Breast Implant Recovery Time

Updated on October 03, 2012
O.M. asks from Minneapolis, MN
7 answers

Hello Mamas,

I have scheduled a date for breast augmentation surgery and would like your advice please. My schedule is kind of crazy these days for work, also combined with my husband having to do some travel for work, and after the holidays we are moving overseas, throw in both of our kids birthdays, the holidays and the doctor’s schedule and basically I didn’t have hardly any dates to pick from to get this done. In the end the only date that was close to feasible was a Friday. At this point with work stuff, I think I am only going to be able to take off the Monday following the surgery. Am I completely crazy thinking that I will be able to go back to work on Tuesday with surgery being done at noon on Friday?? I work a desk job so the work itself is not strenuous. Please tell me about your experiences with pain and mobility and when you went back to work. Am I going to be able to wash and blow dry my hair and dress myself OK? I know I won’t be able to lift, just not sure about arm mobility/raising my arms up. I will be getting my implants under the muscle with an inframammary/crease incision.

Also any tips for dealing with my kids? They are just turning 2 and 5. My husband will obviously help where he can, but after the first week I’ll need to do some daycare drop off/pick up duty and am a bit worried about getting my daughter into her car seat. She is capable of doing it by herself, but isn’t always willing so sometimes I have to wrangle her in. Also, I’m thinking of staying at a friend’s house the night of and day after my surgery so my kids are tempted to climb on my and so I can just get some rest. By the evening of the second day do you think it would be fine to be home? I don’t want my kids to see me in any pain or be doped out on pain meds, not sure how long until I’d be back to somewhat functioning.

Any advice or words of wisdom are appreciated!!

1 mom found this helpful

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.R.

answers from Seattle on

Since we don't know your surgeon(s) and their choices of implants and how much augmentation, you should discuss your work plans with the nursing staff. They will be able to tell you the most about recovery from your surgeons techniques.

I had a breast reduction which was a 5 hour major surgery and it took me 8 weeks to recover.

2 moms found this helpful

T.S.

answers from San Francisco on

Honestly, I don't think that's enough time.
I haven't had the procedure, but I have known a few who have, and the first few days were HELL for them. They needed a few days just to recover from THAT, even with all the pain meds :(
I think surgery is like remodeling, whatever time frame your doctor/contractor gives you? Double it.
Good luck, I hope it all works out (and it always does, doesn't it?)

S.R.

answers from Johnson City on

Hi! I had breast augmentation when my son was 2 years-old. I couldn't lift him for a month, per doctor's orders, so I hired someone to stay at home with the two of us--just to get him in and out of his crib, etc. (You pick up your child a lot more than you realize at that age.) You will be on pain meds, but the anesthetic made me violently ill for at least two days after. You will be in bed and out of commission for those days obviously. You will need someone there to care for your kids. Keep in mind--this is surgery and all surgery is serious and potentially life threatening. Perhaps have the surgery at a time when your life is less hectic.Buy a nice padded bra until then.Good luck to you!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.R.

answers from El Paso on

If I didn't know better, I'd say you were a friend of mine. :) I believe she had hers done in a situation like yours, except I believe she had the procedure done on a Thursday, then went back to work Monday. I don't know how easy it was for her (I haven't talked to her since she had the procedure done), but she is a urological surgical PA, and she had almost NO sick time left, so she had next to no choice about going back to work so soon. Do I think you'll be in some discomfort? Probably. How much, I have no idea.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.S.

answers from Minneapolis on

Yeah,I'd wait until your life will be less…eventful... lol. You will be on pain meds for the first at least 3-5 days. Even with that-lifting,packing picking up kids-no no. I had mine done long time ago, I went to work in 3 days(I'm a hairstylist) and it was hard to work lifting hands for awile.My friend had it done a month ago and her doctor specificly told her-no lifting,working out for 6 full weeks.The reason for this-s that your implants can move before they heel properly and you end up with uneven breasts.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.T.

answers from Dallas on

Yeah, you're being unrealistic! I had mine done about 2 years ago... keep in mind that days 3 and 4 are usually the worst after any surgery, you may get a little over confident the first day or two. You really need to allow more time to recover.

R.H.

answers from Houston on

I would hire someone to pick up and transport the babies. You should not pick up any heavy lifting for a while. Go a half cup size larger than you plan, as they will look smaller after a while once you are used to them. Good luck! Go girl!

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions