Facial surgery
Facial surgery heals slowly, and swelling can last far longer than most people expect. We help you prepare, travel sensibly and stay supported at home.
Overview
We support people having facial surgery at overseas partner clinics. Your operation is performed by your overseas surgeon. We coordinate UK screening and aftercare.
Before you travel
We review blood pressure, bloods, history and medicines. Some medicines and supplements can increase bruising or bleeding. Your clinician will advise what to discuss with your surgeon. Do not stop prescribed medicines without advice.
Tell us about previous nose, eyelid or facial surgery, breathing problems, dry eye, thyroid conditions, skin conditions and cold sores. Your surgeon needs to know.
Facial surgery changes how you look and how others respond. Our optional psychological readiness add-on gives you space to think through your reasons and expectations. See add-ons.
After surgery
Always follow your surgeon's instructions. Swelling timelines vary a lot between people and procedures.
Your clinic manages dressings, any splint, medicines and head positioning. Ask for your operation note and written instructions before you leave.
Fly only when your surgeon agrees. Ask about cabin pressure and swelling, nose care for rhinoplasty, eye care for blepharoplasty, and clot prevention on the journey.
A UK clinician checks wounds, swelling, bruising, splints and dressings, eyes and vision, and pain. They review your medicines and agree follow-up.
Bruising typically fades over the first couple of weeks. Swelling goes down gradually and is often uneven. Your clinician will review you at set points and reassure or escalate as needed.
Rhinoplasty swelling can take many months, sometimes up to a year, to settle fully. Facelift and eyelid results also keep refining. Follow-up with your surgeon continues for as long as they advise.
Judge your result over months, not weeks. Early swelling can make results look different from what you expected. If you are worried, ask for a review rather than waiting.
Safety
Call 999 or go to A&E for sudden loss of vision, severe eye pain, heavy bleeding that will not stop, difficulty breathing, sudden chest pain, or collapse. If you are abroad, contact your treating clinic and local emergency services.
Questions
As advised by your surgeon. Ask what they recommend for your specific operation, including how to manage swelling and clot risk on the flight.
Typically within days of returning. We book it before you travel.
It varies. Most visible bruising fades within a few weeks, but subtle swelling can last for months. Rhinoplasty often takes the longest. Your surgeon and UK clinician will review progress with you.
This depends on what your surgeon has planned and on UK clinician scope. Follow your surgeon's instructions. We will tell you at your UK review who should do what, and when.
Allow time for swelling to settle first. If you are concerned, tell us. We can document your concerns and help you raise them with your treating clinic. Any revision decision is between you and your surgeon.
Yes. Scheduled follow-ups let us watch healing over time. Your clinician will set the schedule. Extra follow-ups are available as an add-on.
Speak to a UK clinician about screening and aftercare for facial surgery.
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