Maximizing Recovery: How to Plan Time Off Work for Your Plastic Surgery

For any surgery, you’ll need time to recover. The same applies to cosmetic and plastic surgery. However, unlike non-elective surgeries, employers aren’t required to provide paid time off for you to recover. That said, you don’t want to rush recovery just to jump back to work. Instead, think of your plastic surgery strategically. If you prepare beforehand and research properly, you’ll likely be back on your feet quickly with little conflict with your employer.

Read on to learn more about the considerations you should take when planning time off for surgery.

Recovery Time for the Most Common Plastic Surgeries

Before you schedule any surgery, research the procedure and standard recovery time. When you plan enough beforehand, you can reduce your risk of complications and taking more time off as a result. Let’s look at some of the most common plastic surgeries and what to expect during recovery.

Breast Implants

Breast implant surgery is a surgical procedure that involves inserting implants behind the breast tissue or chest muscle. This procedure takes as little as one to two hours, but it does involve anesthesia, so you’ll need someone to drive you home and care for you afterward as you recover from the after-effects.

Your full recovery time may range from one to two weeks before you can work and several months before your implants fully settle. In the initial days after surgery, expect swelling, slight discomfort, and bruising. Your surgeon will often provide pain medication and antibiotics to manage these side effects and the risks of infection. Before you start an exercise routine or return to the gym, ask your surgeon what activities you are cleared for. Taking a few simple precautions may help you avoid unnecessary complications from torn stitches or implant malposition.

Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat in the abdominal area to provide a firm and flatter appearance. Most commonly, people use this surgery after losing a lot of weight or after pregnancy. You’ll need to allocate two to four weeks for recovery. During this time, you may experience swelling and bruising. Avoid physically demanding activities, especially lifting heavy items or bending over. If you rush your recovery, you may actually increase your recovery time, and in extreme cases you could experience more discomfort, excessive bleeding, and torn stitching in the abdomen. It’s best to give yourself plenty of time to recover and follow your surgeon’s recommendations.

Body Lift

A body lift, or body contouring, is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin in multiple body areas, such as the abdomen, buttocks, and thighs. Like a tummy tuck, people seeking body lifts often recently lost significant weight, causing loose skin. You will need two to four weeks to recover before returning to work, during which you may experience side effects such as swelling, bruising, and slight discomfort. Your surgeon will likely provide compression garments, pain medication, and antibiotics to manage these symptoms and prevent infection.

Mommy Makeover

A mommy makeover is a combination of procedures for women who may have experienced dramatic changes from pregnancy, such as sagging breasts, lingering fat, and excess skin around their abdomen. The procedures to correct these effects include a tummy tuck, breast augmentation, and liposuction.

Each procedure has its own recovery time, especially if you plan each one separately. However, you can choose whether to perform all of the procedures at once or separately based on your personal preference and schedule. Together, it may take two weeks before you can return to normal activities like work, but it may be best to plan out more, as it can take months for swelling to subside and show your final results.

You’ll experience swelling, bruising, and slight tenderness in the affected areas during this time. Watch out for complications like signs of infection or torn stitches and if you experience more pain than pain medication can handle.

Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation is the procedure of changing the size and shape of breasts with the use of implants or a fat transfer. Recovery time ranges from one to a few weeks; however, it may take over a month to heal fully. To prevent swelling and any more pain, your surgeon will provide a supportive surgical bra, pain medication, and antibiotics. However, if you don’t rush your recovery, you’ll unlikely experience further complications.

Breast Reduction

As opposed to breast augmentation, breast reduction surgery aims to remove volume from the breasts for a trimmer appearance and lighter feel. As a result, you’ll experience less pain in your back, neck, and shoulders. To benefit from these effects, expect to recover for a few weeks before returning to work. During recovery, you’ll experience swelling, slight tenderness in your breasts, and bruising. Like other surgeries, your surgeon will prescribe pain medications and antibiotics and may provide a surgical supportive bra to protect the affected area.

Breast Lift

A breast lift is a surgery that corrects any sagging or abnormal shape by removing excess skin and tightening the existing breast tissue. It’s best to plan to take a couple of weeks off from work, but your experience may vary. During that time, use a surgical supportive bra and pain medication provided by your surgeon, and avoid any exacerbating exercise.

Liposuction

Liposuction is suctioning out fat cells to provide a more contoured appearance and encourage weight loss. Afterward, you’ll receive a compression garment to avoid swelling and bruising, but you may still expect some in the following weeks. Take about one week off of work, but if you have a labor-intensive job, you may have to take more time off as your body heals. If you rush this process, you may experience infection, irregular contours, scarring, and delayed healing.

You can avoid this by taking it easy and following your surgeon’s advice when returning to normal activities.

Can You Get Time Off for Elective Surgeries in Maryland?

The answer to this question may vary depending on what surgery you’re planning and what you’re planning it for. Your employer is required to provide a medical leave of absence for any surgery that aims to address a “disability” or an “impairment” under the Americans with Disability Act (ADA). However, cosmetic surgeries do not fall under this classification, so your employer may deny your request initially.

So how do you get time off for an elective surgery?

• Present your case to your employer: Sometimes, your employer will allow you to take time off work if you explain your reasons for surgery and why it may be advantageous for them to do so. For example, the surgery will improve your mental well-being, making you more productive at work when you return.
• Work from home: If your profession allows you to work from home, you can offer it as a compromise to your employer as you recover.
• Accrue sick leave and PTO: Perhaps the easiest thing to do is just use your PTO or sick leave. You can plan your surgery around your sick leave and paid time off. Avoid taking time off for a typical vacation and instead use it for your surgery recovery.

No matter what, be honest. If you try to lie to your employer about your time off, you’re more likely to run into conflict with them later.

Planning Time Off Work for Surgery

After you inform your employer, you’ll need to prepare in other ways as well. For example, if your employer only allows you to take time off if you utilize sick time or PTO, you’ll need to save time for your surgery, which may take more than a couple of months, depending on your work time off policy.

You may have to use the unpaid time off if you don’t have enough time to save your PTO or sick leave. In this circumstance, you’ll need to budget for your surgery and any funds you’ll miss out on during recovery.

Regardless, you must inform your clients, customers, and colleagues who might also be affected by your recovery time. For clients and customers, direct them to other colleagues or managers who might be able to help. For your colleagues, ask permission if they’ll be able to cover for you first and how you might be able to compensate for their help.

Tips for a Smooth Recovery for Plastic Surgery

Most importantly, focus on your recovery. The more you plan for a smooth recovery, the less likely you’ll have to take unplanned time off work. Consider the following tips:

• Set up a recovery space: Prepare a comfortable and accessible recovery area at home before your surgery. Remove essentials like pillows, blankets, water, snacks, medication, books, and a TV within an easy-to-reach area.
• Follow post-operative care instructions: Each surgery has its own instructions to promote healing. Often, you’ll need to wear compressive garments, take prescriptions regularly, and care for incision sites with proper wound care etiquette to avoid further complications.
• Maintain a healthy diet: Eating a balanced diet full of vitamins A and C and protein will give you more energy and boost your immune system as your body recovers.
• Safely exercise: Based on your surgeons’ recommendations, light exercise like exercise can reduce your risk of developing a blood clot. However, it’s best to ease into light exercise to avoid any kind of tearing or infection.
• Go to follow-up appointments: These appointments are essential, as your surgeon will examine your progress, look for any signs of complications, and provide recommendations for better recovery.

There’s no better help in planning time off than a helpful surgeon. At Sarah Mess MD, we understand that planning your surgery and recovery time is a careful and strategic process. Our Baltimore surgical team will work with you to schedule your surgery around your work and provide immediate assistance for any questions or concerns you have. Call us today to start a thorough consultation in our Maryland location or utilize our virtual consult option.

FAQs About Planning Time Off for Plastic Surgery

How Much Time Off Work Do I Need for Breast Implants?

Typically, you will need about 1 to 2 weeks off work for breast implants. However, if your job is physically demanding, you might need up to 4 weeks. Always consult with your surgeon for personalized advice.

Can I Work from Home During My Recovery from a Tummy Tuck?

Yes, many patients can work from home after a tummy tuck. It’s important to avoid strenuous activities and ensure your work setup is comfortable. Generally, patients can resume light activities within 1 to 2 weeks.

When Will I Be Ready to Return to Work After Surgery?

Signs you’re ready to return to work include reduced swelling, manageable pain, and the ability to perform daily tasks without significant discomfort. Always follow your surgeon’s advice for a safe return.

How Do I Manage Pain While Recovering from a Body Lift?

Prescribed medications, staying hydrated, and following post-operative care instructions can help manage pain. Ice packs and getting enough sleep can also help alleviate discomfort.

Are There Any Specific Tips for Recovering from a Mommy Makeover?

To expedite your recovery time, arrange for help for childcare and household tasks, keep a balanced diet, stay hydrated, and follow all post-operative instructions. Gradually increasing activity levels can also aid recovery.

How Soon Can I Drive After Breast Augmentation?

Most patients can drive again about 1 to 2 weeks after breast augmentation once they are no longer taking narcotic pain medications and can comfortably perform all driving movements. Always consult with your surgeon before resuming driving.

What Should I Avoid Doing During Recovery from Liposuction?

Avoid strenuous activities, heavy lifting, and high-impact exercises for at least 4 to 6 weeks. Also, avoid soaking in baths or pools until your surgeon confirms it’s safe. Wearing compression garments as instructed is crucial for a smooth recovery.