Top Surgery recovery — week by week

What healing actually looks like — week by week — for top surgery.

Recovery timeline

1. Day 0
   2–4 hour outpatient surgery (most surgeons). Drains placed. Compression vest immediately.
2. Days 1–7
   Drains removed at days 5–10. Most pain in first 48 hours; manageable thereafter.
3. Weeks 1–6
   Compression vest 24/7. No upper-body workouts. Most return to desk work week 1–2.
4. Weeks 6–8
   Compression vest comes off. Light upper-body activity resumes.
5. Months 3–6
   Final chest contour visible. Scars red and raised; will mature over 12–18 months.
6. Year 1
   Scar maturation. Many surgeons offer scar revisions or laser at 6–12 months if needed.

Quick reference

Back to work

5–10 days for desk; 4 weeks for physical work.

What's normal vs. what to call about

Some swelling, bruising, asymmetry, numbness, and tightness are expected in the first weeks. Sudden severe pain, fever above 101°F, drainage, spreading redness, or one-sided swelling that worsens after improving warrant a same-day call to your surgeon.

See top surgery results across the recovery curve on the main Top Surgery page.