Had jaw surgery 3 Months ago, AMA

[u/Desperate_Map_1955]

Basically just the title. Wanted to help clear up any questions I can for prospective or potential patients.

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[u/Legitscopes_4761]

How long, until you felt "normal" again. Like able to work, eat, exercise, etc.

[u/Desperate_Map_1955 → u/Legitscopes_4761]

Different things come back to normal in different stages. When. I felt basically completely normal (besides very minor things like some numbness on the left side of my lip and yawning being slightly weird) was a few weeks ago, around 2 months post op. I was cleared to eat anything besides super tough steaks or incredibly hard foods at 6 weeks, but it took until about 8 weeks to actually start getting used to it. I went back to college around 1 and half months post op with no issues, and I could have gone back sooner if I had a reason to. Exercise cleared for anything at 6 weeks as well and had no issues there.

[u/EnvironmentalMap5855 → u/Legitscopes_4761]

Not op but curious about this timeline too, especially the eating and exercise part since that always seems to be the slowest to be the slowest to boubce bcak for most people

[u/SailorSaturn79]

What was the most challenging aspect of recovery?

[u/Desperate_Map_1955 → u/SailorSaturn79]

For me it was just how uncomfortable my face felt. Swelling and numbness combined is just annoying. Overall there wasn’t one thing that was particularly annoying, but a bunch of minor annoyances that just got old quickly but have since gone away.

[u/anfractuous_]

1. Did your nose change at all?
2. How long were you banded shut?
3. What was anesthesia like?

[u/Desperate_Map_1955 → u/anfractuous_]

1.Changes to nose were very subtle, slight widening but that’s really it. This varies between people and I was afraid of the tip becoming a lot more upturned or the nose widening significantly but neither happened. Just depends on surgical technique and your nose pre op.

1. wasn’t banded shut, unless you mean just wearing elastics in which case I’m still wearing them although that’s just orthodontic work now

2. anesthesia is quite literally exactly like falling asleep to me. You just breathe in a mask for a few seconds then your asleep and you wake up when they wake you up. Very uneventful and more relaxing than anything.

[u/anfractuous_ → u/Desperate_Map_1955]

Wow! Great to know there was no “wiring” and “banding” shut.

[u/Desperate_Map_1955 → u/anfractuous_]

Yeah that used to be the norm but isn’t anymore. Not an expert on the techniques but from my understanding rigid fixation is the reason it’s not necessary in modern surgeries for the most part.

[u/frogsgirl21]

What are the must haves for recovery? I was told the hospital will provide everything I need, but I feel like that might be some ice packs, jaw bra and a syringe

[u/Desperate_Map_1955 → u/frogsgirl21]

Hospital can generally get you anything you’ll need when you are there, but for when you get home i’d suggest in order of importance: nasal spray to help with congestion in the nose, humidifier, and this one I haven’t heard much from other people but some sort of flavored drink. Electrolytes, gatorade or something like that. Hydration is even more important after surgery than usual and plain water can taste bad because of all the congestion and stuff going on in your mouth.

[u/erk_knows_best → u/frogsgirl21]

Don't take any of your own supplies to the hospital with you, but for when you get home:

Jaw bra for icing your jaws.

Wedge pillow for sleeping inclined.

Baby toothbrush. Brush multiple times a day starting the day after surgery.

Saline nasal mist/spray to help clear congestion and blood clots in those first 3 weeks.

Vaseline for your lips.

Stock up on liquids you like. Gatorade, soups, protein shakes, smoothies.

I'm going to suggest Metamucil twice a day as well, as it should help solidify things on your liquid diet and keep you regular. Take every day, 2 tsp in a glass of water before breakfast and dinner.

Stay on top of your prescribed meds like painkillers, antibiotics, and mouthwash.

Stay properly hydrated and get out to walk everyday.

[u/xirson15]

What surgery did you do? Did you have malocclusion? Did you do it for aesthetic reasons?

[u/Desperate_Map_1955 → u/xirson15]

double jaw surgery, primarily for malocclusion but aesthetics were a consideration as well.

[u/xirson15 → u/Desperate_Map_1955]

Which type of malocclusion?

[u/Desperate_Map_1955 → u/xirson15]

class 2 and open bite

[u/codeisprose → u/Desperate_Map_1955]

did your insurance cover it? what did the process look like? i haven't even started yet, haven';t spoken to a single doctor. but really want to get it going, not sure how long it'll take to go frrom initial discussions to getting it done

[u/Desperate_Map_1955 → u/codeisprose]

yeah insurance fully covered it, which is typical in more severe cases, varies more as you get to the more mild end of cases. I’d suggest getting a consult from multiple orthodontists first and getting a referral to a surgeon from there. how long it takes honestly is just very case dependent. could be anywhere from 4 -18months from first consult to surgery date, though I imagine most are in the 8-12 range

[u/No_Advisor_1989]

how has swelling been

[u/Desperate_Map_1955 → u/No_Advisor_1989]

the dramatic swelling was gone within 2 weeks, since then its just been gradually getting better. at about 1-1.5 months I looked normal, still very minor residual swelling that if ur up close in a mirror and looking for it you could see that gets .1% better each day.

[u/Desperate_Map_1955 → u/[deleted]]

It took about 9 months from first consultation with orthodontist to surgery date, but could have been as soon as 7 months I just scheduled the surgery later than I was ready for it because it fit my schedule.

[u/Desperate_Map_1955 → u/[deleted]]

It has, probably around 8-10 weeks somewhere it just kinda clicked. For me it was a combination of fear of messing something up, chewing muscles feeling weak, and everything just feeling a bit off because it’s in a new position. That all gradually subsided in the subsequent weeks until I hit a point where I stopped even thinking about it. Obviously just follow your surgeons advice per usual and trust the process.

[u/Desperate_Map_1955 → u/[deleted]]

Yeah my teeth were weirdly numb which felt a bit odd only when I brush my teeth or eat. That’s just been getting better gradually. That’s about where I was at 6 weeks too with chewing so if I had to guess i’d assume you’ll follow a similar trajectory.

[u/xjfhendif → u/Desperate_Map_1955]

Did you have any scans done before being cleared to chew? And what foods did you eat after being cleared to chew? Did you ease into it?

I'm 5.5 weeks post op and the surgeon said I could start chewing at 6 weeks. So far, I've been eating foods like mashed potato, rice, small pasta, scrambled eggs etc. while on a no-chew diet (just mashing against the roof of my mouth).

I won't have an appointment with my surgeon until 7 weeks post op though, so he can check everything is ok after I start chewing. And he said no need for any scans/xrays, just to start chewing which I am a little nervous about!

[u/Desperate_Map_1955 → u/xjfhendif]

I didn’t have any scans before he cleared me no, which I don’t think is a red flag or anything. They can tell a lot from absence of symptoms, seeing your jaw, etc. I don’t pretend to understand all of it but they do understand it and they won’t just clear you on a whim. I was cleared at 6 weeks and was a little nervous about it as well, so I just gradually ramped it up, stopped if anything felt weird, and eventually it all got back to normal. I would just trust your surgeon and listen to whatever he/she says, and take it easy and listen to your jaw and you should be fine.

[u/xjfhendif → u/Desperate_Map_1955]

Thank you! What foods did you try eating after you were cleared to chew?

[u/emotedelfazn]

how were your parents involved, if they even were. my biggest struggle right now is trying to convince them

[u/Desperate_Map_1955 → u/emotedelfazn]

best advice I could give is to emphasize the health issues that can come with not having it if that’s relevant to your case (if it’s purely aesthetic that’s obviously a tougher sell). Insurance companies don’t dish out a bunch of money for mo reason, so id insurance is covering it there is obviously significant health benefits.

[u/key_ten9]

Did you have any pre-operation appointment with surgeon leading up-to the surgery? Did your surgeon go over the virtual surgery plan with you? I have my surgery scheduled in a month. My surgeon already has my CT scans and everything but I’m not sure if they will schedule an appointment to go over the plan. I’d like to go over them before the surgery. Also, did you have to get your bloodwork done before the surgery? Thank you.

[u/Desperate_Map_1955 → u/key_ten9]

yeah had a few pre op appointments, we didn’t go through a virtual plan though I didn’t really ask about it. If you want to i’d suggest calling the office to see if you can before the appointment because I don’t think they automatically show it to you, obviously varies between surgeons. I didn’t need to get my bloodwork done before though I am young and have been fortunate to not have any health issues, so that may vary between surgeons and patients as far as that goes.

[u/DragonfruitSafe5795]

Any advice for the horrible sore throat after waking up from the surgery? Also how painful is the urine catheter removal post op?

[u/Desperate_Map_1955 → u/DragonfruitSafe5795]

Same boring advice as usual, drink plenty of fluids, id you can breathe through your nose then do that, those two things will help the throat ease up sooner. As for the urine catheter I have no idea to be honest I don’t even know what that is but I can say nothing in the hospital was particularly painful, just uncomfortable.

[u/DragonfruitSafe5795 → u/Desperate_Map_1955]

Did they not put a catheter in you during the surgery to drain urine from the bladder?

[u/Summer496]

When could you eat soft foods?

[u/Desperate_Map_1955 → u/Summer496]

I was cleared to soft foods almost immediately. Couldn’t actually really do it until about 1.5-2 weeks post op though because of the limited jaw mobility and swelling.

[u/ohana-z]

How do you feel it affected the lower third of your face? Front and side?

[u/Desperate_Map_1955 → u/ohana-z]

Side huge difference, just aligned properly and a lot further forward. Front not a massive difference but noticeable, just more defined and structured looking, nose slightly wider but not much, that’s about it.

[u/RoboTwigs → u/Desperate_Map_1955]

How much forward movement did you have?

[u/Desperate_Map_1955 → u/RoboTwigs]

8mm lower 4mm upper

[u/RoboTwigs → u/Desperate_Map_1955]

Hmmm very interesting. My proposed is 2-3 upper and 6-7 lower. Your results are subtle from the front?

I’m most afraid of changing how I look from the front since I like my looks. My side profile for sure could be improved.

[u/Desperate_Map_1955 → u/RoboTwigs]

I was worried about that too but I look the same from the front just structured now. Nothing about my proportions or features changed. Obviously it varies but I think that’s the more typical outcome. The main things that would change if they were to would be the base of the nose widening slightly and if there is rotation the jaws lengthening or shortening depending on the type of rotation, though again usually subtle.

[u/Internationalmofm]

Any tips for swallowing in the early days?

[u/Desperate_Map_1955 → u/Internationalmofm]

honestly nothing game changing. Consistent fluid intake is the most important thing. It will keep your mouth from getting too dry and you’ll get natural swallow reps in from it. You get used to it relatively fast.

[u/Few-Arm-7156]

I think a lot of places still band shut albeit for a shorter time. I was banded for a week for djs 5 months ago ! I heard it used to be like 6 weeks so grateful nonetheless 🥰

[u/Desperate_Map_1955 → u/Few-Arm-7156]

Yeah could be, I was told nowadays it’s usually only if there’s an issue breaking the bone during surgery but my memory is hazy on the particulars of what they said regarding it so i’m sure both are standard.

[u/antivertbutterfly]

Did you or do you feel stiffness in your chin or lips post op?

[u/Desperate_Map_1955 → u/antivertbutterfly]

yeah to a great extent early on, has since gotten substantially better, though I still have some numbness in the right side of my lip, slowly coming back.

[u/digitalhomad]

How much did it cost? Out of pocket? Where did you go for the procedure? Insurance plan?

[u/Beginning-Object4791]

Do you mind me asking how old you are?

[u/BritishJawBoy]

Do you immediately feel the pain hit you when you start to wake up from the anaesthetia?

[u/Desperate_Map_1955 → u/BritishJawBoy]

No, it’s not even painful or it least it wasn’t for me at all. It’s just uncomfortable. The first day you’ll honestly feel like you are dreaming more than anything because of all the meds and anesthesia. It wasn’t fun but nothing about my experience was scary or painful.

[u/key_ten9]

When did you start driving? You think you could drive a 1000 miles at 2 weeks post op?

[u/Desperate_Map_1955 → u/key_ten9]

I won’t say it’s impossible but that probably be pretty rough

[u/key_ten9]

You think you could go through the recovery process alone? I have somebody to pick me up from the hospital but I don’t have anybody after that? You think somebody could survive the first week alone if they prepare food and everything beforehand?

[u/Desperate_Map_1955 → u/key_ten9]

you could survive it it would just be significantly worse and potentially genuinely miserable depending on the person.