Like all surgical procedures, breast reduction requires downtime for rest and recovery. Most people who are interested in any cosmetic surgery want to know how long they will need to be absent from work, social activities, exercise routines, and other aspects of their daily lives. When you meet with Dr. Charles Chalekson in a one-on-one consultation, he’ll describe all aspects of the process with you, including what to expect on the surgical day, the weeks leading up to it, and the weeks following.
Each person has a slightly different recovery experience because each of us is unique, with individual physical responses to surgery. That being said, there are some general recovery timelines you can expect:
- Plan to rest the first full day. You’ll get home from surgery and rest. You should walk around periodically to promote blood circulation. Don’t plan to be doing anything out of the house the next day. Simply relax, watch movies, listen to audiobooks, catch up on emails, etc. Remember to also get up and walk around that next day.
- Plan to take 1-2 weeks off from work. Returning to work will depend on the nature of your job. Manual labor with heavy lifting will need to be postponed the longest, while your chest heals. Computer-based work in which you’re mostly seated and typing are generally the easiest to return to, especially if you work from home. Retail, restaurant industry work, and other jobs that require you to be on your feet for most of the day may tire you out while you heal.
- No heavy lifting for 6 weeks. This would include things like weight lifting, bench pressing, lifting groceries, lifting a small child, moving furniture, etc.
- No strenuous exercise for 6 weeks. Running/jogging, swimming, and other intensive physical activity will need to be postponed for about 6 weeks while everything heals. Talk to Dr. Chalekson about your specific exercise routines and favorite activities so he can provide a custom timeline.
We will provide complete aftercare instructions, including tips for diet, bathing, incision care, and more. We provide complete and straightforward information so that our patients can enjoy a successful recovery and get back to normal as soon as possible.
START YOUR JOURNEY TO A MORE COMFORTABLE BREAST SIZE
If you are interested in breast reduction and live in Templeton, CA, or the surrounding areas, experienced plastic surgeon Dr. Charles Chalekson will help you make the final determination. To learn more about your candidacy and what you can expect from breast reduction, please call us to arrange a consultation.
