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.
March 4, 2012 at 9:00 am
Wow, Graham! You are one great guy! I’ve spent my morning reading through the comments, as I have lower jaw surgery in two days.
This post has given me great insight and I will be buying a baby spoon some time today! I’ve been waiting to have my surgery for a year now, and I am more anxious each day. A big concern for me is how long should I expect to shy away from my significant other? Honestly, the difficulties of eating and pain don’t worry me, but being without energy does. I’m only 95lbs and I haven’t much of an appetite, which likely plays a part in my lack of worrying about the important things.
I’m not an active person, but I’m wondering how you spent time during the second week, before returning to work. My plan was to lay in bed the first 10 days and gauge how I feel, but this sounds miserable. I know you mentioned walks outdoors, but it’s cold here in Utah, with snow in the forecast most of the month.
Thanks so much and congratulations on your health and progress! I love your positive attitude!
Best Wishes
March 3, 2012 at 9:36 pm
Just found this site and it is really good. My son had double jaw surgery with several other things on Wednesday. We are on our 4th day now. He is very swollen and we talk to the dr about every other day. Have a great dr so that is a good thing. My son is convinced that the surgery was done wrong since not all of his teeth are meeting. The dr has told him that it will be ok in the end. Did anyone else experience this? So nice to be able to see what others are doing through the recovery.
March 3, 2012 at 5:08 pm
That’s so exciting that your braces have been removed, Sonya! I remember my teeth feeling so smooth when I had my braces taken off.
My teeth moved once I was sans braces as well. This is normal. Just make sure you’re wearing your retainer as often as possible. I still wear mine every single night even though my braces were removed over a year ago.
Congratulations on your successful recovery and I wish you all the best with your new smile!
March 3, 2012 at 3:54 pm
Hi Me G!
Hope you keeping well.
Two weeks ago I had my 6 month post op anniversary. Time flies!
The braces have been removed. Need to wear a clear plastic retainer for next 6 months. Feels great to floss normally again. Feels like my teeth have moved slightly but I’ve been told that it’s part of the settling. Not alot though- have any of you experienced the same…
Just some encouragement to all those healing. Before you know it time will pass by so quickly. It’s well worth it so just hang in there!
Take care
February 29, 2012 at 11:46 am
I’m so happy that you’re allowed to attempt eating once again, Abby! It’s certainly not as simple and fluid as one would hope, but your strength and ability to chew will return quickly. By this time next week, you should be able to eat anything that’s not overly hard or chewy.
February 28, 2012 at 11:41 pm
Hi! Ok so today is my 5 week anniversary and also my check up with the surgeon. He did x-rays etc and said everything looks great so he gave me the go ahead to chew on food!! I was so happy 🙂
But Im still abit hesitant in chewing so I attemped a cheeseburger to see how I go, and ate it but, in small pieces so not to put too much pressure on my jaw LOL im still in that phase, but I cant help it.
He did say also because Im not used to opening my mouth wide so I need to do more mouth exercises…and this is also why Ive been experiencing the clicking/popping which he also said is normal.
So I guess I’ll still take it abit easy in the beginning but its nice to get the go ahead to eat 🙂
February 26, 2012 at 10:04 pm
Hi Jenny,
That’s kind of you to be taking a week off of work to take care of your son. My parents didn’t take time off, but they were certainly there in the mornings and evenings during my first few weeks of recovery.
As far as preparing for the surgery goes, my only advice is to find a few TV series he likes so he has something to watch to pass the time for the first week or so. I thought I’d be reading lots, but I lacked the mental stamina to do so.
Also, make sure he goes outside for walks a few times each day as soon as he’s home from the hospital. Fresh air and sunlight will keep him sober-minded and content.
As for your question about the patient’s nose, I have not experienced this, nor have I heard anyone else mention it.
Best of luck in a few months!
February 22, 2012 at 8:40 pm
BTW, he hasn’t voiced much concern over the surgery. He was given the choice and said that he wanted to have it done. He rarely complains about anything, although he suffers from allergies and his nose gets quite stuffy. He also has controlled asthma.
February 22, 2012 at 8:34 pm
I’m the mom of an 18 year old son that will have his double jaw surgery early this summer right after high school graduation. The information here has been extremely enlightening — it has also made me a bit nervous. He has been told by his dentist since he was very young that he would need braces and surgery to correct his underbite once he was finished growing. He had his braces put on in June 2011 and has graduated to the stronger wire needed for surgery (his teeth only required minor straightening). We will be seeing his oral surgeon at the end of March for his pre-surgery workup.
His father and I will be caring for him after surgery. Based on your experience, how should we plan to help him through his prep for surgery and his postoperative care? I work full time but am planning to take off about a week to be there for him. Any specific questions we should ask the surgeon during our pre-op appts?
Also, I saw a report on the Internet from one individual who said the surgery made his nose spread (and that was common). Have any of you heard this or experienced it yourselves?
February 20, 2012 at 2:59 am
Thanks heaps for the reassurance Graham! I was hoping thats what it meant! I returned back to work last Wednesday which meant more talking and being abit more active so I was worried oh no have I been moving my jaws too much, but I always try and be careful 🙂
Im hoping my surgeon will have some good news for me when I visit him for my 5 week check up next Wednesday (i.e. if I can chew some real food hehe) I’ll keep you updated.
Thanks again 🙂
February 19, 2012 at 9:49 am
Abby, I’m happy to hear that your swelling and bruising is fleeing from you!
Clicking and popping noises are common at your point in the surgery. The bone has not completely fused back together yet, so your jaws are settling into place.
It’s certainly not something you should worry about, but you should still put your best effort into being gentle with it. =)
February 19, 2012 at 6:36 am
Heya! So quick update, Im at the 3 and a half week mark. Most of the swelling and bruising has gone but there still is abit around my chin area.
Still numb ofcourse but Im getting crazy sensations in my chin so Im hoping that means the nerves are waking up lol
Everything seems to be going OK, but what Ive noticed the past few days is my jaw is making these clicking/popping sounds when I try and eat, and when I yawn etc. Especially in the morning when I have brekkie. Its not too bad later in the day but it comes especially if I swallow or yawn alot.
It worried me a litte, but I heard that its nothing to worry about and it should go away. I see my surgeon in 10 days and was going to run it by him. Did it happen with you Graham and if not, is it something I should worry about? I just hope I havent moved my jaws too much that something is loose etc!
Hope you’ve had a good weekend btw 🙂
February 15, 2012 at 4:05 pm
Thanks for the kind remarks, Kathy! I always appreciate when people take a moment out of their day to say hello.
You’ve unlocked the key to surviving on blended food: add broth for flavor. You’ll be a happy camper once you can eat a legitimate meal again.
I hope you get to enjoy solid food again soon!
February 15, 2012 at 3:55 pm
Hi Graham,
I had double jaw surgery 17 days ago and have really been enjoying reading about your experience. I look forward to your sense of humour every day and it is great to hear about how others have dealt with this interesting little blip in life. To date, my experience has been similar to yours with one exception: I have been eating blenderized meals. Day 6 my husband made me toast and eggs with mayo and mustard blended with some chicken broth. I tell you it was the best “meal” I ever had in my life! We figured out that you can blend up just about anything if you add some broth (chicken, veggie, beef). Can’t honestly say that it is as satisfying as actually chewing food but its a nice switch from soups and shakes.
Thanks again for sharing your experience. You have a great writing style and might want to consider a career change. 😉
February 15, 2012 at 1:21 pm
Hi Abigail!
I didn’t bring anything but my phone and ID to the hospital with me. You likely won’t have the mental stamina to read or use a computer for the first few days, so there’s not much point in bringing any entertainment with you.
I stayed in the hospital for 2 nights and honestly spent most of it sleeping, attempting to eat, and walking around. A few walks each day, coupled with the interesting task of eating, will probably keep you busy all day long.
You’ll be able to communicate within the first few days, but your words will be difficult to understand and you’ll have to talk slowly.
I lose almost 30 lbs, however most people only lose 5 – 10 lbs. I was gaining weight prior to the operation in hopes that it would leave me at my natural weight afterwards, but it turns out I simply lost all of the extra weight on top of the expected 5 – 10 lbs.
You’ll do great, Abigail! Just focus on relaxing and walking around as much as possible for the first week. =)
February 15, 2012 at 9:48 am
Hi Graham,
I have not yet had surgery but will be having it some time in the near future. I will be having work done on my bottom jaw. I currently have braces to make my teeth straight and turn some the right ways.
I have had a quick talk from the surgeon but that was quite a while ago. I was wondering if you could give me any information about what you took into hospital with you as its different for every op you have? (i have already had three ops…)How long did you have to stay in hospital for (even though im geussing it would be shoter than your time spent there as yours was more complex). How did you mentally cope witth not talking? And did you lose much wieght?
I live in Endland btw so i know the proceedure may be slighlty different but any advice would be grateful.
This site is AMAZING btw
February 10, 2012 at 1:13 pm
Hi Elizabeth,
Losing 16 lbs is quite a feat! Weight loss is a pretty cool by-product of this recovery, isn’t it?
When my surgeon gave me the go-ahead to start removing my bands to eat, everything worked out perfectly. The most difficult part was actually learning how to hook them back in. I wore my bands right until the day I had my braces removed. Most orthodontists recommend that you wear the bands as long as possible to finish moving your teeth into place.
Your swelling should be cleared up by the two-month mark for the most part.
I vote you eat Kraft Dinner as your first meal (or something cheesy)!
February 10, 2012 at 8:45 am
Hi all…
I’m officially past the 4 week mark now, still wired shut…16 pounds lighter 🙂 I’m going to meet one of the doctors on Sunday night to take the bands off and see if my jaw is stable? I’ll need to sit around for 45 minutes or so to determine this? (I dont know why a simple xray wont do). Anyway…im very VERY nervous that it wont be ready and that I’ll need to wear the bands for another few weeks. If that were the case, I’ll need to drop out of nursing school with only 8 months left and it’d just really screw a bunch of things up. Originally I thought this whole surgical process would only be 4 weeks, but i never accounted for all the other possibilites. My question is: in your experience, when your bands were removed, was everyhing ok? If all goes perfectly, I’ll be able to take them off to eat and then I’ll need to put them back on for however many hours during the day. How long does the intermittent band wearing last? Also, I’d say about 60% of my swelling has gone down (most rapidly in the first 2 weeks), but the remaining swelling seems stubbornly stagnant! When will I look like I dont have chipmunk cheeks?
Hopefully I get to eat my first soft food on Sunday night…what should I eat?? I never knew I’d be so excited.
February 8, 2012 at 6:25 pm
Graham, i jut would like to say thi is an absouletly wonderful cite youve made and i speak for us all when i say we appericate this very much and it is very useful
February 8, 2012 at 5:25 pm
Hi Mary,
The first few weeks will leave you feeling quite claustrophobic. This is perfectly normal due to your swelling and the fact that you cannot blow your nose. It’s frustrating, but you’ll survive.
Replacing your bands is difficult for everyone the first few times. It took me about a week before I could efficiently take me elastics out and put them back in.
There’s also a good chance that you won’t be able to suck through straws for well over a month post-op. It’s difficult to create the necessary suction when your lips are numb and swollen.
You’re currently in the most difficult phase of your recovery. I assure you that if you can get through this next week and a half, your life will improve greatly! =)