Practicalities for recovery

You’ve done the research into the procedure you’re considering, now you want to know what the experience will actually be like for you.

The practical realities you need to think about

Having a clear idea of what the first few days will look like can make all the difference. It’s easy for the everyday logistics to be ignored until after your surgery but you’ll have a far smoother recovery if you anticipate and plan for these details.

Getting moving

I get all my patients up and moving the day after surgery. Early mobilisation significantly reduces the risk of complications, and it also tends to improve how patients feel psychologically. Lying flat for days on end is neither necessary nor good for you.

Showering

You can shower from the day after surgery. I know this surprises some people, who expect to be told to avoid water for weeks. Gentle showering is safe and, frankly, it makes recovery more bearable. I'll give you specific guidance on how to manage your wounds and dressings. (Swimming and bathing are however off limits until your wounds are fully healed.)

Sleeping position

‍This is procedure dependent and I'll give you specific guidance, but it's worth knowing in advance that you may need to sleep in a particular position for several weeks. After breast surgery, I usually recommend sleeping with the upper body slightly elevated. After body contouring, you may need to sleep on your back. It can be worth investing in a good wedge pillow before your surgery date.‍

Getting dressed

‍Loose, front-opening clothing is essential in the first two weeks. Anything that has to go over your head or requires significant reaching is going to be difficult and uncomfortable. Think carefully about this before your surgery date – it's a small thing that makes a real practical difference.‍

Driving

‍Most patients want to know when they can drive again, and the answer is not purely about pain levels. Following a general anaesthetic, you should not drive for at least 48 hours. Beyond that, you need to be able to perform an emergency stop safely, which requires being off strong pain medication and having sufficient mobility and reaction time. For most procedures this means a minimum of one to two weeks, sometimes longer. Don’t underestimate this – it affects your ability to be independent during recovery in ways people don't always think through in advance.

Childcare and home help

‍If you have young children, you’ll need practical support for at least the first week, possibly longer. You won’t be able to lift a small child, and you shouldn't try to. Arranging this in advance – whether that's a partner taking time off, family coming to stay or paid childcare – is essential.

Work

‍The answer to "when can I go back to work" depends heavily on what your work involves. A desk-based job at home may be manageable after 1–2 weeks but a role that requires commuting, standing or physical activity will take longer. We'll discuss realistic timelines for your specific situation at your consultation.

Nutrition – more important than most people realise

A balanced, nutrient-rich diet is crucial – what you consume in the weeks before and after your operation genuinely affects how you heal.

Wound healing is a protein-dependent process, and patients who are protein-deficient heal more slowly and scar less well. In the weeks around surgery – before and after – I recommend prioritising high-quality protein at every meal to support tissue repair.

Hydration matters too. Surgery and anaesthesia are dehydrating, and it's easy to let fluid intake slip in the early recovery period. Consistently drink more water than you think you need to.

Where appropriate, I may recommend targeted supplementation, such as protein support and vitamin C and zinc to aid healing. For those who would benefit from a more tailored approach, I’m happy to facilitate input from a specialist nutritionist.

You should avoid alcohol in the weeks following surgery. It interferes with medication, disrupts sleep, dehydrates and impairs the healing process. The same applies to smoking, which significantly affects wound healing and circulation. If you smoke, stopping 4 weeks before your surgery and not smoking until at least 6-weeks post-op is non-negotiable for the best possible result. (This includes vaping and nicotine patches/gum – no cheating!)

Getting back to exercise

For most patients, light walking is possible from the day after surgery – and I actively encourage it. Beyond that, the timeline depends on what you've had done. Most patients return to light activity like gentle walking within 1 to 4 weeks and exercise at 4 to 8 weeks depending on the procedure.

Anything that raises your heart rate significantly, places strain on the operated area or risks impact takes longer. Resistance training, heavy lifting and high-impact exercise are the last things to return – and the cost of pushing this too soon is not just discomfort but a genuine risk to your result. Carrying anything heavier than 5lbs for the first 6 weeks is out of the question – including groceries and children.

When to call

Recovery should follow a broadly improving pattern. Day by day, week by week, things get better. When that pattern changes, that's when to reach out.

Specific signs to look out for include:

• Pain that is increasing rather than decreasing after the first 48 to 72 hours
• A temperature above 38°C
• Increasing redness, warmth or swelling around the wound
• Any sudden change in the appearance of the wound
• Significant swelling on one side only
• Anything that feels different from what you were told to expect

I encourage early contact if something doesn’t feel right, often simple reassurance or early intervention is all that’s needed.

Ongoing support

Recovery isn’t the most glamorous part of this process. But it is the most important. The patients who treat it seriously, who rest when they’re told to and ask questions when something concerns them, have consistently better experiences and outcomes.

Surgery is a partnership. My role doesn’t end when you leave theatre. The support and guidance continue for as long as you need them – through the difficult first week, through the plateau and through the months of gradual improvement that follow. You won’t be left to manage this alone. I believe reassurance and access are key elements of high-quality care which is why you’ll receive clear, well-considered post-operative guidance; direct access to my team for any concerns and prompt review if anything requires assessment

When you’re ready to start the conversation about what surgery and recovery will look like for you, I’ll be glad to meet with you.