Post-SMAS, what damage can you do to tissues/sutures by excessive chewing, laughing, yawning or even flossing?

Question

I'm 10 days post-SMAS. I stuck to soft foods for a few days, but on Day 5 I felt slightly more comfortable so tried a salad and tuna steak meal. My jaw and cheek muscles became sore, hot and inflamed and swelling increased. So I returned to soft food. Yesterday I tried pineapple and when I flossed back teeth I got a stabbing pain, it felt like a deep suture being strained. Could I have torn something/damaged a section of the SMAS? My PS just said not to chew gum. Many thanks to the doctors.

Marc DuPéré, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  I do not restrict my facelift patients with regards to chewing, flossing nor yawning.  I do restrict them from strenuous activities for a minimum of 3-4 weeks and from 6-8 weeks from aggressive swimming and bicycling when a wide range of neck movements are expected.Discuss your concerns with your plastic surgeon.Best regards.

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

chewing laughing or flossing will not damage your facelift results.  Yawning / stretching could possible pull on sutures.  It's best to discuss your concerns with your plastic surgeon

Jeff Angobaldo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  I do not restrict my patients to a soft diet.  Eating 5 days post op should not affect your result.  Discuss your concerns with your surgeon and follow his recommendations.

John J. O'Brien, MD · Answer

Hello, and thank you for this question. In our practice we do not restrict what the patients eat  following the procedure although in the first several days patient's generally report that they are not particularly hungary. I would recommend that you follow up with your plastic surgeon regarding your condition.  best of luck with your continued recovery.

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

It would be very unusual for any damage to be done, after a SMAS lift, from chewing, laughing, yawning or flossing.  It is impossible to evaluate you without an exam to determine if there might have been any damage or not, so if you have a concern, you should contact your surgeon to be evaluated.

John A. Standefer Jr., MD, FACS · Answer

A soft diet early after facelift surgery is recommended because the muscles are normally swollen and it can be uncomfortable to chew as you experienced. The swelling normally subsides in a couple of weeks and you can resume your normal diet or flossing as you feel like it. It would be very unusual to have caused any damage by trying to chew a little earlier than your swelling allowed. Discuss any persistent pain or discomfort with your surgeon.John Standefer MD

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Eating,  moving your  mouth, etc.. is normal and should not impact your results. If you are having unusual pain, etc.. then you should speak to your surgeon.

Post-SMAS, what damage can you do to tissues/sutures by excessive chewing, laughing, yawning or even flossing?

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