How Long After my Surgery Do I Have to Wait to Pick Up my 20 Lbs Baby?

You should avoid heavy #lifting and strenuous activity for six #weeks. You may, however, do normal activities at any time if they cause no pain or discomfort. Let your body tell you what you can or cannot do. Aerobic exercise will raise your blood pressure, which could cause late bleeding and harm your result. Once you begin exercising again, start gently and let your body tell you what it can tolerate. Don’t rush!! It may require the full 6 weeks before you can do any upper body work-outs, yoga, etc.

Thank you for your question. You definitely want to follow your own
surgeon's post-op activity instructions. This is a general guide I give
to my patients as to the recoveryWeek 1) Discomfort and tightness
level progressively decreases with each day. Swelling decreases a great
deal after one week. Most people return to work in some capacity.Week
2) Unlikely to need any narcotic support except maybe at night.
Swelling and tightness continues to improve compared to week 1Weeks
3-6) May need tylenol or ibuprofen for intermittent discomfort.
Swelling completely resolved. Tightness may continue as the implants
over an additional few months into their final position. As far as activity, here is a safe guide:1) No heavy lifting or strenuous activity for 6 weeks (a gallon of milk as a guide).2) Resume walking at a leisurely pace right after surgery (e.g. 2 mph)3) At 2 weeks, you can walk 2 miles at 2mph4) At 3 weeks, you can walk 3 miles at 3mph5) At 4 weeks, you can walk 4 miles at 4mph6) At 5 weeks, you can jog 5 miles at 5mph7)
At 6 weeks, you can resume all activities, but listen to your body and
use discomfort or tightness as a guide so you don't over do it. So
as far as the little ones, I would recommend having help for basic
needs like lifting into the car seat. You can cuddle with them while
you are sitting down, but you should avoid the tendency to multitask
with one child in your arms while you are busy doing other tasks.

You'll most likely not be able to lift anything until about 6 weeks after your surgery. However, please ask your surgeon as they may have different advice.

After a breast augmentation, I typically ask my patients to not lift anything 15lbs or heavier for about 4 weeks.  I know it's hard to not lift your little one but you are risking a hematoma.  You can also hold your baby and play on the floor or your baby can be placed in your lap and you can hold and play that way, it will go by quickly and if very doable!  Listening to your body is also very important and don't push yourself, but most importantly listen to your surgeon and if you have concerns or questions don't hesitate to call the office and ask.  ac

I usually have patients wait several weeks to pick up a baby.  I will often tell patients taht the young child can climb on to them as opposed to be lifted out of a crib after a few weeks if the patient is feeling OK. Remember "the enemy" of what we do is a hematoma, and lifitng heavy things can increase your blood pressure. 

Thank you for your question. This is clearly something personal to each surgeon. I do not let my patients lift anything more then 20 pounds for 6 weeks after a breast augmentation. That number is specific to research that shows that scars do not regain their full strength back until after weeks 6. I have further limitations on heavy lifting if implants are beneath the muscle as well, but you should ask your surgeon what they want.

Since there are probably no scientific studies on how long to wait before lifting following a breast augmentation, it is more a matter of subjective judgement by your surgeon.  No one knows for sure when it is safe, but I ask my patients to wait two weeks before lifting a 20 pound baby.  For another two weeks, you should keep your elbows to your side while lifting.

As others have explained, the risk of lifting a 20 lb baby is causing a bleed that can require more surgery.  There is no absolute answer to your question, but most of us err on the side of caution.  It is far easier to avoid a problem than to treat one that has occurred.  Your surgeon is the best source of advice for this type of question.  I ask my patients to wait six weeks before heavy lifting, even if you are feeling well.  Best of luck. 

Discuss this with your surgeon prior to surgery.  This all depends on how you feel and recover.  It is best to have some help with the baby for a couple of weeks.  You can hold your baby, but avoid lifting as long as your surgeon recommends.  Best wishes for a fast recovery!