Can you recover from a breast augmentation alone?

Question

I'm getting breast augmentation in 3 weeks and the person I had asked to help me to recover backed out. Everyone else is busy for the holidays. Anyway, I have someone for the day of surgery. Can I recover day 2 and beyond on my own? I should mention that I have 2 dogs I have to walk..... And also am getting erbium laser on my face 3 days post-op.

Lane Smith, MD · Answer

Recovery from surgery is a very important and fragile issue.  Most people have options of having loved ones or close friends available to them for this time of need.. There are just as many who do not.  The biggest concern the first 24 hours is being a fall risk and also post operative anesthesia issues. 99100 everyone and everything is fine and there are no issues but its that one time or that one possibility that forces our decisions in having someone available to you.  There are many options believe it or not.  Most communities have unlicensed care takers that can come and stay with you for your immediate post op into the following days. You can hire them to be there for you as your needs see fit.  The cost is reasonable and in some cases is covered by insurance and there are several of these companies in every major city.  Look under home health options and you will come across one of these companies.  Ask your surgeon, he/she may have this information already for their more involved cases.  I wish you the best off luck and make the safest choice.  It is no doubt inconvenient to have surgery and schedule yours and other lives around healing, but scheduling a redo or an emergency hematoma removable is more inconvenient so make the right choice  initially so there are no issues on the back end.  Good Luck!Dr. Lane F Smith

Jaime S. Schwartz, MD, FACS · Answer

I appreciate your question.  
Typically, my guideline is, the first week is the hardest. By the second week you feel better, at four weeks you feel 100% and at six weeks you can go back to complete normal routines and exercising.  
Four days after surgery, I would be careful as you are still at risk for bleeding. If you are taking any pain medication, I would not drink alcohol.  With my 'Schwartz Rapid Recuperation' recovery, most of my patients are out to dinner the following evening.
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 plastic surgery. 
  
Best of luck! 
    
Dr. Schwartz 
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon 
#RealSelf100Surgeon 
#RealSelfCORESurgeon

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

Everyone is different in their recovery needs.  I insist that my patients have a responsible adult with them for the first twenty four hours after having this type of surgery.  After the first day, different people require varying degrees of assistance.

Gary Lawton, MD, FACS · Answer

After the first day you should be fine to take care of the little things. You won't need someone by your side all of the time.  You may not walk your dogs however.  I think you will need some help, but not constant supervision.

George Volpe, MD · Answer

Recovery alone on postoperative day 2 is not always the wisest decision. Anesthesia medications have not fully dissipated, most likely one would be taking pain medication, and that could affect judgment. Strenuous activity could affect your surgery including bleeding. Chasing a dog that has gotten off a leash could cause problems. You would be assuming some risk should you do that. It is always wise to have someone who can give you a hand when you need it. It is also possible to hire an aide which can help.

Josh Olson, MD · Answer

You should be ok. Have someone stay with you the first night after surgery but after that just have your refrigerator stocked and take it easy. Most of my patients are off narcotics after 3 days so make sure you avoid driving while on any pain medication or muscle relaxants. If the dogs are little that would be fine and great to get out and go for a walk anyway but if they are larger then have a neighbor walk the dogs. Good luck!

Robert Heck, MD, FACS · Answer

You will need someone with you for 24 hours after surgery, after that, you can recover alone as long as you are taking it easy.  You will need someone to walk your dogs to avoid any pulling motion.  You cannot drive if you are taking pain medication or muscle relaxers.  I would definitely mention this to your plastic surgeon in case they have any concerns with you being alone.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

You should not require any specific help after the day of the operation. You should not drive however until you can do so safely. I think I would put your dogs in the kennel for a few days.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Although it is likely that you will be okay on your own after day 1-2, I think that you will be better off continuing to look for additional help. You will certainly want to “take it easy” when it comes to care of your dogs. Remember, that it will be also be important to have help for driving back to your follow-up appointments as well. Best wishes.

Mark D. Wigod, MD · Answer

Most surgeons would agree that all patients should have someone stay with them the night after surgery.  For activity of daily living afterwards, that totally depends on what you have to do and what your pain threshold is.  Minimal activity with care to avoid lifting is always best.  If you are taking pain medication, you cannot drive.

Can you recover from a breast augmentation alone?

Answers (14)

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