Can I rub my recipient area to remove the scabs so I can return to work without them? (Photos)

Thanks for the question. For a multitude of reasons, it is
never a good idea to rub off scabs after a surgical procedure, or an injury.
With meticulous wound care, the scabs should come off by themselves within the
first week after surgery. Speaking specifically about hair transplantation, the
scab is often connected with the follicular unit graft. Pulling it off
prematurely carries the risk of also damaging, or removing the transplanted
hair follicle, which is not a good idea. The day of surgery typically does not
count as a "post-op day". I hope this helps, and if you're still
unsure, give your surgeon's office a call.

You should follow the instructions that were given to you by your doctor, to ensure an optimal result. The surgery day does not count as a post-op day, so you are at Day 8 post-op. I would recommend that you contact your doctor for further instructions.