Swelling of the face or mild bruising of the skin after a surgery can be normal.

Please apply an ice pack (or frozen peas etc.) on the area for the first 48 hours to control the swelling as much as possible (20 minutes on and 20 minutes off or alternating if both sides of the face have had surgery).

It is normal for the swelling to peak within the first couple of days and it should subside gradually.

Please call the office if the swelling reoccurs after a few days as this may indicate the possibility of an infection and should be addressed.

Please apply firm pressure on bleeding areas with the folded gauze compresses provided and change until the bleeding stops (the compresses remain white). Avoid rinsing, spitting, swishing while brushing teeth, using a straw or smoking for the first few days.

Initially, it is also recommended to keep your head raised while sleeping at night with extra pillows.

Immediate and targeted pressure remains key in controlling bleeding

You can eat light meal for the first couple of days, yogurt, soups, Jell-O, etc.

Avoid very warm foods and using straws as they might cause bleeding.

Do not rinse or spit for thefirst 48 hours as this might re-elicit bleeding.

You can start rinsing with mouthwash or salt water but only after the first 48 to 72 hours.

Please take your medication (pain control and/or antibiotics) as prescribed on the vials.

Pain control medications are preferably started before the freezing wears off for greater comfort.

Stitches are usually dissolving and it is not uncommon to start falling out after a few days.