Returning to Work after Cosmetic Work
Congratulations, you’ve finally made the commitment to undergo that cosmetic procedure that you’ve been thinking about getting done! You’ve already had your initial consultation visit with your surgeon at Jefferson Plastic Surgery, done any pre-op work that might be needed, and are ready to go for your big day. The one big item left to check off your list before your surgery is to let your workplace know how much time you will need off following your procedure.
Determining the amount of time you need to heal following a cosmetic procedure before returning to work is crucial. This can sometimes be difficult to estimate, as you don’t want to underestimate and find that you don’t yet have the strength to return to work. On the other hand, you also don’t want to jeopardize your relationship with your workplace by taking too much time off. One helpful way to estimate the amount of time you will need away from work is to consider the type of cosmetic procedure you are undergoing. Our staff has outlined some procedures below, along with their expected recovery times, in order to help you plan when you can expect to be able to return to your regular work schedule.
Less Than a Week
This short time frame is usually reserved for minimal procedures such as either dermal fillers or Botox. These sorts of facial treatments are injections that are placed relatively close to the surface of the skin, so there may be very small areas of bruising that should disappear within a day or two. Dermal fillers minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the outer corners of the eyes, and the nose and mouth. Botox injections help relax the facial muscles between the brows, lessening the appearance of frown lines.
One to Two Weeks
This timeline works well for cosmetic procedures that, while they may not be considered a major surgical procedure, are more invasive than simple facial injection procedures such as dermal fillers. Examples of such procedures would include liposuction, breast augmentation, or eyelid surgery. Liposuction is designed to remove stubborn pockets of excess fat that have not responded to proper diet and regular exercise. The fat is removed through small incisions and the use of a hollow metal tube to vacuum out the fat. Eyelid surgery can be performed on either the upper or lower lid to remove excess fat or skin or bags around the eyes.
More Than Two Weeks
You may require more than two weeks off from work if you are planning a major cosmetic procedure such as a breast reduction or a tummy tuck. These should be considered a procedure similar to having a gall bladder removed or any other surgical operation. You may only be able to walk very short distances for the first few days following surgery, and will have surgical drains in place for the first one to two weeks following surgery. Our surgeons usually recommend not returning to work until a week after the drains are removed. You may also be restricted from lifting very heavy objects for at least three to four weeks following surgery.
Our staff certainly understands that you are eager to undergo your surgery. At the same time, you are also probably eager to resume your normal activities, including returning to work. However, it is vital for you to give your body the time it needs to properly heal in order to get the best results. Our staff is more than happy to help you determine the best timeline for you to return to work following your surgery.