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Returning to Work After Surgery: Doctor’s Notes, Time Off and Unpaid Leave

Medically reviewed by Paul Gonzales on April 8, 2024.

The GCC recognizes that our patient’s ability to support their livelihood and financial security is an important consideration when choosing to undergo gender-affirming surgery. Some patients may be anxious to get back to work after surgery to start earning money again, while others might be afraid of going back to work while they are still recovering. We speak to those concerns below, alongside our practice’s process about helping patients and their loved ones get time off for surgical recovery.

If you are interested in undergoing gender-affirming surgery, you can schedule a free, virtual consultation with one of our board-certified surgeons today.

How long will I need to take off work after surgery?

The healing process after surgery can be a bit different for everyone, so it’s important to have a discussion with your surgeon before and after surgery to assess your body’s recovery needs before returning to work. If your job involves lifting heavy weights (i.e., 25 lbs or more) or you may not be able to return to work until at least 6 weeks after surgery. For those with less physically active jobs, we recommend taking time off based on the following guidelines:

• Top surgery and breast augmentation: Individuals with “desk jobs” can return to work as early as 1-2 weeks after surgery, depending on their comfort level. 
• Facial surgery: Depending on the type of procedure performed, patients can take between 2-4 weeks off work. It is important to consider the amount of swelling that may be present on the face, which may take some time to subside.
• Bottom surgery: Since these procedures are generally more invasive and typically involve more bed rest than other surgeries, patients can expect to take 4-6 weeks off work.
• Body contouring: After a liposuction and/or fat grafting procedure, patients should be able to return to work 1-2 weeks after surgery. It’s important to consider that no pressure should be applied to areas where fat has been grafted for at least 2-3 weeks after surgery (i.e., the buttocks after a BBL).

Please note that in the event of certain postoperative complications (i.e., hematoma that needs evacuation), a patient might need to take more time off of work. If you are concerned that you are experiencing a surgical complication, please get in touch with your surgeon and/or a local provider to get follow-up care instructions and a letter to extend the time you need off of work.

FOR GCC PATIENTS, CALL (415) 780-1515 TO SPEAK WITH THE CLINICAL TEAM.

How to ask for time off work

Once a patient has had their in-person or free, virtual consultation and met the other preoperative requirements, you will be given a date for your surgery. At this point, you will receive instructions on how to solicit the proper documentation from our Medical Assistants to get you time off from work. Please remember that a patient’s financial responsibility for the operation must be paid in full at least 6 weeks before the surgery date. Failure to do so can result in the cancellation of your procedure.

Every employer is different in what they require to approve a time off request. If your employer has a specific form they need our clinical team to fill out, you can send it to our team via fax or digitally once you have a surgery date scheduled. Some patients may simply need a doctor’s note. We can also fulfill that request or assist in filling out any other paperwork to facilitate your leave.

Please note that any medical leave documentation we provide will not mention the procedure(s) you will undergo nor will it reflect “Gender Confirmation Center” as your provider. The letter will only have your surgeon’s name and contact information on the letterhead to maintain confidentiality. You do not have to tell your employer the specific reason for requesting medical leave.

What is Family and Medical Leave?

If your legal spouse, parent/guardian or child is undergoing surgery, you may be eligible to take time off work to care for them. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allows employees to solicit up to 12 work weeks of unpaid leave if you have been employed for at least a year prior. Some states have Our Medical Assistants can also assist you in filling out this paperwork.