When deciding to have breast augmentation surgery, women have common questions for both procedures, whether you are looking to enhance your breasts or reduce them. A big concern for women is when they can get back to their normal everyday lives and when they can drive again.
Having realistic expectations for what recovery will look like will help you to rearrange your life and not be shocked by the recovery process.
The reality is you are having surgery, and you will need to rest and recover.
Driving is not something you can do right away, but you will drive again. However, planning ahead of time will make surgery day and the days that follow go much smoother.
The smoother your recovery is, the better your body will heal.
This article outlines what to expect when it comes to driving after your breast augmentation surgery and what to expect in the following days and weeks.
How long after breast augmentation can you drive?
It is recommended that you wait 1 – 2 weeks after your surgery before driving again. As long as you take pain meds, it is not advisable to drive.
Pain meds can slow down your reaction time when driving. You may also feel discomfort when driving. While making turns or checking your mirrors, you may still be sore from the surgery.
It is best to wait for the pain to pass and wait until you no longer need pain meds. Then, when you start driving again, it is good to have another driver with you in case you get tired or sore from the movements required during driving.
This is usually a time frame of 1 – 2 weeks.
Can you drive the day after breast augmentation?
No, you cant drive right after the surgery. You will be put under general anesthesia for the surgery. When you wake up, you may feel a little hungover, you will be wobbly on your feet, and you may even feel a bit “out of it” for quite some time after.
It is not recommended or even allowed by the hospital for you to drive yourself. Having a loved one pick you up at the hospital is necessary and not negotiable. Most hospitals don’t even allow their patients to take taxis home. They want to be sure you are going to get home and go inside safely with someone familiar to you.
Five important things to consider for driving after breast augmentation
- You must have someone you know drive you home from your surgery. It would be ideal if this person could stay with you for a day or two to help you out. At the very least, make sure you get into your house safely.
- You cannot take a taxi; you must be driven by someone you know and someone who will ensure you make it safely into your home.
- The driver must be careful when driving you home. Your wounds are delicate and are vulnerable to jarring movements—no speeding and trying to avoid bumps or stopping abruptly.
- The first two weeks after surgery, your activities are limited, from lifting over 10 pounds to even driving.
- After 2-4 weeks at your doctor’s discretion, you may be able to start driving again.
What to expect after breast reduction surgery?
You can expect to feel sore after having a breast reduction surgery, and you may feel some pulling or stretching in your breast. You may need to take pain meds regularly for the first week or two, but the pain will subside as the days go on, and you will regain your strength and energy with time.
You may find the first few weeks that you feel low energy and tire out easily. This is normal; your body is redirecting your energy to healing.
Your stitches are generally removed around 5-10 days.
Your breast may feel firmer and look rounder than you expected, and this is normal and is another thing that will improve with time.
How to care for yourself at home after breast reduction surgery
- Rest as much as you can; your body heals while you sleep.
- No lifting anything over 10 pounds until you have a go-ahead from your doctor. Generally, around the 2 – 3 week mark.
- Invest in a special bra to wear after the surgery to help your breast stay supported and the incision stays covered and secure.
- Try to walk a little each day—no need to speed walk. A leisurely pace will help your circulation, prevent blood clots, constipation, and pneumonia.
When should you call for help?
- If you have persistent pain that doesn’t get better with pain meds or gets more intense as the days go on.
- Your stitches are loose, your incision opens or starts bleeding.
- You have signs of infection such as increased pain, and the area is warm to the touch, swelling, drainage that isn’t normal, fever, and chills.
- Signs of a blood clot such as pain in your calf, back of the thigh, knee, or groin, and redness in your groin or leg.
Conclusion
Having a solid plan in place and being prepared for the first few days after surgery will make your recovery go much smoother.
Having a loved one pick you up from the hospital to drive you home and, ideally, staying with you to help you out for a few days is a good plan. The easier you can make, those first few weeks will make recovering a lot easier than if you weren’t prepared. Make sure you let yourself rest and recover. There’s no point in pushing your recovery and creating problems from doing too much too soon.
You will drive again, just not for a couple of weeks after breast augmentation surgery.
