Facial swelling after plastic surgery

Surgery causes local inflammation, and fluid can collect in tissues near the operation. Bruising, tightness and stiffness may accompany this process. The pattern depends on the procedure and should be compared with the instructions you received. Swelling that becomes hot, increasingly painful, red or associated with discharge may indicate cellulitis or another wound problem. Swelling after a new medicine, dressing or product can reflect angioedema. Facial swelling with wheeze, throat symptoms or collapse may indicate anaphylaxis.

Use the position, cold-compress and wound-care instructions supplied by your surgeon. Keep dressings intact unless told to change them, and do not massage or press the operated area without permission. Take prescribed medicines exactly as directed. Avoid smoking, alcohol, heavy exertion and heat if your surgical team has restricted them. Keep a simple record of pain, temperature and changes in swelling so you can describe the trend clearly.

Contact the surgical team promptly for rapidly increasing swelling, one-sided expansion, severe pain, bleeding, wound separation, pus, fever, vision changes or difficulty opening the mouth. Call emergency services for trouble breathing, throat tightness, tongue swelling, faintness or rapidly spreading swelling. Do not wait for a routine appointment when airway symptoms are present.

Ask what swelling pattern and recovery timeline fit your operation, whether you should use cold packs or elevation, which symptoms suggest a collection or infection, and who to contact outside clinic hours. Mention every prescription, supplement and over-the-counter medicine you take.