Symptoms after surgery that mean you should contact the clinic
Which symptoms after plastic surgery are a normal part of recovery, and which mean you shouldn't wait but contact the clinic straight away.
After surgery, some symptoms are a normal part of recovery — swelling, bruising, tightness, mild pain. Most ease with time, but some need checking promptly. Use the list below as a guide, and if you are unsure, don't hesitate to contact the clinic.
Common recovery symptoms
- Swelling and bruising, with bruises turning yellow over time
- A tight feeling, mild pain
- Temporarily reduced sensation
- After eye surgery: a foreign-body sensation, watery eyes, temporarily blurred vision
- After rhinoplasty: a blocked nose
Contact the clinic straight away if
- One side suddenly swells a lot, hardens and pain keeps getting worse — a collection of blood needs to be ruled out
- You have a fever or pus-like discharge from a wound — infection needs to be checked
- Bleeding doesn't stop
- The skin darkens
- Your vision suddenly worsens or the eye is very painful
- One side of the face doesn't move well
- An implant shows through or the shape suddenly changes
What to tell the clinic when you call
- The date and type of surgery
- When the symptom started and how it has changed
- Your temperature, if you have a fever
- If possible, a photo of the area
Why not to judge it yourself
Changes that look alike can have different causes. Contacting the clinic that operated on you is safer than relying on information online.