True That I Will Not Be Able to Lift Anything for 1-2 Months After Surgery?

I want to get Breast implants but don't know what to do about returning back to work after surgery. I heard many opinions and would like to get more. I currently work in a hospital, on geriatrics unit as a nursing assistant, which involves washing and turning patients. I'm also a single mother to a 2 yr old. Is it true that I will not be able to lift anything for 1-2 months after surgery?

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8 Doctor Answers | Asked by Youngmommy in Toms River, NJ

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Breast augmentation and return to work

I tell patients to take it easy for a few days after surgery. Simple desk job work can be accomplished and restarted within a week after surgery. However, I would not recommend heavy lifting of patients for at least 6 weeks. Anything that can increase yoru heart rate and blood pressure alot and also causing vigorous work-outs of your pec muscles should be avoided so that you do not develop a hematoma. Hematomas are the enemies of implants.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Most breast augmentation patients go back to work in 3 or 4 days.

Hi. That's silly! The recovery from breast implants is not bad. Because of the kind of work you do, I suggest 2 weeks from work. All our patients in Manhattan exercise without restrictions after 3 weeks.

Follow your plastic surgeon's advice

Follow the advice of your plastic surgeon as far as activities following a breast augmentation. For my patients I allow light lifting for the first week, up to 15 pounds. I believe that it is most important to restrict activities that make the breast bounce up and down. This includes high impact aerobics, running, jogging, trampoline and horse back ridding. This is for the first 3 - 4 weeks depending upon individual anatomy and implant location.

Lifting considerable weight possible a week after surgery

Young Mommy, Well, you got the whole spectrum of answers with this question. Every plastic surgeon has their own protocols for their post operative breast augmentation patients. And even these protocols can be violated to accommodate work and family responsibilities. In general, you will NOT FEEL like lifting anything heavy for the first week after surgery. After that, your soreness will subside and you may be capable of lifting considerable amounts. After that first week, I usually allow... more

Full activities resume 4 weeks after breast augmentation

While most Plastic Surgeons don't want any heavy lifting during the post operative period, we all make allotments for work issues. The general management is no lifting the first week. Increasing activity for the next 3 weeks. Then full lifting or activity after 4 weeks. The reality is that everyone has a job and/or family that may require lifting and activity. If a patient is healing well, without abnormal swelling or bruising, we encourage some activity early on in the process. Most... more

Lifting should be minimized for 3 weeks after Breast Augmentation

First of all, you will find as many different answers to your question as there is no definite right or wrong answer to your question. It is definitely advisable to try to avoid excessive lifting after breast augmentation surgery, or any major surgery for that matter. In particular with breast implants, I restrict my patients from lifting more than 15 lbs for at least 3 weeks, after that, they can gradually increase lifting until approximately 6 weeks when they are free to resume full... more

Early activity after breast augmentation recommended

I encourage early activities. I allow 25 pounds at one week and 40 pounds at two weeks. Nurses routinely go back at 2-3 weeks. However, you still have to be careful. It is just not the lifting. Children or patients can bump or hit your chest as well. You should be fine.

Not true

While it is advisable to avoid heavy lifting after breast augmentation, gradual, balanced lifting of your children has never caused a problem in my years of practice. I would advise you not to perform your regular daily tasks at work however and that you restrict your lifting to 20 pounds or less at work for 8 weeks.