One of the biggest considerations people have when thinking about plastic surgery is how long they’ll need to pause their everyday routines afterwards. This includes work, house chores — and yes, working out.
This can be especially tough if you’ve worked hard to build a consistent gym routine. Hitting pause can feel like a setback, but the foundation you’ve built doesn’t go anywhere.
With the right recovery plan, you’ll ease back into your workouts without losing everything you’ve worked for. And at our Milwaukee clinic, Dr. Mark Bosbous helps patients figure out exactly what that timeline looks like based on their procedure and goals.
In this article, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about working out after plastic surgery, and how to ease back into movement without messing up your results.
Why Rest Matters Right Away
Immediately after surgery, your body’s top priority is healing. Whether you’ve had a tummy tuck, liposuction, breast surgery, or a body lift, your body’s been through a lot.
That means you’re going to feel things like swelling, tenderness, and inflammation for a while.
However, you might feel ready to move just a few days later, especially if you’re used to being active.
But jumping in too soon can increase swelling, open your incisions, or stretch internal sutures. Unfortunately, that can lead to complications, poor scar healing, or distorted results.
General Rules Surgeons Recommend
As a rule of thumb, you’ll want to take it easy for at least the first 48 hours after surgery. That means no physical strain whatsoever.
After that, depending on how you’re healing, your doctor might give you the green light to start easing into movement during the first couple of weeks.
You’ll start with low-intensity activities such as slow walks around the block, light treadmill strolls, or a relaxed spin on a stationary bike — just enough to get your blood flowing without putting stress on your body.
That said, how soon you can fully jump back in really depends on the procedure performed, which parts of your body were involved, and how active you were before surgery.
Here’s what you can generally expect depending on the type of procedure you had:
Facelift
Recovery time after a facelift depends on how extensive the procedure was. The more dramatic the transformation, the more time your body will need to heal properly.
Right after surgery, the first week is for full rest. During this time, you won’t be able to do much, so it helps to have someone around to assist with basic tasks and make sure you’re not overexerting yourself.
By the second week, things usually start to feel more manageable. While some swelling or bruising might still be present, you can likely return to most daily activities, just not your workout routine quite yet.
Then, around week three, your surgeon may give you the green light to start moving again. At first, this will mean gentle, low-impact activity. But if everything looks good, you can slowly start ramping things up over the following weeks.
Breast Augmentation
When it comes to breast augmentation, recovery looks a little different for everyone. It mostly depends on your body’s natural healing process, and of course, the specifics of your procedure.
Typically, the initial recovery period lasts about 3 to 5 days. During that time, it’s normal to feel some soreness, tightness, and fatigue. Swelling and bruising can stick around a bit longer—usually up to two weeks.
Most patients can return to work within a week, depending on what kind of job they have. As for working out, you’ll want to wait about four weeks before doing anything too strenuous, and only once your surgeon gives you the go-ahead.
Liposuction
If you’ve had liposuction, you’ll need to take a longer break from your workout routine.
As with most procedures, the first 48 hours are for full rest. After that, your surgeon will likely recommend that you start incorporating gentle movement, mainly short walks around the house or block. This helps with circulation, which is key to a smooth recovery and reducing swelling.
You’ll want to steer clear of any formal exercise, though, for at least the first two weeks. That includes weights, cardio, or even bodyweight workouts.
Your body is still healing, and even though the incisions may be small, the internal trauma takes time to settle. Pushing too soon can lead to prolonged swelling or other complications.
By weeks four to six, most people can slowly resume moderate cardio and start incorporating strength training. But the key is gradual progress. Just because you’re feeling better doesn’t mean your body is ready for full exertion.
Remember: your surgeon will let you know when you’re ready, so there’s no need to guess.
Final Thoughts
Your body needs time to heal properly after plastic surgery. Regardless of what kind of procedure you’ve had, it’s important to take things slow in the beginning. This is what helps you bounce back stronger later.
And remember, you won’t be starting from scratch. Once you’re cleared, getting back into your groove will be easier than you think.
At our clinic in Milwaukee, Dr. Mark Bosbous works closely with each patient to make sure their recovery timeline fits both their body and their lifestyle. He’ll guide you step-by-step—so you’ll always know what to expect and when it’s safe to start moving again.
If you’re considering plastic surgery and have questions about recovery, exercise, or how to prep ahead of time, we’re here to help.
Book a consultation with our clinic today!