Resuming Exercise Soon After Breast Augmentation Found to Boost Satisfaction

January 3, 2022
American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)

Engaging in exercise shortly after breast augmentation surgery did not increase complications or compromise scar quality in a study reported in the January 2022 issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. In fact, the study found that patients who resumed exercise after only 1 week reported a higher rate of satisfaction with their results.

The study was conducted to address the lack of evidence-based data available about the impact of exercise and activity restrictions after breast augmentation. However, data involving early exercise after other surgical procedures suggests improved outcomes without an increase in complication rates, said study authors Filipe V. Basile, M.D. and Thais S. Oliveira, M.D. of Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.

Higher satisfaction rates seen after early exercise

The study examined the effects of exercise beginning 1 week after breast augmentation surgery. To investigate, a total of 258 women who had breast augmentation performed by Dr. Basile from 2017 to 2018 were randomly assigned to one of three groups: restricted exercise, aerobic exercise and strength training. Each patient was followed for at least a year after surgery.

When assessed 12 months after surgery, both complication rates and scar quality were comparable between patients who started exercising early (1 week after the procedure) and patients who did not exercise until after 12 weeks. In addition, the early exercise groups scored significantly higher (83 vs. 66) on the BREAST-Q questionnaire, which was used to gauge their satisfaction with the outcomes of their breast augmentation procedures.

Higher rates of satisfaction reported by the women who began early exercise can possibly be attributed to the positive effects of exercise on mood and quality of life in general, the authors said.