Plastic Surgery Recovery Times

In today’s world, plastic surgery has become very popular among women and men of all ages. The question, however, on everyone’s mind always seems to be about recovery and the overall length of time it will take to be completely back to their daily routines after the surgery. Recovery times can vary depending on which procedure you elect to undergo, and how well you follow post-operative care instructions. Below are the most common cosmetic procedures and their recovery times explained. 

Liposuction Recovery Time

Liposuction is a common type of cosmetic surgery that breaks up and suctions fat cells from various parts of the body. Most liposuction procedures target the excess fat surrounding the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, chin, neck, arms, calves, or back. Liposuction can help you look and feel healthier by removing stubborn fat that does not respond to typical changes in diet or exercise.

Recovery

Recovery time depends on the total amount of fat removed during the procedure as well as office or hospital-specific requirements. The patient may leave the surgical center within a few hours after surgery or may be required to spend the night for observation. The doctor will likely insert a drainage tube to drain excess fluids away from the wound, and any incision where the canula was inserted may leak or drain fluid for several days. The patient will typically be required to wear compression garments for up to three weeks in order to keep the skin compressed for optimal healing. Post-operative instructions may also include certain physical restrictions as well as antibiotics.

Buttock Augmentation Recovery Time

Every buttock augmentation is unique to each patient and recovery times may vary. Typically, you can expect the recovery to occur within 2-3 weeks. However, having surgery on any part of the buttock requires a delicate recovery. This is because there is so much pressure on the skin around the buttocks that it can cause the skin to pull tightly then separate and tear the stitches preventing adequate healing. This area is prone to both separation and infection. You should monitor your wounds frequently throughout recovery.

To prevent tearing you can do a couple of things: 

• Wear the support garments provided by your doctor. This garment should be worn at all times until instructed to discontinue by your doctor. 
• Avoid any work or activities that are strenuous (even if you are wearing a support garment. 
• You should not attempt to do any heavy lifting or quick/prolonged movements.

To prevent infection, your doctor will provide you with instructions on cleansing the area these may include:

• It is important to change any bandages as instructed to prevent infection. 
• Keep the area clean and dry. 
• Take ALL medications as prescribed until instructed to discontinue by your doctor.
• It is important to follow ALL instructions given to you by your physician to facilitate a speedy recovery. 

Most patients are released to their home after a day in the recovery unit. Patients will be evaluated by their doctor a week after surgery. It is important you do not skip your follow up or reschedule it. The doctor will check the integrity of the skin while checking for signs of infection. Your doctor needs to see how you are healing and make recommendations based on the findings.  

Breast Augmentation Recovery Time

Breast augmentation is a surgical enhancement of the breasts. This procedure can effectively change the size, form, and physical feel of your breasts. Breast augmentation is an outpatient procedure performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation. 

What to Expect During Recovery

The patient may feel fatigued and have sore or tender breasts for the first few days following the procedure. At this point, rest is the best medicine. The patient should not feel alarmed if her breathing is slightly restricted; this is normal given the procedure and will improve over the next few weeks. As the patient rests, they are to maintain an upright or semi-upright position in order to maximize comfort and minimize swelling. Mild pain medication may be prescribed for the first few days after surgery. 

The patient may experience tightness in the breast areas as the skin adjusts to the new breast size and implants. It is common to notice a slight numbness or diminished sensation in the breasts and nipples during immediate recovery. The surgeon may recommend massaging the skin around the breasts or practicing breast exercises in order to speed up recovery and help with discomfort.

Some surgeons will require that the patient wear a compression bandage or a jogging bra for positioning and extra support. The patient may also be asked to wear a well-fitted sports bra for 24 hours a day for up to three months following the breast augmentation. Always refer to your doctor’s instructions throughout recovery. 

The patient may return to work a few days following the procedure, but soreness is common for weeks following surgery. If the patient experiences painful twinges or general discomfort, over-the-counter pain medications are recommended. It is crucial for the patients not to over-exert themselves and halt the recovery process. The patient should also avoid strenuous activity that will raise blood pressure and increase heart rate. Specifically, exercises that require significant use of the arms and chest should be avoided until instructed otherwise.

The patient’s breasts may remain swollen and sensitive to physical contact for a month or even longer following surgery. You will receive advice about keeping the incision sites out of direct sunlight for approximately one year because the skin in these areas is particularly sensitive to sunlight and can easily burn.

Breast Reduction Recovery Time

Women who have very large breasts tend to be disproportionate can experience neck pain, back pain, or other such discomforts. The large breast may become disproportionate over time. A breast reduction surgery can correct the proportions and relieve the patient of previous discomforts. This surgery is also termed as reduction mammoplasty. Hereby, some tissue and skin from the breasts are removed so that your breasts are reduced in size and are also reshaped for a better profile. 

Breast reduction surgery is a safe and common procedure. However, it is a major surgery indeed and it will require some time and the appropriate care to recover effectively. 

Recovering from a Breast Reduction Surgery

Soon after the surgery is done, your breasts can appear swollen and lump-like. Your breasts will feel tender for a few days and slowly ease off. After a few weeks, the final shape of your breasts will become apparent. In this surgery, your entire breast tissue becomes disrupted so it needs considerable time (almost 6 months) for your breasts to fully heal and the swelling to subside completely.

Initial Stage after the Surgery

Initially, once the surgery is complete, you will need to wear the bandages on your breast for several hours per instructions. You will notice plastic tubes attached to them so that blood and fluids can be drained away from the wounds easily. The tubes will be removed after a couple of days and once they are removed you will be released to go home. Moreover, you will also be experiencing a certain level of discomfort, soreness, and pain. Your doctor will prescribe you pain medication to help you through this stage of recovery (typically the first week). 

You need to remember that recovery from this breast reduction surgery isn’t going to be a piece of cake. It is going to take up to six months to see your breast fully healed. Therefore, we have plotted out a timeline to help you during this recovery period.

The First Couple of Weeks

You will most likely experience swelling and tenderness in your breasts during the first couple of weeks, but this will eventually subside with time. During these weeks, you can apply a moisturizer onto your breasts to keep them from drying and consequently itching. However, avoid applying it onto the incision sites, as this leads to infection.

The patient has to wear bandages on her breasts in the initial two to three days following the surgery. A surgical bra with gauze can also be used in favor of an elastic bandage. The bandage and dressings will be removed after the first couple of days following the surgery but the surgical bra must be worn for the remaining recovery period. After these two weeks, the surgeon will remove any stitches.

Although it is possible for you to return to your work/job after almost two weeks, you need to avoid ALL strenuous physical activity or lifting any heavy objects.

During this time period, the patient should also refrain from any sexual activity. The reason behind this mandatory abstinence is because sexual arousal can cause the incision sites to inflame which leads to further complications.

The First Couple of Months

You should handle your breasts gently for approximately 4 to 6 weeks after surgery. Moreover, patients need to be aware of the fact that their breasts may become very tender and undergo swelling in their very first menstrual period following the breast reduction surgery. During these periods of menstruation, some women have also complained of breakthrough pain.

After surgery, you might come across altered feelings regarding your breasts. These altered sensations may include numbness for some and hypersensitivity for others. These sensations can at times become permanent side effects of breast reduction surgery. Always speak with your physician if you have any concerns. 

Seeking Medical Advice

The recovery period of every individual varies. Therefore, seek medical advice to ensure when the right time for you to return to your work and resume the normal activities of your daily routine is. Depending upon the intricacies of your situation and the progress rate of your recovery, the doctor can also guide you about the appropriate time to start driving, start exercising etc.

Time Required for the Reduction of Scars

YOU HAVE TO EXPECT A CERTAIN DEGREE OF SCARS AFTER THE BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY. While you will not be able to get rid of the scarring completely there are methods to diminishing the appearance significantly. In the first few weeks, these scars will appear red and lumpy, however, they will begin to fade after some time, and in a matter of a few months, they will be reduced to white, thin lines with the right care. 

However, you aren’t totally free from responsibility, Women who smoke a lot might observe their scars become wider over time instead of fading. Patients also have to be very particular about their post-operative care and monitor the incision sites diligently. This close care will help prevent the spread of infection. Taking care of these incisions and taking proper measures to prevent infections will not only speed up the healing process but will also reduce the appearance of scars over time.

Each patient heals differently and the worst thing you can do is rush the recovery. Take care of yourself and allow your body to follow its natural healing rhythm. 

Butt Lift Recovery Time 

A butt lift is a form of cosmetic surgery in which the saggy skin of your buttock is tightened. It gives your butt a more defined and well-toned profile. Just like facelifts, body lifts, and in particular, a buttock lift is a complicated procedure and you need to be really careful not only before the surgery but after it as well if you want to avoid complications and end up with successful results.

A buttock lift has quickly become a popular aesthetic procedure. However, the patient is prone to feel some discomfort following the surgery. Although the level of this discomfort can be controlled with the help of medications prescribed by your doctor, proper post-operative care is essential to facilitate healing.

Recovery

After the surgery, you will most likely experience a bit of swelling. This is to be expected. This swelling will typically subside in a couple of weeks. Of course, this time depends upon the extent of your surgery as well as your natural healing process. Typically, you can resume day-to-day activities within a few weeks. Always ask your doctor first before starting any physical activities that involve heavy lifting or straining.

Wearing Compression Garments During the Recovery Period:

To ensure proper healing after a butt lift procedure, you are required to wear a compression garment throughout the entire recovery period. 

Wearing compression garments during the recovery period provides necessary support to your back as well as prevents agitation in your buttocks.

Strenuous activities are to be avoided in the first couple of weeks following the surgery so that the newly grafted cells are not disturbed.

Below is a timeline of what you can expect during recovery after a butt lift procedure.

1st and 2nd Weeks

For the first couple of weeks, you should avoid sitting for longer than a few minutes so that direct pressure does not irritate your butt muscles. You should only sit when it is utterly necessary and cannot be avoided. Even then, place a cushion underneath your buttocks in order to avoid putting a lot of pressure on them.

Also, when lying down you will need to position yourself in such a way that you are either on your sides or your stomach. This is done so that your posterior doesn’t experience excessive pressure and/or become strained. 

However, you should begin walking as soon as possible to avoid the probability of developing blood clots. Remember to take light walks and avoid fast-paced walking.

It is of vital importance that you maintain a balance between rest and activities throughout this recovery, so the newly grafted fat cells have a chance to stabilize themselves and thus survive.

In addition, care should be taken to avoid subjecting your surgical incisions to any abrasion, force, and excessive motion during the recovery period.

3rd Week

Typically, patients return to their jobs after three weeks. Even then, it is highly recommended that you use a soft cushion to sit on. Again, it is very important to take it easy and avoid straining the butt muscles.

Light exercises and cardiovascular activities can be resumed at this time. However, doctors recommend that you go for weight-training exercises instead of fat-burning activities during this period, to avoid excessive movement.

4th and 5th Weeks

During these weeks, the patients should continue using a soft cushion to sit on, particularly if you are sitting for prolonged periods. In this week, you may begin other exercises that are slightly more intensive per your doctor’s instructions. 

6th, 7th, and 8th Weeks

This is the time when your recovery is ending and you can function like your pre-operative self.

By this time, your fat cells would most likely have stabilized themselves and you can now begin more vigorous activities than before. Playing outdoor sports such as soccer and football is usually permitted after these weeks.

Follow your surgeon’s instructions and have a safe and swift butt lift recovery.

Breast Lift Recovery Time 

What to Expect

After the surgery, you will definitely be experiencing a certain level of discomfort, swelling, soreness, and pain. The amount of pain experienced by patients varies from case to case, however, generally, it is quite tolerable with mild pain medications. 

You can wear a compression bra to help reduce the swelling, which in turn will reduce overall pain.

A cold compress can be used to help subside swelling as well. You can place the iced compress onto your swollen and tender breasts for approximately 15 minutes. Afterward, take a break for almost 40 minutes and then repeat this process again. However, this cold compress should never be placed directly onto the skin; instead, it should be wrapped in a cloth or towel.

Doctors recommend you sleep at an inclined angle following the breast reduction surgery for at least a couple of days. This will help reduce overall swelling by improving circulation.

However, you need to remember that it will take quite a few weeks, for the swelling to subside completely.

Since the surgery requires a few incision patterns, residual scarring is to be expected. You can discuss the incision options with your surgeon before the surgery to ensure the best results.

Immediately after the surgery, the incision scars will appear red and prominent but this will gradually fade away with time. However, they will never disappear completely during the initial recovery period. 

To improve the appearance of scarring over time, here are a few recommended measures you can take. 

• Avoid smoking tobacco products
• Avoid tanning and excessive sun exposure to the area
• Ensure Proper Nutrition 
• Apply a scar reducing serum (must be approved by a doctor first)

It is important that you give up all strenuous activities for at least a couple of weeks. The best results from breast lift surgeries are only obtained if you give your body ample time to heal.

Gradually as you recover, you can ease back into your routines and resume your daily activities as normal.

Here is a timeline to help you get an idea of what your recovery will look like:

First Week

First Week is all about taking it slow and easy. However, as you begin to start feeling better you can begin some light activity such as a short, light walk. You can freely move your arms and shoulders but be aware of what your body’s limits are. Do not overexert yourself. Doing so may result in deformities and/or injury to the breasts.

Second, Third, and Fourth Week

After a couple of weeks, you will feel significantly better and will most likely be able to resume more of your chores and activities. You can also find your way back to the gym but only do what your body can take without stressing your breast muscles or causing abrasion to your incision sites. It would be well if you stay away from high impact exercise during this period of recovery.

Fifth and Sixth Week

Generally, the healing period is complete after six weeks. It is at this time that the numbness in your breast skin and nipples will begin to disappear and normal sensations will begin to return. At this point in recovery, you can resume your routines as normal. However, ease into these activities and listen to your body. You should still avoid lifting heavy objects above your head. At this time, your doctor will advise you to wear a supportive bra at all times, to ensure everything stays in one place. 

The Recovery Process

You might always think of your recovery as a ‘period’; but actually, it is much more of a ‘process’; While, you may think the procedure for breast lift surgery is the only thing to overcome, both pre-operative and post-operative care is equally extensive. 

A couple of factors will determine the total time of your recovery process. First, whether your breast lift was a standalone procedure or not. For example, if you are getting breast implants and augmentation along with the breast lift then it is very likely that your recovery process will take longer than a breast lift procedure on its own. Also, following the instructions for pre-operative care and post-operative care diligently including the care of your incisions determine how well your recovery process will go.

Rhinoplasty Recovery Time 

Rhinoplasty is a form of plastic surgery in which the external structure of the nose is altered. 

The patient is subjected to this particular form of plastic surgery has their nasal contours enhanced on a permanent basis. This is made possible when the nasal cartilage and nasal bone are worked upon and re-shaped by a skilled surgeon. 

What to Expect After the Surgery

Rhinoplasty often requires general anesthesia or at times semi-conscious anesthesia. Patients typically experience mild pain after the procedure and are able to control this pain with over the counter pain medications.

After surgery, the nose is splinted and bandaged to protect the area for up to a week. These bandages are removed at your follow up appointment when the time comes. Your doctor will also go over all post-operative care instructions. It is important that you follow these instructions diligently to avoid extending your recovery process. 

The recovery time for this facial surgery is around a week up to a month. For lengthier more challenging rhinoplasty procedures it can take longer than a month to be fully recovered and ready to resume all normal activities. 

Each person’s expectations and the results of rhinoplasty may vary from case to case, depending upon how each nose alteration is executed individually. Various rhinoplasty techniques used during the surgery have a role in determining overall downtime. These considerations are listed below:

• Was the rhinoplasty open or closed?

Open rhinoplasty– performed by making a small incision on the columella, the soft tissue that separates the nostrils. This technique allows for easy access to the underlying bone and cartilage structure. The open technique is best used when considering a revision rhinoplasty because the original structure of the nose has already been disturbed.

Closed rhinoplasty– performed by making all necessary incisions completely hidden within the nostrils. With no external incisions, the closed technique is less invasive and creates no visible scarring, at all.

• Was any tip work performed or not?

These refinements will essentially enhance your nasal proportions to achieve a more balanced appearance.

• Where the patient’s nasal bones broken or not?

This is a very precise and exact cutting of the bone in order to narrow it or straighten it in certain areas. The technical term for what most describe as “breaking the nose” is called an osteotomy.

Generally, it is observed that patients who have undergone open rhinoplasty have experienced prolonged swelling as compared to others who have been subjected to closed rhinoplasty. 

If osteotomies were performed, the nose had to be surgically broken and you can expect slightly prolonged bruising along with swelling during initial recovery. 

Generally, patients are advised to keep away from strenuous activities for a couple of weeks and only resume their full work routines after a month or when their physician has cleared them to resume. 

Ear Surgery Recovery Time

The ears are very sensitive, and something we use on a daily basis therefore recovery comes in stages. 

First immediately following surgery your hearing might be more intense or diminished due to bleeding in the eardrum. This fluid will subside after about a week. As recovery occurs, the ears will be quite sensitive to even the most normal and quiet of noises. In the first weeks, avoid any heavy lifting. The patient should not blow the nose or cough strenuously as well. Doing so could tear any stitches and cause further injury to the ear. Avoid getting water in the ears at all costs in the initial stages of recovery. Water can add to the already draining fluid and clog the ear completely, which will cause great discomfort. This could also interfere with the healing process. In some cases this can lead to infection and in severe cases can lead to a complete permanent loss of hearing.

A week of rest may be all that is required before returning to work if the patient’s occupation is sedentary. However, in cases where the patient is required to take on a heavy workload, they will require three weeks to be safe. Pain should be minor enough for over-the-counter pain medications but depending on the extent of the surgery a doctor might prescribe something stronger.

For twenty-four hours after surgery, the ears will be bandaged with a garment and the bandages should be kept clean and dry. The ear or ears may appear larger in size due to swelling. This is normal and is to be expected. Avoid water near the ears. If the doctor allows the hair to be washed they will give further detailed instructions on how to properly do it. 

After twenty-four to seventy-two hours the patient will need to wear a designated headband over the ear as much as possible. The swelling should begin to go down at this point. Most patients can return to work between three days and a week. However, this is on a case by case basis. It is good to remember that there could still be swelling and even your hairstyle can affect the amount of pain you might experience. 

After a week or so hearing should be returning to normal but might still be overpowering and in some cases, the patient may not be comfortable in social situations because of the noise volumes.

It is important to remember that swelling can continue for up to three months so you shouldn’t be alarmed if you still have some swelling during this time. Your doctor will let you know about the progress of your healing in your follow up appointments. 

Face Lift Surgery Recovery Time

For the first few days after surgery, the patient will remain bandaged and will want to keep their head elevated as much as possible. This surgery does cause some swelling as well as redness and keeping the head elevated helps reduce this effect. 

Because there is swelling the patient may experience some discomfort and will be prescribed pain medications to alleviate the discomfort. The patient should not move their face in strenuous ways such as changing facial expressions. Though it is good not to baby the area, they should not exercise the face until it is fully healed to prevent tearing of the skin. 

In some cases, a tube may be placed in or around the ear to collect any drainage. This will prevent blood clots from forming and the tube will be removed in the follow-up appointment. For the first few days, the patient will be instructed to avoid getting their face wet. The area should be kept dry to allow for proper healing. A follow-up appointment will be scheduled and should be kept and attended. In this appointment, the doctor will check for any abnormalities in the healing process. If all is well they will more than likely remove any tubes and bandages.

After the follow-up, the patient will still more than likely need pain medication and should continue to take as directed or as needed. 

Though the doctor may allow the face to be cleaned at this point in recovery, they will probably suggest avoiding hot air like hair driers away from the area. 

The full recovery is usually a little over a week and in that time the user may find it difficult to perform basic tasks such as cooking and cleaning. If the patient feels they cannot perform basic tasks, they should ask a friend or family member for help. Do not do more than you can handle to avoid complications during recovery.

The patient may return to work after about a week but should discuss this with their physician first.  

Recovery can take less time depending on the complexity of the procedure. For instance, an endoscopic facelift only requires a couple of days of healing time. 

Your doctor will let you know the estimated time of recovery for your specific case. During your recovery, it is important to follow all instructions and take any prescriptions diligently. Altering the healing process can lead to the risk of infection and increase overall healing time.