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.
January 3, 2012 at 2:22 pm
Its bern recommended for me to have this surgery since i was 14, and now that im one month short of 28, im finally doing it. I go in on the 12th….I’m nervous because in general I always have a habit of opening my mouth and moving my jaw from side to side….and I obviously won’t be able to do that for some time. I have 2 questions: it may sound stupid, but…did anyone have anxiety about the anesthesia? I’m nervous I’ll feel something or be awake or aware.
Second- I’m a singer. How long do yOu think it’ll be until I can belt out a tune with no reserve again?
Thanks 😉 Elizabeth
January 2, 2012 at 8:10 pm
thanks for the input and exactly haha
January 2, 2012 at 11:02 am
Jessica, being hungry is not fun at all, is it? As for having your bands removed, rejoice! Not only do you not have to wear bands any longer (quite an accomplishment, let me assure you), but you shouldn’t be in any pain. You physically won’t be able to open your mouth to the point that it would hurt because your muscles will be tight, so that should govern your movements accordingly.
Enjoy your upcoming freedom! =)
January 2, 2012 at 11:00 am
Collin, most of my feeling had returned by the two-month mark, but residual feeling didn’t come back until about six months following surgery.
That phantom itch is super frustrating, isn’t it? Haha!
January 1, 2012 at 6:14 pm
Hey! I had upper and lower jaw surgery about 5 weeks ago. I was wired shut for 3 weeks and have been banded shut since then… and yes Im so hungry now!! haha
The good news is I get the bands taken off on Friday…but I’m kind of nervous :/ I’m wondering if it’s painful to open your mouth again after being banded shut for so long. What kind of tips can you offer for after getting the bands off?
January 1, 2012 at 5:51 pm
Hey Graham I was wondering when did the feeling come back in your bottom lip and chin?
They will itch but i cant feel or figure how to itch them , haha.
January 1, 2012 at 2:04 pm
Hi AK!
I understand your reservations with this operation. It does involve a pretty intense recovery and quite literally renders you speechless for a few weeks, but you need to recognize that it only happens once. The moment you’re healed, your life will go on and you won’t have to think about it every again.
You likely won’t be able to give a presentation for 5-6 weeks following surgery. I would advise you to have the operation in the summer when you don’t need to put your studies on hold.
It sounds like your overall question relates to whether or not I would honestly recommend this operation. I seriously recommend the surgery to anyone whose jaw is bothering them in terms of function or appearance. It’s a one-time fix that will last your entire life, and the 3-month recovery is really just a minor blip in your timeline.
Go for it! Just get it over with and then you can move on and not have to think about it anymore! =)
January 1, 2012 at 12:28 am
Hey, this site is EXTREAMLY helpful.
My surgery is in 24days and I’m still in two minds about it, I sit and watch videos on YouTube and before and after pics and read responses of other people which has made me rather scared and hesitant about this whole operation. I think I am only having my lower jaw moved, I’ve got an appointment with my surgeon next week by then I will know exactly what is being moved lol.
My biggest fear is missing out on work I’m currently in my second year at university studying law and will have to miss an immense amount of work. Which has led me to think is this surgery really worth the hassle? I’m jepordising my studies just so I can look better.
How quickly will I be able to talk? I know it varies from person to person but I have moots (debating) exams and oral presentations which are in April/May I think… So roughly 3months after my operation, will I be able to talk properly?
I think here in the uk they don’t usually use wires to shut the mouth they use elastic bands instead, do you know when I will be able to remove them and how quickly will I be able to brush my teeth?
After reading all the posts it seems as if it will take over my whole life =\ several people have mentioned that they felt week etc, I hope I have the energy to study from home =\.
Lastly, will you honestly recommend this operation, you must be over the moon with the end result and the whole journey is worth it, I understand that, but are the end results so good so as to jepordise the present?
I’m I’m two minds and talking to friends and family doesn’t help, they aren’t very supportive of this operation, they in fact don’t want me to go ahead with it. I’m so glad to have found thi site, I can read responses of people that have actually gone through this. I honestly feel like I’m the only one going through this. I’m very anxious and nervous…. And I’m usually a very confident person.
Please help =\
X
December 31, 2011 at 5:21 pm
Collin, I feel your pain, brother. You’ll probably be eating again pretty soon considering you’re already 3 weeks into recovery.
You’ll be back in action before you know it and you’ll miss the downtime. True story!
December 31, 2011 at 4:38 pm
and Brandon im almost 3 weeks in to healing and i’m using the pain killers a very little bit.
Just using a little to help me sleep due to discomfort.
Best of luck to you i feel were your coming from.
December 31, 2011 at 4:35 pm
this site is very helpfull i just got surgery and imalmost 3 weeks into recovery and am starting to fall into a little bit of depression due to the fact that i miss eating solid food and cant do much. But the advice on here will help me push through and do more.
thanks
December 21, 2011 at 10:13 am
Hi Brandon, sounds like you’re got an interesting story in there somewhere, buddy.
My bottom lip healed somewhere around the 5-week mark. It will heal as soon as you’re able to stay hydrated once again. Try drinking lots of water and applying a lot of lip balm to your bottom lip to keep it from cracking.
Opening your mouth all the way is entirely dependent on how your surgery was performed and just how bad your situation was initially. It took me approximately 2.5 full months before I could open my mouth up wide once again.
Once you’re able to stay eating solid foods again, your movement and the muscles in your jaw will return quite quickly (within a couple of weeks).
Good luck, dude!
December 21, 2011 at 12:38 am
Hey,Everyone, I just got my jaw surgery 4 days ago, Saturday morning. I got my wisdom teeth taken out at the same time. A kid broke my jaw in half in a fight, I was trying to stick up for my self. Long story. I can only open up my mouth barely half an inch. I can barely put my finger in there, and then I wash my hands. But I’m on a liquid diet. I’m only 17 years old, and I had very swolen cheeks, I looked obese in the face lol, But the swelling has gone down a lot from icing my cheeks, I can’t feel my bottom lip, or my chin. Its so annoying when it itches, and it doesn’t do anything. I lost a lot of body fat I was suprised. I’m a big workout freak. I can’t wait to eat hard foods again. All I know im going to diet after I can eat again. I just want to know when I can open my mouth up all the way, and when will my bottom lip heal? How long were you guys on painkillers?
December 19, 2011 at 5:00 pm
Hi Lara,
My surgeon instructed me to use ice on my pack for the first 3 days followed by heat for the few weeks following the initial swelling. You should respect the instructions your surgeon provided you with, but if you’re out in the dark on this one, I’d recommend heat. For one, it’s easier to sleep with. Further to that, it’s better for your skin.
If you’re experiencing pain, make sure you make use of whatever medications your surgeon prescribed for you. If they didn’t provide you with any pain killers and it’s really bothering you, give your surgeon a call and ask for a prescription. After all, it’s their duty to give you the tools you need to recover as comfortably as possible.
I hope this helps!
December 19, 2011 at 4:53 pm
hi i recently underwent my upper jaw surgery and 4 wisdom teeth extraction at the same time, today is day 6 after my surgery and i still have huge swollen in my face..i m applying icepack for my swollen face but i read here you have to use hot pack to reduce swelling, which one is correct?also have a lot of pain…
December 17, 2011 at 1:35 pm
I know what you mean when it comes to being forced to sleep certain ways, Kortni. It’s frustrating, isn’t it?
I wasn’t able to sleep on my side again for about 6 weeks. The reason is because sleeping on your side or stomach puts unnecessary pressure on your jaw, and since the bone has not fused back together just yet, it could still move around (which would not be good).
You’ve definitely got a few weeks of uncomfortable sleep left. It’ll be over before you know it, though. Trust me!
December 16, 2011 at 9:39 pm
Great blog I can’t believe how long you’ve.been doing this but I’m so glad you are. It’s nice to see so many people who know what you are.going through. I am now about to be day 6 post op. I have had an unusual recovery so far most would say. I have had very little pain. Day 4 rather night 4 was the worst for me. I was strong and took no pain meds after day 3 and I made it through. The pains meds made me feel worse than the actual pain. I don’t think I can call it pain. It’s just been so uncomfortable with all the swelling. My neck and back are what hurts the most. This reclining position is what’s painful. If I had to choose between getting to sleep the way I want or being able to actually eat…I’d want to sleep on my side or stomach. I really miss sleeping on my side. That’s what I think I am looking forward to the most. That’s sad ain’t it?
How long after surgery did you doctor say you dont have to sleep in a reclining positon?
December 4, 2011 at 8:10 am
Hi Madison!
First off, it’s nice to meet you! Exciting that you get to put this surgery behind you in a few weeks as well.
As for your questions:
1) I wore my rubber bands up until my braces were removed at 6 months post-op. I was allowed to remove them to eat, though, so they’re weren’t too inconvenient. You can also wear them less and less as time goes on.
2) I had about 5-6 appointments with my surgeon following surgery. In fact, I have my final checkup on Tuesday, marking 1 year and 9 months!
3) I kept my diet pretty simple: Ensure, tomato soup, and water. I had to stick to items that were drinkable through a syringe at first. Once I could drink from a cup, I started blending Chunky soup.
Hope this helps! And good luck on the 15th!
December 3, 2011 at 11:30 pm
I found you’re blog about a week ago and have been reading every update since. I just finished reading “The Final Product” and my can I say your results look awesome! (:
I’m having a double jaw surgery for my underbite in about 2 weeks, on the 15th of December. I’m looking forward to it and dreading it at the same time. I was supposed to have the surgery in May but I didn’t want it to ruin my summer :p so we reschedulued it for December.
How long did you have to wear rubber bands for?
And how many appointments did you have with your surgeon after the surgery?
And what did you eat/drink the first few days after your surgery?
I absolutely love your blog (:
And thanks for the help!
December 3, 2011 at 2:24 pm
Message for Scottie – I agree with Graham, don’t give up yet. I just had upper/lower 4 days ago. A friend who had upper jaw only surgery several years ago said that the roof of his mouth took the longest to return to normal. He does still have some loss of feeling but the roof of his mouth did come back after a year.