Common Questions
Following is a list of the most common questions I’ve received about double jaw surgery. If your question is not answered below, feel free to ask about it in the comments and I’d be happy to respond there.
Before the surgery:
- Why should I get jaw surgery?
- Is jaw surgery painful?
- How long does it take to recover from jaw surgery?
- How much does jaw surgery cost?
- What should I buy to prepare for recovery?
After the surgery:
- Will I look different after jaw surgery?
- How much weight will I lose after jaw surgery?
- Will I experience numbness after jaw surgery?
- Will I get all of my feeling back after jaw surgery?
- What can I eat after jaw surgery?
Cries for help:
- Help, I’m experiencing pain!
- Help, my breath is terrible!
- Help, my teeth are no longer touching!
- Help, my jaw movement is not returning!
- Help, I don’t look like myself anymore!
Why should I get jaw surgery?
There are several reasons to undergo jaw surgery:
- To be able to chew with all your teeth
- To speak without a lisp
- To speak without spitting
- To stop your mouth from hanging open
- To stop breathing through your mouth and start breathing through your nose
- To change your appearance (side profile)
These reasons are all explained on the Reasons to Get Jaw Surgery page.
Is jaw surgery painful?
Jaw surgery is usually not painful. This may be difficult to believe, but since your nerves become bruised and numb during the surgery, you don’t actually feel any of the pain. By the time feeling returns to your face, most of the pain is gone.
Granted, you’ll experience a bit of pain when you yawn, sneeze and cough. It’ll also hurt when your jaw spasms (and it will spasm for the first month), but for the most part, you should not experience much pain at all.
How long does it take to recover from jaw surgery?
It will take 90 days (3 months) for a full recovery after jaw surgery. Most of your feeling and energy will be back after 2 months, but it takes a full 90 days for your bone to fuse back together. A full range of motion in your jaw will return depending on how much you’re moving it around, so make sure you follow the exercises your surgeon gives you.
How much does jaw surgery cost?
Jaw surgery costs roughly $5000 in Canada, but that price may differ significantly in other provinces and countries. If your surgery is deemed cosmetic (instead of “medically necessary”), the cost will be higher because you’ll be required to cover the hospital bills. Sadly, patients in the US have seen jaw surgery bills in excess of $50,000.
What should I buy to prepare for recovery?
You can find a full list of items that with help you through the recovery at the Must-Have Recovery Products page.
Will I look different after jaw surgery?
You will notice subtle changes in your appearance following jaw surgery. Your overbite/underbite will no longer be present and your cheeks, nose, and chin may take on a different shape as well. My cheeks filled out a lot as a result of my surgery.
How much weight will I lose after jaw surgery?
Most people lose between 5–10 pounds during the first month of their recovery. The general rule of thumb is that you will lose weight until you reach your natural body weight.
Will I experience numbness after jaw surgery?
Yes, you will experience extreme numbness following jaw surgery. During the operation, several nerves in your face and chin have to be moved around. When you move a nerve, it becomes bruised, and when a nerve is bruised, it stops providing sensations, thus giving you that numb feeling (more on this in my Day 20 post).
Will I get all of my feeling back after jaw surgery?
70% of patients regain full feeling, while 30% may experience slightly numb areas in their cheeks, chin and lower lip for the rest of their lives. The feeling you have after 6 months post-op is likely what you’ll live with for the rest of your life.
What can I eat after jaw surgery?
You’ll be on a strict liquid diet following jaw surgery. Buy lots of Boost, Ensure or Carnation supplements and learn to make smoothies, because these will be your staple foods for at least the first 2 weeks. I had to eat them for 8 weeks, but my surgery was a bit more invasive than most. You’ll probably have to administer your food through a syringe for the first week as well.
Once your surgeon gives you permission to start chewing again, you can begin to eat soft foods such as pasta and mashed potatoes. During the weeks following your re-entry into the realm of chewing, you’ll be able to eat whatever is comfortable. Don’t expect to tear into a steak as soon as you’re allowed to chew again, though.
If you have the following implements, you should survive perfectly fine:
- A reliable blender (this is extremely important, as you’ll be blending almost everything)
- Smoothie materials (ice cream, yogurt, milk, bananas, strawberries, granola, peanut butter, honey, etc.) — Recipe
- Soup (you’ll have to blend everything except tomato soup)
- Ensure, Boost or Carnation (I drank 3 of these per day during my liquid diet phase)
- Prune juice (you’ll need the fiber in it)
- Whole milk (you’ll need all the calcium you can get so your bones heal back just as strong as they were before)
- Water (make sure you drink at least 1 L of water per day; drinking 2 L per day is a much better option)
The most important item on that list is water. If you don’t drink enough water each day, you’ll become dehydrated and sick, and your bowel movements won’t feel good because none of the fiber you’re eating will dissolve into your body.
Help, I’m experiencing pain!
If your pain is chronic (ie. consistent and throbbing), you may have an infection and should schedule a visit with your surgeon just to be safe.
On the other hand, if your pain comes in small bouts, it’s likely your nerves reawakening or your teeth being pulled by the elastics. In this case, just be patient and the pain will subside in due time. If you were prescribed pain medication, that may help as well.
Help, my breath is terrible!
At times, your breath may be indicative of the fact that you are not allowed to brush your teeth or floss during the first several weeks of recovery. To aid in freshening your breath, try gurgling with warm salt water a few times each day. Soon enough, you’ll be given the go-ahead to brush and floss again.
Help, my teeth are no longer touching!
An open bite is a common problem following jaw surgery. Fear not, however, because your teeth will naturally grow until they encounter opposition (in the form of your other jaw), so this problem will slowly correct itself over time.
Help, my jaw movement is not returning!
If you have been given the green light to resume eating regular food, but the movement in your jaw doesn’t seem to be returning, try whistling and chewing gum each day. Whistling will help to break up scar tissue, while chewing gum will stretch the muscles in your jaw.
Help, I don’t look like myself anymore!
This is perhaps the most common fear people have following jaw surgery. Remember that swelling takes a minimum of 3 months to go away, so try to avoid judging your appearance until that point.
Also, keep in mind that you are your own worst critic because you’ve been seeing your face in the mirror every single day for most of your life. While the subtle changes in your appearance seem drastic to you, most people will not even notice that your face changed shape.
June 14, 2013 at 9:07 pm
Kala, you should be ok for the wedding. I am still swollen and puffy but its not too bad. Today I had to go lay down for a bit because I was just tired, not sleeping to great at night yet, no pain but just hard to get comfortable. Hopefully you will be able to eat more by then. I didn’t do a blog, and if you were doing those things on day 6 you should be good by week 4. My chin, lower lip and nostrils are still completely numb but I am having lots of pins and needles. I’m not sure about going back to work next week as I do a lot of talking and my speech is not great yet and a lot of words I really have to strain to say. If someone told me I could fly to Maui for two weeks I would definitely be on the flight. Relax in Maui and enjoy the wedding.
June 14, 2013 at 12:15 am
Thanks everyone for the great responses. @Terry & Sheryl I am so glad to hear from you both. I wondered if there were many people having it done after 40. Do either of you have blogs? I would love to chat or email with you to see how it is going. On day 6 now and I was out walking the dogs, making meals for the kids and back to normal. Aside from having to eat strained food. Oh and looking a little like Fiona from Shrek. @Terry ~ I am going to Maui for two weeks at my 4 week point. A wedding so I can’t skip it. How would you feel if you were flying out in a day or so? Obviously no snorkeling. Thanks again Graham and sorry to fill up this page with my own chat.
June 12, 2013 at 11:42 pm
@Kayla and Terry – I am 48 and on day 6 of post op after double jaw surgery in Ontario. It is almost 2 in the morning so yes sleeping is an issue! I am very lucky that I have had minimal pain. The only thing that is driving me crazy at this point is the numbness! Saw my surgeon today and got x rays and he said things look great! I have been doing ok with the lack of real food until my family decides to eat in front of me and the smells drive me to salivating! I have also been sleeping…haha…or not sleeping on the couch and using a wedge pillow to stay elevated……..was recommended but now I don’t know how long I should use it?! Will check back to see if there are any suggestions and also looking forward to some home made soup tomorrow!
June 12, 2013 at 7:39 pm
Kala, I turned 46 exactly one week after my double jaw surgery. It will be 4 weeks this Friday coming since my surgery. The first week was awful, but it has been progressively getting better. I am still having trouble sleeping all night. I was given the go ahead to eat soft foods this week but I am having trouble getting food into my mouth with my elastics in. I’m going back to the surgeon next week and I will ask him if I can take the elastics off to eat. I am also scheduled to go back to work next Wed but I am thinking I may take the entire week off and return the following Monday, that will be 5weeks off of work. Good luck with your recovery.
June 12, 2013 at 12:54 pm
I am 46 and on day five after having double jaw surgery to move both upper and lower forward to correct overbite and address sleep apnea. Love this blog. I am wondering if there are many out there in the older adult range such as 45+ having this done. I saw the comment from Janet and she is the first of just a few that I have found posted. I may start a blog for us seniors, but just have to say this is one of the most helpful resources by far.
June 13, 2013 at 9:25 am
Kala, being 46 does not make you a senior! You’re only halfway to bliss, my dear girl!
June 11, 2013 at 9:40 am
Janet, I agree with Graham, everyone is different…i most definitely would recommend the surgery, was not very painful to recover but know that soft foods will be required for the first few weeks, so eat all tr favorite foods now ;). You will do well n feel great after it is all dine. I had my surgery 6 wks ago n is still recovering.
June 10, 2013 at 12:04 pm
Everyone has been so helpful…asking ??s and answering them. I’m a 51 yr old trying to decide if having jaw surgery would be worth it?! I’m experiencing a shooting pain down the left side from my jaw joint to my neck. Too, the left side pops on occasion when i yawn really wide. I appreciate what everyone wrote. I’m guessing the majority of you that have had it done would say…DO IT?!
June 10, 2013 at 4:43 pm
Janet, I certainly have only great things to say about the outcome of this surgery, however it’s different for every person. If you’ve been experiencing this pain for more than a few months, book an appointment with an oral surgeon and go for a consultation. Figure out if jaw surgery is actually a prospect before investing too much energy in deciding it it’s the right path for you. =)
June 4, 2013 at 11:25 pm
Julie, I will let graham answer your question but I just had double jaw surgery on May 17th. I spent two nights in the hospital and when I came home on Sunday my husband was home until Wed, my daughter was home and my mom flew out west to help out. The first week I was really glad that I had someone here all the time just for the company and to help around the house. I don’t know if you will need your mom 24/7 but I was glad there was someone with me. Once you get into the second week it’s not as bad. I didn’t leave the house until I had my first post-op appointment which was 10 days after surgery and even then I had my daughter drive me into my appointment as I took some pain meds before I left. You may get very tired after doing little things. I am 18 days post-op now and I’m out and about and trying to go for a walk every evening. I took 4 weeks off of work as I am a supervisor and have to talk a lot which is exhausting at this point. Hope this helps.
June 4, 2013 at 6:12 pm
Hi Graham,
Your blog has been extremely helpful, thank you! I’m having double jaw surgery the end of this month and had a question for you. How much care do you need after surgery? Will my mom need to be around 24/7 to care for me the first week? When will you be able to leave the house and run an errand? Thanks for your help!
Julie
June 5, 2013 at 9:20 am
Julie, you’ll have a lot of difficulty maintaining energy and communicating for the first couple of weeks, so having someone there to take you out is preferred. You don’t require 24-hour care, but definitely have someone around each day. You should have enough energy to go run errands on your own after the first week has passed. Terry’s advice is your best bet at this point because their experience is much more recent than mine. Good luck with the surgery in a few weeks!
June 1, 2013 at 2:33 pm
Graham,
its been almost 1 month now post op,
1. My right side of chin and lower lip were comletely numb and now almost 90% of the sensation has returned. (but i dint feel tingling and pain while my sensations returned , is it normal?)
2. Almost 90% of the swelling has gone and im not eating normal food, so when can i expect the remaining 10% of swelling to go?
3. Now can i start my excercises like jogging etc and start on a strict diet as i want to get back in shape as soon as possible
4. I have stopped eating anti biotics now but do i still need to gargle my mouth with hydrogen peroxide?
June 3, 2013 at 1:27 am
Shaun, to answer your questions:
1) That’s great to hear that most of your feeling has already returned. That’s really quick!
2) The remaining swelling will take longer to disappear than the first 90%, but it should all be gone within 4–6 weeks from now.
3) You can start exercising again generally around the 6-week mark, but make sure you get your surgeon’s approval.
4) You should gargle salt water until you’re able to brush and floss your teeth on a daily basis again.
It sounds like your recovery is progressing very well!
May 29, 2013 at 11:16 am
Hi Graham,
It has been a week and a day since my jaw surgery. I just had my lower jaw moved back and now have metal plates and screws. Almost all of my swelling has gone down and I have no pain. But I am starving for real food! I have a fast metabolism and don’t need to lose any weight so I get frustrated a lot. But I found your blog today and must say, it has calmed me down so much and made me feel positive again! Thank you so much for still keeping up with comments so long after your surgery! It helps knowing so many other people understand what I’m going through. All of my questions were answered from previous comments and questions, just wanted to let you know how truly helpful this is! Thanks again!
June 3, 2013 at 1:09 am
Lauren, I understand your frustration, especially when it comes to not being able to eat. I’m glad you found some comfort in these words and I look forward to you being to embrace life in full form again soon!
May 23, 2013 at 12:08 pm
I’m 23 days post-op from double jaw + chin implant. First week was horrible, I could feel the bones on upper front jaw which was quite uncomfortable. Chin was the worst; muscles around my mouth pulled like there was no tomorrow. Face muscles would tighten up after I suck on straw or spoon. My question, when should I expect to be able to open my mouth wider than a pinkey finger? I’m on liquid diet and mashed potatoes. Wearing elastic on front but only a few hrs/day…that is what i could tolerate. Going back to surgeon tomorrow to review progress. Chin is numb on right side but fine on left. I agree Jaw surgery was not very painful but the tighted muscles on the jaw line and front (upper & lower) was the pits. Slept on the couch for the first 2 wks but now I’m back to bed with 3 pillows (sitting position). I’ve gotten more info from your blog than from my surgeon, thanks for having this venue for us to learn what to expect.
May 24, 2013 at 9:31 am
Michelle, your jaw will be tight until the swelling goes down, so you’ll probably be on a soft diet for another few weeks. Once you’re able to chew gum and eat soft solid food (with approval from your surgeon), you’ll notice your jaw loosening up quite quickly. You shouldn’t expect to have your full range of motion back until the 4-month mark, though, as the muscles take a while to stretch out again. There’s a light at the end of the tunnel—you’ve just got to be patient while chasing it! =)
May 20, 2013 at 3:30 pm
Thanks for the reassurance and yea no pain and and swelling went down well quick orthodontist was really surprised so think am up for a good recovery I find out more on 28th may anyway thanks again this blog has helped me a lot
May 19, 2013 at 2:53 pm
Hi I’ve just had jaw surgery 3 weeks ago Does it matter if I have mash with beans and sausage and stuff like that ect blended because my surgeon said to have soft diet and not to chew which with that I don’t chew but most people on here have said they was on a liquid diet I’ve been told I can have eggs soft sponges rice puddings weatabix soups is this right because I dont want it to affect the healing process
May 20, 2013 at 2:38 pm
Daniel, as long as you’re not chewing and putting any strain on your jaw, you’ll be perfectly alright. Let your pain be your guide. If you’re able to get mashed potatoes and beans down with no pain, I say go for it. The reason surgeons recommend pure liquid diets initially is because most patients are unable to open their mouth wide enough to get a spoon of soft food in, so they’re forced to drink all of their meals. If you have no trouble getting soft foods in at this point, then eating them will not cause any harm. Enjoy the potatoes! =)
May 18, 2013 at 4:22 am
Graham,
May I know what does jaw spasm feel like?
I’ve done rhinoplasty and I did not feel pain at all.
And I wear braces for the first time, and my teeth and jaw feel sore, but it still bearable.
I wonder about jaw spasm 🙁
May 18, 2013 at 10:48 am
Nathalie, you’ll know if you’re experiencing the spasms. It will simply feel like your jaw is trying to open, as if you’re opening your mouth very wide. A rhinoplasty will not result in anything of this nature—it only occurs when you have surgery on an actual joint (such as your jaw).
May 16, 2013 at 7:29 am
Hi Graham,
My son, Kyle, is having the surgery in 26 days. He’s 17 1/2. After looking at x-rays, the dentist, orthodontist, and oral surgeon have all agreed he’s quit growing and it’s okay to do the surgery. He’s having double jaw surgery plus a chin reduction. I’m freaking out. I’ve also started a blog to process my emotions. Thanks for sharing your story. It helps me a lot to get ideas on what to expect. It’s all of a sudden here, and I don’t know if I am ready for this or not!
May 16, 2013 at 9:48 am
Sharron, since Kyle is a young guy, he’ll heal up very quickly. If you’re read through my recovery tips page, you’ll be as ready as you can be to care for him over the course of the first few weeks. Remember to keep positive so that you’re lifting him up throughout the process. =)
May 8, 2013 at 5:16 pm
Thanks Graham….I will give you a 4 week break from my next meltdown lol. Have a great night!!!
May 7, 2013 at 8:55 pm
Hi Graham,
It has been 5 weeks this past tues since I’ve had double jaw surgery and genio. Im feeling extreme anxiety that I cannot feel bottom lip or chin yet. I have not experienced any of the tickling I had in past weeks either..Please dear god tell me the feeling is going to come back
May 8, 2013 at 9:42 am
Nicole, try not to worry about it for another month at least. And in the situation that you’re left with some permanent numbness, trust me when I tell you that it will not affect you in any dire way. As I’ve mentioned before, I completely forget that I have permanent numbness in my lower lip and chin until somebody asks about it. I promise you’ll be okay, and it will still likely return. Think positive, my friend!
April 30, 2013 at 1:15 pm
Hi Graham.
I want to ask you two questions:
1) How do your upper gums feels now? I am talking about numbness, tightness because of the scars, etc.
I am asking this because I have had SARPE surgery in my upper jaw, and my left side is OK but my right side feels kinda tight and weird feeling in the area where the surgeon had to cut and suture.
2) Is it annoying to have metal in your mouth (titanium plates and screw) or do you feel OK with them?
Thanks in advance, I am undergoing upper jaw surgery in few months.
May 1, 2013 at 10:38 am
Hi Leandro,
1) My gums all feel perfectly normal, but that took approximately 5 months of recovery.
2) I don’t feel any of the metal in my jaws. In fact, I forgot I even had it until you just mentioned it now! =)
Give yourself a healthy recovery period following the operation and you’ll feel even better than before!
April 30, 2013 at 4:04 am
Hi, Graham!
I’ve been told not to start chewing until my second month mark, but I started secretly chewing three weeks early. It’s obviously a bad idea, but I am afraid it might have caused something that should not have happened.
What’s your intake on this?
April 30, 2013 at 7:34 am
Lance, it depends on your situation. You certainly don’t want to throw your jaws out of whack, nor do you want to get an infection from food piling up beneath your splint (if you have one). However, if you can maintain your oral hygiene and ensure you only eat soft foods (cut into small pieces and chewed very slowly and cautiously), you should be okay. Just don’t try to eat a steak or a handful of walnuts or something. =)