What Activities Are Restricted After Breast Reduction Surgery?

Question

Isn't it good to have some mobility after breast reduction surgery, or any surgery? What would be a good routine to start during the second week of recovery? mild stretching?

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

Healing after #BreastReduction: activityMost patients resume normal activity by two
weeks however full activity, lifting, sports, 
and no restrictions is safer at 6 weeks.I have my patients moving their arms the night of surgery

James N. Romanelli, MD, FACS · Answer

You are right that complete inactivity is discouraged after most aesthetic procedures. It's important to get up and move throughout the day to reduce the risk of blood clots and facilitate healthy healing. The preferred post-surgery activity for most breast augmentation patients is walking. Take it slow at first and keep your blood pressure down — you don’t want to be speedwalking or climbing hills. Go on a brief, easy walk around your neighborhood a couple of times a day, move about the house, or even run some easy errands (be sure someone else is driving if you're taking opiate pain medication) in the initial weeks of your recovery.

Stephen T. Greenberg, MD, FACS · Answer

Most patients are encouraged and able to comfortably move the day of surgery. The recommendation for any heavy lifting, strenuous activity, or exercise is approximately 4 weeks after the procedure. Normal activities, such a driving, walking, or returning to work or school is just a few days off. It is typically best to do your procedure on a Thursday or Friday and return to work or school on Monday. Lifting your arms or taking a shower is usually done with minimal or no discomfort 48 hours after surgery.

Richard J. Bruneteau, MD · Answer

Breast
reduction is a commonly performed operation that’s associated with excellent
clinical results and high levels of patient satisfaction.Patients frequently note alleviation of their
symptoms and improved quality of life with this procedure.It’s important to remember that
recovery varies from patient to patient.We generally recommend that patients take a week off from work or school
following this procedure, but many patients are able to return sooner.Strenuous activities such as athletics,
running, heavy lifting and aggressive workouts should be avoided for four to
six weeks following surgery.Patients are required to wear a
specialized support bra for three weeks and a sports bra for an additional
three months.It’s important to remember
that complete wound healing takes at least a year.

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

You will probably need to take it easy for about a week, then go back to work in one to two weeks if it's a desk job. You won't be able to go to the gym for about 4-6 weeks, depending on the extent of correction involved.

Michelle Spring, MD, FACS · Answer

To reduce the risk of forming blood clots, I ask patients to walk the evening of surgery. It is important to move around a bit and go for slow walks the first week, but avoid lifting more than 10 pounds or so and aerobic activity for 2 weeks. Usually activity is gradually increased from 2-6 weeks, and at 6 weeks patients are back to full activity. I ask patients to listen to their bodies - if it hurts, back off!

David Mattos, MD · Answer

During the first two weeks, I ask my patients to lay low. from 2-4 weeks, they can start using a stationary bike as long as they are not raising their blood pressure and heart rate too much. from 4-6 weeks, you can start more intense exercise gradually, such as jogging, etc. Lastly, from 6 weeks on after, if there are no complications during healing, then there are no restrictions at this point and the patient can do whatever she wants. 
-Dr. David Mattos, New York Plastic Surgical Group

Jeffrey Weinzweig, MD, FACS · Answer

Most patients take the first week off from work. You will want to avoid any strenuous activity for 4-6 weeks following surgery. During the second week if you are up for it you can do light activity such as walking.

Tania Medina de Garcia, MD · Answer

Hello dear thanks for your post. You will need to take at least one week off from work or school for 
breast reduction surgery. Some people need two weeks, but each situation
 varies. Your surgeon will instruct you on follow-up appointments for 
removing bandages and stitches.
      While you recover, you'll need to stop physical activities for at least one month after surgery.
      After breast reduction surgery, you should expect to feel tired and to have breast pain.
 This is normal. Your surgeon will give you an oral painkiller to ease 
you through the first few days after surgery. You should also avoid 
heavy lifting.
       Some people have an emotional reaction, such as feeling 
depressed, after the surgery. That can be normal, but make sure you tell
 your doctor about all your concerns.Good luck :)

Marialyn Sardo, MD · Answer

Every surgeon is different with their recommendations for post-op activity. Ask your doctor what he or she recommends. It also depends on the patient and whatever risk factors they might have, so i individualize all my instructions. In general, you will want to take it easy for a few days to a week. After that walking is good and light activity. Most can exercise 3-4 weeks after surgery, refraining from heavy upper body activity, heavy lifting or running until 5-6 weeks.

What Activities Are Restricted After Breast Reduction Surgery?

Answers (15)

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