Swelling is a natural part of the healing process after surgery, but it’s also one of the most bothersome aspects. Anyone who has dealt with swelling can relate to how uncomfortable it can be, and how persistently it can make a comeback. Let’s talk about some of the most common questions regarding post-surgery swelling and what you can do to reduce swelling after surgery.
Swelling is a natural part of the healing process after surgery, but it’s also one of the most bothersome aspects. Anyone who has dealt with swelling can relate to how uncomfortable it can be, and how persistently it can make a comeback. Let’s talk about some of the most common questions regarding post-surgery swelling and what you can do to reduce swelling after surgery.
Why do we experience swelling after surgery?
Swelling is a body’s natural inflammatory response to trauma, and it does serve a purpose. When we have damaged tissue, the body sends more white blood cells and fluid to the area to heal it. Also, the discomfort that swelling causes deters you from moving or touching that area, nature’s way of making sure you avoid further damage to the tissue.
How long does swelling last after surgery?
This depends on so many factors—the pre-surgery condition, the location of the injured tissue, the way surgery is performed, the individual’s health and age, etc. However, as a general idea, you can expect swelling to decrease significantly after 2 weeks, and to stop completely (or almost) by 6 weeks after surgery.
How do I know if my swelling is abnormal?
You’ll want to call your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:
How to Reduce Post-Surgery Swelling
There are many strategies you can use to reduce swelling and discomfort after your surgery. Below are some of our expert tips to get the swelling down:
We hope this guide helps you understand more about what’s going on in your body after surgery that creates swelling and what you can do to alleviate it. If you want to learn all about wound care after surgery and sutures, you can check out our post-suture skin care guide.
Swelling is a body’s natural inflammatory response to trauma, and it does serve a purpose. When we have damaged tissue, the body sends more white blood cells and fluid to the area to heal it. Also, the discomfort that swelling causes deters you from moving or touching that area, nature’s way of making sure you avoid further damage to the tissue.
How long does swelling last after surgery?
This depends on so many factors—the pre-surgery condition, the location of the injured tissue, the way surgery is performed, the individual’s health and age, etc. However, as a general idea, you can expect swelling to decrease significantly after 2 weeks, and to stop completely (or almost) by 6 weeks after surgery.
How do I know if my swelling is abnormal?
You’ll want to call your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- If your swelling gets worse
- Excessive pain
- Discharge from the incision
- A change in color surrounding the incision
- If your swelling hasn’t improved at all after 2 weeks
How to Reduce Post-Surgery Swelling
There are many strategies you can use to reduce swelling and discomfort after your surgery. Below are some of our expert tips to get the swelling down:
- Ice the area. This helps to constrict the blood vessels and decrease swelling. It can also help with pain relief. 20-minute increments are ideal.
- Elevate the area. For those who are recovering from facial surgery, you’ll want to use extra pillows to maintain a semi-upright position while sleeping and resting.
- Avoid salty foods. Consuming too much sodium can increase swelling.
- Get light movement. Short walks or stretching can help with blood flow. However, strenuous exercise can have the opposite effect, increasing swelling, so you’ll want to keep movement very gentle.
- Stay cool. Now is not the time to go out in the sun or heat. Heat increases swelling.
- Get ample rest. This is not only helpful for reducing swelling, but healing in general. The body cannot heal if it is constantly going.
We hope this guide helps you understand more about what’s going on in your body after surgery that creates swelling and what you can do to alleviate it. If you want to learn all about wound care after surgery and sutures, you can check out our post-suture skin care guide.
Why do we experience swelling after surgery?
Swelling is a body’s natural inflammatory response to trauma, and it does serve a purpose. When we have damaged tissue, the body sends more white blood cells and fluid to the area to heal it. Also, the discomfort that swelling causes deters you from moving or touching that area, nature’s way of making sure you avoid further damage to the tissue.
How long does swelling last after surgery?
This depends on so many factors—the pre-surgery condition, the location of the injured tissue, the way surgery is performed, the individual’s health and age, etc. However, as a general idea, you can expect swelling to decrease significantly after 2 weeks, and to stop completely (or almost) by 6 weeks after surgery.
How do I know if my swelling is abnormal?
You’ll want to call your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:
How to Reduce Post-Surgery Swelling
There are many strategies you can use to reduce swelling and discomfort after your surgery. Below are some of our expert tips to get the swelling down:
We hope this guide helps you understand more about what’s going on in your body after surgery that creates swelling and what you can do to alleviate it. If you want to learn all about wound care after surgery and sutures, you can check out our post-suture skin care guide.
Swelling is a body’s natural inflammatory response to trauma, and it does serve a purpose. When we have damaged tissue, the body sends more white blood cells and fluid to the area to heal it. Also, the discomfort that swelling causes deters you from moving or touching that area, nature’s way of making sure you avoid further damage to the tissue.
How long does swelling last after surgery?
This depends on so many factors—the pre-surgery condition, the location of the injured tissue, the way surgery is performed, the individual’s health and age, etc. However, as a general idea, you can expect swelling to decrease significantly after 2 weeks, and to stop completely (or almost) by 6 weeks after surgery.
How do I know if my swelling is abnormal?
You’ll want to call your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- If your swelling gets worse
- Excessive pain
- Discharge from the incision
- A change in color surrounding the incision
- If your swelling hasn’t improved at all after 2 weeks
How to Reduce Post-Surgery Swelling
There are many strategies you can use to reduce swelling and discomfort after your surgery. Below are some of our expert tips to get the swelling down:
- Ice the area. This helps to constrict the blood vessels and decrease swelling. It can also help with pain relief. 20-minute increments are ideal.
- Elevate the area. For those who are recovering from facial surgery, you’ll want to use extra pillows to maintain a semi-upright position while sleeping and resting.
- Avoid salty foods. Consuming too much sodium can increase swelling.
- Get light movement. Short walks or stretching can help with blood flow. However, strenuous exercise can have the opposite effect, increasing swelling, so you’ll want to keep movement very gentle.
- Stay cool. Now is not the time to go out in the sun or heat. Heat increases swelling.
- Get ample rest. This is not only helpful for reducing swelling, but healing in general. The body cannot heal if it is constantly going.
We hope this guide helps you understand more about what’s going on in your body after surgery that creates swelling and what you can do to alleviate it. If you want to learn all about wound care after surgery and sutures, you can check out our post-suture skin care guide.
Why do we experience swelling after surgery?
Swelling is a body’s natural inflammatory response to trauma, and it does serve a purpose. When we have damaged tissue, the body sends more white blood cells and fluid to the area to heal it. Also, the discomfort that swelling causes deters you from moving or touching that area, nature’s way of making sure you avoid further damage to the tissue.
How long does swelling last after surgery?
This depends on so many factors—the pre-surgery condition, the location of the injured tissue, the way surgery is performed, the individual’s health and age, etc. However, as a general idea, you can expect swelling to decrease significantly after 2 weeks, and to stop completely (or almost) by 6 weeks after surgery.
How do I know if my swelling is abnormal?
You’ll want to call your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:
How to Reduce Post-Surgery Swelling
There are many strategies you can use to reduce swelling and discomfort after your surgery. Below are some of our expert tips to get the swelling down:
We hope this guide helps you understand more about what’s going on in your body after surgery that creates swelling and what you can do to alleviate it. If you want to learn all about wound care after surgery and sutures, you can check out our post-suture skin care guide.
Swelling is a body’s natural inflammatory response to trauma, and it does serve a purpose. When we have damaged tissue, the body sends more white blood cells and fluid to the area to heal it. Also, the discomfort that swelling causes deters you from moving or touching that area, nature’s way of making sure you avoid further damage to the tissue.
How long does swelling last after surgery?
This depends on so many factors—the pre-surgery condition, the location of the injured tissue, the way surgery is performed, the individual’s health and age, etc. However, as a general idea, you can expect swelling to decrease significantly after 2 weeks, and to stop completely (or almost) by 6 weeks after surgery.
How do I know if my swelling is abnormal?
You’ll want to call your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- If your swelling gets worse
- Excessive pain
- Discharge from the incision
- A change in color surrounding the incision
- If your swelling hasn’t improved at all after 2 weeks
How to Reduce Post-Surgery Swelling
There are many strategies you can use to reduce swelling and discomfort after your surgery. Below are some of our expert tips to get the swelling down:
- Ice the area. This helps to constrict the blood vessels and decrease swelling. It can also help with pain relief. 20-minute increments are ideal.
- Elevate the area. For those who are recovering from facial surgery, you’ll want to use extra pillows to maintain a semi-upright position while sleeping and resting.
- Avoid salty foods. Consuming too much sodium can increase swelling.
- Get light movement. Short walks or stretching can help with blood flow. However, strenuous exercise can have the opposite effect, increasing swelling, so you’ll want to keep movement very gentle.
- Stay cool. Now is not the time to go out in the sun or heat. Heat increases swelling.
- Get ample rest. This is not only helpful for reducing swelling, but healing in general. The body cannot heal if it is constantly going.
We hope this guide helps you understand more about what’s going on in your body after surgery that creates swelling and what you can do to alleviate it. If you want to learn all about wound care after surgery and sutures, you can check out our post-suture skin care guide.
If you’re looking for help, please contact us using the form below.
If you’re looking for help, please contact us using the form below.