Thank you for your great question! In my opinion, your ability to return to work after your procedure will depend on several factors. I find that patients can have slightly variable recovery times and pain thresholds, which is completely normal. Some patients require pain medication longer than others after abdominoplasty. Please keep in mind that you should not be driving to work if you continue to be on pain medication (you should be off pain medication for 24 hours before driving). Any drains which may be placed during the surgery are typically removed within 5 days, but occasionally need to stay in longer due to increased drain output. I recommend that my patients wear an abdominal binder and avoid bending or heavy lifting for 6 weeks after the procedure. Since you have a desk job, this should not prevent you from returning to work in 10 days. Another consideration is the extremely rare possibility of complications, such as infection or wound healing problems, which could possibly delay your ability to return to work. I typically recommend that my patients plan on 14 days after abdominoplasty before returning to work, with the understanding that the actual time frame may be more or less, depending on their individual situation. In short, you may well be able to return to work in 10 days, but that may vary depending on your individual recovery time. I would advise you to discuss the specifics of your situation with your plastic surgeon well in advance of your surgery date so that you can follow his or her advice and plan accordingly. Best of luck!
