Medical student deciding when would be the best time to have a breast augmentation done?

I think it's wise to have your surgery after step 1 and before clinicals. Otherwise, the next opportunity will be in your 4th year just prior to residency. Good luck and rock step 1 so that you can increase your match results. 

After breast implant surgery, I advise the patients to
take one week off from work. At that point we take out their stitches and
teach them the implant massage technique. We suggest 5 times per day with
the massage and no bra for one month. The patients may return to work,
but may not engage in any strenuous activity. At one month, the patients
start to wear a soft cup bra with no underwire and can start low impact cardio.
At two months they can wear an underwire bra and engage in more strenuous
physical activity. Breast massage continues forever, although only once
per day. You have to fit your schedule into these restrictions.

If you have time during the summer between completing your classroom studies and beginning your clinical rotations, that could be an excellent opportunity to have the surgery. You should be moving well and feel reasonably active within a week or two of surgery, but heavy physical activities such as lifting or moving patients should be delayed for about 6 weeks. Good luck!

Most of my patients usually take narcotic pain meds for only a few days and then could return to sedentary type jobs.  So if you have down time available after step one or a vacation break that would likely be the best time to plan your surgery.  You will be able to quickly go back to sitting in a classroom but getting back to any clinical rotations where you could be required to lift patients would be safest after 3-4 weeks.  You also mentioned that you are active, so planning during a time when you are going to take a break from working out will also be ideal.  Usually no working out for at least 3-4 weeks after breast aug surgery. Good Luck on Step 1!

I appreciate your question.Heres the deal with life, it never gets any easier and theres never a great timeMedical school is the best time to do this since you still have some time off.After second year, your life is never your own until you retireYou will need about a week off to take it easy 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 and restorative breast surgery.best of luck!Dr Schwartz

As tough as it will be to find a time to do your breast augmentation during medical school, it will be even tougher during your internship!You should factor in not only the recovery before you are able to drive, etc., (typically a week) but the overall mental slowness that can occur after any surgical procedure is also a factor.That's not to say it can't be done, but those factors should be considered.   Right before a vacation usually works the best...  good luck in any event!

When u have 4-6 weeks to recover, you have the best healing and safest results. No heavy lifting for 4-6 weeks. Maybe summer break will work 

While each patient is different, some can go back to light work or school after 2-3 days.  I find that local infiltration at the incision site and an intercostal block reduces the need for intraoperative and postoperative narcotics, which speeds recovery greatly.  If you have a week off at some point, that might be a good time to consider surgery as that should be ample time to recover.Aloha,Shim Ching, MD

In general, I suggest that my patients wait 4 weeks before returning to vigorous exercise, which would include lifting, so it sounds as if you'd be ok. However, I would definitely suggest that you consult with a board certified plastic surgeon in your area who can examine you in person and give you a truly accurate answer.

Thank you for your question. Ensure you have approx 4 days of time when you can rest post op. You won't want to do any heavy lifting for approx. 6 weeks. Schedule a consultation with a board certificated plastic surgeon to discuss the after care schedule and your own schedule. All the best,