Can You Exercise After Cosmetic Surgery? Here’s When & How to Safely Resume

Published by Dr. Jay Lucas, MD, a board-certified surgeon with over 20 years of experience.

“How long do I have to wait before exercising?” 

“When can I work out again?”

“What physical activities are allowed while I’m recovering?”

These are some of the most common questions we get from The Lucas Center patients regarding recovery from plastic surgery, whether during the pre-op planning or in the days immediately following procedures. 

And we get it! If you’ve just had cosmetic surgery, you want to get back to your normal routine, you don’t want to regress, and above all, you want to keep taking good care of yourself.

So, here’s a quick look at why, when, and how you can safely start exercising again post-surgery:

How Movement Affects Healing After Plastic Surgery

First off, let’s dispel the myth that movement isn’t safe immediately after surgery. While every situation is unique, in general, light movement is actually very helpful for your recovery within the first few days post-procedure and beyond. (Notice we said “movement,” but not “exercise” — yet!) 

Here are a few of the ways movement supports your healing and recovery after cosmetic surgery: 

• Increasing circulation, which helps prevent blood clots and post-op complications
• Boosting endorphins, which may help reduce pain and boost your mood
• Stimulating normal digestion and bowel function, which can sometimes tend to slow down after surgery and cause constipation 

Post-Op Healing & Exercise Timelines

Most importantly, know that your personal healing timeline and exercise recommendations will be highly dependent on your surgery, age, overall health, and fitness level. 

After any procedure, however, it’s a good rule of thumb to start with light movement and gradually work your way up from there, as long everything seems to be going well: you’re not having any major discomfort; you’re not at risk of ripping out sutures; and you’ve got the go-ahead from your doctor. 

That said, here’s an example timeline of how you might work your way up from light movement to light exercise, then eventually to high-intensity workouts (if that’s your jam) over the course of a few weeks:  

The First Few Days After Surgery

• Absolutely no strenuous activity!
• Prioritize rest, but not necessarily “bed rest” unless directed by your surgeon. 
• Practice intentional, gentle movement like light stretches and easy walks inside the house. (Your surgeon may recommend certain stretches based on your specific surgery.)

3-4 Days After Surgery

• Still, absolutely no strenuous activity!
• Continue intentional light movement. 
• If you feel up for it, you may return to “regular” non-exercise activities: folding laundry (without lifting heavy loads!), cooking dinner, slightly longer gentle walks outside, etc. 
• Expect some swelling and soreness as you gradually increase your activity level.

Around 2 Weeks After Surgery

• With the go-ahead from your surgeon, you might begin light exercise. 
• Monitor your body’s feedback closely: stop or dial way back if you experience significant discomfort. 
• If all goes well, you can slowly increase duration and intensity. 

Approximately 3-4 Weeks After Surgery

• Duration and intensity may be gradually increased. 
• With clearance from your surgeon, you may work your way up to your pre-surgery level of activity, including high-intensity exercise. 

Curious about procedure-specific timelines? Here are a few of the quickest-recovery cosmetic surgeries. 

Key Cosmetic Surgery Safety Tips

• Above all, follow your surgeon’s personalized instructions. 
• A graduated approach is the safest way to return to activity and exercise. 
• Stop exercising immediately if you feel intense discomfort.

Pro Tip: If you’re highly active or an athlete, try the “50 percent rule” by Lara Devgan, MD:

“Start with mobility and range-of-motion work before progressing to resistance training or sport-specific drills. I often advise a ’50 percent rule’ in the early phases: do half the weight, half the reps and double the mindfulness. Avoid any exercises that involve Valsalva maneuvers, intense core pressure or risk of trauma until fully healed.” (American Society of Plastic Surgeons)

Follow a Personalized Surgery & Recovery Plan

Every patient and every recovery is unique. That’s why, before surgery, you can talk with Dr. Lucas about your previous activity level and types of exercise in light of the procedure you’re having. From there, he’ll provide personalized recommendations including a post-op timeline. 

After surgery, always wait for your doctor’s go-ahead to resume exercise. With expert guidance, you’ll be able to get back to your routine safely and confidently!