Two weeks for desk work. Six weeks before lifting, reaching overhead or physical exertion. Twelve weeks for full clearance. Those are the figures to plan leave around after body contouring surgery.
If your job sits between the two ends, raise it at your consultation and Dr Kumar will give you a figure for your situation rather than a range.
By type of work
| Work | Realistic return |
|---|---|
| Desk or seated office work | Two weeks, often from home earlier |
| Work involving standing all day | Three to four weeks |
| Driving for work | Two weeks, once off strong pain relief and able to brake hard |
| Nursing, hospitality, retail with lifting | Six weeks |
| Trades, construction, physical labour | Six weeks minimum; twelve for heavy lifting |
| Caring for small children | Arrange help for at least two weeks; no lifting toddlers for six |
More on returning to physical work.
What extends it
- More than one area at once. Plan on the longer timeline, not the average. Combining procedures.
- Muscle repair. The abdominal wall is under tension; the first fortnight is harder.
- A wound healing problem. Uncommon, but it adds weeks. Nicotine is the biggest modifiable factor — complete abstinence from all nicotine for eight weeks before and after.
- A seroma needing drainage, which means extra appointments rather than extra time off.
- Thigh surgery. Walking and sitting are both affected, so desk work can take longer than after abdominal surgery.
Practical planning
- Book surgery early in your leave block, not the day before you are due back.
- Ask for a medical certificate at your pre-operative appointment rather than afterwards.
- Plan a graded return if your employer allows — half days in week three are often more realistic than a full return.
- Do not plan travel in the first two weeks, because of clot risk.
- Allow for follow-up. Reviews at one week, six weeks, twelve weeks, six months and twelve months.
Income protection and leave
Whether a policy pays depends on its wording and on whether the surgery is classed as medically indicated, which in turn often depends on whether a Medicare item applies. If you hold income protection, ask your insurer the question with the item number in hand — see the Medicare criteria.
Common questions
Can I work from home in week one? Light email, perhaps. You will be tired, on pain relief and not concentrating well.
When can I drive? Not on strong pain relief, and not until you can brake hard without hesitating — around two weeks for most.
Can I go back early if I feel fine? Feeling fine is not the same as being healed. Going back to physical work early is the commonest cause of a widened scar.
Will I need help at home? For the first week, yes.
Does it differ by operation? The framework is the same; the intensity differs. The week-by-week timeline.
Next step
Dr Kumar’s nurses can talk you through the timeline for your job before you book. Bring a GP referral — it is required to see Dr Kumar. He consults at Westmead, Penrith and Orange. Call 1300 267 726. There is background on planning at My Weight Loss Journey.
The initial consultation with Dr Kumar is $400, with a Medicare rebate of approximately $88 where you have a GP referral. Surgical fees are quoted individually after your consultation, in a written itemised quote.
All surgery carries risks, and individual results will vary. Read more about the risks of surgery here. A GP referral is required to see Dr Kumar.
Dr Rohit Kumar (MED0001630444) Registered medical practitioner, specialist plastic surgeon (specialist registration in surgery – plastic surgery).
