Recovery guide
Submandibular Gland Surgery Recovery Guide
Quick answer: Most people go home the day of submandibular gland surgery. If you have a drain, it usually stays 1 to 2 days, until the drainage is low enough; empty it and record the amount every 8 hours. You may shower after 24 hours and should sleep with your head raised for 72 hours. Plan on about a week off work or school, no heavy lifting for 2 weeks, and no travel for 1 week.
What should I expect?
- Pain and soreness around the incision below the jawline. Most people go home the day of surgery.
- Mild oozing from around the incision.
What if my lip or tongue feels different?
Because nerves run close to the gland, some people have weakness of the lower lip or numbness of the tongue on the side of surgery. If you do, it is usually temporary and improves with time.
How do I care for the drain?
- If a drain was placed, it usually stays for 1 to 2 days, until the drainage is low enough, to keep fluid from collecting.
- Before you go home, the nurse will show you how to empty the drain and write down the amount. Empty it and record the amount every 8 hours, and bring the record to your visit.
How do I care for the incision?
- You may shower 24 hours after surgery. Let warm, soapy water run over the incision. Do not scrub it.
- Do not soak the incision in a bath, pool or hot tub.
- Sleep with your head raised on an extra pillow or two for 72 hours.
How should I manage pain?
- Pain can usually be controlled with over-the-counter acetaminophen (Tylenol) and either ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve), taken as directed on the bottle.
- If we prescribed a stronger (narcotic) pain medicine, use it only for pain the over-the-counter medicines do not control.
When can I get back to normal?
- Plan to take about a week off work or school, depending on how you feel.
- No heavy lifting or strenuous activity for 2 weeks.
- No flying or travel until 1 week after surgery.
When should I call?
Call us for
- A fever over 101°F that does not go away
- Pain that gets worse or becomes severe
- An incision that keeps draining, or redness around it that is getting worse
- Significant swelling under the jawline or in the neck
- A soft, fluid-filled swelling under the jaw, or clear, watery fluid leaking from the incision
Call 911 or go to the ER for
Swelling in the neck that is quickly getting bigger, or any trouble breathing.
Austin 512-339-4040 · Lakeway 512-682-4798 · Marble Falls 830-992-2830
Questions patients ask
Most people go home the same day and take about a week off work or school. Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activity for 2 weeks.
Weakness of the lower lip or numbness of the tongue on the side of surgery can happen because nerves run close to the gland. It is usually temporary and improves with time.
If a drain was placed, it usually stays 1 to 2 days, until the drainage is low enough, to keep fluid from collecting.
Call us for significant swelling under the jawline or in the neck, a soft, fluid-filled swelling under the jaw, or clear, watery fluid leaking from the incision. Call 911 or go to the ER for swelling that is quickly getting bigger or any trouble breathing.
This guide is for educational purposes only and does not replace an in-person evaluation. If your surgeon gave you different instructions, follow theirs.
Full guide: capitalent.com/submandibular-gland-surgery-recovery.html