When you’re considering plastic surgery, it’s important to factor recovery times into your plans. Recovery times can vary depending on overall health and procedure, and some patients may take longer to be back to 100% while others may require less time.

Some Factors When Considering Recovery Time Include:

Average duration of post-surgery pain medication for pain or discomfort.
Average time to return to work for basic, low-impact work that doesn’t require routine use of the affected area. Note: that all return-to-work timelines are shortened by several days when working remotely or when patients have the opportunity to rest, control their pace of work or take breaks.
Average time to return to normal activities, without restriction.
While recovery can look different for each person, average ballpark recovery times with these factors in mind are available below to give you a general sense of what you can expect.

Arm Lift

The goal of an arm lift is to smooth, tighten and tone the upper arm by removing excess skin and fat.

Average duration of post-surgery medication: 3-5 days
Average time to return to work: 1 week
Average time to return to normal activities: 6 weeks

Body Contouring

Body contouring is usually done for patients who have undergone significant or extreme weight loss. The procedure removes excess skin and fat and tightens the body’s supportive tissues for a more contoured, more proportionate, smoother and sleeker figure. Total recovery timelines depend on how extensive the contouring procedures are.

Average duration of post-surgery medication: 7 days
Average time to return to work: 1 week if Tummy Tuck or Body Lift; 2 weeks if Liposuction w/o removal of skin
Average time to return to normal activities: 6 weeks

Bra Line Back Lift

A bra line back lift improves the appearance of bulging fat rolls or sagging, loose skin around the upper and middle back, or the bra line. This is often combined with liposuction for maximum results.

Average duration of post-surgery medication: 3-5 days
Average time to return to work: 1 week
Average time to return to normal activities: 6 weeks

Brazilian Butt Lift

Brazilian butt lifts are intended to enhance the shape, size and contour of the buttocks. This can involve augmentation via fat graft or silicone buttock implants to enhance the size and shape of the butt. A simple buttock lift improves the tone and contour of the butt with no augmentation.

Average duration of post-surgery medication: 3 days
Average time to return to work: 1 week
Average time to return to normal activities: 6 weeks

Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation involves using silicone implants or natural fat grafts to enhance the breasts’ size, shape, fullness, projection, contour, and cleavage. (Read our detailed Breast Implant Recovery Guide & Timeline.)

Average duration of post-surgery medication: 1–3 days
Average time to return to work: 1 week
Average time to return to normal activities: 6 weeks

Breast Augmentation with Lift

This is a popular procedure that combines implants with lifting and tightening existing breast tissue to maximize the results of your boob job.

Average duration of post-surgery medication: 1–3 days
Average time to return to work: 1 week
Average time to return to normal activities: 6 weeks

Breast Lift

A breast lift gives the breasts a more youthful, perky appearance by removing excess, sagging skin and tightening and reshaping the natural breast tissue to create perkier, more youthful breasts.

Average duration of post-surgery medication: 1–3 days
Average time to return to work: 1 week
Average time to return to normal activities: 6 weeks

Breast Reduction

Breast reduction is often done to achieve a more proportionate figure or alleviate physical pain caused by the weight of the breasts. Surgeons remove excess breast fat, tissue and skin to achieve a more aesthetic and comfortable breast size.

Average duration of post-surgery medication: 1–3 days
Average time to return to work: 1 week
Average time to return to normal activities: 6 weeks

Breast Revision

Breast revision is done for patients who wish to have their implants changed, reshaped or repositioned. This can be done concurrently with a breast lift. If done with a breast lift, recovery may take slightly longer.

Average duration of post-surgery medication: 1–3 days
Average time to return to work: 1 week
Average time to return to normal activities: 6 weeks

Browlift

This is also known as a forehead lift. It reduces wrinkles, smooths frown lines and lifts the eyebrows to a more youthful position.

Average duration of post-surgery medication: 3-5 days
Average time to return to work: 2 weeks
Average time to return to normal activities: 6 weeks

Eyelid Lift (Blepharoplasty)

This surgery may be done on the upper or lower lids to give the eyes a younger, more alert and contoured appearance. It may also be done to improve functional vision problems.

Average duration of post-surgery medication: 1-2 days
Average time to return to work: 1 week
Average time to return to normal activities: 6 weeks

Facelift

Facelifts are popular for reversing visible signs of aging, such as drooping features or prominent wrinkles in the face and neck. Facelifts can remove excess skin and fat around the face and neck and eliminate sagging, jowls and wrinkles, tightening facial contours for a more youthful appearance. Facelift recovery times vary. Factors like health, age, and extensive surgery affect the recovery timeline.

Average duration of post-surgery medication: 3-5 days (Could be less, but varies based on comfort level with amount of initial swelling, bruising). 1-2 days
Average time to return to work: 1 week
Average time to return to normal activities: 6 weeks

Labiaplasty

Labiaplasty reduces the size of the labia minora or inner labia. This may be done for cosmetic reasons or to reduce discomfort in adult women.

Average duration of post-surgery medication: 3-5 days
Average time to return to work: 1 week
Average time to return to normal activities: 6 weeks

Liposuction

Liposuction targets and removes small of stubborn pockets of fat that are resistant to diet and exercise to slim, tone and reshape specific “problem spots” like the tummy, obliques, upper arms and thighs, with the goal of creating a slimmer, sleeker figure. Learn more about Liposuction recovery here.

Average duration of post-surgery medication: 1-3 days
Average time to return to work: 1 week
Average time to return to normal activities: 6 weeks

Lower Body Lift

During lower body lift surgery, your plastic surgeon will remove excess skin, tissue and fat in your lower abdomen, thighs, buttocks and flanks to tighten, smooth and contour your figure.

Average duration of post-surgery medication: 1 week
Average time to return to work: 2 weeks
Average time to return to normal activities: 6 weeks

Male Breast Surgery (Gynecomastia Correction)

This surgery removes excess fat, skin and breast tissue in men.

Average duration of post-surgery medication: 1-3 days
Average time to return to work: 1 week
Average time to return to normal activities: 6 weeks

Medial Thigh Lift

This procedure smooths and tightens the inner thighs.

Average duration of post-surgery medication: 1 week
Average time to return to work: 2 weeks
Average time to return to normal activities: 6 weeks

Mommy Makeover

Mommy makeovers can involve lipo, tummy tucks, breast augmentation and lift, vaginal rejuvenation and buttock lift. Recovery will depend on which combination of procedures is performed,

Average duration of post-surgery medication: 1 week
Average time to return to work: 2 weeks
Average time to return to normal activities: 6 weeks

Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty)

This is usually called a “nose job.” Rhinoplasty alters the shape, size and contour of your nose for a more symmetrical, balanced and proportionate appearance by modifying the existing bones and cartilage.

Average duration of post-surgery medication: 1-3 days
Average time to return to work: 1 -2 weeks depending on comfort level
Average time to return to normal activities: 6 weeks

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

Tummy tucks remove excess fat and skin from the abdomen while tightening and restoring stretched and weakened underlying core muscles for a smoother, firmer belly.

Average duration of post-surgery medication: 1 week
Average time to return to work: 2 weeks
Average time to return to normal activities: 6 weeks

A Little Planning Can Pay Off

Plastic surgery can have transformative, lifelong benefits. Speaking with a board-certified plastic surgeon for a personalized consultation can help you determine the best timing for your plastic surgery procedure. With a little planning and foresight, you can time your plastic surgery, so they are convenient for your schedule. Following your surgeon’s post-op instructions closely thereafter is crucial for a quick, complete recovery and excellent results.