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Cosmetic Surgery Recovery: Drains, Compression and Scars
Recovery and scars after cosmetic surgery: how do you prepare, heal and get back to sport?

Recovery and scars after cosmetic surgery: how do you prepare, heal and get back to sport?

In short: the result of a cosmetic operation is decided partly in the operating theatre and partly in the weeks that follow. How you prepare, how you look after drains and dressings, how long you wear compression, how you protect your scars from the sun and when you go back to sport all change how you heal and how your scars look a year later. Silicone gel or sheets remain the first-line, best-supported way to care for a fresh surgical scar, and a scar keeps changing for 12 to 18 months, so patience is part of the treatment. Manual lymphatic drainage is widely recommended after liposuction and body contouring, but the evidence is thinner than many clinics suggest, and in Switzerland it is generally self-funded after a cosmetic operation. This guide walks expats in Geneva, Zurich, Basel and Lausanne through recovery from the weeks before surgery to the first anniversary of the scar.

This article is general information. It does not replace a consultation or medical advice from a qualified doctor. Always follow the written instructions of the surgeon who operated on you: they know exactly what was done.

If you are still choosing an operation, start with our 2026 guide to cosmetic surgery in Switzerland, then read the deeper guides on facial surgery and breast and body surgery. This article is about what happens around the operation: preparation, convalescence and scars.

Contents

Why does recovery matter so much for the result?

Because tissues only finish healing months after the stitches come out. The surgeon decides where the incisions go, how the tissues are repositioned and how the wound is closed. What happens next depends on biology and on you: blood supply, tension on the scar, infection, smoking, swelling, sun exposure and physical strain. A tummy tuck scar placed perfectly can still widen if the patient straightens up too early and pulls on it every day. A rhinoplasty can look swollen and shapeless for months if salt intake, heat and sleeping position are ignored. A breast scar can stay red and raised if it is left in the sun.

Recovery is also where most avoidable complications appear: blood clots in someone who stayed in bed, a seroma after a drain was removed and the garment abandoned, an infection after a swim in a lake while the wound was still open. None of these is common, but all of them become rarer with good preparation and clear instructions.

Think of recovery in four phases, each with its own priorities:

Phase Typical timing Main priorities
Preparation 4 to 6 weeks before Medical check, medicines, nicotine, logistics at home, time off work
Acute recovery Day 0 to week 2 Pain control, walking, clot prevention, drains, dressings, compression
Early healing Week 2 to week 6 Stitches out, scar care starts, gradual activity, garments, swelling
Remodelling Month 2 to month 18 Sun protection, silicone, massage, sport, patience before judging the result

How should you prepare in the weeks before surgery?

Start about a month ahead. Good preparation shortens recovery, reduces bleeding and infection risk, and makes the first two weeks at home far easier.

Which medical checks are usually needed?

The surgeon and anaesthetist decide based on your age, health and the operation. Typical checks include a blood count, clotting tests, sometimes kidney function and blood sugar, and an ECG above a certain age or with heart risk factors. Bring a written list of your diagnoses, previous operations and anaesthetic problems, including any family history of blood clots. If you have a Swiss GP, ask them for a short summary letter: it saves time and avoids mistakes, especially if the operation is in another country or another language.

Which medicines and supplements should be stopped?

Only your doctors can tell you what to stop and when, but these are the questions to ask. Aspirin and anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen can increase bleeding. Many people forget supplements: fish oil, vitamin E, ginkgo, garlic capsules, turmeric and some herbal teas can also affect bleeding. The contraceptive pill and hormone therapy may increase clot risk, particularly before long operations or body contouring; your surgeon will weigh this against the risk of stopping. Never stop blood thinners, heart medicines or antidepressants on your own.

What about weight-loss injections?

Tell the anaesthetist if you take semaglutide, tirzepatide or a similar medicine. These drugs slow stomach emptying, which matters for anaesthesia, and anaesthesia societies have issued specific advice on how to manage them before surgery. The instructions depend on the drug, the dose and your symptoms, so follow your anaesthetist’s plan rather than general advice found online. Body contouring is also best planned once your weight has been stable for several months.

Do you need to stop smoking and vaping?

Yes, and nicotine in any form, including patches, pouches and e-cigarettes, should be discussed with the surgeon, because nicotine narrows small blood vessels and is one of the main causes of poor wound healing, skin necrosis and wide scars after facelifts, tummy tucks and breast lifts. We cover the timing in detail in a separate article; for recovery, the key point is simply that the healing benefits apply to the scar as well as to the operation.

How should you prepare your home?

  • Arrange for an adult to be with you for at least the first 24 to 48 hours, longer after body contouring.
  • Put everyday items at waist height so you do not bend or reach overhead.
  • Prepare a sleeping position: two or three pillows or a wedge for face and breast surgery, a recliner or a pillow under the knees after a tummy tuck.
  • Buy loose clothes that open at the front, slip-on shoes and a shower stool if you have back or knee problems.
  • Stock simple meals with enough protein, fruit and vegetables, and plenty of water. Constipation from painkillers is common: ask about a mild laxative.
  • Plan childcare. After breast and abdominal surgery, lifting a toddler is usually not allowed for several weeks.

What should you organise with your employer?

Book the time off before the operation and leave yourself a margin. Swiss employers do not need to know the nature of the operation; what matters is the medical certificate if you are unable to work. Desk work and physical work have very different return dates, which we summarise in the table on activities below.

What happens in the first 72 hours?

The first three days are about safety: controlling pain, preventing clots, protecting the wounds and spotting bleeding early.

How painful is it?

It depends heavily on the operation. Eyelid surgery and rhinoplasty are usually more uncomfortable than painful; the blocked nose bothers people more than the pain. Breast augmentation under the muscle, a tummy tuck with muscle repair and large-volume liposuction are the most painful in the first days. Take the prescribed painkillers on a regular schedule at first rather than waiting for the pain to peak. Pain that suddenly increases on one side, especially with swelling, is not normal and must be reported.

Why do they want you to walk so early?

To prevent blood clots. Deep vein thrombosis in the legs and pulmonary embolism are rare but serious complications of surgery, and their risk rises with long operations, body contouring, combined procedures, obesity, hormonal contraception and immobility. Short walks every hour or two while awake, ankle pumping exercises in bed and good hydration all help. Depending on your risk, the team may also prescribe compression stockings or blood-thinning injections for a few days or weeks.

Is nausea normal?

Some nausea after a general anaesthetic is common and usually settles within a day. Eat lightly, drink small amounts often, and tell the nurses if you cannot keep fluids down: vomiting increases the risk of bleeding after facial surgery.

When should you call the team immediately?

Call at once, day or night, if you notice any of the following: sudden swelling and pain on one side, bleeding that soaks the dressings, shortness of breath or chest pain, a painful swollen calf, fever above 38.5 °C, a wound that turns dark or black, or confusion. After surgery abroad, keep the clinic’s emergency number and the number of a Swiss emergency service written on paper, not only in your phone.

Drains: why, how long and how to live with them

A surgical drain is a thin tube placed under the skin at the end of the operation, connected to a small bottle or bulb that collects fluid. Not every operation needs one, and many surgeons now use drains less often than twenty years ago.

Why do surgeons use drains?

When large areas of skin and fat are lifted, as in a tummy tuck, a body lift, a large breast reduction or a facelift, the space underneath can fill with blood or lymphatic fluid. The drain removes this fluid so the layers can stick back together. It also lets the team see early if bleeding is too heavy.

Does every tummy tuck need drains?

No. Some surgeons use « progressive tension sutures » or quilting stitches that close the space mechanically and allow them to avoid drains in selected patients. Others always use drains. Both approaches are accepted; ask your surgeon which they use and why. What matters is that the space is managed one way or another, because a seroma (a pocket of fluid) is the most common complication after a tummy tuck.

How long do drains stay in?

Usually until the output falls below a threshold set by the surgeon, often measured over 24 hours. After a breast reduction this can be a day or two; after a tummy tuck or body lift, several days to about a week, sometimes more. This is one reason why stays abroad are longer for abdominal surgery: the surgeon wants to remove the drains before you fly.

How do you look after a drain at home?

  • Keep the bulb compressed if it is a suction drain, and pin it to your clothes so it never hangs from the skin.
  • Empty and record the volume at the times you were given, usually morning and evening. Note the colour: fluid normally goes from red to pink to straw-coloured.
  • Wash your hands before touching the drain and keep the exit site dry and covered.
  • Report a sudden increase in volume, bright red fluid, a drain that stops completely while the area swells, fever, or redness spreading around the exit point.

Does removing a drain hurt?

Most people describe a strange pulling sensation lasting a few seconds rather than real pain. The small exit hole closes within days and leaves a tiny dot-like scar.

Compression garments: how long and how tight?

Compression garments are elastic bras, girdles, bodysuits, sleeves or chin straps worn after surgery. They reduce swelling, support tissues while they reattach, help prevent seroma and make you feel more stable when you move. They are not optional decoration: after liposuction and abdominal surgery they are part of the treatment.

How long should you wear them?

Protocols vary between surgeons, but the table below shows typical ranges. Your own surgeon’s instructions take priority.

Operation Garment Typical duration
Liposuction (one or more areas) Girdle, bodysuit, sleeves; sometimes foam pads underneath Day and night for about 3 to 4 weeks, then often daytime for 2 to 4 more weeks
Tummy tuck, body lift Abdominal binder or high-waisted garment About 6 weeks, day and night at first
Breast augmentation, lift, reduction Post-operative bra without underwire, sometimes a band above implants About 4 to 6 weeks, day and night
Gynaecomastia surgery Compression vest About 4 to 6 weeks
Arm or thigh lift Sleeves or leggings About 4 to 6 weeks
Facelift, neck liposuction Chin strap or head band Often continuously for several days, then at night for a few weeks
Buttock fat grafting (BBL) Garment that compresses donor areas without pressing on the buttocks Several weeks, with strict rules on sitting

How tight is too tight?

A garment should be firm and even, never painful. Warning signs are numbness or tingling that does not go away, skin turning blue or white, deep folds cutting into the skin, or blisters. Creases are a frequent problem after liposuction: a fold in a garment can leave a lasting groove in freshly suctioned fat. Smooth the garment several times a day and ask whether foam sheets are recommended under it.

Why do some clinics use two stages of garment?

Immediately after surgery the body is swollen and tender, so a first-stage garment with zips or hooks is easier to put on. After a week or two, when swelling has fallen, a second-stage garment that fits more closely keeps the compression effective. Buy or receive two of each stage so you can wash one while wearing the other.

Can you stop early if it is uncomfortable?

Talk to the team before stopping. Stopping too early after a tummy tuck or liposuction can lead to more swelling, seroma and irregular contours. If the garment is genuinely too small or too large, it can usually be replaced.

Manual lymphatic drainage: useful or overrated?

Manual lymphatic drainage is a gentle massage technique that aims to encourage the flow of lymph, the fluid that collects in tissues. It is an established part of the treatment of lymphoedema and lipoedema, where it is combined with compression. After cosmetic surgery it is very popular, especially after liposuction, and many clinics recommend a series of sessions.

What does the evidence say?

The evidence specific to cosmetic surgery is limited. Small studies and clinical experience suggest it can make patients more comfortable and may help swelling settle faster after liposuction, but there is no strong proof that it improves the final result. It is reasonable to use it as a comfort measure if your surgeon agrees, not as a substitute for compression, walking and time.

When should it start, and who should do it?

Ask your surgeon. Some start a few days after liposuction, others prefer to wait one to two weeks. In Switzerland, manual lymphatic drainage is offered by physiotherapists and by therapists trained specifically in the technique. Choose someone who regularly treats post-operative patients and knows not to press on fresh incisions, drains or implants. Aggressive « sculpting » massage in the first weeks is not the same thing and can cause bruising or damage.

Is it covered by Swiss health insurance?

Basic insurance (KVG/LAMal) covers physiotherapy, including lymphatic drainage, only when a doctor prescribes it for a medical condition. After a purely cosmetic operation, sessions are generally at your own expense. Some supplementary insurance policies reimburse part of the cost of therapies given by recognised therapists; check your policy and ask for a written answer before booking a series. For lipoedema, the federal rules for liposuction coverage actually require at least 12 months of documented compression and manual lymphatic drainage before an insurer will consider surgery, as set out in Annex 1 of the KLV/OPAS.

What can you do yourself?

Walk, drink enough water, keep salt moderate, wear your garment, raise your legs when resting after lower body surgery, and avoid saunas and very hot baths until your surgeon allows them. These simple measures do much of what people hope massage will do.

Swelling, bruising, seroma and warning signs

How long does swelling last?

Most visible swelling settles within three to six weeks, but residual swelling lasts much longer, which is why surgeons judge results at six to twelve months. After rhinoplasty, the tip of the nose can remain slightly swollen for a year or more. After liposuction, the area may feel firm and lumpy for several weeks before softening. After a tummy tuck, the lower abdomen above the scar is often swollen in the evening for months.

Why is swelling worse in the evening?

Gravity. Fluid moves down during the day, especially if you stand or sit for long periods. This is normal as long as it improves overnight and is similar on both sides.

What is a seroma and how is it treated?

A seroma is a collection of clear fluid under the skin, most often after a tummy tuck, body lift or extensive liposuction. It feels like a soft, wobbling area and may make a sloshing sensation. Small seromas can be absorbed by the body; larger ones are usually drained with a needle, sometimes several times. Untreated, a seroma can become encapsulated and leave a permanent bulge, so report any new swelling after the drains are out.

What is a haematoma?

A haematoma is a collection of blood. It typically appears in the first 24 to 48 hours as a firm, painful, rapidly increasing swelling, often with bruising. After a facelift or breast surgery it can require an urgent return to theatre. This is one reason why surgeons keep patients close by during the first days.

Symptom Usually normal Call the team
Swelling Symmetrical, improves overnight Sudden, one-sided, tense or painful
Bruising Spreads downwards and changes colour over 2 to 3 weeks Expanding rapidly with pain
Wound Slight redness at the edges, a little clear fluid in the first days Spreading redness, pus, bad smell, opening wound, dark skin
Temperature Slightly raised on day 1 or 2 Above 38.5 °C or with chills
Breathing and legs Shallow breathing from pain, mild ankle swelling Breathlessness, chest pain, swollen painful calf
Sensation Numbness around incisions Severe pain not controlled by medication

Why is the skin numb?

Small sensory nerves are cut or stretched during surgery. Numbness around a tummy tuck scar, on the cheeks after a facelift or around the nipples after breast surgery is common. Sensation usually returns gradually over months, often with tingling or electric shocks along the way. A small area of reduced sensation can remain permanently, particularly below the navel after a tummy tuck.

Wound care, stitches and showering

When can you shower?

Many surgeons allow a short shower 24 to 48 hours after surgery once drains and dressings allow it, but rules vary with the dressing type. Waterproof dressings permit earlier showers. Pat the wounds dry gently. Baths, swimming pools, lakes, the sea, saunas and hammams are usually not allowed until the wounds are fully closed, typically three to four weeks, because soaking softens the wound and increases infection risk.

When are stitches removed?

Facial stitches, for example after eyelid surgery or a facelift, are usually removed after about five to seven days, because the face heals quickly and early removal reduces stitch marks. On the body, non-absorbable stitches typically stay ten to fourteen days. Many surgeons use absorbable stitches under the skin, so there is nothing to remove, just surgical tapes or glue that come off on their own.

What should a healing wound look like?

In the first week, a thin pink line with slightly raised edges and a little crust is typical. Small « spitting stitches », where a fragment of absorbable suture works its way to the surface, are common a few weeks after surgery; they look like a small white point or pimple and are easily removed by the team. A small area of delayed healing at a tension point, such as the centre of a tummy tuck scar or the junction of a breast lift scar, is also relatively common and usually heals with dressings over a few weeks.

Which creams can go on a fresh wound?

None, unless your surgeon prescribes them. Avoid applying oils, scar gels, essential oils or home remedies to an open or crusted wound. Scar care begins once the wound is closed, which is the subject of the next section.

Planning an operation and want to know what recovery would look like in your case? Request a free, personalised quote: it is sent within 48 hours and states the planned stay, the follow-up and what is included.

How does a scar mature?

Every incision through the full thickness of the skin leaves a scar. The goal of surgery is to place it where it will be hidden and to close it so that it heals as a fine line. The goal of aftercare is to help it mature into that fine line.

What are the stages of scar healing?

  1. Inflammation (first days): the body stops bleeding and cleans the wound.
  2. Proliferation (roughly week 1 to week 6): new tissue and collagen fill the gap; the scar becomes pink, then often redder and firmer.
  3. Remodelling (month 2 to month 12 to 18): collagen reorganises, the scar flattens, softens and fades from red or purple to a pale or skin-coloured line.

Why does my scar look worse at two months than at two weeks?

This surprises many patients. Around six to twelve weeks a scar is often at its reddest and firmest because collagen production is at its peak. It usually improves after that. This is why surgeons do not judge a scar before six months and do not revise one before about a year.

What are the different types of scars?

  • Normal mature scar: flat, pale, soft, roughly the width of the incision.
  • Widened scar: flat but broader, typical of areas under tension such as the back, shoulders or lower abdomen.
  • Hypertrophic scar: raised, red and sometimes itchy but staying within the borders of the incision; it often improves over time.
  • Keloid: grows beyond the original incision, can keep growing and often recurs after removal; more frequent in people with darker skin, on the earlobes, chest and shoulders, and in those with a personal or family history.
  • Pigmented scar: darker (or lighter) than the surrounding skin, often triggered by sun exposure during healing.

Who is at higher risk of poor scars?

People who have had keloids or thick scars before, people with darker skin types, smokers, those with diabetes or on steroids, people who gain or lose a lot of weight during healing, and anyone whose scar is under strong tension. If you have had a keloid before, tell the surgeon at the first consultation; it may change the plan and the prevention strategy.

Scar care that works: silicone, massage and taping

What is the best treatment for a new surgical scar?

Silicone. An international group of scar experts published updated practical guidelines in 2014 recommending silicone gel or silicone sheets as the first-line option to prevent and treat hypertrophic scars and keloids. Later reviews have not replaced silicone as the standard first step, even though the quality of the evidence is debated. Silicone keeps the scar hydrated and appears to calm excessive collagen production.

When should I start and how long should I use it?

Start once the wound is completely closed and dry, usually about two weeks after surgery, after the surgeon has checked it. Gels are applied as a thin layer, usually twice a day, and are practical on the face and in visible areas. Sheets are worn for many hours a day, ideally 12 hours or more, and suit body scars under clothing. Most protocols recommend at least two to three months, often longer for high-risk scars.

Does scar massage help?

Gentle massage, once the wound is closed and the surgeon agrees, can soften a firm scar and reduce sensitivity and itch. A common approach is firm but painless circular pressure along the scar for a few minutes, two or three times a day, with an unscented moisturiser or the silicone gel. Do not massage a scar that is still open, crusted or very inflamed.

What about tape and tension relief?

Paper tape or specific tension-offloading tapes placed across the scar reduce the forces that pull the edges apart. Some surgeons recommend them for several weeks after a tummy tuck or breast surgery. They are simple and inexpensive, and they also protect the scar from friction.

Option When Evidence and comment
Silicone gel or sheets From wound closure, for 2 to 3 months or longer First-line in international guidelines; easy to use
Massage Once the wound is closed and stable Helps softness and comfort; gentle only
Tape and tension relief First weeks to months Reduces widening on areas under tension
Sun protection From day one, for at least 12 months Prevents dark pigmentation of the scar
Onion extract, vitamin E, oils Often marketed Weak or inconsistent evidence; vitamin E can irritate
Steroid injections Thick scars not responding to silicone Second-line, given by a doctor
Laser Red or irregular scars, usually after a few months Can reduce redness and improve texture

Do expensive scar creams work better?

The active ingredient that matters most is silicone. Many branded products are silicone gels with different textures and added ingredients. Choose one you find comfortable enough to use every day for months; regularity matters more than the brand. Pharmacies in Switzerland stock several, and your surgeon or pharmacist can advise.

Sun, altitude and snow: protecting scars in Switzerland

Why does the sun damage new scars?

A young scar is inflamed and its pigment cells react strongly to ultraviolet light. Sun exposure in the first year can leave a scar permanently darker than the surrounding skin, which is far harder to treat than redness. This applies to all skin types, including people who tan easily.

Is the risk greater in the Alps?

Yes. Ultraviolet radiation increases with altitude, and fresh snow reflects a large share of it back towards the skin, so a day skiing in Verbier, Zermatt or Davos can expose a facial scar to much more UV than a day in Geneva or Zurich, even in winter. If your operation falls in autumn, as many do, the ski season is the first real test of your sun protection.

How should you protect scars?

  • Cover body scars with clothing or a silicone sheet whenever possible.
  • On the face and neck, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with high protection once the wound is closed, reapplied every two hours outdoors and after sweating.
  • Add a hat and sunglasses after eyelid or facial surgery.
  • Avoid sunbeds completely during healing.
  • Keep this up for at least 12 months, or until the scar is pale and flat.

Can I go on a beach holiday after surgery?

Plan it carefully. Sea and pool swimming must wait until the wounds are closed, and new scars must stay covered or protected. A holiday at six to eight weeks is often possible after breast or facial surgery if you are disciplined about sun protection; after a tummy tuck or body lift, many people find that the swelling and garments make a beach holiday uncomfortable before two or three months.

What can be done about a thick, red or wide scar?

First, wait and keep up silicone and sun protection: many scars that look disappointing at three months are much better at a year. If a scar remains raised, itchy, red or wide, these are the main options, usually in this order.

Steroid injections

Injections of corticosteroids into a hypertrophic scar or keloid flatten it and relieve itching. Updated international recommendations place them as a second-line treatment, considered when a scar fails to respond to silicone after a couple of months. Several sessions a few weeks apart are often needed. Side effects include thinning of the skin and small visible vessels if too much is injected.

Laser and light treatments

Vascular lasers target the redness of young scars. Fractional lasers improve texture and thickness in older scars. In Switzerland, the use of certain lasers for cosmetic purposes has been regulated since June 2024, with some treatments reserved to doctors; our guide to laser skin treatment in Switzerland explains who may do what.

Other options

Microneedling can improve the texture of flat, irregular scars. Cryotherapy, injections of other drugs and radiotherapy after keloid excision are specialist options for difficult keloids. Fat grafting can soften tethered, depressed scars.

When is surgical scar revision appropriate?

Usually after the scar has matured, at least 12 months after surgery, when it is wide, stretched, poorly placed or distorted. The surgeon removes the old scar and closes the wound again with less tension. Revision is not a magic eraser: the new scar goes through the same stages of healing and needs the same care. Keloids are rarely treated by excision alone, because they often recur.

Medespoir’s French page on scar treatment and its page on tummy tuck scars describe the options in more detail.

When can you go back to work, driving and sport?

The general rule is gradual: walking immediately, light activity in the first weeks, normal strength training only once the surgeon confirms healing. Return too early and you risk bleeding, seroma, wound opening, implant displacement and wider scars. Return too late and you lose fitness and mood. The ranges below are typical; your surgeon’s instructions always take precedence.

Activity Face (eyelids, rhinoplasty, facelift) Breasts Liposuction Tummy tuck, body lift
Desk work About 1 to 2 weeks (visible bruising) About 1 week A few days to 1 week About 2 to 3 weeks
Driving When off strong painkillers and vision is normal When you can turn and brake without pain, often 1 to 2 weeks A few days to 1 week Often 2 to 3 weeks
Brisk walking From the first days From the first days From the first days From the first days, bent slightly forward at first
Light cardio (cycling, cross-trainer) About 2 to 3 weeks About 3 weeks About 2 to 3 weeks About 3 to 4 weeks
Running and impact About 4 to 6 weeks About 6 weeks, with a sports bra About 4 weeks About 6 to 8 weeks
Upper body weights, push-ups About 4 to 6 weeks (avoid straining) About 6 to 8 weeks About 4 weeks About 6 to 8 weeks
Abdominal exercises About 4 weeks About 6 weeks About 4 weeks About 8 weeks or more after muscle repair
Swimming When wounds are closed, 3 to 4 weeks When wounds are closed, 3 to 4 weeks When wounds are closed When wounds are closed, often 4 weeks or more
Contact sports, skiing About 6 weeks; nose protection after rhinoplasty About 6 to 8 weeks About 6 weeks About 8 weeks

When can I have sex again?

Usually after about two weeks for facial surgery and three to four weeks after breast or body surgery, avoiding pressure on the operated area. Raised blood pressure and strain carry the same risks as exercise in the first days.

When can I go to the sauna?

Heat increases swelling and the risk of bleeding. Most surgeons ask patients to avoid saunas, hammams and very hot baths for at least four to six weeks, and until wounds are fully healed.

When can I fly?

Short flights are usually possible a few days after many operations once the surgeon has checked you, which is how stays abroad are organised. Long-haul flights carry a higher clot risk and are often discouraged for several weeks after body contouring. Wear compression stockings if advised, drink water, walk in the aisle and avoid alcohol and sleeping pills on board.

Procedure by procedure: what changes in recovery

Eyelids

Cold compresses in the first 48 hours, sleeping with the head raised, avoiding screens for long periods in the first days because the eyes dry out, and no contact lenses for about two weeks. Bruising usually fades in ten to fourteen days. Scars in the upper lid crease become nearly invisible in most people.

Rhinoplasty

A splint for about a week, no glasses resting on the nose for several weeks after a bone-moving procedure, no nose blowing early on, sleeping on your back. Swelling goes down in stages: most within a month, the tip much later. Avoid contact sports and protect the nose on the ski slopes.

Facelift and neck lift

Head elevation, avoiding turning the neck sharply, careful hair washing and no hair colouring for several weeks. Scars around the ears and in the hairline should be protected from the sun and checked for tension. Numbness of the cheeks and ears improves over months.

Breast augmentation

Sleep on your back for several weeks, no underwire bra until allowed, no heavy lifting or pushing with the arms. Implants often sit high at first and « drop and fluff » over two to three months. Keep your implant card safe.

Breast lift and reduction

The anchor or lollipop scar heals in stages, and a small delay in healing where the vertical and horizontal scars meet is common. Silicone and tape help. The shape settles over three to six months.

Liposuction

Compression is central. Firmness and lumps are normal in the first weeks. The final contour appears at about three to six months. Avoid weight gain: remaining fat cells can still grow.

Tummy tuck

Walk slightly bent at first to protect the scar, then straighten gradually over one to two weeks. Use your arms to get out of bed. Keep the scar under tape and silicone for months. Muscle repair needs about eight weeks before abdominal training.

BBL (buttock fat grafting)

No direct sitting on the buttocks for a period set by the surgeon, often several weeks, using a special cushion that supports the thighs. Sleeping on the front or side. Safety guidance from the main plastic surgery societies insists that fat be placed only above the muscle, which matters far more than any aftercare detail.

Recovering after surgery abroad and coming home to Switzerland

Many Swiss residents have surgery abroad, often in Tunisia, Turkey or elsewhere in Europe. The healing process is the same, but the logistics are different: the first part of recovery happens near the clinic and the rest happens at home, often in another language. Good planning closes that gap.

How long should you stay?

Long enough for the surgeon to check the wounds, remove the drains where needed and authorise the flight. Medespoir’s indicative stays in Tunisia, for example, are five to six days for eyelids, ears or chin, six to seven days for a rhinoplasty or breast surgery, seven to ten days for a tummy tuck or facelift and eight to ten days for combined procedures. The stay page (in French) explains how the stay is organised.

What should you bring home?

  • The operative report and discharge letter, ideally with a summary in a language your Swiss doctor reads.
  • The list of medicines with doses and end dates.
  • Written instructions on garments, stitches, scar care and activities.
  • For implants, the implant card with brand, model, volume and lot number.
  • Contact details for remote follow-up and an emergency number.

Who removes stitches and checks the wound in Switzerland?

Organise this before you leave. Many patients ask their GP or a nurse at a local practice. If the clinic uses absorbable sutures, there may be nothing to remove. Note that care received in Switzerland after your return is at your own expense when the original operation was cosmetic, and that a complication may be handled differently by insurers; the questions of insurance and complications are covered in separate articles on our blog.

What does Medespoir’s Tunisian package include for recovery?

The package includes the pre-operative consultation and tests, the operation with the whole team, the theatre, the hospital stay, the implants with their card where relevant, the compression garment, daily care at the hotel, the check and discharge authorisation, the operative report, full-board hotel accommodation for the patient and one companion, all transfers and remote follow-up after your return to Switzerland. Flights, personal expenses, an extension for convenience, care received in Switzerland, travel insurance (recommended) and bank charges are not included. In Tunisia, consultations and medical documents are in French; there are direct flights from Geneva and Basel-Mulhouse of about two hours.

How does the price compare with Switzerland?

For cosmetic surgery, Medespoir’s Tunisian package is about 60% less than the equivalent operation in Switzerland, according to its prices page (in French). For Turkey, Medespoir confirms hair transplants; for any other operation, the quote states whether it is possible and where. The exact price is given in a free, personalised and nominative quote within 48 hours.

The emotional side of recovery

Is it normal to feel low after surgery?

Yes. Many patients experience a dip in mood in the first one or two weeks. The anaesthetic, painkillers, poor sleep, swelling, reduced activity and the gap between expectations and the swollen early result all play a part. It usually lifts as swelling falls and normal life resumes. If low mood is severe, lasts more than a few weeks or comes with thoughts of self-harm, speak to your GP or a mental health professional.

How do you avoid judging the result too early?

Take photos in the same light and position at set dates: before surgery, at one week, one month, three months, six months and a year. Compare those, not the mirror every morning. Most results only become clear at six months, and scars need a year or longer.

Should you tell people?

That is your choice. Practically, telling at least one person close to you makes the first days much easier, and having a companion during a stay abroad is helpful; it is one reason why Medespoir’s Tunisian package includes accommodation for one companion.

Ready to plan an operation with a clear recovery plan? Send your request for a free quote. You will receive a personalised and nominative proposal within 48 hours, including the planned length of stay and the follow-up after your return.

Main sources: Meaume S et al., Management of scars: updated practical guidelines and use of silicones, European Journal of Dermatology (2014); ASPS, ISAPS and The Aesthetic Society, gluteal fat grafting joint safety statement; KLV/OPAS Annex 1, edition of 1 July 2026 (liposuction for lipoedema); Federal Health Insurance Act (KVG/LAMal); FOPH, FAQ on treatments with non-ionising radiation and sound (in German); Medespoir, stays in Tunisia (in French).

FAQ

How long does it take to recover from cosmetic surgery?

Most people return to desk work within one to three weeks, depending on the operation. Full recovery, including sport and the final result, takes three to six months, and scars keep maturing for 12 to 18 months.

How long do I need to wear a compression garment?

Typically three to six weeks, depending on the operation, often day and night at first. Your surgeon sets the exact duration.

Is lymphatic drainage necessary after liposuction?

It is not essential. It may improve comfort and swelling, but compression, walking and time do most of the work. Ask your surgeon when it can start.

When should I start using silicone on my scar?

Once the wound is completely closed and dry, usually around two weeks after surgery, and continue for at least two to three months.

Can I go in the sun after surgery?

Protect scars from the sun for at least a year with clothing, silicone sheets or high-protection sunscreen. Be especially careful at altitude and on snow.

When can I go back to the gym?

Light cardio is often allowed at two to four weeks, impact and weights at four to eight weeks, and abdominal training after muscle repair later still.

Why is my scar red and raised at two months?

This is often the peak of collagen production. Most scars improve after that. Continue silicone and sun protection and show the scar to your surgeon if it grows, itches intensely or extends beyond the incision.

When can a bad scar be revised?

Usually not before about 12 months, once the scar has matured. Injections or laser may be tried earlier for thick or red scars.

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