How Long After my Augmentation Before I Can Drive a Car (Local Errands, Not a Long Trip)?

Thank you for the question! Certainly, discuss this with your plastic surgeon, as answers will vary among surgeons. I typically say that whenever you are not taking narcotic pain medications and when you feel like you are strong enough to turn the steering wheel suddenly if needed, then you may resume driving. If you meet those requirements, take short trips around your block with somebody and see how you do. Best wishes!

Thank you for the question. It is safe to drive after you are fully off your pain medications as it is very dangerous to operate a vehicle with narcotics in your system and when you can react to traffic swiftly. Often you are still sore and think you can react but are very slow. A safe time frame could be anywhere between one to two weeks after surgery. It is very important to consult with your physician. I hope this has helped.

Thank you for your question. I tell my patients that they are not to drive while taking their pain medications whatsoever. Since you have not needed to take your pain medication, that is a good sign. You still should not drive for a minimum of 7 days since you need to limit the use of your arms. Although you feel you have full range of motion in your arms without pain, you are still healing. 

I provide all my patients with basic guidelines regarding driving after surgery. As a blanket rule, I state that you shouldn't consider driving for the first five days. After that, be guided
by your body. If you feel like you are safe to drive and have enough freedom of
upper body movement and strength to be driving, then you can. Ultimately common sense is required. If you are not taking any strong painkillers and feel safe to get behind a wheel and believe you will be able to cope in a traffic emergency, then you are fine to drive.

Thank you for your question.  Recovery from a breast augmentation is not the long, drawn-out recovery that it used to be and I find that while pain and discomfort are highly subjective, that many patients are anxious to get back into their normal daily activities within a couple of days.  As far as driving is concerned, as long as patients are not taking any pain medication and are feeling well, local drives for the purposes of running errands, picking up the kids and getting to and from should be fine once you are a few days post-op.  With that said, I would check with your operating surgeon for his or her instructions first, since they are most familiar with your specific case.  Should you get the all clear to begin driving, I would recommend that you take it slow and be careful and remember that you cannot drive for 24 hours following anesthesia and you cannot drive if you have taken any narcotic (pain) medication.  I wish you the best of luck on your recovery.

Thank you for your question.As long as you are not taking any pain medication you should be fine to drive. Take it slow and be careful. Check with your surgeon for his/her instructions first. Best of luck !

Patients are eager to return to their normal routine as
soon as possible following breast augmentation. The vast majority of patients
are able to resume driving in 5 to 7 days following this procedure. At this
time, the majority of patients are no longer taking narcotics for pain relief.
When patients are still taking narcotics, resumption of driving should be
delayed. It’s important to discuss this issue with your plastic surgeon because
protocols vary from surgeon to surgeon.

A week should give you enough time to recover enough before you start driving again. Just make sure you don't strain yourself when opening or closing the car door. 

IF you are essentially off pain medications and at least 24 hours after general anesthesia, I do not see any contra-indications to driving.

You really need to ask your surgeon this question.  For my patients, I recommend driving only after they are completely off of all narcotic pain medications and once they are comfortable moving their arms.  I would feel horrible if they were involved in some type of accident simply because they were either mildly sedated or could not appropriately respond to a change in the cars or driving environment around them.

Again, ask your surgeon.  He/she will greatly appreciate it!

I hope that helps!