When can I lift my arms after breast reduction surgery? It's important not to lift your arms or stretch or strain in any way right after your procedure. Limit your movements, and be gentle about the way you get up from lying down or being seated for about a week.
Each patient will receive instructions based on their particular circumstances including, the extent and type of surgery they had. As a rule, most surgeons caution breast reduction patients not to lift their arms up above their head until at least 10 days post-surgery.
In the first 1 to 2 weeks, you can use your arm normally up to shoulder height for light activities, such as face washing, hair brushing and eating. But avoid lifting your arm above the height of your shoulder. Don't lift anything heavy, but you can use your arm to lift a cup of tea.
Why can't I lift my arms after breast augmentation? Dr Doyle advises his patients to avoid lifting their arms above their head immediately after the surgery. It helps heal incisions faster and stops stretching of the internal structures. You can lift your arms above the head 4 weeks after the surgery.
Most people can resume moderate exercises six weeks after the surgery. Make sure to check in with Dr Turner. It is still advised to avoid exercising your chest muscles until your surgeon gives you a go. You can do all other exercises at this point.
However, your stretches will be limited for several weeks after your surgery. Too much strain — such as an overhead stretch — could damage the breast muscles and make another surgery necessary.
Simply put, sleeping on your back keeps your breasts in an optimal position for healing. We therefore recommend you keep this position for eight to 12 weeks post-surgery. Some online sources suggest four to six weeks are enough, but you will continue healing beyond this short window of time.
If you have muscle pain or tightness after your surgery, you may develop a movement pattern that is known as “protective posturing.” Protective posturing may cause muscles to tighten and shorten which may overtime cause pain in the arm, chest, neck and back. Changes can also occur after radiation therapy.
But if you exercise too fast and too soon, you could cause problems with your breast augmentation. The primary issue that can arise is using your chest muscles too soon before the healing process is completed. Doing strenuous exercise with your pectoral muscles could damage the implants or make extra scar tissue grow.
Lifting, straining, or exercising too soon after getting implants can be devastating for your recovery and results. Possible complications that can occur when you resume an exercise routine prematurely include: Severe or prolonged pain. Delayed healing.
For the first 6 weeks, you will need to wear either a post-surgical bra or other non-underwire bras at all times. Avoid bending over, reaching up or across your body, and do not lift anything that weighs more than 5 pounds.
Don't wear a bra that has an underwire while your incisions are healing. You'll get a prescription for pain medication to help manage your pain after surgery. Constipation (www.mskcc.org/pe/constipation). Don't lift, push, or pull objects heavier than 5 to 10 pounds (2.3 to 5.4 kilograms) for 6 weeks after surgery.
Fill a container with lukewarm water and gently clean your skin using a soft sponge or washcloth and a mild antibacterial soap. Remember to avoid shampooing your hair until the third day. Patients should also steer clear of jacuzzies, hot tubs, pools, or natural bodies of water for at least two weeks after surgery.
In gynecomastia surgeries or explant surgeries, not wearing compression garments as advised may result in excess skin being left over and associated sagging of skin around your breasts.
In general, the first week after surgery you will have moderate pain in your breasts and around the sides of your chest. Some people mainly feel sore. This pain should be easily controlled by the medications your doctor prescribed and should get a little better every day.
Week Three to Four
Within the next 2-4 weeks after the procedure, you'll observe that the swelling is decreasing. It can be helpful to take photos of your recovery process to monitor your swelling and healing process.
Do not lift anything that weighs more than 10 to 15 pounds (no more than a gallon of milk) until six weeks after the surgery. This includes babies, children and groceries. After six weeks, you may gradually begin to lift heavier items if it does not cause discomfort around your incision.
Patients should wait at least 1 – 2 weeks after breast augmentation before lifting their arms over their heads. You can, however, move your arms around periodically to prevent any stiffness. A good rule of thumb is to avoid any movement that causes discomfort or pain.
Often, patients compare the feeling of numbness after surgery to the feeling you experience when an arm or leg falls asleep. Sensation may return abruptly, or it could come back gradually. Many patients experience zapping and tingling sensations as the nerves heal and sensation returns.
During your first week after surgery, you will have more post-operative care instructions to follow, such as getting more rest and avoiding driving. You can expect your breasts to feel tight and swollen for about one week – many women compare this feeling to when their bodies start producing milk for breastfeeding.
What happens at 6 weeks post-op breast reduction? By the six week mark, your energy will return to normal. You will be able to do most of the activities around your house. Your stitches will likley dissolve and swelling will also go down significantly.
However, you should plan to wear your bra for around 6 weeks after surgery.
You'll feel a bit tired for first few days: the effects of anaesthesia, your body using energy for healing, plus a sleepless night before, or after surgery (hospitals can be noisy!) all combine to make tiredness after breast reduction surgery pretty common.
Swelling occurs in the body as the lymphatics have been surgically disrupted. However, it is important to remember that swelling is an important part of the recovery process and is essential for healing! The swollen areas actually contain white blood cells and proteins that are needed to heal the surgical area.