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Your face will swell after surgery as your
body brings extra fluid into the region to aid healing. Don't be surprised when the swelling increases
during the first two or three days after surgery. The swelling usually peaks at that time and then begins to
diminish. Remember, swelling is a normal reaction of your tissues to surgery.
The swelling will be most prominent and
lumpy in front of your ears and will give your face a round shape. Your earlobes
will also be swollen and
they may appear to protrude. Your face will look strange at first, and you may not recognize yourself. Be
patient and follow the instructions in this book. Most of the swelling will be gone by the end of the first week,
eighty percent by the end of the second week.
The swelling will migrate somewhat before
it leaves entirely. You may notice swelling under your eyes even if eyelid surgery was not performed.
The swelling also frequently moves down to the jaw line and underneath the chin before subsiding.
Gravity helps dissipate the swelling, so
sleep with your head elevated for the first week or two. Place a couple of pillows or a folded blanket
under the head of your mattress. You may notice that the swelling is more visible when you get up in the
morning. During the day be up in a chair to read or watch television, or sit well up in bed. Of course, rest when
you are tired.
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