Recovery · 12 timelines
Day-by-day plastic surgery recovery timelines
Day-by-day recovery timelines for 12 plastic surgery procedures. Return-to-work, exercise restrictions, when to call your surgeon, all in one place.
Return to work: Day 7-10
Rhinoplasty recovery
Rhinoplasty recovery is highly visual - significant bruising and swelling in the first 2 weeks, ongoing subtle changes for 12-18 months. This is the day-by-day guide for what to expect and when to cal…
See timeline →
Return to work: Day 4-5
Breast augmentation recovery
Breast augmentation recovery is one of the more predictable plastic surgery recoveries - most patients return to desk work at 5-7 days and full activity at 6-8 weeks. The "drop and fluff" phase (week …
See timeline →
Return to work: Week 2
Tummy tuck recovery
Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) recovery is one of the more demanding plastic surgery recoveries - bent-forward posture for 2 weeks, drains for 3-7 days, compression garment for 6 weeks. Most patients ret…
See timeline →
Return to work: Day 7-10
Facelift recovery
Facelift recovery is visible (bruising and swelling around face and neck for 2-3 weeks) but not particularly painful. Most patients return to public-facing work at 3-4 weeks. Final result settles at 6…
See timeline →
Return to work: Day 5-7
Breast reduction recovery
Breast reduction recovery is comparable to augmentation but with less chest tightness (tissue is being removed not stretched). Most patients return to desk work at 7-10 days and full activity at 6-8 w…
See timeline →
Return to work: Day 4-5
Breast lift recovery
Mastopexy recovery is comparable to breast reduction but typically lower pain (no tissue removed). Most return to desk work at 5-7 days, full activity at 6-8 weeks.…
See timeline →
Return to work: Week 1-2
Brazilian butt lift (BBL) recovery
BBL recovery is unusual: avoidance of direct pressure on the buttocks for 2-4 weeks is essential to fat survival, and compression garment on liposuction donor sites is worn for 6 weeks. Most patients …
See timeline →
Return to work: Day 3-5
Liposuction recovery
Liposuction recovery is comparable to abdominoplasty for swelling and compression-garment regime, but with much less pain and faster return to activity. Most patients return to desk work at 5-7 days.…
See timeline →
Return to work: Day 5-7
Blepharoplasty (eyelid) recovery
Eyelid surgery recovery is visual (bruising and swelling around eyes for 2 weeks) but generally low pain. Most patients return to desk work at 7-10 days, public-facing at 14 days.…
See timeline →
Return to work: Day 7-10
Otoplasty (ear) recovery
Otoplasty recovery is straightforward - bulky head bandage for a week, headband at night for 4-6 weeks. School or work resumes at 1-2 weeks.…
See timeline →
Return to work: Day 3-5
Gynaecomastia surgery recovery
Male breast reduction surgery recovery is comparable to liposuction with compression-vest regime. Most return to desk work at 5-7 days, gym at 6-8 weeks.…
See timeline →
Return to work: Week 2-3
Mummy makeover recovery
Mummy makeover (combined breast + abdominoplasty) recovery is the most demanding plastic surgery recovery - it combines the demands of abdominoplasty with breast surgery. Plan for substantial home sup…
See timeline →