Whether you’re just starting to explore different plastic surgery options or are preparing for a procedure you’ve already selected, familiarizing yourself with plastic surgery recovery times is an important part of the process. Having a firm grasp of how long you should expect to recover — and how this recovery period will affect your day-to-day life and mobility — is essential. To help you make the most of this time, we’ve assembled a quick, straightforward guide to some of the most popular procedures and their respective downtimes, from mommy makeover recovery time to neck lift recovery time and more. Get all the information you need from the experts at Salameh Plastic Surgery.
It is important to note that each person is different, and recovery times will vary from person to person. Your healing process will depend on your history, your current body state, and your aesthetic goals. In this post, we’ll give you a general idea of what to expect, but your experience will be unique, and the time it takes to recover may be longer or shorter than average. When you meet with Dr. Salameh, he can assess your needs and discuss the specific factors that may impact your recovery time.
A Quick Note on Plastic Surgery Recovery Times
While the time frames listed below can offer helpful estimates, it’s important to keep in mind that every individual body — and each plastic surgery procedure — is unique. This means that your body may react differently depending on your age, weight, body type, medical history, and other factors. This is why it’s always important to consult with your plastic surgeon as you prepare for your procedure and create a recovery plan together.
Types of Plastic Surgery and Their Recovery Times
While a general rule is that the more invasive and extensive the procedure, the greater the recovery time will be, some recovery periods may be shorter or longer than you might expect. Here are a few of the most common plastic surgery procedures and their estimated recovery times:
Tummy Tuck
What it involves: A tummy tuck involves the surgical removal of excess skin and fat in the abdominal region.
How long it will take to recover: Frequently performed as part of a mommy makeover, the estimated recovery time for a tummy tuck will be approximately two weeks. However, physical activity that places excessive pressure on the abdominal muscles (such as heavy lifting or intense exercise) should be avoided for about six weeks following the procedure.
Facelift
What it involves: Often undertaken in conjunction with a neck lift (see the recovery time for that procedure below), a facelift is a procedure that addresses excess skin or tissues in the facial area for a more youthful, toned appearance.
How long it will take to recover: While recovery time can vary, you can likely expect the swelling to subside enough for some social activity after about two weeks. It will probably take around 7 weeks to fully recover from a facelift procedure.
Breast Augmentation
What it involves: A common component of a mommy makeover, and offering a relatively short recovery time, breast augmentation is a popular procedure in which implants are inserted to enhance the size and shape of the breasts.
How long it will take to recover: While some individuals heal within just a few days, roughly 3-5 days are recommended for initial recovery time. Effects like swelling and bruising are typically resolved within two weeks. (As a note, this plastic surgery recovery time is roughly comparable to that of a breast lift, or mastopexy. Best results can likely be expected within three months of surgery.)
Liposuction
What it involves: Liposuction (or lipoplasty) involves the removal of fat cells from the body. This procedure can be applied to one targeted area or multiple areas of the body depending on your goals.
How long it will take to recover: The average recovery time for this plastic surgery procedure is typically 14 days or more. However, be sure to discuss how long a compression garment should be worn for the affected area with your plastic surgeon, and be advised that if there are multiple surgery areas, it may lead to a longer recovery time.
Brazilian Butt Lift
What it involves: A Brazilian butt lift uses fat taken from another part of the body to enhance the shape of your buttocks.
How long it will take to recover: While you should be up and able to move around in about 48 hours, the part of the body from which the fat was extracted may take longer to recover. It’s also important to remember that staying off of your behind — usually for about two to three weeks — is also part of the recovery process. You will likely be able to resume normal, non-strenuous activities after two weeks, and you should be able to resume all daily activities after three weeks. If performed as part of a mommy makeover, the recovery time will depend on the other procedures performed.
Neck Lift
What it involves: Also known as a rhytidectomy, a neck lift targets and corrects excess fatty deposits in the neck for a smoother, sleeker, and more youthful neckline.
How long it will take to recover: A typical neck lift recovery time is about two weeks.
Get the Expertise and Care You Deserve
At Salameh Plastic Surgery, we’re dedicated to providing not only the very best in trusted, innovative, and successful plastic surgeries, but also groundbreaking MedSpa techniques and personalized skin care. We also pride ourselves on providing knowledgeable expertise to our patients, and we are here to answer any questions you may have. To learn more about mommy makeover recovery time, neck lift recovery time, or any other plastic surgery recovery time, we invite you to contact our expert team to schedule a consultation today.