After Panfacial (Full Facial) Fracture Repair
What to Expect
Following surgery, it is normal to experience:
- Significant facial swelling and bruising that may extend around the eyes and neck.
- Difficulty opening your mouth.
- Numbness of the cheeks, upper lip, lower lip, chin, nose, or forehead. This may improve over several weeks to months.
- Mild bleeding from the nose or mouth for the first 24–48 hours.
- Blurred vision from swelling or ointment used during surgery.
- Fatigue and discomfort for several days.
Ice and Swelling
Swelling typically peaks 48–72 hours after surgery and gradually improves over the following 2–3 weeks.
To reduce swelling:
- Apply ice packs to the face for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off during the first 48 hours.
- Sleep with your head elevated on 2–3 pillows or in a recliner for the first week.
- Avoid bending over, heavy lifting, or strenuous activity, as these increase facial swelling.
Activity
For 6 weeks, avoid:
- Heavy lifting (>10 lbs/5 kg)
- Running or strenuous exercise
- Contact sports
- Blowing your nose
- Smoking or vaping
- Alcohol while taking narcotic pain medication
Walking is encouraged beginning the day after surgery.
Sinus Precautions
If Upper Jaw, Cheekbone or Orbit Were Repaired
For 2 weeks, avoid:
- Do NOT blow your nose
- Sneeze with your mouth open
- Drinking through straws
- Forceful spitting
- Scuba diving or flying if instructed by your surgeon
Use saline nasal spray as directed.
Jaw Precautions (If Your Jaw Was Repaired)
If your jaws are secured with elastics:
- Do not cut or remove the elastics unless instructed.
- Carry wire cutters or scissors (if directed) with you at all times for emergencies.
- Contact our office immediately if elastics break or become dislodged. Call: (604) 507-0514
*Perform jaw exercises only if instructed by your surgeon.
Diet
Your surgeon will determine the appropriate diet based on your fractures and fixation.
- This may include: Clear liquids for the first day, Full liquid diet, Pureed diet, Soft, no-chew diet, Mechanical soft diet.
- Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
- Avoid: Hard, crunchy, chewy, or sticky foods. Do not use a straw during the first week unless instructed otherwise.
- Avoid: Hard, crunchy, chewy, or sticky foods. Do not use a straw during the first week unless instructed otherwise.
Medications
Take medications exactly as prescribed.
- This may include: Pain medication, Antibiotics, Anti-inflammatory medication, Nasal decongestant, Steroid medication, Eye drops or ointment (if prescribed).
- Do not drive while taking narcotic pain medication.
Follow-Up
Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments.
Eye Care
If surgery involved the eye socket:
Contact your surgeon immediately if you experience:
Contact your surgeon immediately if you experience:
- Sudden vision loss
- Double vision that worsens
- Increasing eye pain
- Inability to move the eye
- Bulging of the eye
- Severe swelling causing inability to open the eye
Mild blurry vision and swelling are common for several days.
Oral Hygiene
Keeping your mouth clean is essential.
- Brush your teeth gently with a soft toothbrush after meals.
- Avoid brushing directly over incisions.
- Rinse with prescribed chlorhexidine mouth rinse twice daily.
- Warm salt-water rinses (1 teaspoon salt in 1 cup warm water) after meals beginning 24 hours after surgery.
Incision Care
If you have external facial incisions:
- Keep incisions clean and dry.
- Apply ointment if prescribed.
- Avoid sun exposure for 6–12 months.
- Once healed, apply sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) daily.
If sutures are absorbable, they will dissolve on their own.
Smoking
DO NOT: Smoke or vape. Smoking greatly increases the risk of infection, poor bone healing, non-union, wound breakdown, failure of surgical repair. Avoid all nicotine products for at least 6 weeks after surgery.
Healing Timeline
First week
Maximum swelling and bruising
2–3 weeks
Most swelling improves
6 weeks
Bone healing is well underway
3 months
Continued improvement in facial sensation and function
6–12 months
Final healing, scar maturation, and nerve recovery
Emergency Signs
Call Our Office Immediately If You Experience
- Fever greater than 38.5°C (101.3°F)
- Increasing swelling after the third postoperative day
- Pus or foul-smelling drainage
- Persistent heavy bleeding
- Difficulty breathing
- Difficulty swallowing
- Severe uncontrolled pain
- Sudden vision changes or vision loss
- Increasing double vision
- New facial weakness
- Loose plates, screws, wires, or elastics
- Inability to keep fluids down
If you experience difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, or sudden vision loss, proceed to the nearest emergency department or call 911 immediately.
Questions or Concerns?
A 24-hour answering service is available for after-hours contact.
Prescription renewal is only accepted during office hours.
Prescription renewal is only accepted during office hours.
Contact Information
It is our desire that your recovery be as smooth and pleasant as possible. Following these instructions will assist you, but if you have questions about your progress, please call the office at 604-507-0514. Please try to call during office hours; however a 24-hour answering service is available for after hours contact with one of our oral surgeons. For after hours please call 604-507-0514 and then press 1 when the recording begins.
Please note: telephone calls for narcotic (pain killer) prescription renewal are ONLY accepted during office hours.