Tool
Recovery planner
Pick a procedure and a possible surgery date to see typical recovery milestones on a calendar: back to desk work, driving, exercise and flying.
Recovery planner
Pick a procedure and a possible surgery date to see typical recovery milestones on a calendar: back to desk work, driving, exercise and flying.
- Sat 21 Nov 2026 MRSA swab and pre-operative assessment with the nurse
- Sat 5 Dec 2026 Surgery day
- Sun 6 Dec 2026 Call from the nurse to check on you
- Sat 12 Dec 2026 Call from the nurse; first wound check
- Sat 19 Dec 2026 Back to desk-based work (typical upper end)
- Sat 19 Dec 2026 Driving, once you can do an emergency stop comfortably
- Sat 16 Jan 2027 Gentle exercise may resume (with your surgeon’s agreement)
- Sat 16 Jan 2027 Long-haul flights usually reasonable from around here
- Sat 16 Jan 2027 Six-week review with your surgeon
- Thu 3 Jun 2027 Swelling largely settled; final result emerging
These are typical timings from published guidance, not personal advice. Your surgeon will give you a plan for your own recovery, and it may be longer or shorter.
How to use this
Recovery is easier when it’s planned. Use the dates to think about childcare, work, holidays and travel before you commit.
Surgeons often advise avoiding long-haul flights for around 6 weeks after body or breast surgery because of the risk of blood clots; the NHS minimums before any flight are shorter. Follow your surgeon’s advice.
Driving depends on being able to perform an emergency stop comfortably, and on your insurer.
“Back to exercise” means gentle cardio first; heavy lifting and core work come later.
Remember there are at least 14 days between your first consultation and your decision, further consultations are always available, and the balance is due four weeks before surgery. Before surgery you have an MRSA swab and a pre-operative assessment with the nurse; afterwards the nurse calls you the next day and a week later, and your surgeon sees you at six weeks.
Talk it through with a surgeon.
Book a consultation to be examined, ask questions and get a written plan and quote. There is no obligation, and at least 14 days to decide.