What should I expect post-operatively?

[beautyparlour]

You may be groggy from the anesthetic and/or oral medications and probably won't remember much of the first day or two. You will have to take it easy and sleep on two pillows to keep your head elevated for 7-14 days - or however long your surgeon suggests. When you wake up you will notice that your face will look even more swollen in the first 3 days. But, as the days go on the swelling will dissipate. There may be bruising, but this will go away, as well. So make a mental note of this or you may be shocked into a depression. Bruising and swelling are a normal occurrence in most surgeries.

You will more than likely experience some discomfort for several weeks - having had intraoral incisions your diet may be restricted. You should make certain all fresh fruits and vegetables have been washed, no raw fish (sushi), very rare meat or other types of foods that may contain high amounts of bacteria. Eating foods such as this may increase your risk of infection due to the incisions being in the mouth. You may be instructed to rinse with Listerine several times a day. DO NOT PICK or "tongue" your incisions or sutures!

Although any discomfort should be alleviated by your prescribed pain medication if you have excessive pain, redness, pus or other symptoms that do not appear normal, contact your surgeon immediately! Take your temperature regularly. An elevated temperature could mean an infection. Take those antibiotics on time. Also, don't forget if you are a female taking birth control pills that some antibiotics can interfere so in the event that you do have relations, use another form of protection as well.

Even though you may feel better, you must take it easy for the first 3 weeks. Be careful not to bend over or lift heavy objects. And be careful not to raise the blood pressure for at least 3 weeks as this could cause internal bleeding at your treatment area. Your blood vessels dilate to allow increased blood flow when you raise your heart rate. This may cause problems at internal wound sites. Do not participate in contact sports for at least 6-8 weeks - although ask your surgeon what he recommends specifically.

You may notice a change in your smile, odd sensations of "tightness", tingling, the sporadic sharp pain, or "pulling", burning, and cold sensations. These usually subside within the first few weeks but the remainder of the swelling will take months to dissipate. Just know that your swelling will subside, revealing a more defined jaw structure and a more youthful, proportionate you. Although this may take some time so please prepare yourself emotionally. Some patients experience a "lull" or down period where they become depressed or feel unattractive. This is very normal.