I'm a soldier and would like to have a breast augmentation. What is the recovery time and precautions I should take ?

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

As a former Army surgeon I can empathize with your concerns about resuming activity after a breast augmentation. I continue to have many military members as patients in my private practice. In general I allow my patients to start exercising again 6 weeks after surgery. This is the time they can start exercising but it will take a while to achieve your high level of fitness.Your surgeon should be willing to provide a letter for you to take to your military chain of command which should clearly spell out your limitations. This letter will be used to make your profile. I specify no running, push-ups, sit-ups, road marches, wearing heavy protective gear (Kevlar, etc.) or field duty for six to eight weeks after returning from convalescent leave. I recommend giving yourself at least 4 months before your next PT test so you have time to prepare. Best of luck!

Thank you for your question.  Most patients can return to full activity four weeks following breast augmentation.  I require my patients to avoid lifting more that 10-15 pounds for two weeks.  Activity gradually progresses from two weeks for four weeks.  Extremely strenuous activity such as cross fit workouts should probably be avoided for six weeks.Best of luck,

I would recommend that you wait a full six weeks before resuming strenuous activity such as heavy lifting or going for a run.  You may be able to return to normal non-strenuous activities like walking, going out for dinner, etc... as soon as you feel comfortable.

In my practice, provided there are no complications, you would be permitted to return to full athletic activity one month after breast augmentation.

The first week
following surgery patients can expect to experience swelling, bruising and
soreness, some of which can be controlled with pain medication. Many patients
with office jobs gradually return to work after a week, but those with more
physically demanding jobs require more recovery time. Generally, most women are
able to resume low impact exercises, such as walking, two weeks after surgery.
Upper body exercises, heavy lifting and strenuous activity should be avoided at
this early stage. Patients can gradually transition from low impact exercise to
more vigorous activity between four to six weeks after surgery. This is a
general timeline, but it’s important to note that each person heals
differently. It’s best to seek out a board certified plastic surgeon who can
perform the procedure, offer you clear guidelines for your recovery and monitor
your progress as you heal.

Generally patients tolerate the Augmentation procedure very well and are able to resume most normal activities after 3 weeks or so.  Naturally every patient is different and their respective recuperation after surgery will also be different.Usually patients can resume full activity by 3 week after the surgery, assuming that everything is going according to the expected recuperation.As long as you can have limited activity with no physical contact for several weeks after the surgery you should be fine.JJO

First make certain that any PT testing is not pending for the near future. I usually allow full normal activities after 3 weeks. No lifting over 15# for the first week then progressive return to full normal activity. Talk this over with your board certified plastic surgeon. In general the recovery and return to activity times have come down over the last 10 years.

Thank you for all you do, keeping us all safe. Timing to return to specific types of exercise will vary from one patient to another. Best to check with your plastic surgeon for specific advice. Generally, I suggest patients gradually ease back into the strenuous aerobic exercise 4 to 6 weeks postoperatively, assuming that they are doing well and there have been no complications. Lower body exercise can generally be resumed 2 weeks postoperatively. Use common sense, listen to your body, and gradually resume previous activity. In my practice, I ask patients to avoid contact and strenuous exercise involving the pectoralis major muscles ( such as push-ups, bench press, burpees…) for at least 3-6 months. Best wishes.

There is no set time period to resume strenuous activity after a breast augmentation. I recommend that you see a board certified plastic surgeon in you area and discuss his/her post operative protocol. In general, I tell my patients to refrain from any exercise or activities that raise your heart rate for 2 weeks. At 2-6 weeks I have them increase activity slowly, but refrain from heavy lifting and strenuous work outs until 6 weeks. Best Regards,Dr. Stutman