Recovery after surgery

Real, clear timelines for the most common operations — when you can drive, work, fly, lift and get back to normal — plus the questions everyone asks once the surgery is done.

Common questions after any surgery

The things everyone Googles in the recovery room — answered across operation types.

When can I drive? The emergency-stop rule, opioids and your insurer. Going back to work Desk vs manual jobs, and rough timelines. When can I fly? Clot risk, trapped gas and fit-to-fly. Exercise & the gym Walk early, lift later — when to ramp up. When can I drink alcohol? Painkillers, healing and the safe wait. Sex after surgery Pelvic rest, wounds and the 'two-flights' rule. Breastfeeding after anesthesia Feed when you're awake — pump-and-dump usually isn't needed. What to eat after surgery Gentle on a queasy stomach, then protein & fiber to heal. When can I shower? Getting the wound wet, baths, swimming, and wound care. Is this a blood clot? (DVT/PE) Calf pain or breathlessness after surgery — what to do.

Straight after the operation

The recovery room, waking up, and what's normal in the first day or two.

Waking up from anesthesia Grogginess, sore throat, nausea — all normal. The first 24–48 hours Pain control, drains, first walk — and red flags.

Bones, joints & spine

Orthopaedic recovery runs in months, not weeks — physio is the work.

Knee replacement Driving ~4–6 weeks; full recovery 3–12 months. Hip replacement Hip precautions ~6–12 weeks; walk same day. ACL surgery Sport ~9–12 months; physio from day one. Rotator cuff repair Sling 4–6 weeks; full recovery 4–6 months. Shoulder replacement Sling 3–6 weeks; driving ~4–6 weeks. Spine surgery No bending/lifting/twisting ~6 weeks. Carpal tunnel release Light use straight away; grip back in weeks.

Abdominal & general

Keyhole surgery is quick; open surgery takes longer.

Gallbladder surgery Desk work ~1–2 weeks; full ~2–3 weeks keyhole. Hernia repair Avoid heavy lifting ~2–4 weeks. Appendix surgery Back to desk work in ~1–2 weeks.

Women's health

Route matters — keyhole and vaginal heal faster than open.

C-section Lift only the baby for ~6 weeks. Hysterectomy Pelvic rest ~6 weeks; work 4–8 weeks. Mastectomy Arm exercises early; drains 1–2 weeks.

Heart, eyes, ENT & more

Very different operations, very different timelines.

Heart bypass (CABG) Sternal precautions ~6–8 weeks; cardiac rehab. Prostate surgery Catheter, pelvic floor and continence recovery. Cataract surgery Vision sharpens over days; drops ~4 weeks. Tonsillectomy Adults sorest days 3–7; ~2 weeks off. Wisdom teeth removal Soft diet ~1 week; mind dry socket. Dry Socket Risk Checker After an extraction: risk, the timeline, and warning signs.