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.
July 11, 2012 at 1:19 am
Hi, Sorry, forgot to ask! When were you able to chew on foods such as steak, grilled chicken, pizza e.t.c?
When were you able to go on holiday i.e. plane? And when were you able to play physical activities such as football?
Thank you again 🙂
July 11, 2012 at 4:29 pm
Hi Husain,
I encourage you to drink a few glasses of prune juice each day to take care of any constipation you may be experiencing. It honestly helped an incredible amount during those initial few weeks following surgery.
The bleeding should go away by the second week. As for pain, most of it should be gone after 2—3 weeks, but random spasms and unexpected movements will still hurt. The chronic part of the pain should evaporate by that point, though.
I started taking part in controlled physical activity, such as going to the gym after about 6 weeks. I wouldn’t risk it before then. You should be good to fly around that time as well. As for eating foods such as steak, that didn’t happen until about 4 months post-op. Soft pasta, potatoes, and other more chewable foods were on my plate after 7 weeks.
Every recovery is different, but hopefully these timeframes can give you something to look forward to! Best of luck!
July 10, 2012 at 6:25 pm
Hi Graham, fantastic website. I’m on day 6 of my recovery and things are looking good. Not taking painkillers no more as they give me constipation (know that sounds disgusting, but it has to be said :P) but still have some pain around my face. Currently not able to sleep due to the pain, but was just wondering when the pain would roughly fade away? I was also wondering when the bleeding from the mouth will go away too? From your experience roughly how long did those things take?
Once again, well done on the site, great tips and a great hit for future patients.
Appreciate the help, thank you 🙂
July 9, 2012 at 2:26 am
Hi Graham,
I had complete reconstructive jaw joint surgery 3 weeks ago. 10 hours long. I had to have them replaced because the joints kept fusing together. This all started 34 years ago when I was 19. I’ve had a total of 5 jaw joint surgeries. I got rheumatoid arthritis and it decided my jaw joints were the perfect place to invade.
After 3 surgeries of them just “breaking” the fusions it was decided that I had to have new joints. And yes, this last surgery was the most traumatic one I’ve ever encountered. I have a lot of facial nerve trauma because of how long they had to operate. I can’t blink my left eye, can’t raise my eyebrows, the right side of my mouth is weak so I can only drink from a straw. I have to endure extensive physical therapy.
As you can see, I am at the “dear Lord what have i done stage” of my recovery. Oh and the best part of all of this is….even though I was born and raised in South Texas I now have a Russian accent! Ha ha….people are amazed. As my muscles and nerves heal my “normal” accent should return but for now people just laugh when I talk.
I sleep in a recliner because I can’t lay in bed. I’m a side sleeper and I can’t even bear to touch my face to wash it much less lay upon it. I have 2 incisions in front of both ears and these horrid scars on my neck so they for an “L” shape. They reacted to the tape they used and are trying to form keloids which of course the dr. said he could fix….sigh….just what I want another surgery! I my last 3 jaw surgeries within a year’s time with the last one just 3 weeks ago.
Enough rambling…..it’s so good to hear that I am not alone……have a happy week y’all!!
July 9, 2012 at 9:07 am
Hi Carla,
Upon reading your comment, my first thought was, “My goodness, she sounds like a war hero!” I can’t believe what you’ve been through—you’re truly an inspiration.
Try to make the best of your newfound Russian accent and do let me know how you’re doing as the weeks progress. I’m excited for that moment when this is all behind you and you can look back with a smile. =)
July 3, 2012 at 10:56 am
Amy,
How did you find out that your headaches were related to your jaw? I wonder how common that is. I have a relative that suffers from debilitating headaches.
July 2, 2012 at 10:36 pm
I wish I would have known about this blog 6 weeks ago. I could have really used all of the encouragement. Positive thinking is the number one thing you can do to get through this process. I go to my 6 week check with my surgeon and hopefully will get the go ahead to chew soft foods. My only problem with this process(i had both lower and upper jaw and genio) is that my inner cheeks were so swollen one hook on one of my back brackes imbedded into the cheek and now has caused some pain in opening my mouth. But otherwise it’s been a very fast 6 weeks and I am looking forward to the end of this process. For anyone that got any jaw surgery to relieve headaches this has been totally worth it. I have been suffering from headaches for 20 years and I haven’t had one since the surgery.
July 3, 2012 at 9:48 am
Hi Amy,
I’m happy to hear that your headaches have disappeared since having the surgery. It’s always a blessing when these procedures actually solve the problems they’re intended to solve, isn’t it?
Cheers to thinking positively and I wish you all the best over the next few months of your recovery!
July 1, 2012 at 3:59 pm
Hi Fiona,
The first couple of weeks may very well be the most frustrating experience of your entire life, but think of how much it will build your character! You’ll make it through this time and you’ll be glad you took on the surgery, I promise. =)
June 30, 2012 at 9:45 am
Well I had my surgery on Wed and it is Sat afternoon, had upper jaw done and I have my teeth bounded together with a splint. Got docs appointment on Monday, not sure if taking splint out then?
Had both jaws done 20 years and this seems far worse, blocked nose, cannot sleep, feel so down. Trying to drink lots and thankfully sunny so walking round the garden when I have the energy. Just need to keep my spirits up. Reading the blog has been great but slightly scared have another 10 days before things get better as people have said by 2 wks things seem better.
Feeling like I wished I had never had it done!
June 29, 2012 at 10:38 am
I know what you mean, Marcus. I’m glad you’ve put those initial two weeks behind you. It only gets better from here, my friend!
June 29, 2012 at 10:35 am
Bree, I think I’m one of the few who failed to experiences the joys of the waterpik. I’m happy to hear you’re on the happier side of recovery now. Keep smiling!
June 29, 2012 at 10:09 am
Great to meet you Chandele! You’re the first person I’ve met who is having the surgery performed in Japan. I wish you all the best in your recovery and hope you continue to smile throughout!
June 27, 2012 at 4:07 pm
The first two weeks are torture and I felt there was nothing I could do to feel better. It pretty much felt like I was dying; barley able to eat, breath, or sleep. But after that I was perfectly fine, still a little pain and hard to sleep but these tips really help after the first two weeks! thanks!
June 26, 2012 at 12:01 am
Hi Everyone…. I am just stopping by again to say, “Its been 10 weeks since my surgery!”
I am still struggling to open as wide as the doctors would like (im at 22mm and i need to be between 40-50mm) Do your stretching, when they tell you to!!!
The annoyance of “pain” seems to only come on at night…and its not really pain, just pressure mixed with a little numbness. Its almost as if I had burned the roof of my mouth on some hot nacho cheese (mmmm….sounds good!)
I still have a wee bit of swelling, but not really noticed by others… I think its just the feeling that I might be swollen.
Beer helps A LOT! (but i do not recommend this until after your first 6 weeks. gotta heal “properly”.) 🙂
Waterpik…. I owe a sonnet to the almighty Waterpik! Get one, if you don’t already have one! (but wait til after a week, as you will be too sensitive for even the lowest setting.)
I ate a bean burrito today, without squishing it every where… I feel like its Christmas Morning!!
It does get better, everyone….IT DOES! Its a long process, but I assure it happens.
Best of Luck to you all that are starting your journey!
Deep Breaths. You’ll enjoy the outcome!!
June 22, 2012 at 2:25 pm
Hello there Graham! Like everyone else on here, I too am about to get jaw surgery done. Upper and lower with the lower being brought forward and my upper being expanded and tilted downward more, followed by a chin reduction. I am currently stationed in Okinawa, JP so it is quite a ways from home. I am thankful that I have a roommate and great friends willing to help me out as much as possible. Thank you for your dedication to this site. I have been reading your advice colomns and the hundreds of comments on here. I have to say some are down right hilarious. Such as the food being caught in your mouth for so long. So much of the good and bad to look forward to, but finding sites like yours is helping me to be excited about the rewards. Again thank you and good luck to you in your programming!
June 22, 2012 at 10:38 am
cheers Graham, you’ve done a good job of reassuring me! Plus the tips you and others who have commented have suggested have been very helpful e.g. lip balm, heat patches- no-one I’ve seen at the hospital so far as mentioned any of this and its always helpful to know in advance.
June 22, 2012 at 9:22 am
Adam, I would give yourself at least 2 months’ worth of recovery time before traveling overseas. The pressure in the plane and your inability to communicate effectively will prove to be debilitating before that time.
June 22, 2012 at 9:16 am
Jessica, the surgery will be less painful than you think because you’ll be completely numb for the brunt of it. By the time your nerves reawaken, most of the pain will have subsided.
You’ll do great and you’ll be happy with the results. =)
June 21, 2012 at 12:21 pm
Correne, I was pretty close to my idea weight, too, and I lost about 10 lbs. 6 or 7 lbs were during my first week, after I came home from the hospital and started to be more active, but still couldn’t hardly eat. I lost just a few more pounds over the next 5 weeks, then I stopped losing. I think that your kids will be totally fine and you will be able to communicate a little. I never made a big deal of my surgery and my 12 yr old handled it totally fine, even helped out around the house a lot more than usual 🙂
June 21, 2012 at 6:44 am
I’m planning on having double jaw surgery soon but need to work out other plans as well. How long do you think it would be until i was well enough to travel overseas?
June 18, 2012 at 6:40 pm
I’m due to have double jaw surgery and genioplasty in two weeks, and I’m starting to get really nervous now because I have a really low pain threshold- its that I’m worried about more than the numbness, swelling and not being able to eat. Did the painkillers people were prescribed not help to allievate the pain?
June 18, 2012 at 4:17 pm
also, how much weight do people usually lose? I’m at my “ideal weight” now and really do not want to lose any but if I lose 10 pounds it wouldn’t hurt. Anymore than that would make me look sick tho. I have 3 weeks, maybe I should try to gain a few pounds? I’m 5′ 7″ and 135 pounds and I work out 6 days a week