How long do you recommend to be off work after breast reduction?

Recovery after a breast reduction is usually quite quick. I expect my patients to shower the next day and to be able to drive in 2 to 3 days and return to work in a week. At this point I know they would still be sore, but it is usually quite manageable to do desk work. Because the muscles are not involved in this procedure, there are no lifting restrictions. You do have to be careful to avoid trauma to your newly perky breasts, though!

Every plastic surgeon has his or her recommendations during the recovery period. I typically recommend my patients return within two weeks if they have an administrative job. If they have a job that requires a lot of physical labor then I recommend that they return in six weeks.

Patients report that they have minimal discomfort after breast reduction surgery. This is because surgery is performed on the soft tissue, and there is no stretching of the skin and muscle as there is during an augmentation. Most times, we are able to use dissolvable stitches; when this is the case there are no stitches that have to be removed. More than 90 percent of our patients are back to work on the fifth day, if they work in an office setting, longer if their work requires lifting, pushing or pulling. Patients can generally return to aerobics in 2 to 3 weeks and upper body weightlifting in six weeks. Sexual activity should be curtailed for one week following surgery to reduce the risk of bleeding.