FMLA and recovery time?

FMLA covers "serious health conditions." Unless there was some unfortunate complication, the recovery for elective cosmetic surgery is not considered a "serious health condition." However, at least in the state of California, disability insurance will cover elective and cosmetic surgery recovery time so far as your physician/practitioner certifies that you can't do your regular customary job duties because of the surgery. Not sure if that's the case in Pennsylvania. Additionally, in California you must meet some other basic eligibility requirements. Most people use vacation time or sick days or PTO for elective plastic surgery recovery. 

Hello and thank you for your excellent question. We generally tell patients that they cannot sit for 2 weeks after surgery. Some patients are able to work from home, or work while standing, instead of taking this full time off.  Two weeks is certainly reasonable, provided you can extend that time (if you need to). Of course, you will need an in-person consultation to evaluate you for this procedure. Preoperative visualization and surgical simulation with the Crisalix system may help with your decision. I suggest that you find a board-certified plastic surgeon with whom you are comfortable. Be sure to have all of your questions answered during a face-to-face meeting with your surgeon, and review before and after pictures of patients who have had similar procedures. Good luck!

Best,

Jon Ver Halen, MD FACS

Harvard educated plastic surgeon

Texas “Top Doc”