Breast Augmentation: Q&A

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When Can I Return to my Active Job After Having Breast Augmentation?

I don't have the usual desk job. I'm a bartender at a busy bar/restaurant, and my normal shift is anywhere from 10-15 hours long, all of which are spent on my feet. I'm a healthy, non-smoking 28-year old, about 5'2 and 115 lbs, 32B, looking to get implants. I understand not being able to lift anything heavy for a while, but will I have to spend an extended period of time out of work (longer than 1-2 weeks)?

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age 25-34 5 ft 0 in to 5 ft 3 in 110-129 lbs B cup time off work

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21 Doctor Answers | Asked by Saria2130 in Texas

Doctor Answers (21)
Community Comments (4)

When Can I Return to my Active Job After Having Breast Augmentation?

Everyone is different, but you should be able to function by a week after surgery. All the best.

Return to Active Job after Breast Augmentation Usually 10-14 days

Thank you for your question. I agree with others that you need to follow the advice of your surgeon. However, that said, I recommend to my patients that they plan two weeks before vigorous physical activity after Breast Augmentation. Return to work is more difficult after Submuscular Breast Augmentation than after Subglandular Breast Augmentation. Your job sound very vigorous. My guess is you will need at least a week and perhaps two if the implants are placed under the muscle more

You can return to work early

Most of my patients return to even very active jobs by a week after breast augmentation. You may be a little sore but you will not hurt anything.

Going Back to Work in 1 to 2 Weeks after Breast Augmentation

Unless you are running all over the place at your job getting your heart rate up or straining yourself, going back to work in 1 to 2 weeks should be fine. Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Return to Active Physical Activity After Breast Augmentation

If your implants are placed under the muscle I usually advise my patients to wait at least 4 weeks before resuming any active physical activity.

Breast Augmentation - Return to work guidelines

I don't recommended working at the job you're describing before 10 days if you required to do heavy lifting. If you don't have to lift, but still work hard, then take off at least a week. Best wishes!

Returning to work after breast augmentation

Every patient heals a bit differently after surgery, but I would expect that you will want to take about 2 weeks off of work based on your job description. If you had a true desk job, you could be back at work in as little as 3 days. I have had several bartenders/restaurant workers have the surgery and they tend to return to work in about 1 week. They almost always tell me that they end up having someone help them with some of the lifting and more heavy work during that first week back. more

Recovery after Breast Augmentation

I generally advise no heavy lifting or strenuous activity for 4 weeks. You need to give time for all your incisions to heal. Please touch base with your plastic surgeon to get his/her specific recommendations. Best of luck! Dr. Basu

When Can I Return to my Active Job After Having Breast Augmentation?

It can vary depending on the technique and whether you are going in front or behind the muscle. Best to ask your operating surgeon.

Breast augmentation recovery

For a busy bartending job, I recommend patients take a week off of work. For typical office type jobs and driving, I recommend three days off. For more reaching and lifting, wait a week. You can do light exercising after two weeks, then ease your way back to exercising. By six weeks, you can do just about anything usually. Check with your doctor though, because the recovery will vary based on your surgeon's technique. Gentle technique, long acting anesthesia, and medications chosen can speed... more

When can I return to work following breast aug?

Thanks very much for your question. I typically tell patients not to return to working out for 3 weeks following breast aug. Even then you have to be careful and return slowly. Please speak to your surgeon as well since they will have the best advice.

Working after surgery

The best person to ask is the surgeon who will do your augmentation. I think 2 weeks should be sufficient.

Michael Hueneke, MD

6 reviews

Nashville Plastic Surgeon

Return to work after breast augmentation surgery

When planning one's breast augmenation surgery, it is important to allow adequate time for recovery. This amount of time varies from person to person depending on their lifestyle. For people with relatively light exertion requirements- office job, children that do not routinely need to be picked up- I recommend about a week. For people with more vigorous requirements- heavier lifting or strenous job requirements, very yound children- you may need to play for closer to two weeks. These... more

Back to work after breast augmentation

Hi, I would also recommend you follow the instructions of your surgeon, but even though heavy upper body excercise is not recommended for 6 weeks after an augmentation, getting back to work as a bartender should not require more than a few days to a week. again, check with your surgeon since everyone has different advise.

Return to work after breast augmentation

It depends on a number of factors including extent of surgery, whether the implants are placed under or over the muscles. From your job description, you may need 3-4 weeks.

Anindya Lahiri, MBBS

4 reviews

Birmingham Plastic Surgeon

Return to work after breast augmentation

I advice my patients they can return to work a week after surgery for desk type of jobs. If the job involves physical activity with light lifting two weeks and heavy lifting three weeks depending on the patients recovery. The restrictions are there to avoid a hematoma (bleeding after surgery). Good luck!

Return to work after breast augmentation

Hi, Generally, rule of thumb for my practice: 1. desk job, heaviest object you lift is a cup of coffee: 1 week off of work. 2. Nails salon / hair: lots of hand and arm usage, but no heavy lifting: 2 weeks 3. Bar / restaurant: also 2 weeks but no lifting cases of wine / soda etc.... Nothing more than a gallon of milk ( 8 lbs) 4. UPS / Post office / pro athlete: heavy bags of mail etc: 4+ weeks off of work. Always err on... more

Need to take time

Generally, you need to listen to your body after BA, to what you can and cannot do. It sounds like you need about 2 weeks off. If you go back earlier, and your body is not ready, then you risk pain, swelling and possibility of your implant not settling properly. You have invested time and money for the procedure, so you want to make sure that you give yourself enough time to heal and get the best result possible. Adrian Lo, MD

Time off work following breast augmentations.

Greetings, I would strongly advise that the limitations provided by your plastic surgeon for levels of work in your demanding job (with long hours) be discussed before your surgery. As a rule of thumb, in our practice we advise patients to limit their lifting and repetitive upper body activity the first 2 weeks after surgery (In my opinion, patient lifting should not cause pain or exceed 15-20 lbs. with both hands during this 2 week period of time). Too much activity, exercise, or... more

Returning to Active Job after Breast Augmentation?

Your plastic surgeon alone should be your resource when it comes to determining the return to specific activities after the specific procedures performed. He/she will know exactly how you are progressing and whether or not you have experienced any complications. Remember, that he/she is ultimately responsible for your care. Online consultants' advise here may be confusing (and even dangerous). Best wishes.

Time Off Work For Breast Augmentation

Most patients will be able to return to work within 1 to 2 weeks after their breast augmentation. This is an estimate as recovery will differ from patient to patient. Good luck.

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Comments (4)

SarahP (Community Manager) 15 Feb 2013

Hi There,

Here's a link that may help you with your research:

Breast Augmentation Recovery

Hopefully this helps!

Saria2130 15 Feb 2013

Thanks SarahP! I'm just worried because in general everyone seems to address going back to work in the desk job/calm environment, but, like I mentioned before, my job is really pretty active, and spent entirely on my feet for long periods of time. I'm getting married in October and really want to have this done well before then, but I'm already missing quite a bit of work this year with everything wedding related... I can definitely swing about 1-1.5 weeks off for this, but anything more and I might have to wait until next year. But thanks again for that link! :)

Jilly.Bean 18 Feb 2013

I'm an RN and like you always on my feet and I'm giving myself 5 days off. My PS told me she took 4 days off after getting BA and she was fine until the end of the day. You're job is probably a little more active but if you can take a week off you should be fine. I think the discomfort is going to be worth it!

Saria2130 18 Feb 2013

Thanks for responding JillyBean, I actually completed 2 years of nursing school so I know exactly what you mean about being on your feet all day. Clinicals were exhausting!!! From what you're saying a week will hopefully do the trick. Thanks again! :)

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