How long before hard palate donor site will heal?

Hello!  Thank you for your question!  4-6 weeks time is a typical period.  The biggest thing is that there is continued progression without signs of infection.  However certainly there are factors that influence this such as age, size of the graft taken, other factors in the postoperative period, etc. Follow-up closely with your surgeon for evaluation. 

The typical patient will heal in 2 weeks, but that healing is just a superficial coverage of the open area. It will take several weeks to feel back to normal as the tissues continue to grow and thicken. Be sure to discuss this with  your surgeon and stay away from foods that irritate/burn the healing areas to give them the best chance to heal quickly. Best of LuckDr. JA. Dean Jabs M.D. Ph.D. FACSBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon

There is some variability depending upon the size of the graft harvested. But, in general, four weeks should be enough time to allow the site to heal. Check back with your plastic surgeon, as this particular question would need an in-person examination to really get a good read on what is going on.Best of luck!Dr. SubbioBoard-Certified Plastic SurgeonNewtown Square/Philadelphia, PA

Hello becky12,The time for the area to heal depends on how large of a piece was removed and whether there has been any infection afterward.  In most cases it should be healed by 4 weeks.  I'd recommend you follow up with your surgeon to make sure the area is healing appropriately.  

Dear Becky. In most cases, the wound from hard palate graft should heal within two to 4 weeks. I strongly advice you to go back and see your surgeon in order to check your hard palate. Fee free to send a picture of your hard palate and we can check it for you. Good luck