Parotidectomy Aftercare Instructions
A day-by-day recovery guide for parotidectomy: what to expect, how to care for yourself, and when to call. Free to read and print.
What to expect
Facial Nerve Awareness
- •The facial nerve runs through the parotid gland. Temporary weakness is common and usually improves.
- •Permanent facial nerve injury is rare, less than 5% with experienced surgeons
- •If eye closure is incomplete, protect the eye aggressively with drops and ointment to prevent corneal damage
Parotidectomy recovery, day by day
Immediate Post-Op
- A surgical drain will be in place near the incision, typically removed in 1 to 3 days
- Keep head elevated at 30 to 45 degrees to reduce swelling
- Apply ice to the side of the face: 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off for the first 48 hours
- Take prescribed pain medication and antibiotics on schedule
Diet and Activity
- Start with clear liquids, advance to soft foods as tolerated
- Chewing may cause discomfort; cut food into small pieces and chew on the opposite side
- No heavy lifting, over 10 lbs, bending, or straining for 2 weeks
- No driving while on prescription pain medication or while drain is in place
Drain and Wound Care
- Keep the drain site clean; empty the drain bulb as instructed, record output
- Drain is typically removed at 1 to 3 days when output drops below 20mL per 24 hours
- After drain removal, keep incision clean and dry for 48 hours
- Steri-strips or sutures will be removed at your follow-up, 7 to 10 days
Facial Nerve Monitoring
- Temporary facial weakness on the surgical side occurs in up to 20% of cases and usually resolves in weeks to months
- Practice facial expressions in a mirror: smile, raise eyebrows, close eyes tightly
- If you cannot fully close your eye, use artificial tears during the day and eye ointment at night to prevent corneal dryness
- Report any complete inability to move one side of the face to your surgeon immediately
Healing Progress
- Swelling and numbness around the ear and jaw are normal and resolve over weeks to months
- You may notice sweating on the cheek while eating, Frey syndrome; report this at follow-up
- Resume a normal diet as tolerated; start with soft foods and progress as chewing comfort improves
- Light activity, walking, desk work is typically fine; avoid strenuous exercise until day 21
Recovery wraps up
- Numbness around the ear and lower face gradually improves over 3 to 6 months
- Facial nerve function should continue to improve; full recovery may take up to 12 months
- Resume all normal activities including exercise after surgeon clearance
- Attend follow-up for pathology results and long-term monitoring plan
When to call your provider or 911
- •Call 911 now for trouble breathing, chest pain, fainting, or swelling of the face or throat
- •Call your clinic promptly for fever or chills, bleeding that does not stop with firm pressure, or pain not controlled by your clinician-approved plan
- •Call your clinic for hives or another possible allergic reaction that is not affecting breathing or causing facial or throat swelling
- •Call your care team today if you notice: Redness, warmth, or pus at the incision site, signs of infection
- •Call your care team today if you notice: Sudden increase in swelling or pain after initial improvement
- •Call your care team today if you notice: Numbness or tingling that worsens
- •Call your care team today if you notice: Complete inability to move one side of the face, forehead, eye, or mouth
- •Call your care team today if you notice: Rapid swelling under the skin near the incision, possible hematoma
- •Call your care team today if you notice: Drainage that becomes cloudy, foul-smelling, or increases after initially decreasing
- •Call your care team today if you notice: Fever above 101.5 degrees F, 38.6 degrees C
- •Call your care team today if you notice: Inability to close the eye fully with dryness, redness, or pain in the eye
When in doubt, call your clinic. For a medical emergency, call 911.
Recovery milestones
- Day 2
Recovery Progress Check
Notice what is improving, unchanged, or worsening. Contact the care team if symptoms are getting worse or the next step is unclear.
- Day 10
Recovery Progress Check
Notice what is improving, unchanged, or worsening. Contact the care team if symptoms are getting worse or the next step is unclear.
- Day 21
Ongoing Recovery Review
Review any remaining symptoms or restrictions with the care team before changing your routine.
For clinics
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