Breast Implants Q&A
80%
WORTH IT RATING
"Worth It Rating" shows the % of consumer reviewers
that stated the procedure was "Worth It" or not.
See more RealSelf Worth It Ratings
or Add Your Review

View Before and Afters
Average Breast Implants Cost: $6,000
Learn about Breast Implants
4,896 people and 830 doctors are talking about Breast Implants
Get Free Email Updates
Breast Implant Recovery
asked 9 months ago by anon
Latest answer by George John Alexander, MD
Question viewed 186 times
Tags: recovery, technique, time off work
I was wondering how many days I would need to be out of work after getting breast implants done. Does it matter on how the doctor inserts the implant? My doctor mentioned going through my arm pit or under my breast. What should I expect? Thanks!
8 answers to Breast Implant Recovery
+1
Returning to work after breast augmentation
The incision choice is usually not the issue – it’s more about your level of activity at work. Depending on your job description, I usually advise my patients that they may return to work after one week for light administrative duties and four weeks for strenuous physical labor.
+1
Returning to work after Breast Augmentation Surgery
Average recovery time for breast augmentation surgery patients is 1 week - but it may be more depending on what kind of work you do. I don't think the incision make a difference but it does make a difference with the amount of discomfort when the implant is placed sub-muscularly (under the muscle) vs. Sub-glandularly (over the muscle). I normally recommend sub-muscular placement for most natural, longer lasting results. I prefer the incision at the areola to try to get...
more
+1
Recovering from breast augmentation......
We generally recommend that you take a week off work and avoid strenuous physical activity for three weeks. You will also be under restrictions for lifting objects.
see video
Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1
Recovery after breast augmentation
Recovery time is most affected by where the breast implant is placed. If the implant is placed under the pectoralis muscle, the additional dissection and release of pectoralis muscle fibers typically leads to more post-operative pain than an implant placed subglandular. A subglandular implant is placed under the breast gland, but above the pectoralis muscle. Typically, patients are able to return to a desk job within one week either way.
Good Luck
+1
Recovery from breast augmentation
Recovery from breast augmentation is not an all or none phenomenon. That is, it is a progressive process over a period of time. The main determining element is where the implant is: above or below the muscle. Even though the recovery is worse under the muscle the ultimate result is better. Recovery for work is dependent on the exact kind of work. Many patients go back to work after a week.
All the best,
Talmage J. Raine MD FACS
more
Talmage J. Raine, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1
Recovery after Breast Implants
The amount of time you will need off after breast augmentation surgery will depend on a few factors:
1. the type of work you do
2. The implant position (above or below the pectoralis muscle).
3. Your pain tolerance
4. Your surgeon's recommendations
However, as a general rule, if you do desk job type of work, then a week off should be adequate. If your implants are under the muscle, then you will be more sore than if they are above the muscle.
I think...
more
Laurence Weider, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon
Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1
Recovery time after breast implants
Time off work after breast implants varies depending on the patient. Most patients will return to an office type job in no more than one week, some will need as little as four days. If the job is more physical and requires heavier lifting, that time will be longer. In general all activities, even weight lifting, can be resumed by three weeks. Implants placed under the muscle generally need a bit more recovery time than those placed over the muscle
David A. Bottger, MD
Philadelphia Plastic Surgeon
Philadelphia Plastic Surgeon
+1
Breast implant recovery
Usually breast augmentation is a bit uncomfortable especially when the implant is placed under the muscle and the muscle is divided. I tell patients that they can probably go back to desk type work within a week, but should avoid exertional activities for several weeks.



