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.
May 7, 2014 at 1:53 pm
Hey Graham,
I’m going in for my double jaw, genioplasty, septoplast and turbinate reductiob surgery in 2 days in washington dc. Somebody suggested that I try the squeezable condiment bottles instead of a syringe to eat. What are your thoughts on that? Btw excellent blog, extremely informative.
May 8, 2014 at 9:12 am
Max, I’ve met a few other people who used condiment bottles to eat and said they were much more pleasant than the syringes. If they don’t work out, you’ve always got syringes as a backup. Good luck with the surgery!
May 7, 2014 at 2:11 am
Thanks for posting this Graham. I’m one week into recovery, and they switched my elastics today and my nerves are starting to feel more. I have a high pain tolerance, but I was feeling down because it felt worse than the first week. So thank you for reassuring me on that. My main problem is that I clinched my teeth before the surgery due to stress and whatnot, and my doctor stresses to me not to clinch. Now that they’ve moved me to more flexible elastics, I’m afraid I’m going to shift my alignment and screw up the end result or prolong recovery time. Any suggestions for that?
Also, on average, do you know how much weight is lost? I’m all for losing weight, but I don’t want to become obsessed and develop an eating disorder because of this.
May 7, 2014 at 8:43 am
Jennifer, I wouldn’t worry about throwing off the alignment of your jaw by clenching your teeth. As long as you aren’t biting sideways, you should be alright. Of course, the extra pressure on your jaw is not a good thing, but if clenching is not causing you pain, it’s probably not doing any harm either.
As for weight loss, I reckon the average weight loss is between 5–10 lbs. I only lost more than that because I bulked up a bit before the surgery. Try not to worry about how much weight you did or didn’t lose, as that number has little to do with your health during recovery. =)
April 22, 2014 at 11:16 am
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND PEOPLE WHO HAD ANY TYPE OF JAW SURGERY TO BUY BANANAS AND CHOCOLATE ENSURE. BLEND IT UP REALLY GOO. IT IS THE BEST. NO SEEDS WIOLL GET STUCK ANYWHERE IT IS AMAZING. PEOPLE ALWAYS SAY ITS SO COOL YOUR ON A SMOOTHIE DIET AND IM LIKE NO. THE ONLY SMOOTHIE I CAN HAVE IS THIS ONE BECAUSE ITS THE ONLY ONE THAT DOESNT CLUMP OR HAS SEEDS / ALSO A FUNNY STORY ONCE I WAS DONE USING SYRINGES BECAUSE THEY SUCK I THOUGHT I WAS GOOD ENOUGH TO DRINK OUT OF A CUP BUT I HAD LOWER JAW SURGERY SO MY CHIN AND BOTTOM LIP IS NUMB AS HRCK AND WHILE I WAS DRINKING I WAS DRIBBLING ALL OVER MY VCLOTHES AND DIDNT KNOW THIS HAPPENED FIVE TIMES SO NOW I TAKE EXTRA CAUTION IT WAS SO EMBARRASING AND I DIDNT KNOW UNTIL PEOPLE TOLD ME LOL.
April 22, 2014 at 11:10 am
I had lower jaw surgery on April 7th it is now April 22nd and i get my splint out May 2nd its been really hard suprisingly i had zero pain the hard part is when i get seeds sometimes inbetweeen teeth and cant get to them because of my splint and elastics it sucks not only that but watching people eat especially Easter dinner and stuff like that my family is Cree were Aboriginal we are very spritual so like we feast all the time and i have have Kokums and Mosum (Grandma and Grampa) that like to cook above and beyong and being in the house while that happend isnt easy im like 120 pounds im a small girl but i like to eat and i have a fast metabolism the really hard part was my foster family cooking tacos my favourite food of all time they cooked tacos first day our of hospital i also forced myself to school while i was swelled so that did damage to my self esteem and people laugh at me when they see my mouth so that is the pain i have but like physicallly nothing hurts my chin tingles because its unnumbing finally but yeah thats my story i guess lol.
May 5, 2014 at 2:49 pm
Riane, it sounds like you’ll be living splint-free at this point, so cheers to that! I hope you’re managing with the liquid diet… frustrating, isn’t it?! =)
March 17, 2014 at 2:51 pm
Hi everyone, Im 19 and just one week ago today had double jaw surgery to correct my overbite, im so uncomfortable and STARVING but I love reading everyone elses experiences. Thanks so much for your blog. Please check out my blog 🙂 http://doublejawsurgery.blog.com/
March 8, 2014 at 7:25 am
Wow, a lot of info here! Very appreciated. A few tips from me… For one I didnt have insurance to cover the $80G that it would have costs to get lower and upper jaw surgery in the US so I had it done in Ecuador for only $10G and the doctor was wonderful. My only complaint is they didnt give hard pain killers. Only ibufrofen or asprin and tramadol. In the end its been better that way as no withdrawel from the pills. I am very into natural health so didnt skimp on post surgery smoothy mixes and vitamins. Everyone has been really impressed with my fast recovery and I credit that with arnica externally and internally as well as tumeric for inflamation. Also been taking lots and lots of probiotics, even ones specific for the sinus to compensate for the strong antibiotics. I have been eating lots of homemade bone broth and vege soups liquified and only lost 5 pounds. It has been a month and I am still not used to the new face but like it more and more every day. The first week was hellish and the 2nd sad but after the 3rd I had my energy back but paid if I over extended. I also did regular shiatsu treatments (only $14 per session here in Ecuador) and it really helped with the pain related tension and to keep the energy flowing for optimum recovery. I downloaded some pain and healing related hypnotism mp3s that really really helped me get through the first 4-5 days. I am doing jaw opening excercises dailey to get it loose again so was happy to see on your site here not to worry too much for the first 6 months. Your site is surely the most comprehensive I found online. Your cheerfulness and willingness to continue responding really has helped lift my, on many others spirits as we undertake this major endeavor. Thank you! Other vitamins and herbs I would suggest are lysine to repair membrains (gums and nerves) and St. Johns Wort (start a couple weeks before surgery) to help keep your mood up and for nerve regrowth. 1 month in and I have almost all the feeling back in my face, only the lips are still tingly. It will be nice to have all feeling back again, I am so curious to feel a kiss with this new mouth 😉
March 8, 2014 at 9:16 am
Freeda, that’s so cool that you had the surgery performed in Ecuador! On a personal note, I love that country and had a great time there, and on a medical note, I’ve encountered many people who now fly to Mexico, Ecuador, and China for dental work due to the huge savings and great doctors. Thanks for all of the tips and enjoy your “first kiss” all over again! =)
March 3, 2014 at 9:37 pm
Hello Graham,
Today is exact 3 weeks of my operation. I cannot thank you enough to maintain this blog. My humble contribution to your blog and many valuable comments from others is how I learned to clear my sinus cavity within the first five days.
• Have a big bowl of hot/really hot water and a tablespoon lump of a vaporizing medicated cold medicine chest rub
• Squeeze in a lime or lemon (optional)
• Use a large towel to cover the head and that homemade steam vaporizer
• Try to inhale and exhale the steam through the nose as much as possible
• Use tissue papers to catch the discharge from the nose by rolling and absorbing the string of now soften mucus.
By the end of the week, I managed to have a clean sinus cavity and to breathe through my nose instead of my mouth when I slept.
March 4, 2014 at 9:59 am
Lan, thank you for that endearing tutorial on how to clean your sinuses, hehe. It’s amazing how something like that can change your entire outlook during recovery, isn’t it? =)
March 2, 2014 at 11:55 am
Hello all,
I am planning on getting double-jaw & chin surgery in about 6 weeks now and am very nervous.
I am 23 years old and have a regular 9-5 computer job. The recovery process sounds very grueling, but I am up to the challenge! However, I am most worried about having to take time off from work and social activities.
Will I be able to work from bed a day or two after the surgery?
Will I be able to walk around the house and take care of myself after 3-4 days?
Will I be able to work from the office after a week or so?
Will I be able to go to a Yankees game after two weeks?
Lastly, I just want to thank everybody, especially Graham, for sharing their experiences here to make the recovery process as bearable as possible!
Thanks,
Lenny
March 2, 2014 at 3:38 pm
Hi Lenny,
Your experience should be very similar to mine as I was also working a standard computer job when I took on the surgery. I highly recommend taking a full two weeks off of work to give your body a chance to recover. You likely won’t have the mental stamina to focus on your job until the third week. I returned to work after two weeks off and was able to do what I had to do, but I was fairly exhausted by the end of the day for about a week or so.
As for taking care of yourself, as long as you’re able to make soup and smoothies, you’ll be able to care for yourself by the fourth or fifth day. And a Yankees game after two weeks should be no problem, though you likely won’t be able to eat or have a beer at the game. Make sure you bring some paper towel with you as well, just in case you drool (due to still being quite swollen and numb).
I encourage you not to cheat yourself out of a proper recovery. Give your body a fair chance to rest and life will resume the moment you have your energy back. =)
January 24, 2014 at 7:06 am
God Bless your soul ..
January 22, 2014 at 2:07 pm
Can you or anyone else recommend some jaw exercises that will help (safely) speed up the jaw opening recovery? I’m 4 months post op and I need to have a root canal for a couple dead teeth (died due to surgery, it does happen, but probably not often) and have to wait until I can open up wider. I am in physical therapy and it’s a slow process. My tooth has started hurting so I want to get this done before infection starts. If anyone has a similar experience I would really, really like to hear about because it seems no one has ever had to deal with this from what I’ve noticed. Thanks.
January 22, 2014 at 8:16 pm
Debbie, I’d recommend both chewing gum and whistling as exercises to bring your jaw back to a fully functional state. Chewing gum will help loosen up the muscles in your jaw and whistling will aid in breaking up any residual scar tissue.
That’s frustrating that a few of your teeth have died, but once the root canals are finished, you won’t even notice. Best of luck and I hope you’re smiling again soon!
January 14, 2014 at 7:16 pm
I want you to know that this website has helped me more than anything else, it is getting me through each day, i am on day 5.
January 20, 2014 at 10:02 pm
Aubrey, always happy to help. Stay strong!
December 16, 2013 at 9:52 am
I am now 3 weeks post opp. My top lip has sensation but is still very numb, hoping this will recover soon. As far as cleaning is concerned I found little interdental bottle brushes ( brand name TePe’s ) extremely useful when I could not brush & still using them as they get loads of trapped stuff out of your braces :D.
December 17, 2013 at 9:00 am
Louise, those tiny toothbrushes are a lifesaver, aren’t they?! =)
December 15, 2013 at 2:26 pm
Unfortunately the surgeon did not explained me what is going to happen now or the reason why he’s changing the wires etc. Thanks for giving me an idea of it. I been getting all excited about been able to eat semi-solids from now on. Honestly I’m getting tired of drinking just fluids
December 14, 2013 at 2:37 pm
Hi Graham,
I have a few questions, I’m on Day 19. I talked to my surgeon yesterday and he said my recovery is going slow and he noticed some tenderness on both sides. I lost 11-12 lbs so far he said I’m dehydrated but since my mouth is completely close with wires all over I haven’t been able to eat well. In 7 days he is going to change the wires for “class 3 rubber bands” I am a little scare for some reason I feel like my jaw is going to fall :-P. The day after my surgery at the hospital I was using an straw to drink the pain killers and fluids on the 3rd day I started using a syringe, do you think that may have affected my recovery because it was too soon to use an straw?? I didn’t mention ed to my surgeon but I will next week. My surgery was right before thanksgiving holiday so I did not see my surgeon until 3 days after my surgery. How does those rubber bands work? Will I be able to eat more than liquid?
Thanks!
December 15, 2013 at 11:06 am
Maria, I would trust your surgeon on this one. If they have experience performing multiple jaw operations, you’ll be okay. The rubber bands will loop around your braces and hold your jaw in place nearly as tightly as wires do. The reason for graduating to rubber bands is so you can begin opening your jaw a little wider and start to stretch your jaw muscles back to their original elasticity. This is progress! =)
December 11, 2013 at 11:11 am
Hey Graham.
Just wanted to say that I really appreciate this blog! I had the procedure done about a week ago and I wish I knew about this going in to the surgery; nonetheless thank you for all the tips and guidance. It really helps to know someone else’s experience in detail with something like this.
Thanks again,
Liam
December 13, 2013 at 8:30 am
Happy to help out, Liam. Enjoy the down time!
December 9, 2013 at 7:25 am
Hey Graham. I’m getting double jaw surgery in one week and I’m really scared. I’m getting a week off of school plus two weeks of vacation so will that be a good enough time for me to recover? I know it will take about 90 days to fully recover. Today I see my anesthesiologist, I’m getting a physical, and I’m having a consultation with the surgeon. I already have some smoothie books and dvds and books. Your blog is very helpful. I know I’ll be fine and I won’t wake up during the surgery, but I’m just scared in general. Do you have any tips for me?
Thank you,
Steph
December 9, 2013 at 8:43 am
Hi Steph!
Three weeks should be enough time to get over the most difficult stretch of the recovery. You may still have difficulty speaking clearly when you return to school, but you’ll be able to drink smoothies and meal supplements from a bottle at that point, as well as have enough energy to get through a day of studies, so as long as you’re willing to be slightly more silent than usual (unless you’re already super quiet, ha!), you’ll do okay.
It sounds like you’re prepared as far as food and entertainment go for the first couple of weeks as well.
Just make sure you get outside for walks and maintain a positive outlook and all should be well!
December 7, 2013 at 3:39 pm
Thank you again!
One more thing…
How long have you had to be careful with bench press and dead lifts? When did it becomed no problem for you anymore?
Thanks again!
December 9, 2013 at 8:29 am
Dominik, I was back in full swing at the gym around the 10-week mark.
December 6, 2013 at 3:15 pm
Graham,
Did you have any problems with bench press, push-ups, ABS when you did comeback at the gym?
If you did, How many weeks did you need to do those exercises with any problems, just as before surgery?
Cheers:)
December 7, 2013 at 12:35 pm
Dominik, I had no trouble with push ups and ab/core exercises, but I had to be quite careful with bench press, dead lifts, squats, and other more intense exercises like that. I think I lowered all of my weights to approximately 1/2 of what I was lifting prior to surgery, and it took me around 5–6 weeks to get back to my previous weights.
December 6, 2013 at 12:17 pm
Ohh I have something that might be useful to people who also get their deviated septum fixed. When your nose is crusted over with blood and your cant really breathe through your nose get some Vaseline to soften up your nose and you will be golden, no more pain and stuffed nose. 🙂
December 6, 2013 at 5:39 am
Hi Graham
I had my surgery 4,5 weeks ago. Fell fine, speak clearly (got elastics in which I can open my mouth for 1,2 inches).
I have a question about a gym.
You’ve written that you’ve comeback after 6 weeks after your surgery.
How many time did you need after your surgery to lift weights on 100% of your body?
Have you had any problems with bench press, push-ups, ABS, horizontal bar?
My surgeon has told me that I will be able to back to the gym after.. 3 months.. 🙁
Thank you in advance.
December 6, 2013 at 10:03 am
Dominik, there are two reasons surgeons advise against returning to the gym too early:
1) Lifting weights takes energy and your body needs all its energy for healing.
2) Lifting heavy weight puts strain on your entire body and causes you to naturally clench your jaw. Since your jaw is still weak, this could throw things out of whack.
You’ll be fine to return to the gym at the 6-week mark, but you must be very conscious and careful to not lift at full capacity and to not clench your teeth. If you feel strain on your face or jaw, lower your weight.
Have patience and you’ll be back in action soon! =)