What to Expect After Your Procedure

1 Week Before Surgery

• Schedule time off work (minimum 3-5 days recommended)
• Arrange transportation home after the procedure
• Avoid blood-thinning medications (aspirin, ibuprofen)
• Stop smoking and alcohol consumption
• Maintain a healthy diet and hydration
• Prepare your recovery space at home

48 Hours Before Surgery

• Fast according to Dr. Askeroglu’s pre-operative instructions
• Avoid strenuous exercise
• Get a good night’s sleep
• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing on surgery day

Day of Surgery (Day 0)

What to Expect:

• Mild discomfort managed with prescribed pain medication
• Slight swelling in the cheek area
• Some numbness in the surgical site (normal)
• Dissolvable sutures inside the mouth
• Difficulty eating solid foods

Post-Op Instructions:

• Rest with your head elevated on 2-3 pillows
• Apply ice packs (20 minutes on, 20 minutes off) for the first 24 hours
• Take prescribed pain medication as directed
• Stick to soft, cool foods (yogurt, ice cream, smoothies)
• Rinse mouth gently with warm salt water after meals
• Do NOT touch or poke at the surgical sites
• No strenuous activity or heavy lifting

Day 1-2

Swelling & Discomfort:

• Swelling typically peaks on day 2-3
• Mild to moderate discomfort (usually manageable with medication)
• Slight bruising may appear
• Difficulty fully opening mouth or chewing

Daily Care:

• Continue ice therapy (especially morning and evening)
• Sleep with head elevated
• Continue salt water rinses (4-5 times daily)
• Soft diet: pudding, applesauce, mashed potatoes, eggs
• Stay hydrated (drink plenty of water)
• Avoid hot beverages for 48 hours
• Take prescribed antibiotics as directed

Day 3

Improvements:

• Swelling begins to decrease
• Discomfort usually manageable with over-the-counter pain relief
• Better mouth opening
• Reduced numbness

Activities:

• You can begin returning to light activities
• Still avoid strenuous exercise
• No intense workouts or sports
• Light walking is acceptable

Week 1 (Days 4-7)

Physical Changes:

• Significant reduction in swelling
• Bruising may be more visible as swelling decreases
• Mild discomfort or tenderness
• Mouth feels more normal for eating
• Most numbness resolves

What You Can Do:
✓ Return to work if desk-based (start mid-week if possible)
✓ Resume light exercise (walking, yoga)
✓ Eat soft foods, gradually introducing solid foods
✓ Gentle facial stretches and expressions
✓ Light facial massage (as approved by Dr. Askeroglu)

What to Avoid:
✗ Heavy lifting or intense exercise
✗ Hot foods and beverages
✗ Hard, crunchy, or spicy foods
✗ Smoking and alcohol
✗ Vigorous rinsing or touching the surgical sites
✗ Saunas and steam rooms

Post-Op Care:

• Reduced ice therapy (only as needed)
• Continue gentle salt water rinses
• Take pain medication only as needed
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing

Week 2 (Days 8-14)

Continued Healing:

• Swelling further decreased (though some may persist)
• Most bruising fades or becomes lighter
• Minimal discomfort
• Normal mouth opening restored
• Able to eat most soft foods

Activities:
✓ Return to normal work activities
✓ Resume light to moderate exercise
✓ Increase physical activity gradually
✓ Socialize and attend gatherings (makeup can cover any remaining bruising)
✓ Travel is generally acceptable by end of week 2

Dietary Progression:

• Week 1: Soft foods (pudding, yogurt, soup, eggs)
• Week 2: Add semi-soft foods (pasta, fish, chicken)
• By end of week 2: Return to most normal foods (avoid very hard items)

Weeks 3-4

Expected Appearance:

• Most visible swelling resolved
• Minimal bruising (may still be faint)
• Face looks nearly normal
• Subtle improvements in contour becoming apparent
• Full mouth functionality restored

Return to Activities:
✓ Full work activities
✓ Moderate exercise and gym workouts
✓ Contact sports (with clearance from Dr. Askeroglu)
✓ Swimming (if any incisions fully healed)
✓ Sauna and steam rooms
✓ Return to all normal foods

Beauty & Skincare:
✓ Resume makeup application
✓ Resume normal skincare routine
✓ Facials and spa treatments (with caution – ask Dr. Askeroglu)
✓ Hair styling and treatments

Continue:

• Gentle massage to break up any remaining swelling
• Sun protection (SPF 30+)
• Hydration and healthy lifestyle

Weeks 5-8

Final Healing:

• Swelling almost completely resolved
• All bruising typically gone
• Scar tissue inside mouth continues to soften
• Contour improvements becoming more noticeable
• Results becoming more stable

Activities:

• Return to all normal activities
• Full exercise routine
• All dietary choices
• All beauty and skincare treatments
• Smoking and alcohol (though we recommend continued caution)

Final Results:

• By week 6-8, you’ll have a clearer picture of your final results
• Subtle ongoing improvements possible over the next several months

Months 3-6

Complete Healing:

• All swelling completely resolved
• Maximum contour and definition visible
• Scar tissue fully matured inside mouth
• Final results clearly evident
• Improvements in facial balance and proportion

During This Period:

• Results continue to refine as tissues settle
• You can fully appreciate your new contours
• Any remaining minor swelling (imperceptible to others) resolves
• You can compare before and after with confidence

Expected Temporary Effects

• Swelling: Peak at day 2-3, gradually resolves over weeks
• Bruising: Appears day 2-3, fades over 1-2 weeks
• Numbness: Inside mouth, resolves within days to weeks
• Mild discomfort: Manageable with prescribed medication
• Difficulty chewing: Resolves within first week
• Temporary asymmetry: From swelling; resolves as swelling decreases

When to Contact Dr. Askeroglu

Contact our office immediately if you experience:

• Severe pain not controlled by medication
• Excessive bleeding or blood-filled mouth
• Signs of infection (fever, increasing redness, pus)
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Severe asymmetry that doesn’t improve
• Allergic reactions (rash, swelling, difficulty breathing)
• Any concerns about your recovery

During Recovery

• Follow all post-operative instructions carefully
• Avoid smoking (delays healing)
• Maintain a healthy diet rich in protein and vitamins
• Stay well hydrated
• Get adequate sleep
• Avoid excessive alcohol

Long-Term (After Recovery)

• Maintain a stable weight
• Follow a healthy lifestyle
• Protect your skin from sun exposure
• Stay well-hydrated and maintain good nutrition
• Consider complementary procedures for enhanced results
• Schedule regular follow-up appointments