Recovery Tips
Following is a summary of the most important things I learned during my recovery from double jaw surgery.
- Drink lots of prune juice and water. Your toilet time will be far from enjoyable for the first couple of weeks because you’re likely to be severely dehydrated. The prune juice will provide your body with the fiber it needs to work those bowels properly, but fiber is useless without water because it won’t dissolve in your body. I recommend a bare minimum of 1 L of water per day. Drink 2 L per day as soon as you can.
- Before you attempt to pull any dead skin off of your lips, be absolutely certain that it’s not a stitch. I learned this the hard way.
- Start using medicated lip balm immediately following your return to your own home. If you don’t, you’ll end up with flaps of dead skin that are half an inch in diameter, and I promise you they won’t feel good when they catch on your braces.
- Apply heat to your face 3-4 times per day for the first 5-6 weeks to help with the swelling. The heat will also help you fall asleep.
- Begin each day at a decent time. If you sleep most of the day, you won’t be able to sleep at night, and you’ll hate yourself for it. Get out of bed, shower, eat some breakfast and brush your teeth and you’ll enjoy each day a lot more. (This is good advice for any day of your life, but it especially applies when you’re on the verge of depression from having jaw surgery.)
- Go to bed on time. Yawning will cause you quite a bit of pain, so prevent it by getting the right amount of sleep during the proper hours.
- As soon as you’re able to talk clearly enough for friends and family to understand you, call people and be social. Go outside and enjoy nature. Whatever you do, ensure you don’t fall into a trap of loneliness and self-pity.
- Start drinking from a cup as soon as you’re physically able to. Your upwards trek back to having full energy begins the day you can throw your syringes in the garbage.
- Eat solid food as soon as your surgeon gives you the go-ahead. It’ll be a slow, tedious and frustrating process, but you need to go through with it in order to build your jaw muscles back up and learn how to chew properly once again.
- It may take some time to get used to your new smile and your newly structured face. Don’t be ashamed of yourself. You don’t look funny at all. You’re simply not used to looking like you’re supposed to.
- And lastly, don’t worry about your looks, bite or facial feeling for at least 6 months. You may have an open bite, but you’ll wake up one morning and your teeth will have migrated back together. You may be completely numb, but feeling will return almost overnight.
If you have any questions about the recovery process, or perhaps have other pointers to share with upcoming jaw surgery patients, feel free to jot them down in the comments.
July 19, 2011 at 4:29 pm
Hey everyone I just had my surgery last week to correct my underbite. The swelling has gone down alot and im thirsty all the time. The only problem I have is the discomfort when I sleep my teeth kind of clenches together and I cannot stand all of this drooling. Does any one know when it will stop.
July 19, 2011 at 8:20 am
Brande, I didn’t deal with any white patches on my tongue. If they’re little bumps, they may just be canker sores, but if they’re actual patches, I have no idea.
I’d just give your surgeon a call. They can probably suggest some sort of over-the-counter medication to handle your situation.
Best of luck!
July 18, 2011 at 8:37 pm
The swelling gets better every day, quick question Graham. I have white patches on my tongue. My doctor had me on antibiotics during and after surgery. I just finished the antibiotics. Is this anything you dealt with? I’m thinking I will call my doctor tomorrow as my check up isn’t until Thursday. These patches with the swelling make painful to take in anything, even water.
July 18, 2011 at 8:13 am
Ray, it’s only the recovery that’s proving to be difficult. The end result will be well worth it. If you can muster up the willpower to make it through your three month’s of recovery, you’ll appreciate the outcome.
Life will get better, pal. I promise.
July 18, 2011 at 8:12 am
Brande, I definitely want a pack of peanut M&M’s now. Applesauce is a solid choice as well. I can’t believe I didn’t think of that! You’ll be feeling a lot better in another week or so. =)
July 18, 2011 at 2:48 am
I am 2 weeks out of surgery and I am seriously regretting the whole experience. Upper and Lower Jaw done and day to day I am finding life extremely difficult.
July 17, 2011 at 9:59 pm
Almost one week post-surgery. I am officially sick of Ensure. If I never see one of those cans again it will be too soon. Loving applesauce and gatorade. I am craving the weirdest things…popcorn (haven’t had that in months due to braces)and peanut M&M’s. The swelling is getting a bit better. I still think I look like Ben Stiller at the end of Dodgeball and my eyes are bloodshot. Ugh a day at a time.
July 12, 2011 at 7:50 am
Brande, it will be worth it, don’t you worry. Life will just be a touch frustrating for the next few weeks. It’s a short trial in the name of a longterm gain, though!
Enjoy that Ensure, hehe. =)
July 12, 2011 at 3:33 am
18 hours post op. Can’t sleep even with the drugs, swelling is getting worse. Can’t wait for the 72 hour mark. Keep telling myself that is worth it, no more Migraines, minus the anesthesia hangover. Ate my first Ensure drink through a straw and lots of water, glad it’s over, no more anticipation and fear of the surgery.
July 11, 2011 at 3:04 pm
Hi Joel, thanks for reading along! Glad to see you’re a the two-week mark, pal!
July 11, 2011 at 3:03 pm
Emily, you don’t sound very happy right now! That’s understandable–the first week is pretty brutal.
The first few days are definitely the worst. Everything starts looking up from about Day 5 onward. It happens slowly though, so it can be quite frustrating.
You’ll be fairly swollen for a month or so (from my experience).
My only advice is to stay strong until the end of the first two weeks. Life will become a lot better after that and your spirits will rise again. 🙂
Oh, and go for walks, dizzy or not. Fresh air is an amazing catalyst for happiness.
July 11, 2011 at 1:47 pm
Hi Emily. I’m on day 13 of my own double jaw surgery and I feel your pain. I was in quite a funk during the first week and was really angry at myself for going ahead with the surgery (but not anymore).
I can’t say it gets better everyday BUT the first week was the worst and since then, it has been far, far better for me. My swelling has gone down, say about 50%. It may be different for you, but hang in there! The worst will be over soon!
And to Graham: thanks so much for writing this blog. You were my greatest source of entertainment (and some inspiration) during my horrible first week.
July 11, 2011 at 10:50 am
I just really want to know when the majority of the swelling goes down, and when do I start feeling a little more normal. And I mean like I sleep through the whole night, I stop drooling up blood all day (sorry about that mental image) and I cant start doing things by myself again. What are the worst days? And does it really get better each day?
July 11, 2011 at 10:19 am
I had my jaw surgery last Thursday. I am so mad at the world right now. I want solid food, and my parents have been feeding me nothing but baby food, and it’s awful. I hate feeling numb, and I just want to be able to feel my face again. I’m swollen, and I was wondering when that will go down. I’ve heard 10 days to 6 weeks. I will not be able to survive another 6 weeks of this. I just want to feel normal and do things again. When will I stop feeling dizzy every time I get up. And why has my appetite changed so suddenly? Please Help
July 7, 2011 at 6:46 am
Hi Shane,
You may be enjoying an easier recovery due to only having one jaw worked on, but the upper jaw is the one that causes most of this trouble (ie. wearing a splint, eating through a syringe, etc.), so you may very well be a lot tougher than I am. 😉
Thanks so much for all of your kind words. I enjoy meeting everyone on here and helping people understand that this is only a temporary “readjustment” to their lifestyle. I’ll continue to be here for the niche crowd that comprises jaw heroes!
July 6, 2011 at 11:00 pm
Graham, I found this blog a few days before my upper jaw surgery. Besides moving my jaw forward and over slightly, my surgeon cut mine in three pieces to expand it. Like you I have a splint in my mouth, but I only had 2 bands to start (both of which had broken by day 3). I stopped taking the prescription pain meds at day 3 because I didn’t like the way I felt while on them. I’ve managed the pain with ibuprofen. Like you I’ve been on liquids only, but I gave up the syringe thing at around day 6. I’ve just finished day 14 and only lost 6lbs. My point is I seem to have had it easier than you, yet you created this blog while going through it. I’ve read the whole thing and I’ll keep referring back to it as I complete my own journey, because I feel like I’ve gotten to know and trust you.
You’ve provided us with some great information. You’ve helped allay a lot of fears and worries. Despite the fact that it’s been over a year since your surgery, you are still answering reader questions, providing support, and encouraging those who need it. You continue to amaze me. I feel confident that I can speak for all of us in saying thank you for being you.
July 6, 2011 at 12:14 am
Thanks Graham! You’re awesome 🙂
July 5, 2011 at 8:06 pm
Hi Jen,
I definitely experienced the minor gagging reflex for the first week or two. It’s an interesting thing, because you know you’re not actually choking, but your body still wants to act like it is.
There’s not a lot you can do aside from just waiting it out. I promise you’ll be in much better shape in another week!
July 5, 2011 at 7:47 pm
Hey all, I’m 6 days post op from lower jaw surgery and genio and the first 4 days were absolute hell for me (but only because I have anxiety) and my surgeon had to actually remove most of my bands to get my blood pressure down lol. The splint sucks but the two loose bands are nice and I don’t feel like my life is over anymore. However, my throat is giving me tons of grief, lots of pain and almost feels like I’m gagging on my uvula…anyone else experience this?
July 4, 2011 at 5:05 am
My son had this surgery last Wednesday so it is day 5. Anyone planning on having the surgery, don’t be afraid! He was terrified and it turned out being much better than he thought! Pain got markedly better after day 3, but even at the worst point, not unbearable.