Many women find that they gain some weight after undergoing breast augmentation. In most instances, only 3-5 pounds are gained after your procedure. While some of this weight gain is caused by the presence of breast implants in your body, there are other factors that account for the rest of the weight. Fortunately, this is usually temporary. Most women find that they easily shed these pounds once they have fully recovered from surgery.
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Common Factors Impacting Weight Gain after Breast Augmentation
There are several reasons why you may gain weight after breast augmentation:
- Fluid retention – It is common to retain fluids after surgery due to the stress associated with your procedure and the consumption of prescription medications during recovery. This fluid retention is often responsible for the majority of the weight you gain. As you heal, fluid retention will gradually subside, which should help you take off the extra weight.
- Swelling – You’ll experience some swelling in the breast region after your procedure, and this can result in a modest weight gain. As with fluid retention, you’ll lose this extra weight as your swelling subsides.
- Lack of exercise – You need to get plenty of rest while you recover from breast augmentation, and you won’t be able to resume strenuous exercise for approximately four to six weeks. This inactivity can cause you to gain a few pounds. However, once you’re able to resume your exercise routine, you should find that you lose this extra weight pretty quickly.
Proper Nutrition Will Help Minimize Weight Gain after Breast Augmentation
Your body won’t need to consume as many calories during the recovery period due to your reduced activity levels immediately after breast augmentation. Failure to adjust your caloric intake while you recover may contribute to gaining some additional weight.
The following nutrition tips will help reduce weight gain and ensure your body has the nutrients necessary to heal after breast augmentation:
- Eat a diet primarily consisting of fruits, vegetables, lean protein and whole grains
- Consume low-fat dairy products
- Refrain from eating foods high in saturated fat and trans fats
- Don’t eat processed foods, high-calorie snacks or fast food
Exercising after Breast Augmentation
Once your body has healed, exercise will be one of your most effective tools to shed any additional pounds that aren’t associated with swelling and fluid retention. Keep in mind that you’ll need to gradually ramp up your exercise efforts. After an extended period of inactivity, it will take time before you’re able to handle your typical workout routine.
When first resuming exercise, stick to cardio workouts. Begin with low-impact activities such as cycling, and gradually work up to more strenuous cardio exercises including running or swimming. Our plastic surgeons typically recommend setting a goal of completing five half-hour cardio workouts per week when first resuming exercise.
You’ll need to wait until you are completely healed to resume strength training exercises. Always start with light weights, and keep to lower body workouts at first. Adding lunges, leg weights, squats and crunches to your exercise routine will help restore muscle tone and lose weight. You’ll need to wait to add chest and arm exercises until our plastic surgeons clear you for these activities.
Contact our Lexington Plastic Surgeons
Please contact Plastic Surgeons of Lexington using the form on this page or call (859) 276-3883 today to schedule a consultation. We serve patients in Lexington, Frankfort and the surrounding areas of Kentucky.