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.
September 10, 2011 at 4:18 pm
Trinity, you can expect noticeable swelling for up to 2 months. It should be getting better every single day, but it won’t dissipate for a little while yet.
You’ll also notice your swelling is directly tied to the amount of talking you do throughout the day.
September 10, 2011 at 4:01 pm
Thanks Graham for the reply. Another question: I’m currently finishing week 4 and even now when I wake up there is swelling?? Was it the same for you? Was really hoping to see significant improvements by now. :(. Tx alot!
September 5, 2011 at 11:42 pm
Glad it’s generating a bit of confidence for you, Joanne. Let us know how it goes!
September 5, 2011 at 3:45 pm
Hi Graham, id just like to say thank you very much for making this blog, i finally got my surgery scheduled for the 28th of this month, and reading your blog has really helped alleviate any worries i had.
Joanne
September 1, 2011 at 11:58 am
Trinty, that straining feeling on your teeth is normal. Every part of your face (your teeth especially) will feel like they’re under pressure for the first couple of months. It will go away once the swelling dissipates.
September 1, 2011 at 11:55 am
BigFatChin, to answer your questions:
1) You can use the heat pack as often as you’d like. It’s not damaging at all–just relaxing.
2) I always draped the heat pack over my chin and cheeks. I think your chin is the most important because it has swelling from the actual cuts in the bone.
3) The fastest way to alleviate swelling is to move your mouth as little as possible. At the end of the day, it’s just a matter of time though. You’re still going to be quite swollen in 2 weeks, but you’ll still be able to do schoolwork. You might just have to forego being a social butterfly for the first few weeks.
It’s frustrating, but you’ll get through it and it will all be worth it on the other side. I promise!
September 1, 2011 at 11:51 am
Emily, you just gave me the hugest craving for homemade waffles with honey!
August 31, 2011 at 3:07 pm
Hi,
I just had upper, lower and chin surgery 2.5 weeks ago. Since yesterday when I swallow my saliva it feels like a strain on my teeth…is this normal? do you think its because sensation is returning…my teeth also in general feel a little strange, almost itchy…anyone identify?
tx for the blog! happy healing peeps!
August 30, 2011 at 12:40 pm
Hi,
I just had an operation 4 days ago. My face is swollen so badly that I look like a balloon upside down. Anyways, I read most of the tips but still have questions regarding the heat pack usage.
-How many times a day can i do it?
-Where should I place my heat packs?(Yes, my face became so fat, that I have a head that can fit two heat packs)
-Basically, what is the fastest way to get the swelling down? I gotta get back to school in two weeks.
Probs I’ve been having:
Can’t sleep at night. The 30 degrees thing with the head is a huge issue as it hurts my neck. Can’t breathe occasionally. Choking a lot when I drink liquid. My syringe only holds 60ml so its a bit hard to get to 1L.
Nice blog btw
August 27, 2011 at 10:34 am
Hey everyone! Thanks Graham for checking out my blog, and thanks Tatjana and Brande for helping me out sooo much this past week! I cannot believe how great I am feeling right now and I wouldn’t be without everyones helpful suggestions, tips, motivation and support! I would also like to recommend everyone try making blended homemade waffles with butter and honey, whipped up with some apple juice! Oh my is it delicious, just had that for breakfast =) Hope everyone’s recovery is going well!
August 27, 2011 at 12:57 am
Hi Kristy,
I started using heat on my face on the third day. I’m not sure which is better–I was simply following my surgeon’s advice. Having a heat pack on my face helped me sleep a bit more soundly, though.
You’ll be fairly silent for the first two weeks, but after that, talking [in what is likely to be a silly voice] shouldn’t be a problem. The positive bit is that once you begin talking, you regain movement of your jaw quite quickly because you’re exercising it!
August 27, 2011 at 12:55 am
Phillip, I have no idea how long you should wait until flying. The pressure inside the cabin of a plane will most definitely be uncomfortable for the first few weeks, but I’m not sure what the recommended wait period is. You’d best seek out your surgeon’s wisdom in that area.
August 27, 2011 at 12:54 am
Emily, Tatjana, Brande! I’ve been on the road for the past week, but it’s great to see that you’re all helping each other out! I really appreciate it. =)
Also, totally loving the blog, Emily. Looks like Doug is keeping you company!
August 26, 2011 at 11:19 am
Love this site – I’m 3 days post-op and didn’t realize the swelling would be so bad. I’ve been icing my face a lot but wasn’t sure about the heat. Does one work better than the other or should I use heat later in recovery or in conjunction? How early were you able to talk again through clenched teeth?
Any advice is most helpful!
August 24, 2011 at 11:47 pm
Ok so this is a big one for me. I have a 10 year class reunion coming up in November this year. Im scheduled to have my surgery on the 9th of September. the doc said i cant fly for a certain amount of time due to the fact that the sinus cavity is being exposed . what is the recommended time of ” NO FLY ” ? Any information will be great.
August 22, 2011 at 8:11 pm
Yes I do believe you are right. He told me so much information but a good portion I heard when I was heavily medicated and I just don’t remember it all! I am feeling, soo much better. Thank you so much for all you advice.
August 22, 2011 at 5:06 am
EmilyB, good to hear you date feeling better!! As far as the ice packs, I actually didn’t have any at all. My doctor had said that the ice is good first 24 hours , and after that gentle heat, like a hot towel is best, so this what I ended up doing. You might want to check with him again, just to make sure you are on the same page. Good luck!
August 21, 2011 at 1:42 pm
My surgeon ended up calling me at home today to check in on me. He is really a kind guy! He prescribed a nausea medication to me but suggested I just get prune juice in me to get some of the icky hospital antibiotics out of my system..his advice was pretty good, and luckily I’m feeling better!
One more thing, how often do you use icepacks for? I figure I’ll use for a while longer as I’m still very puffed out
August 21, 2011 at 10:50 am
Hi EmilyB, I was very nauseous. Call your doctor or whoever is on-call today and ask him to prescribe you something to help you to get through with your nausea. I had to ask my doctor for some medication. Depending on your condition he will be able to find something for you.
August 21, 2011 at 5:50 am
Hi everyone, what do you’ll do for nausea? Been so sickish feeling yesterday and today, I haven’t had anything to eat. I’m hungry just I know I won’t be able to keep it down. What did you guys do? Thanks