When can I return to working in the restaurant industry after breast augmentation?

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.

Every plastic surgeon has a specific protocol regarding going back to work after surgery.  This should be clearly explained to you prior to surgery.  Call your plastic surgeon's office to clarify.  Because you are a supervisor, if you are no longer taking any narcotic pain medication or muscle relaxers and have a driver you should be able to go to work within a few days after surgery.  If your job requires any strenuous activity or heavy lifting then you should wait 3-4 weeks.
William L. Reno III, MD

AFTER BREAST AUGMENTATION SURGERY
Rest: After surgery you will be groggy from the anesthesia. We recommend going home and resting or sleeping on your back by propping yourself up with several pillows.
Food: Once you feel up to eating, start with bland items such as toast or crackers or even a smoothie. Test your stomach to make sure you do not feel nauseous when you eat. Try to maintain a healthy well-balanced diet to improve your recovery process. Be sure to eat fiber rich foods, because the medications you are taking can cause constipation.
Medication: Be sure to begin taking all mediations as prescribed. Initial discomfort of the breasts is controlled with pain medication and a muscle relaxer.
Showering: You may shower three (3) days after surgery.
Dressings: These will vary from patient to patient. Some patients may be placed in a sports bra; others will wear a stabilizing elastic support strap. Your doctor will decide after surgery and in subsequent weeks, what is necessary for your needs.
Sutures: Most sutures dissolve on their own within a few weeks.
Walking: Once the anesthesia has worn off, begin walking around the house periodically throughout the day. This will help minimize swelling and bruising and help with the healing process. You do not want to lay in bed for days and days without some mild activity.
Driving: You can usually drive a few days following surgery, if you feel comfortable doing so. Your chest may be sore and your arms may be limited in movement, so take this into consideration before you get behind the wheel of a car. You cannot be under the influence of pain medication or muscle relaxers when you drive.
Work – Most patients can return to work in a few days, unless their occupation requires particularly strenuous movements and lifting. In such a case, up to 6 weeks off may be required depending on the physical demands of your job. Some employers will modify a person’s job duties so they can back sooner, but without physical activity. Our office can provide you with a note stating you are not to engage in strenuous activity for a specified period of time. The note will note disclose what procedure you underwent.
Breast Appearance – The final appearance, shape, and movement are not exactly the same as normal breasts. The surgically enlarged breasts do not move in the same way as normal breasts. They tend to be firmer. The contours are usually somewhat different than normal breasts. In some patients these discrepancies may be rather noticeable. Although every effort is made to place the implants symmetrically, complete symmetry is rarely achieved. Immediately after surgery, the breasts are swollen and firmer. The final shape and size is approximated after 2 to 3 months, but up to one year may be required for the end result.
Massage – Your doctor may require you to move or massage the implants within the breast pockets during the postoperative period. Textured implants do not require breast massage. You will be informed about this at your post-operative visit.
Physical Activity/Exercise: Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activity for six weeks. You may, however, do normal activities at any time if they cause no pain or discomfort. Let your body tell you what you can or cannot do. Aerobic exercise will raise your blood pressure, which could cause late bleeding and harm your result. Once you begin exercising again, start gently and let your body tell you what it can tolerate. Don’t rush!! It may require the full 6 weeks before you can do any upper body work-outs, yoga, etc.
Exposure to Sunlight: Scars can take at least one year to fade. During this time, you must protect them from the sun. Even through a bathing suit, a good deal of sunlight can reach the skin and cause damage. Wear a sunscreen with a Skin Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 30 at all times when in the sun. Be extremely careful if areas of your breast skin have reduced sensitivity.

Thank you very much for your question and
congratulations on your upcoming breast augmentation. Most women are feeling
good enough to return to work within the first week after their surgery.
However, this will depend on your healing progression and how physically strenuous
your job is. From your description, it sounds like your job as a fast food
manager will not put undue strain on your breasts. Every physician has their
own recovery protocol, though, so I recommend bringing your question to your
operating surgeon for their advice. Carefully follow his/her instructions for a
safe and satisfying breast augmentation recovery.

2 days is most likely too soon to go back to work. Since you’ll probably be on your feet all day long, I suggest waiting at least 5 days to be on the safe side. However, this is a question you should ask your operating surgeon. They’ll be able to make a more informed decision, since they’ll be more familiar with your situation.

Resuming managing a fast food restaurant 2 days after surgery may be feasible for a few patients and a few (truly non-lifting) management positions. But not everyone will be able to adhere to this aggressive a goal, no matter how motivated the patient, skilled the surgeon, and how minimal the job.Consider that you shouldn't drive or operate machinery (like slicer or deep fryer) while on narcotic pain meds--you could be an insurance liability, not to mention the personal risks. Consider that not everyone has a "perfect" recovery. Consider that for every patient on the "no sweat" side of the bell-shaped curve there is an identical one on the "OMG, this hurts" other side of the curve! Everyone thinks they will be on the good side, but the "other side" has an identical number of slightly lower fliers! This could be you.I have been doing this surgery for 30 years now, and have taken care of thousands of patients that follow both sides of what I just said in the previous paragraph. I also personally managed a fast food restaurant for 7 years of high school and college before medical school, so I really know the work you do, and to be truthful, you often have to substitute for that missing cook, server, or other essential personnel when someone calls in sick. (How about unloading the truck when supplies come in?) Then (since you are the "working sick") what are you going to do?I only tell you this so you don't set up unreasonable expectations and find yourself in a bind, with those around you asking "WTF were you thinking?" I perform really precise dissection, meticulous hemostasis, use a Keller Funnel, Betadine irrigation, Exparel injections, marcaine with epi in the pockets, and also IV Decadron, oral anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxant medications pre- and post-op, so my patients usually do quite well. There ARE some that perhaps could go dancing the day after surgery. [BTW, I do NOT call my operation the super-duper overnight flash 24-hour no-recovery-necessary breast augmentation. Gee, maybe I should trademark that name! But no, it's all marketing BS! Everyone has to heal, and it does take time.] Basically, the answer, as you really know, is dependent on your surgeon's attention to detail with the surgery, and your attention to detail after the surgery, plus a host of indeterminate factors and imponderables! Don't mess-up your overall results with a "too-quick" return to work. Take a few more days and be on the safe side. Best wishes! Dr. Tholen

This is something you should check with your surgeon about. For my patients as long as there is no heavy lifting, they can usually return to work after 1 week. Good luck.

Thank you for your question.  Post operative instructions do vary from one plastic surgeon to another.  That being said, my advice is not to lift anything greater than 15 pounds for one month post breast augmentation.  Two days recovery, even with a light duty occupation, may be aggressive.  Best to consult with your board certified plastic surgeon to determine what is safe for your circumstances.  Good luck.

Every surgeon has a different timeframe that they use for healing, return to work, exercise, etc.  Best to discuss this with your board-certified plastic surgeon.  However, in general, most patients can return to work 3-4 days afterwards as long as they are not doing manual labor.  It is ok to use your arms after surgery, but most patients need a few days to get back into the normal routine.  I hope this helps.

Thank you for your question.   You will get different answers as every surgeon will have their own protocol on returning to work.  The biggest concerns I have are strenuous activity or lifting that might cause bleeding and a return to the OR.  Also, you have to be careful about driving when taking any sedating medications.   You might be able to return at 2-3 days, but likely will be tired and sore as the day goes on.  Perhaps you can start with a few half-days and then return full time by day 5-7.  Best to discuss with your surgeon.  Safety is the most important thing to consider, so if there is any doubt, err on the longer side.  Regards.