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After a chin augmentation (mentoplasty), special considerations must be taken when it comes to eating. Post-surgery, the bottom lip, chin, and jawline will be numb. Therefore, it is important to choose foods that are easy to eat and test the temperature of all food consumed to avoid burning the lower lip.
What Should I Eat the Night of My Surgery?
Patients may experience difficulty chewing the night after their chin augmentation (mentoplasty) as the jaw muscles are bruised, swollen, and altered. They will return to normal over time. If the incision was made in the mouth, be careful while eating not to damage the stitches or cause infection.
If surgery was done through the mouth, the following foods should be considered:
- Juices
- Jell-O
- Soup
- Protein shakes/smoothies
- Pureed fruit
After eating, you should rinse your mouth out with water to eliminate food lodging in the stitches.
Since stress during surgery may interfere with digestion, food should be easy to swallow and require minimal chewing. Items such as apple sauce, scrambled eggs, chicken broth, and yogurt will aid in digestion. They should be consumed up to 72 hours post-surgery.
What Do I Eat When My Appetite Has Returned?
Foods high in anti-inflammatory properties will promote healing and aid in reducing facial swelling.
Look for items high in monounsaturated fats such as:
- Blackberries
- Blueberries
- Raspberries
- Avocados
- Almond butter
Keep up with items high in protein to allow the body to rebuild and correctly heal. Drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated.
Are There Any Foods I Should Avoid?
Avoid refined carbohydrates, alcohol, sugar, caffeine, and salty foods for a month. They remove water from the body during a time when you want to maintain hydration. Salt specifically aids in fluid retention. Thus, it can prolong puffiness and swelling of the face close to the incision.
Refined sugars and carbohydrates should be avoided because they increase inflammation and decrease a person’s immune function. You will not heal as quickly if they are consumed.
After three days, you can resume taking any herbal supplements/vitamins. However, consult with your doctor prior to resuming them to ensure it is safe to do so.
The body needs to consume about five times as many nutrients after surgery to heal quickly and prevent infection. Proper nutrition promotes a decrease in swelling, prevents infection, and reduces inflammation and pain.
Proper nutrition is essential in promoting healing, decreasing inflammation, and overall health. It will allow you to view the results quicker and avoid any complications.
Interested in Mentoplasty in Tampa?
To find out more about chin augmentation surgery or if you have any questions, please reach out to PREMIERE Center for Cosmetic Surgery or call them at 813-400-1465.