Return to activities after breast reduction

Background: Uncertainty exists in the medical literature about recommendations for return to work or driving after breast reduction surgery. Methods: A survey was sent to 138 plastic surgeons in the United Kingdom enquiring about their recommended timing of return to work or driving a car depending of level of activity. Data was evaluated with univariate ANOVA test and a p < 0.05 significance level. Results: Out of 73 surgeons who responded, 13% did not give any specific advice regards to return to work and 30% for return to driving. The remainder suggested to return to work and driving after about 19 days each. Conclusions: Based on this consensus of opinion of plastic surgeons with an interest in breast surgery it appears reasonable to suggest a recovery period of approximately 3 weeks subject to individual variations. Further evidence is needed to comment on the interaction of wound healing and pain and return to driving and work. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.