7 months post op - what can I do to minimize swelling? (photo)

Question

Hello, I had Double jaw surgery, cheek reduction, chin reduction and genioplasty in South Korea July 17. Im 7 months post op but im still pretty swollen. Im very insecure and depressed about this swelling and worried that my face is stuck like this. Can you all please give me recommendations on what to do to get swelling to go down? Or what can be going on with my face? Please I'm in desperate need of answers!

Eren Pera, DDS, MSc · Answer

Hello Laieh, first of all, I hope you're feeling better. After orthognathic surgery, we expect about 80% of the swelling to resolve within 2 weeks and nearly complete resolution within a month. If swelling persists beyond 7 months, it indicates inadequate healing. Have you consulted with the surgeon who performed the operation? Have you received any response regarding this? I strongly recommend seeking consultation with a maxillofacial surgeon urgently.

David Bell, DDS, MD · Answer

Recovery from double-jaw surgery follows a generally predictable biologic time course as follows:
Three days after surgery, swelling is at its maximumtwo weeks after surgery, swelling is down to 50% of the maximum six weeks after surgery, swelling is down to about 80 to 90% of its maximumone year after surgery, the swelling should be essentially gone
You may assume that your face's shape is due to swelling, but this may not necessarily be true. It may be due to the shape of your facial skeleton. Unfortunately, many surgeons perform jaw surgery without much communication with their patients and only verbally describe what their patients' faces will look like after surgery. Furthermore, different people have different ideas about what looks ideal.
Computer-based virtual surgery planning is the standard of care in North America and many other places worldwide. During this planning process, people who are having surgery should be involved in the planning process and provide feedback, express their cosmetic needs to their surgeons, and communicate with their surgeons how they want to look. This is the very basis for what is known as informed consent. In other words, people must consent to what will be done to their faces. 
In my experience, it is not possible to fully communicate with my patients by using phrases such as "a more prominent chin," a "shorter face," or "a fuller midface." Actual predictive images or computer-based simulations my patients can think about for a few days and approve are necessary. If my patients don't like what we planned TOGETHER, they are given time to let me know so I can change their surgical plan.
Furthermore, I can superimpose three-dimensional photographic imaging on their CT scan during the planning process, with the CT scan being the basis for computer-based planning, further enhancing my patients' understanding of what to expect. 
Simply stated, a picture is worth a thousand words.
I recommend consulting with an expert surgeon. The surgeon should obtain a new CT scan of your face and examine the structure of your facial skeleton and the amount of swelling present.
I wish you well.

7 months post op - what can I do to minimize swelling? (photo)

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7 months post op - what can I do to minimize swelling? (photo)

Answers (2)

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Everything you need to know about Jaw Surgery

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.