The recovery time after having chin surgery is around 2 to 4 weeks.
Right after Surgery
After the chin surgery has been performed, the patient will be taken to the recovery room where they will recover from the anesthesia. The dressing placed on the chin after the surgery will need to stay in place for 48 to 72 hours. The doctors will have most likely used stitches to close the wound. It is very important to keep this area clean and dry to avoid infection. The stitches will probably be removed within 10 days of the surgery. Bed rest is recommended for the first day or two. For the first few days after surgery, a liquid or soft-food diet is recommended.
One to Two Weeks after Surgery
The chin will be sore and tender for the first couple of weeks and some bruising may occur. The patient may use cold compresses after the surgery to try to keep the bruising and swelling to a minimum. This may also help with the pain. There may be a feeling of tightness or stretching around the jaw line. This should be gone within a week or two after the surgery. Patients should be able to return to work within two weeks of having the surgery. Patients should only return to work or regular activity if it is not strenuous, because the body is still trying to heal.
Many patients who receive plastic or reconstructive surgery may have feelings of depression or anxiety because of the swelling and bruising on the face. This is a normal process which happens quite often in all types of surgery. It will go away, but if it does not, the patient should talk to their doctor.
After making it past the recovery process, the patient may feel like the chin surgery was well worth it, especially if the expectations are met.
