Face Contouring Q&A 6. How to Care After Face Contouring Surgery

Hello. I am Director Jo Hyun-woo of the Intae Plastic Surgery Clinic.

Today, for the sixth installment of Face Contouring Q&A, I will talk about how to care for yourself after face contouring surgery.

Surgery is important, but there are also parts that patients must manage on their own so they can return to daily life within the planned period.

If post-surgery care is not handled well, swelling may last longer, the facial line may become uneven, or inflammation may occur, so basic care can help shorten the recovery period.^^

Q1. Is post-surgery care important after face contouring surgery?

A. Since face contouring surgery involves cutting and repositioning bone, precise examinations and systematic analysis are necessary.

An institution and medical staff that provide 1:1 customized surgery for each patient while considering both the overall facial balance and both the aesthetic and functional aspects are important. If post-surgery care is neglected after contouring surgery, swelling may last longer or the likelihood of complications may increase, so post-surgery care is important.

Q2. How should the inside of the mouth wound be managed after surgery?

A. To prevent inflammation inside the mouth, it is important to gargle frequently and keep the oral wound clean.

After face contouring surgery, gargling is carried out for up to 10 days. Be careful not to create pressure inside the mouth, and it is good to drink water frequently after meals.

Brushing your teeth is possible after one week has passed since surgery. Use a toothbrush with small bristles, like a children's toothbrush, and be careful not to touch the surgical area.

Q3. Is there a way to address swelling and scar tissue?

A. Swelling and bruising gradually subside starting from the 5th day after face contouring surgery and usually go down within about two weeks. Keeping your head higher than your heart after surgery and taking a walk for about one hour a day can help reduce swelling.

Rather than wearing the post-surgery facial compression band for a long time with strong pressure, wearing it in short sessions with breaks, at a level where the face feels slightly compressed, can help avoid skin damage and circulation problems and may also help relieve swelling.

Q4. How should meals be handled after surgery?

A. For about one week after face contouring surgery, a diet centered on soft liquid foods is good, and until the surgical area has settled, you should avoid foods that are too hard or chewy.

Also, after face contouring surgery, numbness or tingling around the surgical area may rarely occur, but this is a general symptom that can appear during the recovery process and usually recovers within about 6 months.

Q5. When can I sleep on my side after surgery?

A. About 3 months after contouring surgery, you can sleep on your side, and even if the surgical area is pressed, there should be no major issue.

Some people worry that they cannot open their mouth as much as before, but we recommend starting mouth-opening exercises about 6 weeks after surgery.

Therefore, when choosing a medical institution for surgery, it is important to check whether it operates a systematic post-face-contouring care program and a swelling-relief program that helps recovery and management.

In addition, since the surgical results and recovery period can vary depending on the surgeon’s experience and know-how in reducing dissection and bleeding during surgery, it is best to be careful when choosing the operating surgeon.

Thank you.^^