- Pain: 4/10
- Inconvenience: 12/10
Even though they told me I would experience the worst pain in the first few days at the hospital, they lied. My pain is finally starting to increase. This is a good thing though, because it means feeling is returning to my face. So bring on the pain! Note to self: Fill painkiller prescriptions today.
I’m beginning to get tingly sensations in my lower lip. It keeps quivering on me.
Yesterday, I managed to eat 6 Ensure drinks (1800 calories, wooo!), some warm chicken broth (I was craving salt) and drank 2L of water. I’ve got to say… I’m becoming mighty tired of chocolate supplements. I cannot wait for the day when I can suck through a straw again! Who knew one of the best things in life was the ability to use a straw?
I’ve quickly learned to take naps the moment I’m tired because it hurts immensely to yawn. Every time I nap, I seem to have dreams of drinking from a glass or eating with a spoon. The human mind is somewhat cruel in that regard.
I remembered that I’m supposed to be applying heat to my face 4x per day for about 30 minutes each time. Since I can’t just tape a hotpack to my face, I rigged up some fancy headband thing to hold the pack in place. It involves a luggage clip, a towel and a belt–quite a feat of engineering, I must admit!
I’ve also realized I can’t shave because, well, I can’t feel my face. So I’ve opted to growing a sweet “fatman’s beard” while I’m under the weather here.
One last thing: I can’t watch anything too funny because it really hurts to laugh, so I’m trying to be as bored as I can so I don’t have to move my face in any way.
And since I’ve had this surgery, I’ve had several of my long distance friends from Calgary and Winnipeg let me know that they’ll be passing through town in the next few weeks. Oh dear friends, why must you decide to come to Edmonton now? You know if you see me, all you’ll be getting is a drooly hug and some awkward chit-chat, right? We could have a better conversation via email!
So, in conclusion, I can’t watch anything funny, I can’t yawn, I’m still drinking through a syringe, I despise chocolate, I’m craving chicken noodle soup and any kind of meat, and now that my pain is getting worse, I’m finding it difficult to read, sleep or concentrate on pretty much anything.
But I’m still happy, because I know this is only temporary and that there are plenty of good meals to be eaten once I’m all healed up!
Oh, and thank you to my friend who kindly sent me a text today inviting me to the Buck-A-Burger party at the university. *grumble*
July 5, 2012 at 5:06 pm
you lost that much weight and had 1800 calories in a day?
daaannng, i only went from 108 to 100 and i was only eating about 400-600 calories a day until about 10 days ago, and i already gained 3 pounds of it back.
& i totally know what you meant about the hurting to laugh! even now, 24 days out, when my friends come over, it freaking hurts because they make me smile and laugh. on day 3, i actually ended up crying because it hurt so bad when i laughed!
April 27, 2012 at 11:47 pm
Michael, not being able to breathe easy following the operation is simply confirmation that you’re one of us now. Your breathing, as Aimee reassured you, will only bother you for the first couple of weeks.
If you can make it through the first two weeks, I promise you life will get better. Soon you’ll be back to normal, you’ll have your braces removed, and you’ll be smiling like you’ve never smiled before.
Thanks for beating me to playing the encouragement cards, Aimee!
April 27, 2012 at 5:33 pm
You’re very welcome. 🙂 Glad the breathe-rights are doing their job. I sure wish they would have for me! LOL I, too, had both jaws and my septum done and though I’m very happy to have done it now, I sure as heck wish I hadn’t done the septum at the same time. Whew.
April 27, 2012 at 5:12 pm
Aimee, thanks for the encouragement! I grabbed some breathe-right strips at the store today and they seem to be keeping things going for me. Right now I’m just hoping to get to my first check up! I had both jaws done and the septim so I’m sure you understand my slow suffocation right now! 🙂 I just redid the math and this evening is the start of day 5 for me, things are really going well, but the change in lifestyle post op is so much harder then I thought it would be, having people out here that can relate and tell me their story is really keeping me going!
April 27, 2012 at 6:14 am
Wow, Michael – you remind me of me post op. I just read my comment that’s up a ways on the page – it was day 5 post op and it was horrible. I couldn’t breathe, felt like I would never get air. The swelling was all over the place and different every day. I couldn’t get comfortable and finally resorted to sleeping in the basement where it was cool because (I think) I told myself that it was more humid there and was helping me breathe. I got a personal humidifier (like the ones they have in the hospital – did you have one there??) and it definitely helped so you could try that. It won’t do much, but it will give you a little bit of relief. I can’t remember where Graham was at this point, but things didn’t get to where I could really breathe like a normal person until about 2-1/2 wks post op. But keep in mind that everyone heals differently so I’m going to hope it’s sooner for you! Keep your chin up, it DOES get better!
April 27, 2012 at 3:11 am
Thanks for putting this blog out there Graham, it’s what’s keeping me sane right now! I’m at the end of day 4 and sitting up at 5am because my nose is so stuffed I can’t fathom trying to sleep again. Then again, the Zen like meditation required just to breathe may calm me down. I did sleep for nearly 4 straight hours though, so taking the positives here. How long until you could use your nose and truly breathe?
October 12, 2011 at 11:40 pm
Thanks for the quick response Graham! I actually feel more positive today! Best to realise that there will still be a lot of up and down days to come… 😉
I really must give you credit for keeping up the blog post op!
Anyway, I should’ve used heatpacks by now, but up until last night I used cold packs.Going to try the heatpack now.. Woke up this
morning in pool of water!!Not from drooling!No..I woke up because of melted ice 😉
October 12, 2011 at 4:33 pm
Hi Louise!
It sounds like you’re experiencing all of the regular annoyances of jaw surgery. Stress seems to be included in the recovery package, unfortunately.
Props to you for decreasing your reliance on your pain medication today as well.
When it comes to brushing, talking or eating, you just need to remember to be gentle for the first few weeks of each activity. Your jaw has been put back together in a pretty robust fashion, but if you eat and brush slowly at first, you’ll save yourself potential discomfort.
You sound like you’re right on par with where you should be at this point in the recovery. Keep positive!
October 12, 2011 at 1:56 pm
Hi Graham..firstly thanks for your blog.Been a great help. Had my surgery last week thursday (double jaw) and although I was preparing myself for the operation and time ahead by reading your blog and other articles, I think I underestimated the whole process…It feels like my palate is in the way,I’m nauseas when I drink liquids,thats when I do get something in…using my pain meds less today, so thats good and I don’t have a problem breathing through my nose..which is also good. I know it doesn’t help stressing, but I’m kind off worried about screws comin I try to speak or when I need to brush my teeth etc. It’s only been a week, so I’m just going to try and stay positive. Would appreciate you feedback 😉
October 2, 2011 at 12:26 am
Glad you’re finding it helpful, Angelica. I wish you all the best during these first few weeks. Get out there and take a walk as soon as you’re able. =)
October 1, 2011 at 6:32 pm
soo i jus had my surgery its day 3 for me. just trying to keep my head up n keep things for me to do to keep busy until i get sleepy. ur blog is reallly helpful thanks
September 26, 2011 at 2:06 pm
i remember when i had horrible muscle spasms on the right side where they put one of the screws in and in my opinion they were worse then yawning.i could not even describe what they felt like i know when i was in a deep sleep though it would wake me up like a horrible nightmare. then found out that the hot packs would relax the muscle decreasing the spasms. which it did. that was just dreadful but it worked so great when i found that out. 🙂
April 17, 2011 at 11:57 am
Hey Becca! I noticed quite a few people were more swollen and bruised than I was. I guess I got lucky!
Hopefully you’re enjoying laying low for the first few days. Stay happy, my friend!
April 17, 2011 at 8:34 am
I had double jaw surgery 6 days ago, and have only just found this blog, and i love it! a) it is just like my journery so far! and b) it’s got me in stitches (no pun intended) but having me in stitches is a bad thing…coz it hurts so freakin’ much! i seem to have been far more swollen than you have, but from day 4 onwards, it reduced dramatically 🙂
February 21, 2011 at 2:57 pm
i had the lower jaw surgery friday and was able to drink from a cup since not using no syringe only when i wash out my mouth
May 16, 2010 at 4:24 pm
Really? You mean there’s hope??? I say that only partly in jest. I’m generally a very upbeat person and try to look on the bright side of things. I think I WAY underestimated this surgery and although I knew it would be tough, I don’t think I quite had this in mind! I can’t decide if it’s painful or just the most uncomfortable I’ve ever felt in my life. I’m sure you know just what I mean. The pressure is incredible!!!! My face is HUGE and of course, has gotten bigger in the last two days because it’s shifting and moving and doing whatever it has to do before it leaves my body. I’m just so frustrated!!!
I’ve had a horrible time breathing…since I had the septoplasty done at the same time, it’s a tremendous struggle to breathe! Oh, then add in the meds and breathing at the same time…..I even get the giggles at myself! LOL
May 16, 2010 at 11:48 am
Yikes, you’re in the most difficult stretch right now!
I read some of your updates on your blog and noticed you said you had trouble breathing. I was the same way–all congested and unable to get enough air in.
I promise that 1 week from you, you’ll be feeling 1,000,000x better! 🙂
May 16, 2010 at 8:36 am
Hi there. I’m Day 5 Post Op from double jaw surgery and home recuperating. Today, I believe, is the worst day so far. The swelling is shifting and it really hurts. Along with both jaws being done, I also had a septoplasty so that’s making things even more difficult….this is just no fun at all. I’m enjoying your blog…it’s nice to know I’m not the only one out there that is going/went through misery!
March 26, 2010 at 2:44 pm
Haha, it gives me a place to rant, at least. =) Hope you’re enjoying the snow! *bleh*
March 26, 2010 at 11:54 am
Enjoying the updates, Graham! Hilarious. Not your pain, but the way you describe your experience.
I will try to stop by this weekend to say hi.