I am a waitress and am wondering if one week is going to be long enough for breast augmentation recovery? (photo)

The real issue is going to be lifting. In general, I suggest that my breast augmentation patients refrain from heavy exercise (which would include lifting large trays of food) for at least a month. But speak with your surgeon. He or she will be able to give you the most accurate advise. 

Ultimately this is a question for the surgeon you have selected. They know what kind of recovery their patients typically have.My patients who are waitresses are all back to work in a week.Many doctors today market themselves as delivering some sort of a fast recovery breast augmentation, but many do not deliver with any consistency.The concept was thought to be impossible and the method was described about 10 years ago by John Tebbetts.  I learned the technique from him and have taught it to many others.Again, follow your doctor's instructions.  But if you are searching for a doctor I have no good advice for you on determining whether a doctor can deliver a faster than average recovery.  Perhaps you will see it in reviews, testimonials, videos on the site, and the expertise in this topic demonstrated by the doctor at your consultation.

In my practice, one week has been enough to do light lifting, but I am very careful to do a non-traumatic bloodless dissection with cautery, use an implant that is not overly large for the pocket, and start arm-raising exercises four times an hour immediately after surgery. My patients are usually able to drive in 3-4 days and lift normal weight objects as well. For very repetitive lifting activity some might find a week a bit short, but if one does not lift a lot of plates on a heavy tray at the same time, one could go back to work as a waitress in a week.I always tell patients that some may have a slightly longer recovery than others, so it is nice to have a little leeway in when one has to go back to a job involving physical activity of the upper body and arms.

I think a 5 day recovery after submuscular augmentation is reasonable - you may want to schedule a hald day shift on your first day back in case you're not feeling totally recovered. Most of our patients are back to work full time and off of narcotic pain medications by post-op day 4-5

I appreciate your question.

You should be ok to return to work at 7 days as long as there will be no strenuous activity.  With that said, best to follow your surgeon's recommendation and post op instruction sheet as he/she is most familiar with your medical history.



The best way to assess and give
true advice would be an in-person exam.

Please see a board-certified
plastic surgeon that specializes in aesthetic and restorative breast surgery.



best of luck!



Dr Schwartz

Thank you for your question and photograph. Assuming that you are managing and not required to lift any heavy trays, or dishes, or anything overhead, you should be okay by 5-7 days after surgery to return to work.  You will still have soreness, but it should be manageable without any prescription pain medication.  Talk to your surgeon about your concerns, they should be able to help you make the best decision.  

You most certainly can return to work with most breast surgery in a few days.  However, it is always best to follow the instructions of your own surgeon because the specifics of the actual surgery may vary.Best Wishes,Nana Mizuguchi

My patients are usually back to work within a week with the restrictions of no heavy lifting (>15lbs) or strenuous/cardio activity for 4 weeks.  It would be doable to go back to work within 5 days as long as you are not lifting trays or taking narcotic medication.  I would check with your surgeon when you go for your preop to see what his/her recommendation is. Best of luck!

You will probably still be a little sore and more tired than usual at a week after surgery, however most patients are ok at that point to return to work. I do give my patients a weight lifting restriction for three weeks after surgery. You will want to follow your surgeon's exact guidelines regarding restrictions. This may pose a problem if you have to carry heavy trays while waitressing. I would call the office prior to your pre-operative appointment to find out what your restrictions will be so you can plan appropriately. Best of luck with your upcoming surgery!

The risk in the first 2 weeks is bleeding if you use your upper body. Ask your surgeon but people typically go back to desk work at 3 days, moderate work at 2-3 weeks and freight loading at 6-8 weeks.