The local anesthesia is about as painful as getting your gums numbed at a dentist’s office. Post operatively, you will feel tightness in the donor site and it will get less tight each day.
Your surgeon will discuss post-operative camouflage techniques with you prior to your surgery, but be assured that while almost everyone has some sort of temporary side effect such as bruising and swelling, there are makeup techniques that both men and women can use almost immediately to disguise them.
The swelling could last a month or six weeks. You will need to keep your head elevated when you sleep and don't put any pressure on the treated areas. You are restricted from heavy lifting or bending for two weeks.
The stiches will be removed in a week and does not hurt.