Can I Return to Work After Mohs Surgery? Activity Guidelines

The Question Everyone Asks

When Dr. Yehonatan Kaplan tells a patient they need Mohs surgery, one of the first questions that follows is often practical rather than medical: How much time will I need to take off work? This is a completely reasonable concern. People have responsibilities, deadlines, and commitments. Understanding the recovery timeline in advance allows you to plan effectively and reduces the stress of uncertainty.

The honest answer is that it depends on several factors: the location and size of the surgery, the type of reconstruction performed, and the physical demands of your job. This guide provides realistic timelines to help you plan.

Desk Work and Office Jobs: 1 to 2 Days

If your work is primarily sedentary, involving a computer, phone calls, or administrative tasks, most patients can return within 1 to 2 days after surgery.

The day of surgery. You will not be able to work on surgery day. The procedure typically takes 3 to 5 hours, and afterward you will want to rest.

The day after surgery. Many patients with desk jobs feel well enough to return the following day, especially if the surgery was straightforward. You will have a bandage, but this should not interfere with desk work.

Considerations. If your surgery was near the eyes and swelling or bruising affects your vision or comfort, you may prefer to take an extra day or two. If your job involves frequent face-to-face meetings and you feel self-conscious about visible bandaging or bruising, a few additional days may give you greater comfort. Some patients choose to work from home during the first week.

Video calls. If you have video calls and your surgery is on your face, be aware that a bandage will be visible. Most colleagues will be understanding, but you can always turn off your camera for the first week if you prefer.

Physical and Manual Labor: 1 to 2 Weeks

Jobs that involve physical exertion, heavy lifting, bending, or outdoor work require a longer recovery period.

Why the longer wait. Physical activity increases blood pressure and blood flow to the surgical site, which raises the risk of bleeding, swelling, and wound complications. Activities that involve straining, bending forward, or lifting heavy objects are particularly problematic in the first 1 to 2 weeks.

Light physical work. If your job involves light physical tasks such as walking, standing, or occasional lifting of objects under 5 kilograms, you may be able to return within 5 to 7 days, depending on the surgical location.

Heavy physical work. Jobs involving heavy lifting, vigorous physical activity, or exposure to dirt, dust, or contaminants should be avoided for at least 10 to 14 days. The wound needs time to develop sufficient strength before being subjected to physical stress.

Outdoor work. If you work outdoors, sun protection of the surgical site is essential. The healing wound and subsequent scar are highly vulnerable to UV damage, particularly in Israel where UV levels are intense. A bandage, hat, or SPF 50 sunscreen over the area is mandatory. For more on sun protection during healing, see our article on minimizing scars after Mohs surgery.

Exercise and Sports: A Gradual Return

Many patients are active and want to know when they can resume their exercise routine. A gradual approach is key.

Days 1 to 3: Rest. No exercise beyond gentle walking around your home. This is the period with the highest risk of post-operative bleeding.

Days 4 to 7: Light walking. Gentle walks at a comfortable pace are acceptable and even encouraged, as light movement promotes circulation and healing. Keep the walks short and avoid getting overheated.

Week 2: Moderate activity. If healing is progressing well and you have no signs of bleeding or wound complications, you can gradually increase walking duration and pace. Light yoga or stretching may be appropriate, but avoid positions that put your head below your heart, such as forward bends or inversions.

Weeks 2 to 3: Return to gym. Light cardio on a stationary bike or elliptical machine can usually be resumed. Start at a lower intensity than your usual routine and monitor the surgical site for any signs of increased swelling, redness, or bleeding.

Weeks 3 to 4: Strength training. Weightlifting and resistance exercises can typically be resumed gradually, starting with lighter weights. Avoid exercises that cause significant straining or that put direct pressure on the surgical area.

Week 4 and beyond: Full activity. Most patients can return to their full exercise routine, including running, swimming, and contact sports, by 4 weeks after surgery. Swimming should be delayed until the wound is completely sealed to prevent infection.

Sport-specific guidance. If you participate in a sport with risk of facial contact or impact, such as basketball, martial arts, or soccer, consider waiting longer or wearing protective equipment. Discuss your specific sport with Dr. Kaplan.

Driving

Same day. It is recommended that someone else drive you home after surgery. While Mohs surgery uses local anesthesia and you will be fully alert, the combination of a long procedure, emotional stress, and a bandage that might affect your visual field makes it best to have a companion drive.

The next day. Most patients can drive normally the day after surgery, provided their vision is not affected by bandaging or swelling. If surgery was near the eyes and you have significant swelling or bruising that limits your field of vision, wait until this has improved.

Daily Activities: What Is Safe and When

Here is a practical reference for common daily activities.

Showering. You can shower the day after surgery. Keep the surgical site dry during the shower for the first 24 to 48 hours if instructed, or gently clean it as directed by Dr. Kaplan. Avoid direct water pressure on the wound.

Bathing, swimming, and hot tubs. Avoid submerging the wound in water for at least 2 to 3 weeks, or until the wound is fully healed. Pools, hot tubs, the sea, and baths carry a risk of infection.

Cooking and household chores. Light household tasks can be resumed within 1 to 2 days. Avoid heavy housework, vacuuming, or scrubbing for the first week.

Bending and lifting. Avoid bending forward at the waist or lifting anything over 5 kilograms for the first week. When you need to pick something up, bend at the knees instead.

Sleeping. Sleep with your head elevated on an extra pillow for the first few nights, especially if surgery was on your face. This helps minimize swelling.

Alcohol. Avoid alcohol for the first 48 hours after surgery, as it can thin the blood and increase bleeding risk.

Smoking. Do not smoke. Smoking significantly impairs wound healing by reducing blood flow to the skin. If you can, use your surgery as motivation to quit.

Wound Care While Returning to Activities

As you resume your normal routine, proper wound care remains essential.

Keep the wound covered. Maintain a clean bandage over the surgical site until Dr. Kaplan advises that it can be left uncovered. This protects the wound from trauma, bacteria, and sun exposure.

Do not touch the wound with dirty hands. Wash your hands thoroughly before any bandage changes or wound care.

Watch for warning signs. Contact Dr. Kaplan's office if you experience increasing pain, significant new bleeding, spreading redness, pus or foul-smelling drainage, fever, or if stitches come loose.

Do not rush. If an activity causes pain, bleeding, or increased swelling, stop and rest. Listen to your body.

What Employers Should Know

If you need to inform your employer about your surgery, here are the key points. Mohs surgery is an outpatient procedure that does not require a hospital stay. Most patients with desk jobs need only 1 to 2 days off. For facial surgery, a visible bandage will be present for 1 to 2 weeks. Patients will need a stitch removal appointment, usually 5 to 14 days after surgery, and possibly additional follow-up visits. Physical activity restrictions should be communicated if the job involves manual labor, and Dr. Kaplan can provide a medical note if needed.

Planning Your Schedule

The best approach is to plan conservatively and return to activities earlier if you feel ready, rather than pushing yourself and experiencing a setback.

Schedule surgery for a Thursday or Friday if possible, so you have the weekend to rest before returning to work on Monday.

Clear your calendar for the surgery day and the following day at minimum.

Reschedule any events that involve physical exertion or extended social obligations for at least 2 weeks after surgery.

Prepare your home before surgery: stock your refrigerator, arrange for help with childcare or errands if needed, and set up a comfortable recovery area.

For a complete preparation guide, read our article on how to prepare for Mohs surgery. And for a detailed understanding of the full healing process, see our Mohs surgery recovery timeline.