Many now recognize that facial plastic surgery carries risks. In truth, maintaining clear awareness reveals that facial surgery involves cutting into the face—and if the technique is subpar, danger is inevitable. So what are the risks of facial plastic surgery? We believe many patients are unaware that certain foods should be avoided after facial procedures. Let's explore which foods to steer clear of post-surgery.
Risks of Facial Plastic Surgery
1. Facial Swelling
May persist for two weeks to one month; active icing can prevent or alleviate it.
2. Facial Nerve Damage
Temporary facial nerve paralysis: caused by normal surgical traction or wound swelling; cheekbone surgery may result in the disappearance of forehead wrinkles.Mandibular surgery may cause asymmetry around the corners of the mouth. The incidence rate is low, and symptoms typically resolve gradually within two to three months.
Permanent facial nerve damage: Occurs extremely rarely, primarily associated with mandibular surgery. Specialized intraoral surgical instruments can minimize this complication.
3. Dulled sensation in cheeks or around the mouth
A small number of patients may experience this due to postoperative swelling compressing facial sensory nerves. Avoid excessively hot foods to prevent accidental burns. Sensation typically returns within two to four weeks as swelling subsides.
4. Wound Bleeding, Hematoma Formation, or Skin Bruising
The placement of drainage tubes and the use of elastic bandages are specifically intended to prevent or mitigate these issues. Avoid massaging the wound too early to prevent severe bleeding.
5. Difficulty opening the mouth
Caused by swelling of the chewing muscles or the surgical site. This will gradually improve as swelling subsides, typically within about two weeks.
Facial plastic surgery carries inherent risks, making postoperative care crucial to ensure optimal outcomes. Dietary restrictions are particularly important. Experts advise avoiding the following four food categories after facial procedures.
Four Foods to Avoid After Facial Plastic Surgery
1. Foods containing blood-activating Chinese herbs
Herbs like Angelica sinensis (Danggui), Carthamus tinctorius (Honghua), and Ligusticum chuanxiong (Chuanxiong) accelerate blood circulation. Consuming them may cause previously clotted wounds to bleed again, potentially leading to localized hematomas and prolonging recovery.For patients undergoing minimally invasive procedures like internal incision blepharoplasty or small-incision buccal fat pad removal, the delicate nature of these techniques may not achieve complete hemostasis during surgery. Combined with limited drainage from small incisions, these procedures are inherently prone to bleeding and subcutaneous hematomas. Consuming blood-activating substances post-surgery would only exacerbate these risks.
Patients who undergo extensive procedures with significant fluid drainage (such as liposuction) should also avoid blood-activating foods post-surgery. Recently, the author encountered a case where a patient developed severe hematoma after consuming angelica chicken soup prepared by family members following dermal expander placement. This issue warrants serious attention. Additionally, since alcohol also promotes blood circulation, it should be avoided for a short period after cosmetic surgery.
2. Allergy-prone foods like seafood and tropical fruits
Shellfish such as crab and shrimp contain histamine and other compounds that readily trigger allergic reactions. Tropical fruits like mango and pineapple are also common allergens. Symptoms may include skin redness, rashes, peeling, and itching.
3. Hard foods requiring vigorous chewing
For cosmetic procedures involving the oral cavity and surrounding areas—such as intraoral incision mandibular angle reduction,cheek fat pad removal, cleft lip and palate repair, lip reduction/augmentation, and facial wrinkle removal. Patients must consume soft foods post-surgery to minimize risks of wound dehiscence or bleeding from chewing.One patient who underwent intraoral mandibular angle reduction surgery reopened their incision after craving a chicken drumstick, necessitating a second suturing procedure.
4. Spicy and Extremely Hot Foods
Consuming spicy or excessively hot foods can trigger reactions like internal heat and sweating. Since sweat inevitably contains bacteria, excessive perspiration near surgical incisions not only hinders wound healing but also promotes local bacterial growth, increasing the risk of postoperative infection.