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Plastic Surgery Recovery Timeline, Week by Week
Published sources put a return to desk work at about one to two weeks for most plastic surgery procedures, but full results take months. Rhinoplasty swelling can take up to a year to settle. After a tummy tuck, surgeons quoted by ASPS estimate about two weeks to routine activity and two months to the gym. BBL patients avoid sitting directly on the buttocks for six to eight weeks. Pick a procedure above for a dated, printable timeline.
Prepared by Prospyr · Reviewed October 3, 2026 · Free, no sign-up, runs in your browser
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Rhinoplasty
Reported milestones for rhinoplasty, from day 0 (surgery day) out to the final result. Add a surgery date for calendar dates.
Template — review and edit with your medical director before giving to patients. General timelines only. Your surgeon's instructions come first, and recovery varies.
Rhinoplasty (nose reshaping): recovery timeline
Template — review and edit with your medical director before giving to patients.
Rhinoplasty (nose reshaping): reported timeline
Days 0 to 7
Splint in place, eye swelling
ASPS says a splint and/or packing may be placed inside the nose, and a splint or bandages outside, to support the new structures during early healing. A surgeon quoted by ASPS notes patients are often surprised by eye swelling and report more pressure than pain.
Sources: ASPS: Rhinoplasty recovery; ASPS: Six things to know before booking a rhinoplasty
Days 3 to 4
Swelling tends to peak
A surgeon quoted by ASPS reports that swelling after any plastic surgery tends to peak on postoperative day 3 or 4 and can take weeks to months to fully go down.
Source: ASPS: Planning your plastic surgery timeline for summer
Days 7 to 14
Splint comes off, back to work or school
Cleveland Clinic says the splint is worn for one or two weeks and that patients can usually return to work or school in one to two weeks. Surgeons quoted by ASPS describe about a two-week recovery when bone is involved, and suggest allowing a few weeks to a month before a big event.
Sources: Cleveland Clinic: Rhinoplasty (updated 11/03/2022); ASPS: Summer break surgery: why timing matters for younger rhinoplasty patients
Weeks 2 to 6
Swelling and bruising fade
Cleveland Clinic says the nose stays swollen for four to six weeks and that bruising or color changes may show around it. ASPS says initial swelling subsides within a few weeks.
Sources: Cleveland Clinic: Rhinoplasty (updated 11/03/2022); ASPS: Rhinoplasty results
Weeks 4 to 6
Light exercise
Cleveland Clinic says light exercise is possible within four to six weeks. Pressure on the bridge of the nose from glasses is still a concern in early healing.
Months 1 to 3
Swelling goes down slowly
Cleveland Clinic says swelling decreases slowly between one and three months, with most (about 90%) gone after three months. A surgeon quoted by ASPS cites volumetric studies putting it nearer 60% resolved at three months. Sources differ, so ask your surgeon what to expect.
Sources: Cleveland Clinic: Rhinoplasty (updated 11/03/2022); ASPS: Six things to know before booking a rhinoplasty
Months 3 to 12
Refinement through the first year
ASPS says it can take up to a year for the new contour to fully refine, and that swelling may come and go, often worse in the morning, during the first year. Cleveland Clinic says minimal swelling can remain up to a year.
Sources: ASPS: Rhinoplasty recovery; ASPS: Rhinoplasty results; Cleveland Clinic: Rhinoplasty (updated 11/03/2022)
Dates use your own calendar and are for planning only. Day 0 is surgery day.
How to use the plastic surgery recovery timeline
Pick the procedure, add your surgery date, and the tool lays out each milestone as calendar dates, marks where you are today, and prints a one-page handout. Day 0 is surgery day. Every milestone lists the source it came from.
Worked example. A rhinoplasty on March 3. Cleveland Clinic says the splint is worn one to two weeks and patients usually return to work or school in one to two weeks, so the window is March 10 to 17. Swelling stays for four to six weeks, so expect it to last until about March 31 to April 14. ASPS says contour can keep refining for up to a year.
These are reported ranges, not promises. Surgeons differ on garments, activity and follow-up, so your own surgeon's instructions always come first. Where sources disagree, the tool shows both.
Face recovery timelines: rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty and facelift
Rhinoplasty recovery timeline
| When | What sources report |
|---|---|
| Days 0 to 7 | Splint in place, eye swelling. ASPS says a splint and/or packing may be placed inside the nose, and a splint or bandages outside, to support the new structures during early healing. A surgeon quoted by ASPS notes patients are often surprised by eye swelling and report more pressure than pain. |
| Days 7 to 14 | Splint comes off, back to work or school. Cleveland Clinic says the splint is worn for one or two weeks and that patients can usually return to work or school in one to two weeks. Surgeons quoted by ASPS describe about a two-week recovery when bone is involved, and suggest allowing a few weeks to a month before a big event. |
| Weeks 2 to 6 | Swelling and bruising fade. Cleveland Clinic says the nose stays swollen for four to six weeks and that bruising or color changes may show around it. ASPS says initial swelling subsides within a few weeks. |
| Weeks 4 to 6 | Light exercise. Cleveland Clinic says light exercise is possible within four to six weeks. Pressure on the bridge of the nose from glasses is still a concern in early healing. |
| Months 1 to 3 | Swelling goes down slowly. Cleveland Clinic says swelling decreases slowly between one and three months, with most (about 90%) gone after three months. A surgeon quoted by ASPS cites volumetric studies putting it nearer 60% resolved at three months. Sources differ, so ask your surgeon what to expect. |
| Months 3 to 12 | Refinement through the first year. ASPS says it can take up to a year for the new contour to fully refine, and that swelling may come and go, often worse in the morning, during the first year. Cleveland Clinic says minimal swelling can remain up to a year. |
Blepharoplasty recovery timeline
| When | What sources report |
|---|---|
| Days 0 to 3 | Ointment, cold compresses, rest. ASPS says lubricating ointment and cold compresses may be applied, and the eyes are sometimes loosely covered with gauze. Early healing may include swelling, bruising, irritation, dry eyes and discomfort. An ASPS article describes sleeping with the head raised and avoiding bending over and strenuous activity until cleared by the surgeon. |
| Days 5 to 21 | Bruising fades. An ASPS article reports bruising and discoloration around the eyes lasts anywhere from five days to two to three weeks. Patients prone to dry eyes may need lubricants during recovery. |
| Days 10 to 14 | Presentable in public. ASPS says most patients are presentable to the public in 10 to 14 days. One surgeon quoted by ASPS notes an upper blepharoplasty on a Friday can mean back at the office Monday, with sutures still in place, depending on the patient's comfort. |
| Months 1 to 4 | Final healing. ASPS says it may take a few months before final healing is completed. Results are described as long-lasting. |
Facelift recovery timeline
| When | What sources report |
|---|---|
| Days 0 to 7 | Bandage and drains. ASPS says a bandage might be placed around the face to minimize swelling and bruising, and small tubes may draw off excess blood or fluid. |
| Days 10 to 14 | Presentable, about two weeks of recovery. ASPS says most people are presentable to the public within 10 to 14 days. A surgeon quoted by ASPS says both mid-facelift and traditional facelift typically need about a two-week recovery, and that after a mid-facelift the cheeks look intentionally over-lifted for a couple of weeks before they settle. |
| Months 1 to 3 | Swelling and bruising subside. ASPS says the visible improvements appear as swelling and bruising subside, and it takes 2 to 3 months for the face to feel back to normal in texture, sensibility and tightness. A surgeon quoted by ASPS suggests planning major surgery up to three months before a big event. |
| Months 3 to 12 | Results continue to evolve. ASPS reports that visible results continue to evolve for months after plastic surgery and, in some cases, up to a year. |
Breast and body recovery timelines: breast augmentation, tummy tuck, mommy makeover, BBL and liposuction
Breast augmentation recovery timeline, week by week
| When | What sources report |
|---|---|
| Days 0 to 1 | Wrapped, monitored, then home. ASPS says the breasts are wrapped in gauze with an elastic bandage or support bra. After monitoring in recovery, patients may go home when stable, typically after an hour or so. Surgeons quoted by ASPS describe walking around the day after surgery. |
| Days 1 to 7 | The most uncomfortable week. ASPS says acute pain typically subsides after one to five days, with soreness and swelling for a few weeks. A surgeon quoted by ASPS calls the first week the most uncomfortable, and the support bra stays on at least that long. Bleeding into the implant pockets is possible for the first several days. |
| Days 7 to 10 | Driving and office work. ASPS reports that after the first 7 to 10 days many women can drive and return to office work. Strenuous activity and upper body movement are still avoided. |
| Day 14 | Most swelling is down. A surgeon quoted by ASPS says the majority of swelling goes down within about two weeks. Around this point patients can begin walking faster and adding light exercise. |
| Weeks 4 to 6 | Strenuous exercise returns. ASPS reports strenuous exercise is usually added after the four-to-six-week mark, and that strenuous activity and upper body movement are avoided for at least six weeks. ASPS says final results can take a few weeks as swelling subsides and the skin stretches. |
Tummy tuck recovery timeline, week by week
| When | What sources report |
|---|---|
| Days 0 to 7 | Dressings, garment and drains. ASPS says dressings and an elastic bandage or compression garment support the abdomen, and small thin tubes may be placed under the skin to drain fluid. Results may be hidden at first by swelling and by not yet standing fully upright until internal healing is complete. |
| Days 7 to 14 | About two weeks to routine activity. Surgeons quoted by ASPS estimate patients can resume most routine day-to-day activities after about two weeks, with drains in place during the early part. ASPS also says you should be standing tall within a week or two. |
| Weeks 2 to 6 | Lifting and movement limits. A surgeon quoted by ASPS describes lifting and movement restrictions for about six weeks. Another says incisions take about six weeks to heal, and that straining them risks opening them. |
| Weeks 8 to 9 | Back to the gym. A surgeon quoted by ASPS says the gym is off-limits for at least two months. |
| Months 2 to 12 | Scar fades. ASPS says the tummy tuck scar may take several months to a year to fade as much as it will, and that incisions should not be subjected to excessive force, swelling, abrasion or motion while healing. |
Mommy makeover recovery timeline
A mommy makeover combines procedures, so the timeline follows the longest recovery in the mix. The tool lists the combined view; ask your surgeon which parts apply.
| When | What sources report |
|---|---|
| Days 0 to 3 | Bandages, support bra and garment. ASPS says gauze or bandages cover the incisions, an elastic bandage or support bra supports the breasts, and a compression garment may be used for the abdomen, waist and buttocks. What you have depends on which procedures are combined. |
| Days 0 to 14 | Plan for help at home. An ASPS article says that with breast surgery alone you may need help for a few days, and with a tummy tuck added, at least 14 days. |
| Day 14 | Two-week marks. For the breast part, a surgeon quoted by ASPS says most swelling is down in about two weeks. For the tummy tuck part, surgeons quoted by ASPS estimate about two weeks before most routine activities resume. |
| Week 6 | Six-week marks. Surgeons quoted by ASPS describe about six weeks of lifting limits after a tummy tuck, no strenuous upper body movement for at least six weeks after breast augmentation, and a full six weeks for incisions to heal. |
| Months 2 to 3 | Wound healing phase ends. A surgeon quoted by ASPS says combined breast and body surgery involves major downtime and a long period of swelling, and that the wound healing phase lasts two to three months. |
| Months 3 to 12 | Settling and scars. ASPS says implants settle over time and scar lines improve though they never disappear. Tummy tuck scars may take several months to a year to fade. |
BBL recovery timeline
| When | What sources report |
|---|---|
| Days 0 to 5 | Home, walking, garment on. ASPS articles report patients up and walking a day or two after surgery and mostly staying home for the first four to five days. One surgeon describes sleeping on the stomach or sides, and compression garments worn around the clock except for showering for the first month. |
| Weeks 0 to 8 | Pressure on the buttocks. ASPS articles report avoiding sitting directly on the buttocks or putting prolonged pressure on them for the first six weeks (2022 article) or at least eight weeks (2016 article). Surgeons differ, so follow yours. |
| Days 7 to 10 | Back to work with sitting limits. An ASPS article reports patients can return to work between about days 7 and 10, with restrictions on sitting directly on the buttocks. |
| Week 4 | Light activity. A 2016 ASPS article says that after one month, light activity such as fast-paced walking can be done and high-impact activity such as bouncing is still avoided. |
| Weeks 6 to 8 | Normal activities. A 2016 ASPS article says most patients can return to normal activities six to eight weeks after surgery. |
| Month 3 | Fat loss risk settles. Surgeons quoted by ASPS say that around month three, the acute risk of losing fat from the area subsides and the shape is a good indicator of what will stay. |
| Months 3 to 6 | Shape refines. A surgeon quoted by ASPS says that between months three and six the shape should further refine and the curve becomes more apparent. |
Liposuction recovery timeline
| When | What sources report |
|---|---|
| Days 0 to 7 | Garment, dressings, soreness. ASPS says dressings cover the incisions and an elastic bandage or compression garment supports the area, and drains may be used. A surgeon quoted by ASPS describes the first week as sore, tired, with fluid retention, and says many surgeons start lymphatic massage the day after surgery. |
| Days 7 to 21 | Bruising, swelling, firmness. A surgeon quoted by ASPS says bruising, swelling and firmness are common between the first and third weeks, more so with less movement or less compression. |
| Weeks 3 to 4 | Turning the corner, light exercise. The same surgeon describes a turning point around week three, and says light exercise can resume around week three or four depending on the scale of the procedure. |
| Weeks 4 to 8 | Garment weeks. The same surgeon has patients wear a compression garment for four to eight weeks. He reports massage appointments several times a week for two months, and that all restrictions are usually lifted by six weeks. |
| Months 2 to 12 | Tissue keeps tightening. ASPS says it may take several months for swelling to fully dissipate, and a surgeon quoted by ASPS says tissues keep tightening over the next year. |
For plastic surgery practices: hand patients a timeline
Add your practice name, phone number and notes in the tool, then print or save the handout as a PDF. Replace any milestone that differs from your protocol before it goes to patients; the printout is marked as a template for your medical director's review. Aftercare questions often come by phone, so a dated handout can cut those calls.
Prospyr's charting keeps post-op notes with the chart, and online scheduling books the follow-up visits. See the plastic surgery practice page for the full picture. For the cost side of the same consult, try the plastic surgery cost calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What is the rhinoplasty recovery timeline?
Cleveland Clinic says the splint is worn one to two weeks, patients usually return to work or school in one to two weeks, and the nose stays swollen for four to six weeks. Cleveland Clinic says about 90% of swelling is gone after three months, while a surgeon quoted by ASPS puts it nearer 60%. ASPS says the nose can take up to a year to fully refine.
How long is tummy tuck recovery, week by week?
Surgeons quoted by ASPS estimate about two weeks before most routine activities resume, about six weeks of lifting and movement limits, and at least two months before returning to the gym. Drains and a compression garment are common early on. ASPS says the scar can take several months to a year to fade.
What is the breast augmentation recovery timeline, week by week?
ASPS says acute pain typically subsides in one to five days, with soreness and swelling for a few weeks. Surgeons quoted by ASPS report many women drive and return to office work after 7 to 10 days, most swelling down by about two weeks, and strenuous exercise added after four to six weeks. Strenuous activity and upper body movement are avoided for at least six weeks.
How long is BBL recovery?
ASPS articles report patients walking within a day or two, returning to work at about 7 to 10 days with sitting limits, and avoiding direct pressure on the buttocks for six to eight weeks. Most return to normal activities at six to eight weeks, and the shape keeps refining between months three and six. Surgeons differ on garment and sitting rules.
How long is mommy makeover recovery?
An ASPS article says to plan for help at home for at least 14 days when a tummy tuck is included, and a surgeon quoted by ASPS says the wound healing phase lasts two to three months. Because it combines procedures, recovery follows the longest component. Your surgeon can give a timeline for your exact combination.
How long does blepharoplasty recovery take?
ASPS says most patients are presentable to the public in 10 to 14 days. Bruising can last from five days to two or three weeks, and it may take a few months for final healing. Sleeping with the head raised and avoiding bending and strenuous activity are described in ASPS guidance until your surgeon clears you.
Why does my surgeon's timeline differ from this one?
Technique, the extent of surgery, your health and the surgeon's own protocol all change recovery. This tool reports ranges from ASPS and other published sources, and where sources differ it says so. Follow your surgeon's written instructions and call the office with any concern.
Sources and scope
- ASPS: Rhinoplasty recovery
- ASPS: Rhinoplasty results
- Cleveland Clinic: Rhinoplasty (updated 11/03/2022)
- ASPS: Six things to know before booking a rhinoplasty
- ASPS: Summer break surgery: why timing matters for younger rhinoplasty patients
- ASPS: Eyelid surgery recovery
- ASPS: Eyelid surgery results
- ASPS: It's all in the eyes: the rejuvenating impact of blepharoplasty (Feb 21, 2024)
- ASPS: 9 to 5: how to handle plastic surgery recovery in an RTO world
- ASPS: Breast augmentation recovery
- ASPS: Breast augmentation results
- ASPS: Back to active: returning to exercise after breast augmentation recovery
- ASPS: Tummy tuck recovery
- ASPS: Tummy tuck results
- ASPS: Six questions to ask before booking a tummy tuck
- ASPS: Abdominoplasty or panniculectomy: choosing the right procedure
- ASPS: Mommy makeover recovery
- ASPS: Mommy makeover results
- ASPS: Summer makeover magic: scheduling your mommy makeover during the kids' summer break
- ASPS: Recovering from a Brazilian butt lift (May 12, 2016)
- ASPS: Six things you need to know about recovering from a Brazilian butt lift (Aug 11, 2022)
- ASPS: Seven things you need to know about a Brazilian butt lift
- ASPS: Facelift recovery
- ASPS: Facelift results
- ASPS: Facelift face-off: the mid-facelift vs traditional facelift
- ASPS: Liposuction recovery
- ASPS: Liposuction results
- ASPS: Eight ways to make liposuction recovery a breeze
- ASPS: Planning your plastic surgery timeline for summer
- ASPS: Keep it snatched: why compression garments are your best friends in recovery
- ASPS: Rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, breast augmentation and other procedure pages
ASPS procedure recovery pages are general and mostly do not give day counts. Where timing comes from a surgeon quoted in an ASPS article, the tool says so.
Template — review and edit with your medical director before giving to patients. General education drawn from the sources above, not medical advice. Your surgeon's instructions come first; call the practice about any concern.