Blog Article
Returning to Running, Hiking, and Skiing After Plastic Surgery: What to Expect
Colorado patients often ask one important question after plastic surgery: When can I get back to being active? Whether you enjoy trail running, weekend hikes, or skiing in the mountains, recovery timing matters when it comes to resuming sport after plastic surgery.
Why Activity Restrictions Matter
You know that your body needs time to heal after surgery, but what you may not realize is how much surgical healing takes place unseen. Long after incisions look healed from the outside, internal tissues may still be recovering. Returning to high-impact or strenuous activity too soon can increase swelling, delay healing, and cause complications—and it can also affect your final results. A gradual, structured return helps protect both your health and your surgical outcome.
Returning to Running
Running is a high-impact activity that places a lot of stress on the core and lower body. Most patients can begin light walking soon after surgery, but running should be postponed for approximately 4 to 6 weeks, depending on the procedure. After surgeries such as tummy tuck or liposuction, core stability and comfort can take 4 to even 12 weeks to stabilize. Waiting until medically cleared, starting with short runs on flat terrain, and increasing activity gradually is the safest approach.
Hiking and Trail Activity
Hiking is often easier to return to than running, but elevation changes and uneven terrain add different challenges. Light, flat hikes may be possible around 3 to 4 weeks after surgery, while longer hikes or steeper trails should be put off for 6 weeks or more. Patients should pay close attention to fatigue, swelling, and balance—especially at higher elevations.
Returning to Skiing and Snow Sports
Skiing places significant demands on balance, core strength, and reaction time. Most patients should wait 8 to 12 weeks before resuming skiing, particularly after body contouring, tummy tuck surgery, or breast surgery. Returning too soon increases the risk of falls, strains healing tissues, and can delay your recovery. When you do return, it’s best to start with shorter days and less aggressive terrain, then gradually build back up.
Individualized Recovery Matters
Every patient and every procedure will have a different experience. Dr. Mouchantat provides personalized guidance based on your surgery, fitness level, and healing progress. Listening to your body and following your recommended recovery timeline helps ensure a safe return to the activities you love—with results that will last.
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Mouchantat to discuss your procedure and recovery timeline, and learn how to plan a safe return to your active Colorado lifestyle. Call (303) 232-8585 or contact us online to book your appointment with Dr. Mouchantat today.
