Recovery
What Is Breast Augmentation Recovery Like?
Breast augmentation recovery varies, and adding a breast lift can extend the early healing period. Returning to a desk job and resuming exercise are separate milestones.
In this episode.
Current practice protocol — October 10, 2026
This written update describes Dr. Smith’s current instructions; the audio and transcript below remain the original June 28, 2020 recording.
For conventional augmentation without a breast lift, whether the implants are under or over the muscle, the usual milestones are work at about 48 hours, light lower-body and core exercise at two weeks, light upper-body exercise at four weeks, and a gradual return to full exercise, including running and heavy lower-body, upper-body and core workouts, from six weeks with clearance.
After Preservé without a breast lift, the usual milestones are work the next day, light lower-body exercise at one week, light upper-body and core exercise at two weeks, unrestricted lower-body exercise at two weeks, and unrestricted upper-body and core exercise at four weeks.
After a breast lift, with or without implants and regardless of the implant technique, the usual milestones are work at about five days, light lower-body and core exercise at two weeks, light upper-body exercise at four weeks, and a gradual return to full exercise from six weeks with clearance.
Dr. Smith adjusts these instructions to your situation and how quickly you are recovering. If other procedures are also performed, your recovery plan reflects the complete operation. Use the Recovery Planner and see the current breast augmentation recovery guide for the detailed timeline. Returning to work is separate from exercise clearance and completed healing.
Episode summary
Breast augmentation recovery varies, and adding a breast lift can extend the early healing period. Returning to a desk job and resuming exercise are separate milestones.
In this short June 28, 2020 episode of Plastic Surgery: Before and After, board-certified New York City plastic surgeon Darren M. Smith, MD describes early recovery examples from his practice.
Key takeaways
💼 Work and leave
The discussion focuses on early time away from desk work.
🗓️ Exercise and recovery
Dr. Smith describes soreness and a period of exercise restriction.
🧩 Combined procedures
He allows more recovery time when a breast lift is combined with augmentation because more tissue is involved.
Questions this episode answers
Does everyone return to work after 48 hours?
No. The recording's short return-to-work example is a historical practice observation, not a guarantee. Your procedure, recovery and job duties determine the appropriate plan.
Does returning to work mean I can exercise?
No. The episode treats those decisions separately. Obtain your surgeon's current clearance for exercise, especially upper-body activity.
🔗 Related information
Explore breast augmentation recovery information, breast lift information, or request a consultation with Dr. Smith in New York City.
Originally released June 28, 2020. Show notes updated September 30, 2026. This is general education. Current recommendations, suitability, risks and expected results require an individual assessment.
Original show notes
While breast augmentation can have a dramatic impact on your life, the recovery is much more manageable than you might expect. Board certified NYC plastic surgeon Dr. Darren Smith gives you the details here.
Read the conversation.
[00:08] I'm board certified New York City plastic surgeon, Dr. Darren Smith, and this is plastic surgery before and after. Your source for the real deal about plastic surgery procedures, news about trends in aesthetic medicine, and candid sessions with industry insiders. We hope you enjoy today's episode. Breast augmentation or the placement of breast implants is one of the most common procedures that we perform in our New York City based plastic surgery practice. We are very often asked what kind of recovery to expect after this procedure and The answer is often very pleasantly surprising This is the kind of procedure that often does not require more than 48 hours off of work. So a very popular scenario in our practice is that patients will have this procedure on a Friday and they can expect to be back at their desk job on Monday. Now they will have a little bit of soreness, but it's something that's usually very easily managed with Tylenol by about 48 hours or sooner after the procedure. We do ask our patients to refrain from any exercise, especially upper body work for at least two weeks after the procedure.
[01:21] If a breast lift is performed at the same time as the breast augmentation, there is a slightly longer wait before we like our patients to get back to work. We do generally advise that patients take five to seven days off of work for a standard desk job after having a breast lift simply because there is more tissue manipulation and this does require a bit longer to heal completely. Thanks for listening, and don't forget to subscribe, share the show, and head over to DarrenSmithMD.com for more real-world plastic surgery talk.
Sources and context.
Original Captivate episode. Original release date: 2020-06-28. The recording is the source for the transcript and episode discussion. Later context in the written summary is identified separately.
Behind the conversation.
Darren M. Smith, MD, FACS