Complications can happen after breast reduction, and the numbers are worrying: about 10% of women have delayed wound healing, often due to infection. That’s why good post-op care matters. So when is it safe to start exercising again after breast reduction? Let’s look at how wounds heal and when you can return to the gym.
What is breast reduction?
Also called reduction mammoplasty, breast reduction removes extra fat, tissue, and skin to make breasts smaller and more proportional. While breast augmentation gets a lot of attention, reduction is common and can be necessary for women who suffer back, neck, or shoulder pain and general discomfort from very large breasts.
Benefits of breast reduction
– Easier to stay active: Large breasts can make exercise uncomfortable. Smaller breasts often make it simpler to take part in workouts and stay committed to physical activity.
– Better posture: Heavy breasts can cause people to slouch. Reducing breast size can relieve that weight, helping posture—important for dancers or anyone who needs good body alignment.
Before surgery, think about your recovery timeline. Most patients see results right away, though swelling and bruising are normal and fade over time. Your surgeon will give clear instructions on wound care and what to expect as swelling goes down.
Risks and things that raise risk
As with any surgery, there are real risks like infection, tissue death, and other complications. Factors that increase risk include smoking, high BMI, diabetes, and poor wound care. That’s why it’s important to avoid putting pressure or strain on your chest during recovery, including avoiding certain physical activities.
If you have ongoing chest pain after surgery, anti-inflammatory meds can help, and other prescriptions may control nausea. Emotional support matters too—talk with loved ones or your doctor about any negative feelings. These steps can all help your healing.
When can I work out after breast reduction?
Surgeons usually advise against strenuous exercise for at least 6 weeks after surgery. Don’t lift, push, or pull heavy items (anything over 5–10 pounds). That includes weightlifting.
Swelling limits chest and shoulder movement early on, and keeping the surgical site clean and dry is key to preventing infection. Strenuous workouts increase sweating and body heat, which can stretch incisions, tear wounds, and slow healing.
Light activity like walking and gentle stretching is encouraged in the first two weeks. This helps circulation, lowers blood clot risk, increases oxygen flow, and releases endorphins to boost mood.
After the first month, you can likely add moderate cardio, yoga (focusing on the lower body), and other low-intensity exercises. Still, most doctors recommend waiting about 6 weeks before returning to your normal routine.
When can I swim?
Swimming is low-impact, but it can strain the arms and chest and expose wounds to pool or seawater, increasing infection risk. Wait at least 6–8 weeks before swimming.
When can I run?
Running is high-intensity and causes a lot of chest movement, so avoid it for the first 6 weeks. If you miss running, try brisk walking to raise your heart rate without too much impact.
When can I lift weights?
Avoid resistance training for at least 6 weeks. Weight lifting uses the arms, chest, neck, and core and can put too much strain on healing breasts, increasing swelling or risking your results.
Ab exercises after breast reduction
Around week 3, many clinics say it’s okay to slowly start lower abdominal exercises. Start with low reps and pay attention to how your body feels. By 6–7 weeks, you may be ready for a full ab workout.
When can I do push-ups?
Avoid push-ups during the critical 6-week healing period. Once swelling is down and your doctor clears you, reintroduce upper-body moves gradually.
Final tip
Make changes slowly—add one exercise at a time. That way you can see what your body handles and what needs more time to heal.