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.
September 29, 2012 at 10:19 pm
for anyone wanting a timeline~ finally at 7 weeks I stopped apologizing to anyone that I needed to talk with ,”sorry, I just had jaw surgery…” Finally my speech is back. And, after much prayer and great worry…I am finally getting a brief sensation in my chin, a glimmer of hope that feeling will return there!. I’ve gained all weight back, easily 🙂 and chewing is awkward but every day is better. You can do it! Hang in there people!! Your face will become “normal” again!
September 28, 2012 at 7:46 am
Hi thought I would give a happier update now that I am 12 days post op incase my previous day 4 post was a little off putting.
Feeling sooo much better at this stage, the swelling has gone down loads and I recognise myself once again, don’t know if its a coincidence or not but I massaged my face in soft circular movements every day in hope of dispersing the some of the swelling and my consultant says mine has gone down much quicker than most, worth a try.
I’m off the painkillers except at bedtime and feeling pretty much just weaker. My biggest problem is food! all soups are beginning to taste the same, I only have small gaps to drink through so everything has to be so thin and smooth, this is making me feel really tired and every waking moment is spent thinking about food, however this is only temporary in life so I’m still glad I’ve had it done but wish I’d learnt more about making tasty soups that’s for sure.
September 29, 2012 at 1:31 am
Vivienne, I’m happy to hear life is looking up for you! I was blessed enough to have a good friend come over and have soup-making parties with me during my recovery, so was able to try some different flavors. Even the Chunky soups come in various flavors if you need to mix it up a bit! =)
September 24, 2012 at 6:17 pm
Here’s a fun one: anyone losing their hair because of surgery??
Went to see my doc today, and mentioned the hair loss. Immediately he said “Did you have a traumatic or stressful event 4 to 6 months ago?” Why, yes, as a matter of fact I had double jaw surgery going on 5 months ago…
Apparently when the damage occurs to the hair follicles, it takes at least a few months for the hairs to start falling out, and then new hair should keep growing as normal. He did order a blood test just to rule out anything else but seemed pretty confident that was it.
Googling, I read hair loss is fairly common after gastric bypass due to the sudden reduced food intake. So that makes sense for jaw surgery too.
*Phew*. I’m (probably) not going bald.
September 25, 2012 at 2:42 am
Abby, I’ve never heard of someone losing their hair as a result of jaw surgery! Stress has some interesting side effects on the human body, my goodness! I’m glad to hear that it’s only a temporary reaction to the stress and that your hair will be back in full effect soon. =)
September 22, 2012 at 9:33 pm
oh Fiona! Wonderful for you and encouraging for us! i cannot imagine ever getting to the point of saying, “i feel normal” please oh please I pray that I will one day.
others:please encourage me her. I’m 6.5 weeks post op and still swollen on one side, what ever, it doesn’t bother me, the numb funky pressure totally is driving me nutso, it will never go away. Anone with numb gums? please tell me this goes away. loosing wieght in the begining was fun for a week or so but then it just go down right discouraging and nassty! im think to begin with. I’ve begun sucking on m and m candies all day… B:LAH!!! encourgement please!!
September 22, 2012 at 3:18 pm
Well I am 13 weeks post op and back to normal, had my braces off at the beginning of the week and just have clear retainers in now for a few months. Yeah!
To reassure those that have just had it done, when I was 3-5 days post op I never thought I would get to this stage but feels like I have never had it done now!! It is so worth it.
On the note of vomiting, I did quite a lot straight after the op and the next day and my teeth were bounded shut. Not as bad as you think, just have to lean over and it drains, better to get it out than trying to keep it down and if in hospital they help with the sucky machine they use like when at the dentist.
This blog has been great for me and I still like coming back to see the comments.
September 20, 2012 at 12:04 pm
Hi all, I’m on day 4 after having surgery to fix my underbite and crossbite. I seem to be the only one not to have had braces, I am not suitable for brace’s due to short roots so I have whats called an arch bar wired into my gums (nice) these bars are then wired shut. I was made aware this is a more painful option but the only one I had.
So far finding the swelling very strange, as a skinny girl I now feel like a human lolly pop, my face is so round! after hating my large jaw and chin for a long time (I’m 34) I now am having a panic that I have no chin but hope it will become more apparent when my cheeks reduce.
Feeling more emotional and regretful than I expected to but its early days.
No numbness at all which is lucky I guess but the painful pressure of the archbars kinda make numbness more desirable, hope to update with something more positive soon.
Great blog and a great inspiration, good luck to everybody at any stage of this so far bizarre journey.
September 21, 2012 at 1:43 am
Vivienne, I like your “human lollypop” description—that’s pretty spot on. Remember not to pass any judgement on your appearance until at least a couple of months have passed by. The shape of your face will change quite a lot during these first few months. It always takes a little while to adjust to your new face, but nearly everyone I’ve met ends up being extremely happy with the way they look after. Confidence, my friend! =)
September 18, 2012 at 3:34 pm
Graham, I read it on my consent forms and just wondered if anyone experienced that. I offically am going to stop reading anything else until after my surgery! LOL!
September 16, 2012 at 6:33 pm
Man, I don’t like reading about the vomiting 🙁 how can you possibly vomit with your teeth banded shut? Wouldn’t you gag? I have a question for all that have had a genioplasty. I read that its possible to have your front teeth fall out or need root canals, is that true? I hope not, I have to stop reading about this surgery and just have it done !
September 17, 2012 at 5:06 am
Cara, you don’t need to worry about your front teeth falling out or requiring root canals. I haven’t met a single person that has experienced either of those consequences. In fact, I’ve never even heard about them as legitimate risks.
I can’t speak to the vomiting because it didn’t affect me, but I’ve met many people who vomited during the first few days and they said the worst part was the fact that it affected your breath.
September 16, 2012 at 7:20 am
Thank you so much for this site, has cheered me up to no end 🙂
Am 5 days post op, and feel like I’ve been battered (which i guess I have!) Been having a hard tome keeping ensure down, have never really been good with milk based things, and the medication is making me feel really sic and gross, but i just keep thinking things WILL get better, they have too!
Had both jaws and my chin done, and yet have not been banded shut, or had a splint put in, wonder why that is. :/
Thanks so much for keeping my spirits up on here guys 🙂 Any advice as to what I can eat that won’t set me poor tummy off again? 🙂 thankyou!!
September 17, 2012 at 5:02 am
Louise, since you’re lucky enough to recover with a splint, I’d suggest you try blending your favorite flavor of Chunky soup and eating that. The vegetables and salt may settle your stomach a bit. I found that I felt much better once I graduated from drinking Ensure to eating blended soups.
September 14, 2012 at 8:14 pm
so has anyone else on here had a sore nose, like really tender and crooked at 5 weeks still, 5.5 now. What about shrinking lips? anyone? I’d love to know I’m not alone….
September 14, 2012 at 11:45 pm
Laura, I can’t speak to “shrinking lips,” but my nose was sore until around 4 months post-op due to scar tissue. It felt okay most of the day, but if I scrunched my face up or sneezed really hard, the scar tissue would stretch and it would hurt.
I’m not sure if this is the same issue you’re having, but scar tissue is usually the culprit if moving certain parts of your face hurt at this point.
September 12, 2012 at 7:40 pm
HI!
I’m laura and I’m a 39 yr old mom of 8. I am 5 weeks post op. double jaw and genoplasty. I know I spelled that wrong…
My bottom lip is still mostly numb and my entire chin as well, behind my nose is very tender-numb and all is thick feeling. I have no bands on anymore, as of yesterday. I was given the ok to eat soft foods but I can’t! It’s extremely difficult. I’m sticking to my oatmeal and yogurt! I guess it will take time. I was going to mention that I started running again at 2.5 weeks post op. my surgeon and I both felt it was good for my sanity! It felt like my face was shaky at first but it was a life saver, I’m a runner and it was hard to give that up!
As for throwing up….wow. did i ever! pre op I told the doctor i tend to vomit after surgery. they said not to worry…well, I throw up all night, 21 times, black stinky blood, dry heaving. It was the worst, but, guess what? It’s okay and I got through it and you will too! I NEVER had any pain meds with my surgery, because I couldn’t stop vomiting. I had motrin for the 2 nights in the hospital and motrin for the first 10 days, then nothing.
The worst is the numbness and swelling. I was not expecting it to be so super annoying. It’s not fun looking freaky, really! At 5 weeks I definitely still have swelling, I’m just now beginning to sound a little more like myself when I talk but i still apologize…”sorry, I just had jaw surgery….” but really it’s been 5 weeks!
I can’t say that I’m glad I had it done…not yet. I’m hopeful though, thanks to you Graham!
September 13, 2012 at 6:05 am
Laura, I can’t believe you were running again at only 2.5 weeks! You must be a lot tougher than I am, haha.
The fact that you took on jaw surgery as a mother of 8 children is an inspiration in and of itself. I’m impressed!
All the best for last leg of your recovery! =)
September 11, 2012 at 11:01 pm
Graham, thanks for the advice 🙂 I’m just so nervous that I’m thinking too much!
Jamie, I too had a really bad wisdom tooth extraction experience and that is why I think I’m so worried! I need yoga or something!
September 10, 2012 at 4:13 pm
BTW, I thought I might mention a piece of recovery equipment that I’ve found very helpful: A hand-held mirror. When your mouth is numb, swollen, and in a different place than normal, it can be really hard to find it without a mirror!
September 11, 2012 at 6:35 am
Jamie, your comment made me laugh. There were a few times when I first started eating with a fork again that I missed my mouth completely! I also recall biting my tongue a lot because my teeth were in a different place than before.
September 10, 2012 at 4:05 pm
@Cara, I was very worried about vomitting, too, because after my wisdom teeth were removed I threw up for a week. You should mention it to your anesthesiologist. Mine put a patch on me that helped a lot — I didn’t throw up once.
@Fiona, glad to hear you’re doing well 9 weeks out. I’m feeling much better now that I’m just about 3 weeks out.
September 9, 2012 at 10:54 pm
Hi, I’m having lower jaw surgery and a geneoplasty (sp?) In 6 weeks and I’m sooo nervous! This is a very helpful thread! I am really worried about vomiting after being wired shut, that can’t be good. Most medications make me nausiated or vomit so it really freaks me out.
September 10, 2012 at 3:44 pm
Cara, my first piece of advice would be to not think about vomiting. I felt nauseous following surgery as well, but I was able to divert my attention to other things and managed to keep away from vomiting. However, if it happens, it’s a fairly common thing, and is more uncomfortable than anything.
You’ll do great, though! Just relax for the next 6 weeks and don’t worry about the surgery. We’ve all had it and most got away without a hitch!
September 2, 2012 at 4:15 pm
Jamie, I had surgery at the end of June and was exactly the same as you (Graham was also fantastic at reassuring me too). The first 5-7 days are really the worst and from now on each day will get better. From how I felt in that first week I thought I would never feel normal again but week 9, I have 95% feeling back with only a little swelling in my upper cheeks and I have been told my brace will come off in the next two months.
The best advice I can give is take it easy and ensure you have lots of liquids (fresh fruit smoothies really helped me).
Charlie – I too am in the UK, I had a fantastic surgeon and care. My whole process took two years to get to this stage which is pretty good. It seems a long time and the first week post op of recovery is hell but I can guarantee it is worth it and you will get through it. Good luck
August 31, 2012 at 2:07 pm
I had lower jaw surgery and am 11 days post op. I was not kept overnight. They removed my splint today which i was ecstatic about. My teeth are currently really soar from the elastics creating pressure from pulling my lower jaw forward. The swelling has gone down drastically but is still present. The bruising in my cheeks are yellow but blood has pooled in my neck and it looks as if i tried to hang myself. This pooling will not disperse. I am not nearly as miserable as i thought i would be. I am really missing food, but i have lost 17 pounds. Taking it day by day is the key. Hoping someone can relate!
September 1, 2012 at 11:53 am
Mekia, I’m so happy they removed your splint yesterday! It makes life so much better, does it not?! =)
August 29, 2012 at 3:11 pm
Graham, thanks for checking in. Yes, I’m now on Day 8! So happy to be done with the first week. I read your blog post for the next day every evening before I go to bed, and it helps me look forward to the next steps. Today I’m weaning myself off daytime narcotics — which means a little more pain but a much clearer head. I plan to start working remotely for a few hours tomorrow. Wish me luck. 🙂
August 26, 2012 at 8:03 pm
I wanted to chime in again, to say that it is EXTREMELY important to move your jaw (when given the clearance to do so.)!!!!!
I am suffering from Trismus and have to use a Therabite apparatus to stretch my masseter muscles. It is very uncomfortable and annoying. I still can not eat properly, as my mouth only opens 30mm’s. My surgeons said that I am the “1%” that gets this condition (Yay, me!). I am at wits end. My life is busy enough without having to stop & do this kind of physical therapy…. 7-10 times a day. And the best part is that some days I will get my mouth to stretch to 45mm’s, but by the next day its back down to the 20’s. So frustrating! I feel like my lower jaw is restricted a lot and doesnt move side to side the way it should. I still have numbness inside my mouth, but I can handle that part. I just really want to be able to bite into a hamburger- and not have to tear is apart & eat like a baby bird!
Please, no matter how uncomfortable it feels… DO YOUR STRETCHING!! I thought I had done it all along, but obviously not enough.
August 24, 2012 at 3:13 pm
Man, these first few days are lllloooonnnnggg. It’s now been over 72 hours since I came out of surgery, so I’m hoping the swelling starts to decrease any minute now. My pain has definitely taken an up-tick, too. The end of the first week seems like it will never come, but it’s good to read that it eventually does. Thanks for the welcome, Graham.
August 26, 2012 at 5:21 pm
Jamie, you must be nearing the end of your first week now. Here’s hoping you’re able to find a little energy and eat a bit more during your second week! It gets better after the second week, I promise!