What is the Recovery Time for Breast Augmentation?

I work a job that requires lifting 30 lb maximum. How long would it take for me to recover from a breast implant? I would like to know when I can go back to work and resume normal activity?

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17 Doctor Answers | Asked by agirllikeu in Los Angeles, CA

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Wait awhile for heaving lifting after breast implant surgery

I recommend patients avoid heaving lifting of more than 10 pounds for 6 weeks after breast augmentation.

Quick Recovery Breast Augmentation

Your recovery should be quick. We recommend you return to normal daily activities 24 hours after surgery. Avoid lifting over 30 lbs. for three weeks, when you can do all vigorous exercise. You should be able to walk and lift two lb. weights before then. Plan to return to work in a couple of days if you have a desk job. For your job, I would plan to take up to a week off. Good Luck. All the best, "Dr. Joe"

What the Recovery Time is for Breast Augmentation...

The recovery time for a breast augmentation is fairly short in comparison to other surgeries. Providing you feel well enough, you should be able to return to work about 3 to 4 days after surgery. As far as lifting goes, it is recommended that you wait about 2 weeks, and then start with lighter objects and gradually work your way up to lifting 30 pounds (it may take 2-4 weeks in all). You may continue to lift more as long as it doesn't hurt or cause swelling. Make... more

Breast augmentation

The actual recuperation is fairly quick. Most patients go back to work within a week. As for heavy lifting, I would avoid lifting hevay objects for 3-6 weeks.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Recovery from Breast Augmentation

There are significant differences in how breast augmentations are done, as you can tell from the varied answers about recovery ranging from 24 hours to several weeks. If done properly, with the procedure chosen with all aspects of your activities and job taken into account, you should usually be able to return to work and most activities within 24-48 hours.

4 to 6 weeks

Every office has a different opinion. In our office we say if you have a desk job you can go back to work in 4 to 5 days. But no exercise or lifting for 4 to 6 weeks.

Andre Aboolian, MD

27 reviews

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Recovery after a breast augmentation

Plastic surgeons have different recommendations with regard to restrictions of activities and when their patients can resume particular activities. You need to specifically ask your surgeon (hopefully a board certified plastic surgeon) what your limitations are and for how long. For my patients undergoing a breast augmentation, typically they can return to a desk type job within 4 - 7 days. For heavy lifting such as 30 pounds, my recommendations are to wait at least 3 weeks but this... more

It depends on how often you lift and if you can get light duty

In general my patients go back to work between 5 to 7 days after breast implant surgery if they sit at a desk or walk around in their jobs. But if you lift thirty pounds once or twice a day I would caution you to wait another week. If you have to lift that much weight every hour or more you need to have your surgeon put you on light duty when you return with lifting restrictions for a few weeks.

What is the Recovery Time for Breast Augmentation?

Dear agirllikeu, I would ask your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon for guidance and specific instructions following breast augmentation. Generally speaking, you should be able to go home after you have woken up from the anesthesia (ie. surgery is performed on an outpatient basis). Most patients feel comfortable being up and about in 1-3 days and back to work in 3-7 days. You should avoid strenuous activity for at least 2 weeks (to minimize the chance of late bleeding) and listen to... more

Recovery from breast augmentation

I agree that you should be able to be back to work in just a few days, however I do tell my patients that heavy lifting during the first 2 weeks is not advisable, as you could potentially cause bleeding in the tissues resulting in a hematoma- not common, but it can happen. So if you are required to lift up to 30 lbs, I would advise you to get a release to work for light duties so that you will not be required to do heavy lifting. Other than the lifting, you will recover quite... more