How long is it normal to feel recipient area numb?

Your scalp may be numb serval months after your surgery.  In very rare cases it can be permanent.  If you are concerned it is best to see your doctor.

Recipient area feels numb because superficial nerves get damaged during the hair transplant by any of the technique. These usually recover by 3-4 months. 

I consent all my patients for this side effect. 95% of the time the numbness is temporary and normally settles within 6 weeks, sometimes it can take up to 6 months. There is a small proportion of patients who have areas of permanent numbness in the donor and/or recipient area. 

Numbness in the recipient area typically lasts for a few days or weeks but can last for several months.

Generally it goes away within a month or two, but sometimes it lasts for several months or even longer, there doesn't seem to be a pattern as to who does or doesn't have this issue.

Numbness is because trauma of the skin and may be observed untill first regrowing hair comes out from scalp skin . That complaint would go  away in a long time up to 3-6 months.  

The presence of numbness in recipient area should disappear in weeks. This results from small nerves that are damaged or traumatized during the FUE