Breast Reduction: Q&A

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How Long After a Breast Reduction Are You Laid Up?

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14 Doctor Answers | Asked by Duluth6256 in Duluth, MN

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Recovery Period Following Breast Reduction Surgery

Breast reduction is one of the more commonly performed surgical procedures in women. Patients note almost immediate improvement in their symptoms and over the course of time develop increased exercise tolerance. This often results in weight loss which allows them to wear different types of clothing. They feel that people no longer stare at them and this results in improved self-esteem and self-image. It’s important to remember that recovery varies from patient to... more

Breast Reduction Recovery?

Thank you for the question. Like every procedure performed, every patient will have a different recovery experience. Some of this experience will depend on the patient's personality/pain threshold etc. Most patients are “laid up” for a few days and return to light activities within 7 to 10 days. Heavy lifting should be delayed for 4 to 6 weeks. Best wishes.

Time off after breast reduction

Patients do very well in terms of not needing pain medication after several days. I a, very conservative and suggest that my patients take two weeks off from work. In this economy, there is nothing worse than underestimating the time needed for recuperation and having an angry employer. Sutures are removed by or before two weeks. I am also cognizant that our NYC commuting experience is a trying one for many women and that they aren't ready to resume strap hanging a week after surgery and... more

Breast Reduction Recovery

Recovery time will vary slightly from patient to patient however most will recover quite promptly. You should be encouraged to be up and ambulate immediately. You will have some limitations in upper body exercise as well as high impact aerobics for 2 to 4 weeks. Most patients may return to work after 1 week.

Recovery time for breast reduction.

Most breast reductions are done as outpatient surgery (IE, you go home the same day). I instruct my patients to take 2 weeks off from work, but most feel able to return to desk work in about 10 days. If the patient has a more active job, I recommend 3 or 4 weeks off to be sure there is proper healing. As with most surgery, the most discomfort occurs in the first 2 - 3 days and then will begin to fade in the days after. Discomfort after breast reduction is usually... more

Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD

18 reviews

Boston Plastic Surgeon

How much time off after a Breast Reduction...

Breast Reduction is a procedure where the surgeon is removing excess breast tissue and skin to achieve smaller breasts. Because the muscles are not touched there shouldn't be much pain, most patients complain of being uncomfortable. The recommended recovery time would be one week for office jobs. Any jobs requiring heavy lifting would need more time off, approximately two to three weeks depending on healing. You would need to discuss your job requirements with... more

Down time after Breast Reduction

People heal at different rates but the vast majority of women undergoing Breast Reductions return back to work in a wee to two weeks. The procedure is performed as an outpatient. Women return to full gym activities in 3-4 weeks after surgery. Dr. Peter Aldea

Breast Reduction Recovery

I recommend 2 weeks off from work and no heavy lifting or activity for 6 weeks. Breast reduction requires lengthy incisions to optimize the shape, volume, and symmetry after removal of breast tissue. The longer the incision, the more likely complications are to occur. These can include infection, bleeding, thickened scar, or wound dehiscence. Taking off the appropriate time to heal and following up with your surgeon will help minimize these problems and... more

Return to work & activity after breast reduction.

In most instances in my practice, patients are back to desk work at about 7-10 days. However, return to full unresticted activities may be limited for 6 weeks or more. This will vary tremendously from individual to individual and with the surgical technique

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Recovery after breast reduction

Depending on your overall health, a breast reduction could be done as an outpatient (meaning you go home the same day). Most plastic surgeons will encourage you to start walking the same day and not to stay in bed except for normal sleep. Taking narcotic pain medications for 3 to 7 days is typical and many patients return to light duty work within 1 week. By 4 to 6 weeks, most all other activities can be resumed. Although there is some "down time”, most patients don't mind... more

Breast Reduction Recovery Varies

The time required for recovery following a breast reduction and all surgery varies a good deal among patients. I have had some patients who were taking only Tylenol for pain control on the night of surgery and others who required narcotics 3 weeks post-op. Most patients whose work is sedentary can return to work in 1-2 weeks, but women whose jobs involve heavy lifting and straining may need to take 6 weeks or so off.

Breast reducrtion recovery

Usually breast reduction patients do not have too much post-op pain and can usually return to routine daily acitivites in a week to ten days.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

How Long After a Breast Reduction Are You Laid Up?

At least a week if healing is normal. But sometimes healing can take weeks. From MIAMI Dr. darryl J. Blinski

Breast Reduction or Lift Recovery

Breast reduction surgery is usually outpatient surgery. You should be ambulating immediately after surgery and should not be bed ridden. I generally recommend no heavy lifting or strenuous activity for about 4 weeks. You need to give time for your incisions to heal. Most patients are able to go back to a desk job 3-5 days after surgery at least part-time. During the 4 week postop period, I suggest a sports bra for support of comfort.