Tips for reduction in swelling

[BellaSwan]

Hello everyone,

So I basically have had my entire face remodeled, bone work, some soft tissue work you name it, and my swelling is BAD. Like we're talking it's hard to breathe and impossible to eat. Do anyone of you have any tips on how to minimize swelling, other than the usual ice packs and elevated head? I literally feel like my fave is trying t migrate off my head.

[Dena]

If the doctor permit it and you aren't on any other pain medication, Ibuprofen. It's an anti-inflamatory which may help reduce the swelling when combined with elevation and ice packs. It as been suggested we use it for recovery from voice surgery as ice packs are a little hard to apply.

[Lagertha]

Massage, ice, massage, ice, massage, ice, etc...etc... Start with very gentle massage at 3rd day or so, and gradually increase the pressure at one week. Apply the pressure with fingers at mandibular angle and jaw ridge, and push towards cheeks and mouth area.
If you have a surgeon around on 5th-6th day, ask them to show you how strong can you do it. It will hurt. Only gentle massage wont do much change. It will literally hurt to the point of crying in the first two days of doing strong massage. You literally need to go as far as you can handle. It will be a lot less painful after 2-3 days. Its worth doing it, because can you get rid of that lower face swelling much earlier. At 2-3 weeks you can have as little lowe face swelling as most people have at two months. But ask a surgeon to show you how to do it and how strong can you go!
Congratulation on your surgery! 

[Laura_7]

All at your own risk and talk it through with your doc:

Bruising can be reduced (many believe) with Bromelain 500 mg twice a day, Arnica montana (Boiron brand) dose 30C (take 4 small tablets sublingually, 4 times a day), vitamin C 500 mg (3 times a day)... some start 1 week before surgery...
bromelain may reduce swelling, bruising, healing time, and pain following physical injuries and surgery.

Bromelain is also part of fresh pineapple.

Its now commonly recommended by quite a few surgeons in plastic surgery, and srs.
People in sports use it, too, to deal with swelling.

You might think about external application of plants, some draw out liquid...
you might read up which ones, possibly onions for example.
Keep them away from wounds...


hugs

[Debra]

I was recently told Pineapple. Eat a cup of pineapple a day. Also Arnica Montana (oral/sublingual)  is something I've used before and after surgery too. It's over the counter.