![\"facial](\"https:\/\/kojihifu.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/pexels_301614_1787545192.webp\" "\\"facial")
<\/figure>\nThree surgical families make up most “V-line” or facial contouring requests:<\/p>\n
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- Mandibular angle reduction (jaw reduction):<\/strong> the prominent posterior angle of the lower jaw is trimmed via an intraoral incision, using an oscillating saw or piezoelectric device. Sometimes combined with cortex grinding to smooth the outer surface.<\/li>\n
- Zygomatic reduction (cheekbone reduction):<\/strong> the malar prominence is reduced via combined intraoral and small preauricular incisions, with an L-shaped osteotomy that moves the cheekbone medially.<\/li>\n
- Reduction genioplasty (chin reduction):<\/strong> the chin is reshaped via an intraoral incision, either by trimming bone or by an osteotomy that repositions the chin.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
These are performed under general anaesthesia, usually as a single combined session for patients seeking a comprehensive V-line result. Because the surgery involves osteotomy (cutting bone), swelling and bruising are more substantial and last longer than any soft-tissue-only procedure.<\/p>\n
How Painful Is Facial Contouring Surgery?<\/h2>\n
![\"facial](\"https:\/\/kojihifu.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/pexels_1576405_1787545193.webp\" "\\"facial")
<\/figure>\nDuring the procedure: nothing \u2014 general anaesthesia is standard.<\/p>\n
Post-operative pain is moderate and best managed with a combination of intravenous analgesia for the first 24 to 48 hours and oral medication afterwards. Most patients rate the peak pain at 4 to 6 out of 10, easing to 2 to 3 out of 10 by day 4 to 5. Ice packs on the cheeks and jawline in 20-minute cycles for the first 48 hours reduce both pain and swelling significantly.<\/p>\n
What patients often describe as harder than pain is:<\/p>\n
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- Restricted mouth opening (trismus) for the first 2 to 3 weeks \u2014 chewing is limited to soft food only<\/li>\n
- Numbness of the lower lip, chin, or cheek from stretch on the mental or infraorbital nerve, which can last weeks to months (usually resolves fully, though occasionally partial numbness persists)<\/li>\n
- Difficulty smiling naturally for the first 3 to 4 weeks<\/li>\n
- Speaking clearly is difficult for the first week due to swelling<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The Realistic Recovery Timeline<\/h2>\n
![\"facial](\"https:\/\/kojihifu.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/pexels_31240278_1787545194.webp\" "\\"facial")
<\/figure>\nDay 0 (day of surgery):<\/strong> Wake in the recovery room. Face wrapped in a compression bandage from chin to top of head. Significant swelling begins immediately. Overnight hospital stay standard.<\/p>\n
Day 1 to 3:<\/strong> Swelling peaks \u2014 the face can look nearly unrecognisable to patients seeing themselves for the first time. Bruising extends down the neck to the chest via gravity. Liquid diet only. Speaking painful and unclear. Ice compresses continuously.<\/p>\n
Day 4 to 7:<\/strong> Swelling starts to soften. Bruising darkens then begins to fade at the edges. Soft food (yogurt, porridge, tofu) introduced. Compression garment worn under clothes throughout the day.<\/p>\n
Day 7 to 10:<\/strong> Sutures removed at the clinic. Facial shape starts to be recognisable. Bruising fades to yellow. Compression garment continues for another 2 to 3 weeks (day and night for the first 2 weeks, then night-only).<\/p>\n
Week 2:<\/strong> After about 15 days, the majority of visible swelling has resolved to observers, though the patient still sees swelling. Comfortable in public with mask; soft food still preferred.<\/p>\n
Week 3 to 4:<\/strong> Most visible swelling resolved. Numbness of the lip and chin usually starts to improve. Return to soft-normal diet. Face still slightly firmer than final result.<\/p>\n
Month 2 to 3:<\/strong> Final visible contour approaches. Numbness continues to improve week by week.<\/p>\n
Month 6:<\/strong> Approximately 95% of final result visible. Any residual numbness usually fully resolved.<\/p>\n
Month 12:<\/strong> Full internal healing complete. Bone remodelling stabilised.<\/p>\n
Aftercare That Matters Most<\/h2>\n
![\"facial](\"https:\/\/kojihifu.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/pexels_36664016_1787545195.webp\" "\\"facial")
<\/figure>\nFirst 48 hours (in hospital or immediately after):<\/p>\n
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- Continuous compression bandage or garment.<\/li>\n
- Ice compresses on cheeks and jawline (not directly on wounds inside the mouth).<\/li>\n
- Head elevated at 45 degrees during sleep.<\/li>\n
- Liquid diet only (protein shakes, clear soups, smoothies with a straw).<\/li>\n
- Mouth rinses with clinic-provided antiseptic solution after every liquid intake.<\/li>\n
- Prescribed antibiotics and pain medication as directed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Day 3 to 14:<\/p>\n
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- Compression garment during the day.<\/li>\n
- Gentle mouth rinses 4 to 6 times daily.<\/li>\n
- Introduce soft food from day 4 to 5 (yogurt, mashed potato, porridge, well-cooked pasta).<\/li>\n
- Sleep with head elevated.<\/li>\n
- No exercise beyond gentle walking.<\/li>\n
- No smoking, no alcohol.<\/li>\n
- Attend the day 5 to 7 suture removal appointment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Week 2 to 4:<\/p>\n
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- Compression garment at night only.<\/li>\n
- Return to soft-normal diet \u2014 avoid hard food (nuts, tough bread crusts, raw carrots) for 6 weeks.<\/li>\n
- Light exercise from week 2 to 3; running from week 4; heavy lifting or contact sports from week 8.<\/li>\n
- Sauna, onsen from week 4.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Week 4 to 12:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Return to full normal diet as tolerated.<\/li>\n
- Gentle facial exercises to encourage nerve recovery if numbness persists.<\/li>\n
- Photograph documentation for follow-up.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
When Can You Fly After Facial Contouring Surgery?<\/h2>\n
![\"facial](\"https:\/\/kojihifu.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/pexels_6269176_1787545196.webp\" "\\"facial")
<\/figure>\nAir travel is medically safe from day 7 to 10 for short flights, but comfort and safety strongly argue for a longer wait.<\/p>\n
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- Short-haul (under 3 hours):<\/strong> from day 10 to 14.<\/li>\n
- Medium-haul (3 to 6 hours):<\/strong> from day 14 to 21.<\/li>\n
- Long-haul (6+ hours):<\/strong> we recommend day 21 to 28 minimum.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Two considerations drive the longer recommendation:<\/p>\n
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- Deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) risk.<\/strong> Any major surgery elevates clotting tendency for weeks. Long flights combined with recent osteotomy carry a real DVT risk. Standard mitigations: aisle seat, walking every 90 minutes, calf exercises, hydration, and compression stockings.<\/li>\n
- Access to same-day clinic care.<\/strong> Late swelling, wound issues, or asymmetry are much easier to assess at the operating clinic than at a home-country ER unfamiliar with your surgical plan.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
- Medium-haul (3 to 6 hours):<\/strong> from day 14 to 21.<\/li>\n
- Short-haul (under 3 hours):<\/strong> from day 10 to 14.<\/li>\n
- Zygomatic reduction (cheekbone reduction):<\/strong> the malar prominence is reduced via combined intraoral and small preauricular incisions, with an L-shaped osteotomy that moves the cheekbone medially.<\/li>\n