Taking time off from work after plastic surgery depends on the patient, the job and the procedure. Someone that works behind a desk does not need to take off as much time as someone that loads trucks or trains athletes. Similarly, someone that undergoes a combination tummy tuck-breast lift operation needs more time off than someone that has a brow lift.
Dr. Ronald Schuster consults with each of his Baltimore plastic surgery patients individually and provides personalized recommendations about how much time to take off work. However, since this is a commonly asked-about topic, he thought it would be helpful to provide some general information about taking time off work after plastic surgery.
Average Time Off for Popular Plastic Surgery Procedures
Most patients usually take between one and four weeks off from work to recover from surgery.
Breast Surgery Procedures
Breast augmentation: 1 week
Breast lift: 1 week
Breast reduction: 2 weeks
Male breast reduction: 2 days
Body Procedures
Tummy tuck: 2 to 3 weeks
Liposuction: A few days up to 1 week
Body lift: 3 to 4 weeks
Arm lift: 1 week
Facial Procedures
Facelift: 2 weeks
Brow lift: 1 to 2 weeks
Eyelid surgery: 1 week
Recovery Considerations
The aforementioned timelines are for sedentary desk jobs. If your occupation involves strenuous physical activity or heavy lifting, you need to take additional time off work.
While you may be ready to resume work after one to two weeks, post-operative symptoms may not be completely resolved. For example, while the majority of swelling should resolve within a few weeks, it can take several months for it to completely dissipate.
Also, it’s a good idea to schedule a few more days off work than you think you will need. That way, you don’t feel rushed to return to work and you have a nice cushion of time. If you decide to go back to work a few days early, you can surprise your colleagues.
Once you do return to work, take it easy for a few days. Schedule breaks whenever possible and ask for help if you need it. Don’t try to be Superman or Wonder Woman!
Contact Dr. Ronald Schuster
Dr. Schuster wants his patients to enjoy a speedy and safe recovery. He provides detailed recovery instructions as well as practical tips, and he is available to answer questions as needed.
For more information about recovering from plastic surgery, please call or email our practice today.
