What is the recovery time and is this procedure outpatient? How soon would I be able to return to work?
Standard breast reductions are routinely done as an outpatient. Recovery will vary by what your obligations of your job are. Most can return to work at a desk job after a few days if they are tolerating the discomfort well. If you have a physically demanding job, my patients are asked to wait for at least 3 weeks before returning to those kinds of jobs.
Breast reduction is a wonderful and life changing procedure! It is also major surgery and though it is outpatient surgery, you must allow sufficient recovery time. I would recommend two weeks off of work as a minimum. If your job is more physical you may require additional time. Patients do not have much pain but still need to take it easy to avoid risks of bleeding. Good luck!
Thank you for sharing your excellent question. For most patients a breast reduction is considered an outpatient procedure, and they can return to work within a week’s time. This will depend on the exact responsibilities needed at your job. Talk to your surgeon to get the best advice.
The recovery time to return to full activity is 2-3 weeks but you probably can return sooner than that. My patients are in a surgical bra at surgery and are showering within a week. Usually the pain is not that great and patients feel better that the weight has been removed.
Dr. Edward Jonas Domanskis is Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
Newport Beach, San Francisco,Miami, EU, Anguilla
Assistant Clinical Professor of SurgeryWOS-Plastic,University of California (Irvine)
Orange County’s Physician of Excellence/America’s Top Physicians/Top Doctors
Plastic Surgery- 2005-2018
President,American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons
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Breast reductions are most commonly done as an outpatient. Our patients are up and walking around the same day, shower the next day and can perform light activities. We have a very effective pain protocol so that postop pain is usually quite manageable. Patients can return to desk jobs within a few days, more physical jobs with lifting will take 2-3 weeks unless light duty can be done.