Lifting Arms After Breast Augmentation.

Thank you for your question. You definitely want to follow your own
surgeon's post-op activity instructions. This is a general guide I give
to my patients as to the recoveryWeek 1) Discomfort level
progressively decreases with each day. Swelling decreases a great deal
after one week. Most people return to work in some capacity. Driving
is feasible if you are not on narcotics.Week 2) Unlikely to need
any narcotic support except maybe at night. Swelling continues to
improve compared to week 1. You can start breast massage and slowly
increasing your range of motion.Weeks 3-6) May need tylenol or
ibuprofen for intermittent discomfort. Swelling completely resolved.
You should steadily regain your range of motion. May need additional few
months for implants to settle into their final position. As far as activity, here is a safe guide:1) No heavy lifting or strenous activity for 6 weeks.2) Resume walking at a leisurely pace right after surgery (e.g. 2 mph)3) At 2 weeks, you can walk 2 miles at 2mph4) At 3 weeks, you can walk 3 miles at 3mph5) At 4 weeks, you can walk 4 miles at 4mph6) At 5 weeks, you can jog 5 miles at 5mph7)
At 6 weeks, you can resume all activities, but listen to your body and
use discomfort or tightness as a guide so you don't over do it.So
in summary starting to raise your arms above the head to help do your hair, etc, should not be a problem after the first week.  I would also avoid the heavy lifting until you
are in your 6th week.

Thank you for your question! It is always best to follow the post op care advice of your chosen surgeon as each surgeon has their own specific unique post op instruction protocols. I recommend my patients who undergo breast augmentation to avoid lifting their arms above their head for two weeks to allow the incisions to heal. I ask my patients to avoid heavy lifting and limit physical activity for a full 6 weeks. Best of luck. 

Thank you for your question! The "rapid recovery" breast augmentation is a newer philosophy with many surgeons to expedite activity and expedite recovery following the breast augmentation procedure. In my practice, utilizing the fast track technique after breast augmentations, women are readily able and doing most things virtually immediately after this procedure. It is the similar techniques as described and is really gaining popularity. She is even recommended to go out for dinner that evening. Pain is minimal and you will likely be on a scheduled antiinflammatory regimen/pain control along with early exercises/range of motion techniques immediately. However, follow your surgeon's instructions for postoperative care and restrictions, but it is common for most women to resume many of the preoperative activities and duties within a week. I typically restrict heavy lifting >20# and vigorous exercise for approximately 4-6 weeks.  Range of motion exercises is encouraged after the procedure. Swelling and settling of the implant typically occurs over a 6-12 week period along with placement in a compression-type bra for the same time period, while your incisions commonly resolve to its final appearance in up to a year. Hope that this helps! Best wishes for a great result!

Many patients can return to work in a few days, unless their occupation requires particularly strenuous movements and lifting. In such a case, up to 6 weeks may be required depending on the physical demands of your job.  It is important that you not engage in strenuous activities in the first 6 weeks after surgery. Aerobic exercise will raise your bloodpressure, which could cause late bleeding and harm your result. If your job keeps you sedentary, you may return to work when you feel comfortable, several days after surgery. Once you begin exercising again, start gently and let your body tell you what it can tolerate. Don’t rush!!#breastaugmentation#BA

It’s not unusual for patients to be concerned about
resumption of normal activity following breast augmentation surgery.These patients want to know when they can
resume normal activities without restrictions.In the
post-operative period, we tell patients not to lift their elbows over their
head for at least 3 weeks following surgery.This minimizes the potential for secondary complications such as
bleeding, hematoma and implant malposition. In
addition, we also recommend that patients not lift more than 10 lbs. for at
least 4 to 6 weeks following surgery. Again, we feel this minimizes the potential for secondary
complications.It’s
important to realize that no 2 patients are every exactly alike.It’s also important to realize that every
surgeon has his own post-operative routine.For this reason, it’s important to discuss these issues with your
surgeon.No one is in a better position
to make a post-operative recommendation than the person who will be performing
your surgery.

Thank you for your questions.

Yes, you can lift your arms up to do your hair within a day after breast augmentation. Most people will return to work within 7-10 days when you are off pain medication.

It will be important for you to ease back into it and not do too much too soon. You may want to make the first day a half day.

The main thing is no heavy lifting with your arms (no more than 5 lbs) for the first 4 weeks after breast augmentation.  Gentle range of motion without weights is okay.

There is really no significant problems with lifting your arms after a breast augmentation within hours. In fact, I encourage my patients to move their arms and elevate them above their head within hours post procedure.  However, I encourage my patients to keep their blood pressure below 100 and avoid aggressive physical exercise for 2-3 weeks.

 

Hi there-

Because only your surgeon understands the details of the technique performed on you, you should ask, and then carefully follow, the instructions given to you by him/her.

Deviating from those instructions (even if a well-meaning one of us on this site advocates it) will compromise your outcome and possible your safety.

Stick with your surgeon's recommendations

I tell my patients not to lift more than 10 lbs for 2 weeks following breast enhancement; however, I let them shower the next day, wash their own hair, and I am not strict about "overhead lifting" of their arms. I have a number of patients in your same profession and they are able to go back to work and do usual duties within several days as long as they are not doing heavy lifting.  Each doctor has their own "protocol" and I would recommend following your board certified plastic surgeon's post op instructions. I hope this helps!

Sincerely,
 

James F. Boynton, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Hello RTR 80,

While it is true that many surgeons have many different opinions about this issue, I consider them just that, opinions, and not necessarily the best practice of medicine.  We live in an age of evidenced based medicine, where the practice of any specialty should be governed by data that indicates what is the 'best way' that we currently know.  Having said that, I have been performing breast augmentation essentially the same way that Dr. John Tebbits described in his landmarked article '24 hour Recovery after Breast Augmentation' in 2000.  Along with his clear and detailed data, Dr. Bill Adams has also recorded his detailed data showing that when done correctly, arm movements not only can begin the very same day as surgery, but should begin to prevent muscular spasm.  No narcotic pain medicine required, just Motrin. Like these forward thinkers, I have found the rate of complications after this procedure to be significantly lower than national averages. 

You should have a few consultations with highly regarded breast surgeons in your area that are not only certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, but are also members of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.  You should discuss these issues with them and make you decision.

Best of luck!