Would 3 weeks off work as a nurse be long enough to recover from breast lift with augmentation?

Three weeks should be an adequate amount of time.  I would still caution you to avoid lifting more than 20-30 pounds for another 2-3 weeks after you return to work. 

I appreciate your question.  
Typically, my guideline is, the first week is the hardest. By the second week you feel better, at four weeks you feel 100% and at six weeks you can go back to complete normal routines and exercising.  
Four days after surgery, I would be careful as you are still at risk for bleeding. If you are taking any pain medication, I would not drink alcohol.  With my 'Schwartz Rapid Recuperation' recovery, most of my patients are out to dinner the following evening.
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 plastic surgery. 
  
Best of luck! 
    
Dr. Schwartz 
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon 
#RealSelf100Surgeon 
#RealSelfCORESurgeon

Hi. I would recommend that you be very measured in your physical activity when returning to work. At three weeks you will still be in the recent post op period and subject to injury when performing heavy lifting. Good luck

3 weeks may be pushing it for your job description. These incisions are under great tension. And any sudden movements may separate the incision, even with the best of closure techniques. The wound strength may need a few more weeks to maximize the result. 

Your plastic surgeon will most certainly always be your number one resource when it comes to returning to your specific
occupation and or activities. With an augmentation-mastopexy I typically do not
want my patients doing any heavy lifting for 6 weeks to ensure that healing is adequate.
I might suggest to someone in your occupation to go back to work on modified
duties.

I have performed over 8,000 breast augmentation procedures in my 20 years of practice.  I have had two patients that over exerted themselves at the three weeks post op period that led to the young capsule to tear resulting in bleeding.  Although this is, obviously, rare, it can happen.  I have never seen this to occur at the four week mark.  I think the message is to take it easy on the third week when you're at work and to feel pretty comfortable at four weeks post op.Ary Krau MD FACS

I usually recommend three to four weeks for my
patients after undergoing a mastopexy augmentation, especially in more
strenuous jobs. You need to give the
tissue time to heal without risk of increased swelling and complications.

In my practice, I advise my patients to take one week off from work. However, they should limit their physical activity over the first six weeks.No physical activity for three weeks.Walk on a tread mill or ride a bicycle from three to six weeks.Full activity without limitations after that.I would expect you to be able to return after 3 weeks to performing your duties in the hospital.If you would like more information, please read my book "Cosmetic Breast Surgery - a complete guide from A to double D".

That is the average but there are always unforeseen events that could occur. But why not ask this of your chosen surgeon???? 

Thank you for the question. Your plastic surgeon will always be your best resource when it comes to returning to specific occupation/activities. He/she knows exactly what was done, how you are progressing (every patient has a different experience after breast surgery), whether or not you have experienced any complications or setbacks, and exactly what type of activities you wish to return to.On average, I ask patients to take off  5 days to 1 week after breast augmentation surgery (desk job).  For some professions (such as yours), I may suggest a going back to work with a lighter workload (or in your case, having someone else do the lifting etc.. that would involve the pectoralis muscle).  Ideally, I ask patients not to lift anything heavy or do things ( like pulling/pushing) that contract the pectoralis musle for at least 3 weeks.  Ultimately, it will be important for you to “listen to your body”,  apply common sense, and return to activities/exercises in a  gradual fashion. Best wishes.