Recovery Timeline

Following is a brief timeline of important events regarding recovery from double jaw surgery. If you only had a single jaw operated on, your recovery will be much quicker than this.

Keep in mind that every person recovers at a different pace, and also that every surgeon has their own agenda during the recovery process. This is simply the sequence of important events that took place during my personal recovery.

Day 0 (Surgery)

  • You’ll be eating/drinking through a syringe
  • You’ll be unable to sleep very much
  • You may be freezing all night long due to the ice packs wrapped around your face
  • You’ll feel extremely weak
  • You won’t be able to talk
  • You will drool constantly (but you’ll have the suction tube in the hospital to take care of that)
  • Lots of blood will be churning up inside your nose, mouth and throat
  • Your jaw will randomly spasm (and it will be painful)

Day 1

  • Swelling will begin

Day 3

  • Swelling will peak
  • Your bowels will start working again around this time

Day 5

  • Feeling will begin to return to parts of your face
  • Swelling will start to decrease

Day 7 (1 week)

  • You’ll be able to move your mouth a bit easier, so your talking will become more understandable
  • At your 1-week appointment, you’ll be able to brush your teeth, both inside and out (and it will feel amazing)

Day 10

  • Drooling won’t be as rampant any longer
  • You’ll regain slight control over your lips

Day 14 (2 weeks)

  • Most of the swelling will be gone
  • You’ll be able to start drinking from a cup (although it may be messy at first)
  • You can probably remove a few of the elastics clamping your teeth together, so talking will become infinitely more simple
  • Sleeping through the night should no longer be a problem

Day 15

  • Your elastics will start snapping daily, due to your rapid increase in speaking

Day 18

  • Your breath will become bearable again, due to the fact that you’ve been eating different foods and brushing more often

Day 21 (3 weeks)

  • Your energy will start to come back. Take advantage of it! Go for walks and take your bike out for a spin.

Day 22

  • You’ll be receiving substantial feeling back in your upper lip and cheeks. Your nose, lower lip and chin, however, will remain completely numb.

Day 28 (4 weeks)

  • Talking will hardly be an issue any longer. If you have a splint/bite plate in, you’ll sound ridiculous, but people will be able to understand you.
  • Your desire to be social and spend time with people will return in full force. Make sure you take advantage of it, and remember that your friends are not judging you.

Day 29

  • Feeling will begin to return to your lower lip and chin. That feeling will come in the form of pins and needles, but you’ll appreciate it regardless. If no feeling has returned to these parts yet, don’t worry. Surgeons say that it make take up to 90 days for feeling to begin coming back.

Day 31 (1 month)

  • If your elastics are off, you’ll be able to speak quite well by now
  • You won’t drool or spill any longer while eating

Day 32

  • You’ll have most of your normal energy back by now
  • You’ll begin to feel like you’re ready to take life on again. Be warned though: you’re not quite there yet. Give it another month before you go crazy.

Day 38

  • More patches of feeling will return to your chin and lower lip
  • You should no longer have to wear elastics during the day

Day 42 (6 weeks)

  • You should be able to drink through a straw quite easily by now

Day 45

  • Most of your stitches should have dissolved by now

Day 49 (7 weeks)

  • If you had a splint in, it should definitely be removed by now
  • Be prepared to readjust back into the world of orthodontics

Day 56 (8 weeks)

  • You should be able to eat with a small spoon or fork again
  • Licking your lips should be no problem at this point

Day 58

  • You’ll most likely be allowed to blow your nose again. Be gentle, though, because you don’t want to pop a blood vessel.

Day 70 (10 weeks)

  • If you haven’t been able to eat solid food yet, start now. Even if the task of eating involves mashing soft food up against the roof of your mouth, do it anyway. You’ll never gain your strength back on liquid alone.

Day 84 (12 weeks)

  • You should enjoy the freedom of eating just about anything you want by now
  • Consider practising whistling in order to break up the scar tissue that’s sure to be keeping your upper lip from enjoying its full range of motion

Day 90 (3 months)

  • Your three months have finally come to an end! Enjoy eating, breathing and smiling to their full effect.
  • Changes will be fairly slow from this point forward. The results you find yourself with at the 6-month mark will most likely be the results you’ll live with for the rest of your life.

Want to connect with other jaw heroes?

Recovering from jaw surgery can be lonely. That's why many of us hang out in a Facebook group where we support each other leading up to surgery and during recovery. There are hundreds of people from all over the world chatting right now and it's free to join.

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1739 Comments

  1. Hi everyone. Ok it’s my fifth week this Thursday since my surgery and I’m already ready and hoping to see the final results. I have numbness and when I smile it looks strange; like my face is being pulled in all directions…;((

  2. Hi graham! I glad you responded. At times I get a little sad because I feel as though the numbness around my mouth will be permenant. It’s funny you say less talking because I notice that when I talk everything swells up more; why is that? Also should I stick to just liquids because I have tried eating and it seems as though that might prolong healing???

    • Hey Nancy! The reason you swell up when you speak a lot during the day is simply because you’re exercising your jaw muscles, thereby rebuilding them. It’s perfectly normal. Also, I encourage you to continue eating solid foods to build that strength back in your jaw. The quickest way to a full recovery is to exercise those muscles by whistling, eating solid foods, talking, and chewing gum. =)

  3. hi ive just read through comments you guys are all so inspirational i hope im as brave as you all when i go in. I have an appointment for 23rd jan 2013 i think this is just to talk about things for the operation but unsure of when i actually go under. i am very nervous about pain but the surgeon keeps saying to me pain will not be a problem i will get plenty of pain relief but my question is when you all got the surgery were you in alot of pain?? or was it under control by pain killers? im soo scared lol

    • Lea-anne, I can’t speak for anyone else, but I personally experienced little to no pain throughout the recovery. Since your mouth is numb immediately following the operation, you actually don’t even feel most of the pain. Your body will be tired because it’s healing, but you won’t be writhing in pain or anything. The only times I experienced any pain were when my jaw would spasm and try to open and when I would laugh really hard and my dry lips would split, but during the regular course of events, there honestly wasn’t too much pain.

  4. Hi everyone. I also had a jaw surgery three and a half weeks ago and I enjoyed reading some of your messages. with my condition , I had my right jaw bone grow faster then my right and although ppl didn’t really notice it bothered me very much. Ppl say I don’t look like I had surgery but I see it on my cheeks, lips and chin. I can’t wait to finally feel those areas again and see the final result. Question? Is there anything I should do to help with the swelling? Also I healed quite fast because I went to work on the second week, and I’m a teacher!!! I know I’m crazy but I couldn’t stay home; was going crazy lol

    • Nancy, it sounds like you’re healing so quickly! The swelling is really just a time thing. You can place heat packs on your face at night and try to talk less, but that doesn’t really work well with you being a teacher, so it may just be something you need to let time take care of.

  5. Thank you for sharing your experiences following surgery. I’ve recently had bimaxillary sugery on the 19th November 2012. I’ve found it really useful reading when i can’t sleep alot after the first week.The readers comments have helped me remain with a positive outlook for the recovery time ahead.

  6. Ah, I love this timeline. I’m about 3.5 weeks post op now, but during my first week, this helped me through so much. I was scared I wouldn’t sleep properly for ages.

    I had both top n bottom jaw surgery, couldn’t breathe for the first 3 days (through my nose). It was horrible. Woke up every 3 he’s when I tried to sleep.

    But after the first week, slept full nights ever since.

    I also was able to talk 30 minutes after the surgery, and its only improved since.

    I had my first post op appointment with not surgeon at about 10 days, and she was so surprised at my recovery. At that stage, I had no swelling left and full feeling from my top lip up.
    She also accessed the feeling in my lower lip and chin and was surprised I could even feel some of it.

    After this appointment, I went straight back to work. I work 12 hour shifts, got pretty tired towards the 10 hr mark but my body seemed to take it okay.

    At the moment, I’m slowly moving onto mushy solids, but I don’t drool anymore, which I’m happy with.

    The only thing I’m really concerned about are my numb gums.
    Its probably the only thing stopping me from moving onto solid foods.

    Its unfortunate I still have to wear elastics the orthodontist put in, though.

    Anyway, to sum this all up… thank you for this blog. It helped me through my first week so much.

    • Simon, it sounds like you’re recovering like a superhero! All of your victories have arrived so much sooner than they did for me. I’m happy to hear that speaking and sleeping comfortably only evaded you for one short week. Keep it up and hopefully your nerves start to wake up soon!

  7. OMG THANK YOU for your blog is really helpful.
    I’m on my day 5 afte surgery and still looking like a monters I’m so swollen…. 🙁
    I’m going to continue checking this awesome blog.

  8. Thanks Graham. My elastics actually came off 16 days after my operation. The orthodontist removed them. Perhaps I should calmly surgeon and ask is this correct? Is it the stitches that is not allowing me to manouver my mouth muscles and jaw? The swelling around my cheeks seems to be gone so is it just the swelling around my mouth that will take time?

    • Tony, if your orthodontist removed the elastics, then perhaps they’ve thought it through and that conforms with your recovery plan. I was encouraged to wear my elastics until the day my braces came off, though. Just politely ask your surgeon if they agree with that decision. A second opinion is never a bad thing.

      As for your movement, the swelling is likely the reason that you feel so locked in place. Give it time and your movement will return over the next couple of months.

  9. Hi Graham,

    Love the blog. I have upper and lower jaw surgery 3.5 weeks ago and I still cannot feel my chin, parts of my left cheek and bottom lip. I had the elastics removed after 11 days is that normal? I can’t open my mouth much which makes it very frustrating when eating. I was wondering what are splints?? My smile is not the best either

    • Tony, your feeling may take 2–3 months to return, so don’t fret after only 3.5 weeks. Your elastics were removed incredibly early, though, so I’m not sure why your surgeon has allowed that to happen. Usually, people stay in at least a few elastics until their braces come off.

      A splint is an appliance they put in the roof of your mouth to keep it wide (if they had to widen your upper palette). If you don’t have one, they probably didn’t have to widen your top jaw.

      And your smile will come back once the swelling is gone. Give it time, my friend, give it time. =)

  10. Hi Graham
    Your blog is a life saver, thank-you, thank-you, thank-you! I am day 12 post double jaw surgery and wobbling, big time. Last week at my check up my surgeon mentioned he ‘hit a nerve’ during my op and that I may or may not get feeling back in my lower lip/chin area. I was gutted. It’s all I’ve focussed on for the past week. I am trying to be positive but it’s very hard. You mentioned you still have numbness in your chin. Would you say the whole thing was still worth it? Is it really something you can live with? I am also really struggling to come to terms with my reflection at the moment. I still look very “inflated” and not myself at all. Finding it really, really difficult at the moment. First few days were great, but it’s all hit home a bit and the last week has been very tough. I’d be so grateful to hear your thoughts, you’re such an inspiration. Thanks, Suzie (London)

    • Hi Suzie!

      It sounds like we’re going to be cousins as far as numb chins go. I can honestly say that it was still absolutely worthwhile. I actually don’t even noticed my lip or chin is numb any longer unless someone asks about it. You’ll be amazed at how quickly your body adjusts to having a lack of feeling in small areas.

      So be happy, my friend! The loss of feeling will not impact your life in any big way, I promise. =)

  11. I didn’t lose any weight following the surgery. I focused on protein, and think that might have been useful — both in terms of weight loss and in terms of feeling full. Protein and calcium are supposed to be important for bone growth, too. I drank lots of protein shakes and kiefer, and added additional protein powder to everything. I also supplemented a lot with fiber, starting a few days before the surgery.

    74 days post surgery today! My surgery is now rarely on my mind. It still feels a little strange to touch my chin, I’m still visibly swollen, and I can only open my mouth 2-1/2 fingers — but eating, sleeping, and talking all feel pretty normal. Yay! I assume the swelling, mouth opening, and numbness will continue to progress and be non-issues in another few months. I still worry that my lips don’t touch while at rest, and sadly I’ll need surgery in a month to correct a deviated septum that was aggravated by my jaw surgery.

  12. I tried gaining weight but I never do no matter what I eat so I stopped trying….thanks for the information!

  13. Also, did you lose a significant amount of weight? I’m hoping I don’t considering I only weigh 100 lbs

    • Chrissy, I honestly don’t even notice a difference in my chin. Since my upper palette was expanded, I imagine my chin was widened a little to support that, but nobody noticed any change in my chin.

      As for your bodyweight, you’ll only shed pounds if you’re above your natural weight to being with. I lost 30 lbs because I was intentionally gaining weight beforehand. If you’re already at your natural weight, you’ll likely only fluctuate a few pounds during recovery. So no worries, my friend!

  14. Im having my upper jaw widened and brought forward to correct my underbite. When you had your chin worked on, did they make it bigger or smaller?

  15. Day 43: Splint was removed by the orthodontist this morning. They put on a thick wire around my brackets so my arch would not collapse. Took an impression so that they can make an arch between my back molars. But get this the arch wire will not be ready until two weeks later! What if my arch collapses within that time frame?

    • David, I wouldn’t worry about your arch losing its new shape. Since we’re not professionals here, I encourage you to trust your orthodontist’s judgement. If the situation is bothering you, give them a call and ask if there is anything else you can do to guarantee a safe couple of weeks. =)

  16. Hi I am also 44 and tomorrow will be 4 weeks since surgery, I had both jaws done and all went very well I do feel you should have some one with you at least for the first week maybe two , I had my splint removed 4 days ago and I seem to have a bit more swelling, can anyone tell me is this normal? I see doc again next week but i was just wondering? thank you for this blog it is so great:)

    • Anastasia, it’s normal for swelling to increase for a few days following the removal of your splint. Since your jaw has a little more freedom now, you’ll be moving it more as a result, and swelling is sure to follow. It shouldn’t last for more than a week. =)

  17. Hi everyone, I am 44yes old and I am anticipating that I will be having my surgery in a few months. I am having my lower jaw moved forward and possibly my chin, the surgeon said they won’t be able to determine the chin surgery until they move the jaw. I have had my braces on just before last Easter, but I have had jaw problems since ’07. My surgeon said that I could go home the evening of my surgery, unless I wanted to stay in the hospital for the night…I am thinking my husband may want me to stay! LOL. I am planning on taking at least a month off from work, but since my husband works up north he may only be able to stay home with me for the first week. My kids are no longer living at home and I am wondering if it would be a good idea to have my mom fly out west, from back east, to stay with me for a coup,e of weeks. For those of you who have had the surgery, would you recommend having someone here with me after the first week or should I be ok here alone? The blog has been very informative and yet scary all at the same time!

    • Terry, it sounds like you’ve thought everything through quite thoroughly, so you shouldn’t be in for too many surprises. You should be okay after the first week to take care of yourself. The most difficult trial you’ll face is that of feeling lonely and disconnected from the world at large, but you’ll be in much better shape by the third week. Just make sure you have enough soup, Ensure, and smoothy ingredients for that second week and all should be well! =)

  18. A follow up on “Issue #2. I can’t breathe through my right nostril.”:

    Just back from the ENT. Looks like I have a severely deviated septum and need surgery to correct it. BOO! I am not a fan of another surgery, but this one will at least be out-patient and the recovery should be shorter. Just scheduled it for December 19.

    The theory for why this happened: My septum was probably deviated prior to surgery, but didn’t bother me. It may have been made worse by the intubation. It was almost certainly made worse by the fact that my surgeon removed a small bone from the bottom of my nose while adjusting my upper jaw.

    At least there’s a clear path to my being able to breathe clearly again…

    • I’m glad the doctors were able to pinpoint your breathing issue, Jamie. Another surgery is certainly a nuisance, but at least you’ll be back in tiptop shape after this one!

  19. Double jaw, rinoplasty (i was born with a clef lip and palate), cheek implants (chose to go with them im happy so far with what i can tell.)

    Graham,

    I would mostly just like to get on here to thank you for your dedication to helping all these people and staying present. I am 9 days post op and thanks to your blog have come to know what to expect! My recovery has all been well, i started talking 2 days after and have talked as much as i normaly would since then (not well though 🙂 ) i think this had helped significantly with my mouth as i dont take any pain meds through most of the day now started yesterday, my mouth can open a little larger than 2 fingers and i feel the numbness getting better everyday. The swelling is significantly down and i feel pretty good, we have had family friends and family over everyday so i think that helps (surround yourself with caring people you like). Anyway all my questions have been answered via your blog so i thank you again! I will certainly post again if i have any questions!

    Michael

    • Michael, I’m so happy to hear that you’ve found my story comforting and useful during your own recovery. I hope you continue to be positive over the next few months and that the surgery proves to be a huge success for you!

  20. Well it is 4 weeks today since my surgery and I went back to work yesterday. The infection has cleared up and it looks like I am on the road to recovery. I even had my first cheeseburger 2 days ago. Yes it took me about an hour to put two of them back but it sure was worth it. My appetite is definitely been increased. I still don’t have any feeling in my lower lip, chin and parts of the inside of my mouth. Hope that all comes back.

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