You’ve been considering plastic surgery, but aren’t really sure what to expect. In order to make the most informed decision, at Northeastern Plastic Surgery we are breaking down the timelines for plastic surgery recovery.
Recovery Time: What to Expect
No procedure is the same, so plastic surgery recovery time varies depending on what you decide to have and other factors like age, weight, and overall health. However, a good rule of thumb is to know that you need at least two weeks for your body’s natural energy and vitality to be restored after being surgically manipulated. From thereon, it might take more or less time to see the results you went in.
During your consultation with your plastic surgeon, you will discuss these details and learn what your specific recovery time will be. The timelines expressed in this article should serve as a guide, helping you enter your doctor’s office equipped with the information necessary to make the most pertinent questions and take control of your decision.
In every case, it is important that you line up help for the day of your surgery and the day after or two. You will likely be prescribed pain medication and your mobility will be limited.
You should also follow your doctor’s advice and indications for your recovery.
The 8 Most Common Plastic Surgery Recovery Times:
Liposuction
- Liposuction is usually an outpatient procedure, so you might be able to return to work after a few days and feel like yourself after two weeks of surgery.
- It is normal to feel bloated after surgery, it is because your body is retaining water and swelling from the procedure. This will dissipate within the first week.
- To see full results, you should wait up to six weeks, in which it is recommended you avoid strenuous physical activity.
Learn more about liposuction here.
Tummy Tuck
- Tummy tuck patients can expect to return to work (if they work a desk job) after 7 to 10 days.
- For exercise and more demanding activities, you should wait from 4 to 6 weeks.
- After three months after surgery, you should be enjoying the maximum results, which can be permanent provided you follow an exercise routine and maintain a healthy diet.
Learn more about tummy tucks here.
BBL
- After your Brazilian Butt Lift, you should have someone drive you home, as you will be wearing a compression band to help reduce bleeding and therefore have limited mobility.
- To assist your healing and help maintain your new shape, your provider might indicate a diet high on protein.
- You should be prepared to feel discomfort and some pain for the first few days, which you can manage with OTC pain medication.
- Your provider will indicate not sitting or lying down on your butt for at least two weeks. To maximize your efforts and comfort, you should sleep on your stomach or sides.
- For some weeks, you’ll need to sit on a special pillow to evenly distribute the pressure. This period might last up to 8 weeks.
- You should avoid high-demanding exercise for at least a month.
- Full plastic surgery recovery time for your BBL should be around 2 to 3 months.
Learn more about the BBL here.
Mommy Makeover
The mommy makeover is a personalized compendium of procedures, therefore recovery time will vary depending on the surgeries included. This said, most women prepare to take two weeks away from work to rest and recover.
- During the first two weeks, you can expect swelling, bruising, and tenderness. It is ideal to have some help during the first few days to fully rest.
- Normally, you will be able to go back to your usual routine around three months after the procedures.
- As time goes by, results will become more and more apparent.
- However, it can take six months to a year to see the full outcome.
Learn more about the mommy makeover here.
Rhinoplasty
- During the first 3 weeks post-op:
- you will wear a plastic protector for the first 4-6 days.
- swelling and bruising will subside gradually.
- After 1-2 months, most patients look very good and there is little evidence of a procedure.
- At the 3-month mark, 90% of the healing has taken place and the results are very noticeable.
- Rhinoplasty usually heals completely after 6 months. However, it can take up to a year to see the refined results, as the body continues to mature and improve.
Learn more about rhinoplasty here.
Plastic Surgery Recovery: Breast Augmentation
- It usually takes about 6-8 weeks to fully recover from breast augmentation surgery.
- Normally, you will go home on the same day and can expect to get plenty of rest the first 48 hours.
- You will feel most uncomfortable during the first week post-op. While you manage pain with OTC medication, it is advisable that you walk lightly around the house to help blood flow.
- Most people return to work (if it’s an office job) after two weeks. Between 3 and 6 weeks after your surgery, you will gradually return to your normal activities.
Other Breast Surgeries: Breast Lift & Breast Reduction
Breast lift and breast reduction procedures follow a very similar recovery timeline as the breast augmentation surgery. Always consult with your provider, who will inform you of what to expect based on your particular profile.
Learn more about breast procedures here.
Facelift
- Although it might take a few months to see the final result, plastic surgery recovery time for facelifts is much shorter.
- You should enlist the help of relatives or friends who can drive you home and help you out on the day of.
- On the second day, your surgeon will change the bandages and assess swelling and bruising, which will likely worsen by day 4 and start to subside in the following weeks.
- By the end of week 2, most people feel ready to return to work and do light activities, like walking.
- By the fourth week, you should see results and go back to activities without having visible signs of the procedure.
- Your contours will continue to refine as time goes by, so you will continue to see improvements for up to a year.
Learn more about getting a facelift here.
Otoplasty
- Full recovery from otoplasty usually takes about six weeks to complete.
- During the first week, you must keep your head elevated to keep inflammation down.
- After the bandages are removed a few days after surgery, you must wear a protective band while sleeping for a few weeks.
- When the swelling and pain subside, the incision starts looking less red, and the ears look more symmetrical, you will know that your recovery is going well.
Learn more about otoplasty here.
Considering Plastic Surgery?
Dr. Joseph Fodero and the staff at Northeastern Plastic Surgery are happy to answer questions and guide your journey to a version of yourself that you will fall in love with—inside and out. Book a consultation by calling (973) 295-6565 or sending a message online.