Breast Augmentation: Q&A

Ask a Question

How Long After my Augmentation Before I Can Drive a Car (Local Errands, Not a Long Trip)?

I had BA three days ago, and feel fortunate -- I have not needed any painkillers of any kind, and feel great. Quite perky and still swollen, but virtually pain free. I will follow doctors advice and refrain from exercise for three weeks (which will be hard!!), but since I feel so good, and have full range of motion in my arms without any pain, when can I drive my car for short errands? Many thanks.

Tags:

driving exercise timing

Comment on this

20 Doctor Answers | Asked by Washington1976 in Washington, DC

Doctor Answers (20)
Community Comments (0)

Driving after a Breast Augmentation

Hello and thank you for the question. In general, I have my patients wait no less than 7 days before I allow them to drive. At that time they must be off narcotic pain medications as well as any other medications which may impair their driving. I recommend you follow up with your surgeon and follow his/her recommendations on this matter. Best, Glenn Vallecillos, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Car driving after augmentation

I usually allow patients to drive about 10 days to two weeks after augmentation. Sudden jerky movements can cause problems.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Driving after breast augmenation

I tell my patients that they can start driving a car when they are off of all pain killers and they feel comfortable enough to turn and look behind themselves without any problems. Most patients can do that in 5-7 days after surgery. Be careful not to try and drive too early and wind up in an accident because you can't move and turn like you need to and definitely, do not drive while taking pain medication.

Driving and Breast Augmentation

I generally let my Breast Augmentation patients drive within four days if they are off narcotics which is common after a quick recovery stretching regimen. Every surgeon is different and he may ask you to wait longer.

Driving After Breast Augmentation

I recommend asking your plastic surgeon this question. My main criterion for driving is for my patient to be off of narcotic pain medication. Pain is very subjective and every patient has a different pain threshold so slapping a 5 day or 7 day restriction on driving doesn't make a lot of common sense. Hope that helps and good luck! Dr. Babak Dadvand

Driving after Breast Augmentation

Congrats on your recovery. Ask your surgeon about his/her recommendations for local driving. I generally clear my patients to drive locally once they are no longer needed pain pills.

Driving after Breast augmentation

I am glad that you are doing so well after breast augmentation! For my patients, I will allow them to drive (short distance) 5 days after breast augmentation as long as they are not on narcotic pain medication.

Driving after breast augmentation varies from patient to patient

Driving after breast augmentation is going to vary from patient to patient however I have my patients get back to normal activity as soon as possible. You can drive a car as soon as you are comfortable doing so and are not on medications that affect her judgment.

What is the recommended amount of time to wait to driving short trips following breast augmentation surgery

There is such a wide range of recommendations as to when you can and should drive on short trips following your breast augmentation surgery. You should consult your plastic surgeon for his specific recommendations as he/she performed your surgery. In general, you should be off of narcotics and other medication that can impair your judgment and also be able to move around without significant limitations. My patients are instructed to wait at least 3 - 5 days before driving short... more

Returning to driving after breast implatn augmentation surgery

IF you are essentially off pain medications and at least 24 hours after general anesthesia, I do not see any contra-indications to driving.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

How Long After my Augmentation Before I Can Drive a Car (Local Errands, Not a Long Trip)?

Regarding: "How Long After my Augmentation Before I Can Drive a Car (Local Errands, Not a Long Trip)? I had BA three days ago, and feel fortunate -- I have not needed any painkillers of any kind, and feel great. Quite perky and still swollen, but virtually pain free. I will follow doctors advice and refrain from exercise for three weeks (which will be hard!!), but since I feel so good, and have full range of motion in my arms without any pain, when can I drive my car for short... more

Driving after a BA

You are healing well! If you are not taking narcotics and can move your arms easily I would allow you to drive short distances at 5 days. You must be able to make sudden movements if necessary so any pain that would restrict this should warn you to wait. I tell patients to wait 5-7 days but truthfully most of them don't. I have never had anyone come to harm. The narcotics are the tipping point in my opinion. If you are taking them during the day,... more

How soon can I drive after surgery?

You really need to ask your surgeon this question. For my patients, I recommend driving only after they are completely off of all narcotic pain medications and once they are comfortable moving their arms. I would feel horrible if they were involved in some type of accident simply because they were either mildly sedated or could not appropriately respond to a change in the cars or driving environment around them. Again, ask your surgeon. He/she will greatly appreciate... more

Driving after breast implants

Your really need to ask your surgeon this question. Every surgeon has different advice and the answer is different for all patients. However, you definitely cannot drive until you are off all narcotic pain medications if you are taking any. Good Luck.

How Long After my Augmentation Before I Can Drive a Car (Local Errands, Not a Long Trip)?

Best to ask your operative chosen surgeon. If you were my patient I would saw 5 days. Best of luck from MIAMI Dr. Darryl J. Blinski

Driving is fine one week after breast implants

Recovery is different for everybody but most will be comfortable enough to drive one week following a breast augmentation. If you think you are not ready, don't. At this point there is little risk of harming your result or prolonging recovery, so if you feel fine you can venture out. Be alert and aware of the other guy as they will not be as careful as you will be. Remember exercise will still take longer so avoid the temptation to over do. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd more

Driving after Breast Augmentation

Part of the answer to your question relates to how the procedure was done and where the implant is. If the implant is above the muscle and the surgeon used a cautery for the dissection, recovery is usually rapid. I tell my patients that they can drive when they have no pain in their chest with vigorous arm motion. It is a matter of your safety, and the safety of others whom you could run into in the car, not the surgery itself. Since you are at that point, ask your surgeon to make sure that... more

Driving after Breast Augmentation

I usually like patients to ease back into driving about 10 days after the procedure. There certainly can be some stress and strain placed on the muscle that can lead to increased pain early in the healing process. Follow your plastic surgeon's advice. Dr. ES

Driving and breast augmentation

I agree. If tell my patients to avoid driving for a period of at least 7 days and often extend it if patients are on narcotic pain meds during the day. Driving will on narcotics is akin to drinking and driving and is highly discouraged.

Length Before Driving after Augmentation

This is a question that you should ask your operating surgeon. I usually ask my patients to avoid driving for 7-10 days following their breast augmentation surgery. This may lengthened a bit longer if they are still requiring narcotic pain medications.