Exercise Options Following Plastic Surgery

Exercise Options Following Plastic Surgery

“After plastic surgery, when can I get back to my workout? The last thing I want to do is be sedentary and gain weight!”

Patience is paramount when it comes to safe healing and optimized wellbeing. Think “less is more”. This, and keeping up with an overall healthy lifestyle, is the best plan for maintaining the results of the surgery in the long term.

Each surgery has special considerations about exercise, but in general terms, light exercise can begin 3 weeks after surgery. During immediate recovery (following days after procedures), walking and moving around is recommended. In fact, staying in bed or sitting down after surgery can imply risk for complications. Taking light walks, gradually increasing in length and frequency, is really important after most procedures. In addition, gentle stretching starting a few weeks after surgery will help to flush out any remaining by-products from the surgery more quickly.

In terms of each surgery, however, special exercises have to wait a bit longer. For example, breast augmentation patients can't do any weight lifting or exercises involving the chest muscles before 6 weeks. The same is true for tummy tuck patients when dealing with the abs, arm lift patients with arm exercises, and so on. So face-lift patients can start any exercise at 3 weeks, so long as they're not participating in “facercise” (face exercises). Of course, every surgery and every patient is different. This is just a general guide of what to expect, as your operating surgeon or family doctor will give you a more precise recommendation.

Bearing all of this in mind, it's a great idea to consider what kinds of exercise and eating plans you may want to implement when the time comes to increase your activity. As we're all too aware, there are a plethora of fad diets and workouts circulating our social strata. The main thing to keep in mind when exploring what is most suitable to you is balance.

When developing an exercise routine, it's important to strike a balance between strength, cardiovascular health, flexibility, and sufficient rest. For one person, this could be covered with a yoga and swimming regimen. For another, resistance training and dance. Ultimately, as long as you are involving your entire body using safe movements and activities you find enjoyable, you really can't go wrong. Keep it varied, keep it consistent, and keep it fun!

Regarding food, it's especially important after surgery to avoid foods that have condiments, irritants like garlic or intense spices, sodas, alcohol, and heavy fats as these can all lead to inflammation and more sluggish processing of wastes. Drinking enough water or even electrolyte-enhanced beverages is recommended to help with this. In terms of a long-term diet, keep the balance idea going (protein, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats) and just add purity, committing to only eating unprocessed foods free of pesticides and genetic alteration.

If you take all of these things into consideration and follow the specific guidance given by your surgeon, you will be poised to get the most out of your aesthetic procedures and life in general.