapist experienced in working with post-breast augmentation clients can help create a tailored exercise routine that aligns with your goals and considers your specific needs.

9 Best Alternative exercises

When specific exercises are off-limits after breast implant surgery, finding alternative exercises that can still provide a great workout while minimizing strain on the chest muscles and protecting the implants is crucial. Here are some alternative exercises to consider:

1. Low-Impact Cardio: Engage in low-impact activities like walking, swimming, cycling, or using an elliptical machine. These exercises provide cardiovascular benefits without putting excessive strain on the chest muscles.
2. Leg Exercises: Focus on strengthening the lower body with squats, lunges, step-ups, and hamstring curls. These exercises target the glutes, quadriceps, and hamstrings without directly engaging the chest muscles.
3. Back Exercises: Strengthen your back muscles with rows, lat pulldowns, and seated cable rows. These exercises help maintain good posture, strengthen the upper back, and minimize strain on the chest area.
4. Core Work: Engage in core exercises like planks, side planks, Russian twists, and bird dogs. A strong core helps stability, balance, and posture without directly engaging the chest muscles.
5. Yoga and Pilates: Consider practicing yoga or Pilates, focusing on poses and exercises that avoid excessive chest engagement. These disciplines can improve flexibility, core strength, and overall body awareness.
6. Resistance Band Exercises: Incorporate resistance band exercises such as bicep curls, tricep extensions, lateral raises, and seated rows. Resistance bands provide controlled resistance without excessive strain on the chest.
7. Cardio Kickboxing: Participate in a cardio kickboxing class emphasizing lower-body movements, punches, and kicks, while avoiding exercises that strain the chest area.
8. Barre Workouts: Join a barre class that combines ballet-inspired moves with elements of Pilates and yoga. These low-impact exercises focus on small, controlled movements that target various muscle groups without engaging the chest muscles excessively.
9. Stability Ball Work: Incorporate exercises using a stability ball, such as stability ball squats, bridges, hamstring curls, and seated ball twists. These exercises engage the core, lower body, and other muscle groups while minimizing chest involvement.

How long after Breast Implant you should not do any exercise

The specific timeframe for refraining from exercise after breast implant surgery can vary based on individual factors and your surgeon’s recommendations. However, as a general guideline, avoiding strenuous exercise or activities that elevate heart rate and blood pressure for the first two weeks following the surgery is typically advised.

During this initial recovery period, it is essential to prioritize rest and allow your body to heal. However, engaging in strenuous activities too soon can increase the risk of complications, such as bleeding, swelling, or implant displacement.

After the first two weeks, your surgeon may clear you to gradually reintroduce light activities, such as walking or gentle stretching. However, following your surgeon’s specific instructions and listening to your body throughout the recovery process is crucial.

For more intense exercise or weightlifting, it is generally recommended to wait approximately six to eight weeks before resuming these activities. This timeframe allows the surgical incisions to heal, reduces the risk of implant displacement, and gives your body adequate time to adjust to the implants.

Expert Opinions

Obtaining expert opinions on the recommended timeframe for refraining from exercise after breast implant surgery can provide valuable insights. Here are a few expert opinions on the matter:

1. Dr. John Kim, Professor, and Chief of Plastic Surgery at Northwestern University, advises patients to avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercise for at least four weeks after breast implant surgery. He emphasizes the importance of giving the body time to heal and avoiding activities that could strain the surgical incisions.
2. Dr. Karen Horton, a board-certified plastic surgeon, suggests refraining from any upper body exercises, including weightlifting, for at least six weeks after breast augmentation. She stresses the significance of allowing the implants to settle and the body fully recover before engaging in activities involving the chest muscles.
3. Dr. Heather Furnas, a board-certified plastic surgeon, recommends patients wait a minimum of six weeks before resuming any strenuous exercise. She explains that during this initial healing period, the tissues need time to adhere to the implant and form a stable pocket.
4. Dr. William Adams, a board-certified plastic surgeon and past president of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, generally advises patients to avoid vigorous upper body exercises for six to eight weeks after breast augmentation. He stresses the importance of gradually reintroducing physical activity to minimize the risk of complications.
5. Dr. Daniel Mills, a board-certified plastic surgeon, and past American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery president, advises patients to avoid vigorous exercise and heavy lifting for six weeks after breast augmentation surgery. He emphasizes the importance of allowing ample time for the implants to settle and the incisions to heal.
6. Dr. Elizabeth Morgan, a board-certified plastic surgeon and founder of the American Society of Aesthetic Breast Surgery, suggests waiting six to eight weeks before engaging in upper body exercises that involve the chest muscles. She recommends focusing on lower body exercises during the initial recovery period.
7. Dr. Rod Rohrich, a renowned plastic surgeon and former president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, generally recommends refraining from upper body exercises and weightlifting for six to eight weeks after breast augmentation. He emphasizes the need for patience and following the post-operative instructions provided by the surgeon.
8. Dr. Jennifer Walden, a board-certified plastic surgeon, and media commentator, advises patients to wait at least six weeks before resuming vigorous exercise or weightlifting. She stresses the importance of allowing the implants to settle and the incisions to heal fully before engaging in activities that may strain the chest muscles.

Conclusion

Exercise is integral to a healthy lifestyle, even after breast augmentation surgery. However, it’s crucial to be mindful of specific exercises that can strain the chest muscles and potentially affect the procedure results. By avoiding the 15 exercises mentioned above and focusing on safe alternatives, individuals with breast implants can