Recovery

What the weeks after actually look like.

Recovery is where expectations are most often wrong. These are the honest milestones Dr. Marsh gives every patient, in writing, before surgery.

The phases, for most procedures

Day of surgery
You go home with a companion or to an overnight nurse, depending on the operation. Dr. Marsh calls that evening.
Days 1 to 3
Rest, short walks every few hours, medication on schedule. First dressing check in the office on day 1 or 2.
Week 1
Stitches or splints out where applicable. Bruising peaks and begins to fade. Most people feel human again by day 5.
Weeks 2 to 3
Back to desk work and driving for most procedures. Swelling is still present and improving.
Weeks 4 to 8
Exercise resumes in stages. Scar care begins. Clothing fits differently.
Months 3 to 12
Swelling resolves and the final result emerges. Scars fade. Photographs are taken, with consent, at 6 and 12 months.

No smoking or nicotine for six weeks before and after. It is the single biggest risk to healing.
Walk early and often. Blood clot prevention starts the evening of surgery.
Call about anything. A rising temperature, one side more swollen than the other, pain that is getting worse rather than better.

By procedure

Procedure	Desk work	Exercise
Facelift and neck lift Final result at 6 to 12 months	2 weeks	Light exercise at 4 weeks
Rhinoplasty Tip refinement continues for 12 to 18 months	7 to 10 days, splint off at 1 week	Exercise at 4 weeks, contact sports at 3 months
Eyelid surgery Final result at 3 months	7 to 10 days	Exercise at 2 to 3 weeks
Brow lift Final result at 3 to 6 months	10 to 14 days	Exercise at 3 to 4 weeks
Breast augmentation Implants settle over 3 to 6 months	5 to 7 days	Lower body at 2 weeks, upper body at 6 weeks
Breast lift Final shape at 6 months, scars fade over 12 to 18 months	7 to 10 days	Lower body at 2 weeks, upper body at 6 weeks
Breast reduction Final shape at 6 months	10 to 14 days	Light exercise at 3 weeks, full at 6 weeks
Implant removal and revision Final shape at 6 months	7 to 10 days	Upper body at 6 weeks
Tummy tuck Final result at 6 to 12 months	2 to 3 weeks	Walking from day one, exercise at 6 to 8 weeks
Liposuction Final contour at 3 to 6 months as swelling resolves	3 to 5 days	Exercise at 2 to 3 weeks
Combined body and breast surgery Final result at 6 to 12 months	3 weeks	Exercise at 6 to 8 weeks
Arm lift Final result at 6 months, scars fade over 12 to 18 months	7 to 10 days	Exercise at 4 to 6 weeks

Milestones are typical, not promises. Your written plan carries your own timeline. Fictional concept; not medical advice.