How Long After Breast Augmentation Can I Do Heavy Lifting?

Thank you for your question. You definitely want to follow your own
surgeon's post-op activity instructions. This is a general guide I give
to my patients as to the recovery after breast augmentation:Week 1) Discomfort and tightness
level progressively decreases with each day. Swelling decreases a great
deal after one week. Week
2) Unlikely to need any narcotic support except maybe at night.
Swelling and tightness continues to improve compared to week 1Weeks
3-6) May need tylenol or ibuprofen for intermittent discomfort.
Swelling completely resolved. Tightness may continue as the implants
over an additional few months into their final position. As far as activity, here is a safe guide:1) No heavy lifting or strenuous activity for 6 weeks (a gallon of milk as a guide).2) Resume walking at a leisurely pace right after surgery (e.g. 2 mph)3) At 2 weeks, you can walk 2 miles at 2mph4) At 3 weeks, you can walk 3 miles at 3mph5) At 4 weeks, you can walk 4 miles at 4mph6) At 5 weeks, you can jog 5 miles at 5mph7)
At 6 weeks, you can resume all activities, but listen to your body and
use discomfort or tightness as a guide so you don't over do it. Most people return to work in some capacity within a week if their work doesn't require strenuous activity.  In your case, I would wait a full six weeks due to the amount and frequency of lifting that is required.  Alternatively, you may want to ask for light duty (less than 10lbs) responsibility if that is possible.

Because your work probably involves carrying heavy things all day, you'll probably want to wait for at least 6 weeks before returning to work. However, please listen to your surgeon. They may have different advice.

In my practice, the first 2 weeks is the most critical time to not do anything strenuous with your upper body including lifting anything 15lbs or heavier.  Everyone is different so typically no heavy lifting or anything involving stress to your pectoral muscles for 4-6 weeks is recommended.  Listen to your body and you can gradually do more and more with your upper body movement but better safe than sorry because revisionary surgery is costly and you will need additional recovery time.  Talk with your surgeon and see what his/her recommendations are for your line of work.  

I suggest at least 4 to 6 weeks before returning to the strenuous type of work that you are describing. Of course, every patient is different and you will need to “listen to your body” and gradually increase your activity/lifting level. In the long term,  breast augmentation should not interfere with your type of work or strength.

Best wishes.

I recommend no heavy lifting or strenuous activity for 4 weeks.  After this time period, I clear patients to *gradually* resume activity as tolerated.  The key word is gradually.  Please talk to you PS about his recommendations.

Best wishes.

Dr. Basu

Houston, TX

Most surgeons will suggest a six week delay before any activities such as you describe at work. The basis for this is that the healing incisions achieve 90% of the strength they will achieve by six weeks. If there is light work (10 lb) going back in 3-7 days is reasonable. 

After recovery, you should be able to resume all your activities.

All the best.