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.