How Soon Can You Resume Exercise After Cosmetic Surgery?

Getting back into your workout routine after cosmetic surgery is about striking the right balance—you're eager to return to activity, but it's essential to protect your healing body. Timing varies by procedure, but instilling safe movement gradually helps you recover effectively while preserving your surgical results.

Phase 1: Gentle Movement—Day 1 to Week 2

• Walking: As early as the same day or shortly after surgery, short walks can support circulation and reduce the risk of blood clots.

• For breast surgeries, walking assists in comfort and reducing swelling without straining the surgical area.

Phase 2: Light Activity—Weeks 2 to 4

• You can engage in gentle walks or light stationary biking under close medical supervision.

• Post-abdominal surgeries like tummy tucks or mommy makeovers, limited walking may resume around week 4–5, but core and strenuous movements must still wait.

• For liposuction, light activity is permissible at week 3, with compression garments strongly recommended.

Phase 3: Moderate Effort—Weeks 4 to 6

• Low-impact cardio like gentle stationary cycling or brisk walking may increasingly be tolerated around week 4–6.

• Breast and body surgeries typically allow moderate movements starting around 6 weeks—but only with surgeon clearance.

Phase 4: Progressive Strength & Cardio Return—Weeks 6 to 8

• Many patients begin easing back into resistance training or aerobic workouts between 6–8 weeks, cautiously testing strength and stamina.

• For core-focused surgeries like tummy tucks, full ab workouts should be deferred until around weeks 8–12 to preserve results.

• Breast surgery patients may wait up to 12 weeks before resuming upper-body training.

Phase 5: Full Routine—After 8 Weeks

• Most patients gradually resume their pre-surgery exercise routines—including running, HIIT, yoga, and weightlifting—around the 8-week mark or later, depending on healing and surgical type.

• Core exercises should still be approached with caution for abdominal surgeries, often not resumed until 10+ weeks post-op.