Women and men turn to facial plastic surgery to restore a healthier, younger-looking appearance. No matter your age, geographical location, or lifestyle, feeling great about yourself matters — and your physical appearance contributes to that significantly.
Most patients who undergo facial rejuvenation procedures are also committed to healthy lifestyles that include regular exercise.
And while physical activity is a cornerstone of a youthful and healthy life, it needs to be monitored and kept in check while recovering from facial plastic surgery.
Should You Exercise While Recovering From Facial Plastic Surgery?
Facial rejuvenation procedures, including:
- facelift surgery
- brow lift surgery
- blepharoplasty
- facial implants
- or a combination of these, requires weeks of downtime.
Part of this downtime includes reducing or temporarily stopping your exercise programs.
Even though it may feel like your exercise routine does not affect your facial structure, it does. This is because exercise changes your heart rate and blood flow. It can also place stress on your healing incisions, which is definitely not wanted as this can cause the incisions to separate, leading to more significant scarring post-op. Given the visible location of these scars, this separation can prove disastrous.
What Is Appropriate After Facial Rejuvenation Surgery?
While you do not want to participate in strenuous activities, non-strenuous exercises (like walking) can prove beneficial as they assist with circulation and overall health (leading to a speedier recovery).
Always consult your doctor before beginning any exercise program. Your doctor may review an exercise plan specific to you and advise you on how to get started and stay safe during post-facial rejuvenation workouts.
What Should You Keep in Mind?
When you return to your exercise programs, it is important to start slowly and gradually increase time and intensity. To stay safe, you should pay attention to the following:
Stretch Often
Stretching and strengthening exercises of the neck, shoulders, back, and arms increase circulation in your face. Also, be sure to warm up before exercise, as these activities decrease the chance of injury.
Keep the neck elevated above the heart while exercising. This keeps blood from pooling around the head, which can increase swelling.
Breathe Correctly
Concentrate on breathing through your nose while exercising; some facial rejuvenation procedures cause swelling that takes at least two weeks to subside completely. Correct breathing practices will help to reduce this swelling.
When breathing through your nose, exhale slowly and deeply. You should feel your chest expand and your stomach rise.
Avoid Weight Training
Using weights will increase pressure on your face, so avoid resistance training with dumbbells or barbells for at least six weeks after surgery. Stick with using elastic bands instead of weights until you are given the okay by your doctor.
Rest After Your Workout
Do not plan intense workouts every day. Allow yourself plenty of time to rest between them so your muscles can heal and grow stronger.
Eat Right Post Surgically
A facial rejuvenation procedure can impact digestion; eat small meals throughout the day to help with good metabolism following surgery which helps speed healing faster.
A healthy diet will do wonders in moving your recovery along, allowing you to return to your normal exercise programs sooner. Additionally, nutrients found in many healthy choices improve the clarity of your skin, highlighting your facial rejuvenation results that much more.