Avoid activities that can lead to elevated blood pressure. Increased blood pressure in this post-operative time frame increases the risk of internal bleeding (hematoma).

This includes:

• Having any kind of sex (alone or with a partner)
• Having an orgasm
• Activities that create risks for bleeding, increase the risk of discomfort or pain or that may disrupt your anatomy while it heals. This can include:
  • Running (increases heart rate, can lead to elevated BP)
  • Biking (increases heart rate, can lead to elevated BP, extending arms to reach the handles)
  • Driving (extending arms to reach the wheel)
  • Walking a dog (risk of pulling on the leash)

• Keep in mind that any activities involving another person (or a pet) are less predictable than those done on your own 
• Avoid activities that can cause rubbing/shear on the incisions or nipple areola complex: this can cause infection, graft failure and inflammation of incisions, etc
  • Be careful about activities running, walking, biking etc, where a repetitive motion causes a garment to subtly rub over the healing tissue
• Avoid activities that can lead to internal or external bleeding, compromised blood flow, and injury to nerves and healing tissues:
  • tiring and repetitive movements
  • activities that could affect (stretch/tear) incisions (inner or outer) until your surgeon confirms that your incisions have healed
  • reaching/extending arms
  • sudden or vigorous movements
  • lifting more than 10 lbs
  • strenuous activity (including certain kinds of sexual activity)
  • bondage, suspension, pinching, squeezing, vigorous massage
  • giving or receiving percussive activities, including flogging, spanking and paddling 
  • very hot and very cold temperatures until nerves have fully healed

Lots of people have questions about returning to sexual activity after surgery. This can include, but is not limited to, masturbation and sex with other people. The above recommendations apply to sexual activity. As with all other activities, speak with your surgeon about when it is safe for you to be sexually active after surgery. 

It can be helpful to speak with your surgeons before starting any BDSM activities in the months after surgery. Your surgeon will likely welcome these questions. If you are shy, you can be creative and ask about returning to full contact sports, swinging a tennis racket, receiving vigorous massage, riding a horse, using a heating pad or wearing restrictive or tight body-shaping clothing, etc.

• Follow your surgeon’s recommendations regarding return to sexual and other physical activities.
• Ease back into your regular activities (shorter and less intense)
• Pay attention to whether your swelling or tenderness increases after activity- if so, you may want to wait until you are a bit further along in your healing before trying that activity again.
• You may find that your energy and stamina are different from before surgery. This is a normal part of your healing journey and will balance out over time.
• You may find that your endurance or tolerance for different activities and sensations is affected by your surgery or pain medications. This is a normal part of your healing journey and will balance out over time
• Stop or take a break if you feel pain, or you feel anxious or scared.