Do you have the luxury of asking for a holiday and not telling your employer when you’ll be returning to work? Who does?! That’s why patients visiting Dr Norris for a plastic surgery consult are given a timetable to let them know when they’ll be back in shape.

In Good Time: 4 Stages of Plastic Surgery Recovery

As we note frequently, the human body is an amazing self-healing mechanism. After you have surgery, every part of you will pull together to help bounce back as you go through these four stages of recovery:

Week 1 – Immediately Post-Op – Swelling, bruising, discomfort, and fatigue are common during this period. Swelling/bruising won’t peak until three or four days post operation, and odds are you’ll feel frisky enough to get up and move as early as one or two days after surgery. “Don’t overdo things, but don’t lay about either,” says Dr Norris.
Week 2 – Progress – Get ready for some big, beautiful changes. This is the period when your bruising and swelling will begin to fade. You should be able to resume low-key activities at home and at the office.
Week 3 – Advanced Progress – More good things are happening. At this juncture, your incisions will start to improve in appearance. They will be pink or light red, but can be covered by make up as they further heal.
Week 4 – End Game – After a month, it should be difficult for anyone to know that you’ve had work done.

Ultimately, it will take a full year for all the subtle, enhancing results of your surgery to be fully revealed. Enjoy them! They’ll be yours for up to a decade.

Recovery Clock for 3 Top Breast Enhancement Surgeries

Every aspect of a patient’s journey with Dr Norris is uniquely tailored to them. There is no “normal,” no “one size,” and no “off the rack” approach at Form and Face. “Each patient heals in her own time, depending on age, lifestyle choices like smoking, fitness level, and lots of other factors,” says Dr Norris. “For this reason, recovery times vary.”

That being said, here are some average timelines:

Breast enlargement/augmentation with implants – You will be able to resume your everyday activities at home and do basic (non-lifting) work in 3 to 5 days after surgery. Two weeks after your implants have been placed, you’ll be able to get back to some light exercise. It will be 4 weeks until you are up for a full schedule of normal activities. Better safe than sorry!

The recovery time period for breast enlargement surgery depends on whether your breast implants have been placed over or under the muscle (under the muscle placement has a slightly longer recovery time) and what technique your surgeon has used to augment your breasts.

Breast lift surgery (Mastopexy) – You will be able to resume light activities in 7 to 10 days after your surgery. It will be 2-3 weeks before you resume full activity, and up to 6 weeks before you will be ready to get back to any kind of exercise.

Breast reduction surgery – It will be necessary to wait from 7 to 10 days until you resume light activity. In 2 weeks, you will be able to return to your normal activities. It will be 6 weeks before you’re gym-ready.

The timetables are similar for other breast procedures including surgery for tuberous breasts and breast implant removal and replacement. We can also provide a timetable to patients for more complex procedures such as breast implant removal and replacement, as well as breast reconstruction.

As cosmetic surgery professionals, it is our job to educate you on what to expect during your recovery…and we love our job. We know that knowledge is the best defence there is against fears and tears.

Plastic Surgery: We Have the Time, Do You?

We invite you to visit Form and Face in Bondi Junction to talk with us about ways we can help you look revitalised and ready to take on the world. If you have questions regarding recovery timetables, costs, or anything else regarding the services we offer, please reach us on 02 9387 3800 or use our online enquiry form.