Should I Be Talking and Smiling After Sliding Genioplasty Surgery?

Q: Dr. Eppley,  I had a sliding genioplasty last week. Recovery is going well and wanted to ask you a few questions:

1. Is jogging/running exercise okay? (Now 3 days post op)

2. Is it recommended to keep talking/smiling and basically retrain my lips? Some exercise for my lips. Or keep them stagnant while healing? That area feels a bit sore when talking and smiling.

3. Where do you think the swelling is going to go down the most?

A: In answer to your sliding genioplasty recovery questions:

1) Jogging and exercise are okay to do.

2) Any form of lip/mouth movement, while uncomfortable due to stiffness, is not harmful and will help the chin/perioral area get softer sooner. Keeping it immobilized is not helpful for a faster recovery.

3) The progression of swelling resolution will follow the non-linear course of 50% resolution by 10 days, 66% by three and 90% by 6 weeks. The last remaining aspects of the swelling will take a full three months for a 100% resolution.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana