Recovering from a surgical procedure depends on the type of surgery being performed. As a general rule, you can expect some level of bleeding that is temporary and can be controlled with the gauze that we give you. You can also expect swelling, which will elevate for the first 24-48 hours and will last around 4-5 days. A swollen face and gums are a normal part of the recovery process and do not signify infection. However, it is something that causes the most discomfort. To control it, you will want to place an icepack on your face for 15 minutes at a time, rest for 15 minutes, and then use it again. Just be careful not to irritate your skin, and use a light cloth if you need to. Simultaneously, it would help if you used pain killers to keep the swelling and discomfort at a minimum. The ice is typically only used for a maximum of two days, whereas the pain medication may be needed for a week or more. Your surgeon may also prescribe some antibiotics to prevent oral infection.