Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.
1
Is any of this happening now?
Call 911
Seek emergency help for trouble breathing, severe or uncontrolled bleeding, chest pain, fainting, or sudden weakness or difficulty speaking.
And for anyone, someone who:
has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
Other emergency signs, for anyone
Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
2
Is any of this happening?
Be seen today
Contact your surgical team urgently if you notice rapidly increasing swelling, worsening pain despite medicine, persistent fever, spreading redness, foul drainage, wound opening, or new bleeding.
Report a visible flap becoming unusually pale, blue, dark, cold, or suddenly more swollen.
Contact the team sooner if these changes are worsening rather than gradually improving.
And for anyone, someone who:
has a fever with a stiff neck, a rash that does not fade under pressure, or severe headache
is vomiting and cannot keep fluids down
has a new severe headache unlike any they have had before
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
Expected swelling, bruising, numbness, and controlled discomfort can usually be discussed at routine follow-up.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Head and face reconstruction. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.