When to Return to Your Normal Exercise Routine after Facial Surgery By dsherris on December 15, 2016

Many patients who want to rejuvenate their appearance through facial plastic surgery are equally concerned about their physical fitness. It therefore should come as no surprise that one of the questions most commonly asked by patients during consultations with facial plastic surgeon David Sherris is “How soon after my procedure can I return to my exercise routine?”

In discussing the issue of exercise after facial plastic surgery during consultations at his Buffalo, NY plastic surgery practice, Dr. Sherris is careful to remind patients that nothing is more important than their safety. Proper healing after facial plastic surgery is essential not only to their achieving the best possible results but to their overall health, as well. Rushing back into their exercise routines could jeopardize proper healing, compromising both their results.

Ultimately, the right time to return to a full exercise routine after facial plastic surgery depends on several factors unique to each individual patient, which is why Dr. Sherris strongly recommends that his patients wait until he clears them to exercise. However, the following blog post will give you a general idea of what many patients can expect in terms of exercise after facial plastic surgery.

For specific information about exercise after facial plastic surgery as it pertains to your case, please schedule your initial consultation with Dr. David Sherris today.

Exercise after Facial Plastic Surgery: A Timeline

First, it is important to note that even the most minimally invasive facial plastic surgery procedures, such as mini facelifts, blepharoplasty, and endoscopic brow lift, are still serious surgical procedures. All facial plastic surgery procedures involve recovery periods during which patients must follow the post-operative instructions provided by Dr. Sherris in order to ensure proper healing and the best possible results.

In general, after any facial plastic surgery procedure, most patients will not feel like doing much activity, let alone exercising, for a couple of days. Nonetheless, you will be encouraged to do some light walking immediately after surgery. Be careful not to overdo it; during the first week, you won’t want to work up a sweat, but you will want to make sure you are up and about as often as feels comfortable. At week two, you may be able to expand your exercise routine somewhat to include light exercise, as long as Dr. Sherris says it is okay for you to do so. Dr. Sherris will have you return slowly to your regular exercise routine.

In most cases, heavy lifting and full exercise routines are not permitted within the first few weeks after surgery, depending on the type of surgery performed. Most patients can return to light to moderate exercise at two weeks post procedure. Dr. Sherris will inform you when it is okay to return to your full exercise routine.