Oh I'm SO relieved to hear back from you, your poor thing. Well done for getting it looked at - you absolutely did the right thing. I've been quietly fretting about you.
So, on to wound healing. I know a lot more about this than I would like to, having had open wounds multiple times, including infected ones, though not on my face.
Packing is super weird, but you get accustomed to it. There should be a schedule of dressing changes and wound checks, which usually happen with nurse team a total yours GP. If this isn't in place yet then get onto them tomorrow about it. Mine have usually been every two or three days in early stages, getting less frequent as the infection comes under control.
Please please please don't put hot salty water on it, or anything else not specifically advised by the wound nurse. Talk to your surgery nurses about how to look after it best. Usually for me that's been icing it to help with swelling and itching, but facial wounds may have different protocol.
Depending on the wound depth and size and degree of infection, they will choose the best dressing and packing types to get optimal healing conditions. Their knowledge is incredible!
An open cavity wound has to heal by secondary intention, which basically means from the bottom up. The packing helps it not close over before the inside bit has filled up.
It can take quite a while, and you will need to be super patient and look after yourself and rest as much a step you can. I know that's easy to say, but healing stuff like this takes a lot out of you. Sleep as much as you can.
So, best nutrition you can manage, probiotic tablets or yoghurt things, and ask for a blood test if you feel you may be anaemic at all. Anaemia slows healing and makes you vulnerable to recurrent infection.
Feel free to message me if you want solidarity. I'm trying to heal up a four inch infected cavity wound and it's knackering!