How women choose to answer questions from family and friends about getting cosmetic plastic surgery is as personal as the choice to get the procedure itself. Working moms, though, also have to consider how to talk to their employers about needing time off for mommy makeover recovery.
These conversations vary, of course, depending on your workplace environment. The discussion likely will be different for a patient who works for a small mom-and-pop company compared to a larger corporation with a human resources department. In either case, we want to help you feel comfortable talking to an HR manager or your supervisor about needing time off for the upcoming surgery.
Before we share tips on handling your absence from work, it’s important for you to prepare yourself as much as possible by knowing what to expect during your mommy makeover recovery. Let’s review:
Understanding Your Mommy Makeover Recovery
Your mommy makeover recovery timeline will depend upon which combination of procedures are performed. These may include breast augmentation, breast lift, tummy tuck, liposuction, and/or labiaplasty. It’s a good idea to follow your surgeon’s aftercare instructions to a tee and keep these key points in mind:
- Plan accordingly before surgery by arranging for caregivers, filling prescriptions, stocking up on groceries, and keeping your calendar clear for rest and recovery.
- While rest is critical, taking short, slow walks to boost your circulation and spirits is also important.
- You may be cleared to return to work 2 weeks post-surgery if your job isn’t too strenuous.
- You will need to wear a compression garment to reduce swelling for at least 4 or 5 weeks.
- Bruising and swelling will be greatly reduced after roughly 4
- After 6 to 8 weeks, you should be fully healed and able to show off your mommy makeover; it may take up to 6 months to achieve full results.
What To Discuss With Your Employer
1. Medical Leave Policy
Know your company’s medical leave policy before requesting time off. If you have questions, ask your HR manager to clarify the policy or, if the policy isn’t documented, make sure to get an agreement in writing.
2. Amount of Time Off Needed
Most employers are concerned with the practical impact when an employee is gone for an extended length of time. They need to plan to have someone else cover the workload and will want to know specifically how long the recovery will take. I recommend taking 2 weeks off from work after a mommy makeover, but some flexibility may be needed. In some cases, patients may need to take a few days of unpaid leave.
3. Information Disclosure
You don’t need to provide the specific details of your surgery, but you should be prepared for questions when you return to work after having a mommy makeover. If you’re uncomfortable disclosing the procedures involved in a mommy makeover, you can say you’re having “surgery on your torso.” That should be sufficient.
4. Necessary Documentation
If your employer requires a doctor’s note before authorizing your time off, we can provide that documentation for our patients. Some employers provide company forms that you will need to bring in to have us sign.
5. Remote Work Options
Even though I recommend taking at least 2 weeks off, every patient recovers at their own pace after a mommy makeover. If your job primarily involves working on a computer, you may want to develop a detailed telecommuting proposal for your boss to consider. Working from home during your recovery may actually reduce the number of days you’ll have to miss, something your boss will appreciate.
6. Modified Work Options
Of course, the nature of a mommy makeover patient’s job influences the amount of time needed before returning to work. Women who have more physically strenuous responsibilities at work may need to take more time off, especially to ensure they’re fully healed after a tummy tuck. You may also want to discuss being temporarily reassigned to less physically demanding tasks.
Do you still have questions about mommy makeover surgery recovery time? Let us help you by addressing your concerns! Reach out to the Synergy Plastic Surgery team any time by calling us at (512) 244-1439 or using our online form to request a consultation.
Leave a Reply