The length of time it takes to recuperate after body contouring and plastic surgery will vary depending on the plastic surgery procedure performed and your specific pre-operative health. Most patients require assistance for the first two days following plastic surgery, and most care for themselves after that. A few patients may still require further assistance if they are caring for small children. The specific lengths of disability are outlined by procedure below.

Eyelid Surgery: Patients typically can get around independently by the second day. With the use of sunglasses, they may feel comfortable going to outside by day three or four, and with makeup could return to work in about five or seven days.

Facelift Surgery: Facelift patients usually can get around independently by the second day. They usually don’t feel comfortable going out in public for five to seven days after the facelift. In many cases, facelift patients require 10-14 days before returning to work if employed in the public eye.

Breast Surgery: Patients usually can get around independently by the second day and many may return to work in about a week if they are not required to lift more than 15 pounds.

Liposuction: Patients usually can get around independently by the second day and perhaps earlier depending on the number of areas treated. Many patients return to work and normal activities in five to seven days.

Abdominoplasty: Body contouring plastic surgery patients may take between two to four days before getting around independently. The recovery is almost identical to C-section. Patients can return to a desk job at five to seven days, while other jobs may require 10-14 days.