Jaw Surgery

Message

#1 Post by **pk_girl** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 7:18 pm

I am booked in to have lower jaw surgery on the 30 March.

Would anyone be able to give me tips and advice for how to deal with the physical and emotional aspects of the surgery as I am truly scared and am terrified of pain?

Even little hints would help

#2 Post by **science teacher** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 10:25 pm

Having a positive attitude is the best way to deal with pain. You can certainly build up things in your mind. Many people have said that the anticipation of the pain was worse than the actual pain.
Kim

#3 Post by **katemm06** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 10:36 am

You may not need it but just in case try to get your Oral Surgeon to also prescribe something stronger than Tylenol with Codeine. Depending on how severe your pain is the tylenol with codeine may not help it and you don't want to be stuck in the middle of the night with a terrible pain and nowhere to turn. I was not given anything stronger in the hospital or by the OS until a week had passed and my pain became progressively worse. No one should ever have to get to that point.

As for your emotions, make sure you have someone who can listen to and support you during your highs and lows after the surgery. This is extremely important. It's also good to be honest with your doctors about how you are feeling so that they can help. I cried a lot after surgery for a number of reasons, even onetime in my OS's office. He was so used to me being my bubbly self that when I opened up to him about how I was feeling he could see that I was having a rough time. It's very normal to feel this way although not a lot of fun at the time. I didn't take antidepressants but this may also be a way to cope with your emotions after surgery.

Hopefully you will be lucky and won't experience much pain. Good luck!

#4 Post by **katemm06** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 2:34 pm

Meryaten,

The thrush definently led to intense pain for me especially with my throat. On top of that I had to deal with shooting pains all the way up the right side of my face into my ear which was from jaw muscles being stretched (a normal reaction to the surgery according to my OS). I didn't sleep through the night for more than a week until I got Vicodin which in my opinion is a form of pain too. Whether or not my experience is atypical or "unlucky" to other Archwired members I have no idea. I just think it is important to present two sides of the jaw surgery picture to readers regardless of whether or not mine is less common. Even your OS prescribed you something very strong just to be on the safe side. When pain is not managed it is much harder to bring it under control. If I knew what I know now I would have asked for something stronger before the surgery.

The tylenol with codeine only worked for me with my SARPE surgery. But then again there is no comparison between SARPE and sagittal split osteotomy.

#5 Post by **JenNicole** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 5:34 pm

I have to say I agree with Kate on this one. BSSO it seems is easier for some than others...but you are much better of to have the meds if you need them. I just had BSSO and Lefort I a little over a week ago. I tried to manage the pain with Vicadin...and soon found out that is just wasn't enough. I ended up running the gammet for the first three days using Demerol injections, vicadin, then switching to percocet and on top of that Motrin. It is better to be prepared. I've read a lot of people's experiences, and I think mine may have been on the really really bad side pain wise. But having the right meds and using them before it is unbearable makes the whole thing much more pleasant. Feel free to check out my Blog, that will really give you a good idea on what to expect. I promise...it is very survivable!!

http://www.jennicole83.blogspot.com/

#6 Post by **misskristen** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 8:23 am

Hey PK_Girl,

I just found and posted some post op instructions on my blog: http://bracemyself.blogspot.com/2007/02 ... tions.html. Hopefully you'll find them helpful.

The best advice I got prior to surgery was from a friend. She told me to "relax and think positive thoughts". That really helped me prepare for the whole ordeal and I think made it easier to go through. Best wishes to you!

Kristen

#7 Post by **katemm06** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 6:32 pm

Meryaten, I agree completely with you that not everyone has complications from surgery (thank God!) You are the prime example of someone who had no surgery complications. I am sorry though that you experienced worse pain with the root canal

JenNicole: I checked out your blog and I'm glad you are starting to feel better. It's nice to identify with someone the same age as me who is also going through this experience. Hopefully you will start sleeping better and the TMJ pain will go away soon. I think the bands contribute to the jaw muscle pain or at least they did for me. It's gotten a lot better for me now at more than a month postop, probaly just needed some time to heal.

You are more brave than I was with the blended foods, I stuck to mainly shakes and smoothies, couldn't stand the taste of anything else during that time. I tried blending pancakes once and that was just plain gross..lol. I've become more adventurous with my foods now, I had pizza on Friday (I'm sorry, I know you had the liquid kind!!) which was the one food my OS begged me not to eat

It didn't cause me any problems though. Soon enough you will be back to eating normal foods too. You look a lot improved for only being two weeks postop. Take care.

#8 Post by **pk_girl** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 10:30 am

Well, the day is tomorrow, and I am feeling slightly aprehensive and am so grateful that I have piner08 there and going through it the same as I am. It is really helping me to know that someone else is going through it within the 24 hour period.

The finality of it hasnt really set in that I will be uncomfortable for 2 weeks, but I know I can handle it, I have had Eye Surgery before and I got on ok then. I fear I have been blocking it from my mind, pretending it's not happening, but at the same time, I feel like I'm getting too stressed about it.

I have packed my comfortable stuff, and the past 5 days have been nonstop get togethers with friends so that, in their words, they can remember what I looked like right before surgery.

I have been drinking a lot of water over the past 3 days as has been suggested, and have written out a card with sayings such as, this will be worth it, and this too will pass.

My friends and church members have been saying that when I am well enough to have visitors that they will be coming around to see me, so I will look forward to that.

For those who see this in the next 24 hours can you give some calming advice?

I believe the next time I speak to you will be on the other side, so to speak.

-pk

#9 Post by **soulaghra** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 11:04 am

Hi pk_girl, think of it like this; you have people all over the world holding you in their thoughts, wishing you a safe surgery/recovery. You are going to be fine

and I can't wait until you are able to let us know how the surgery went. You seem like such a sweet girl, and I'm happy that you have so many wonderful people around you during this process.

#10 Post by **BillN** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 3:01 pm

pk_girl,

From my experience (BSSO and genioplasty on March 13th), the stress leading up to the surgery was worse than the actual recovery. Yeah, there's swelling and sleeping issues to be dealt with, but other than a bit of discomfort from being tightly banded the first week, there was no pain to speak of. My biggest concern was breathing through my nose as I had always been a "mouth breather" due to my jaw issues. Once the bands came off that issue disappeared.

For the first 36 hours or so after surgery I applied ice packs on a regular basis. After that it was heat packs for the next couple of days. My medicine was Tylenol with Codeine, Motrin, and an antibiotic. I'm certain that if I'd had significant pain the surgeons would have prescribed additional medication.

I felt well enough by day three to take a trip by my office to show off my swollen face to my co-workers and, after that, took daily trips to the mall or book store or just walked around to get a bit of exercise. These little trips tended to wear me out at first but you'll eventually get your strength back. I felt good enough by day six to drive (I probably could have earlier but didn't really want to while still taking the medication).

I think the best piece of advice given so far is to go into this experience with a positive attitude. I truly think that staying positive is 85 percent of the recovery ... your body will heal given enough time.

-Bill
http://semper-braces.blogspot.com

#11 Post by **katmpet** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 5:41 pm

When you are going through the "surgery" part it is hard to see the big picture. Let yourself feel what you want-pain wise truly for the most part it is not bad. The worst is felt in the hospital and they give you LOTS of lovely drugs there.

As someone who found out today that my braces are coming off April 24 and my almost 3 year journey is coming to an end-it is worth it. Think of the big picture which is hard to do when you are all puffy and icing but really it will be. Pick a date that maybe something exciting is happening-a trip you want to take, a prom, a date etc. and by then you will be better. The power of positive thinking cannot be denied. Hope it goes well Pk_girl

#12 Post by **pk_girl** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 1:53 am

Ok Then, I am on the other side now

Day one.

I started fasting at midnight, and I was booked in to surgery at 10am, though the previous paitent toook a while longer, so I went in at 2pm.
Upon waking up, I surprisingly didn't feel any pain, I think it was the anaesthetic talking because an hour afterwards the discomfort hit me.

On my bed i had two drains coming out of my cheeks, and my oxygen tube, as well as my drip, and my medication tube, which meant I couldn't move much or else I would hurt myself, with all the needles.

I had the most uncomfortable night of my life, as there was the dicomfort as well as 3 snorers in my room. While I drifted in and out of consciousness I felt along the lip with my finger, and I thought that I hadn't suffered any nerve touching, until I got someone else to touch it, and I realised I couldn't feel them, which humbled me. Every 2 hours I was given Vital signs, and I woke up approx 6am

Day 2

This day seemed to go on forever. Though my cheek drains were removed, which allowed me to sleep a little easier. A big plus in my book. At around 2:30 a guy friend who I had only met 7 days previous came to see how I was, which I found really sweet of him, he brought me a makeshift whiteboard, as He had this kind of surgery before, though not as severe. After he left, I went to sleep and woke up to the sound of my fathers voice, and my brothers scream (he's 2.5). I had a good time with them, well as good of a time that I could have considering being sore, puffy and numb everywhere. I saw my stepmum give Bradley (drother) some chocolate and I wanted to smack her.

After they left, My doctor came in and reported that if I ate my tea that night, I could go home the next day. Now, even though my roommates were awesome, and I already miss them, Home seems the best place to go. So I ate my mushy mashed potatoes and mashed pumpkin and mashed mince. and upon receiveing a tick of ok, i could officially go home the next day. I went to sleep knowing that the next day I was going to be home the next day. The hospital also participated slightly in EARTH hour, a.k.a turn off all power for an hour between 7:30 and 8:30, now dont be stupid and think that we turned off everything, we didnt, we just turned off ALL unecessary electricity for the hour, and my room liked it so much that we kept it like that until the next day. I was able to start talking pretty normally by this time.

DAY 3

WOO, I get to go home! after attempting to eat some weet-bix, I decided to giveup and wait until lunch. My step-grandma came around to wish me well and then left after giving me some very soft chocolate for easter.
1/2 hour later my mum came to pick me up and WE came home in a VERY bright world. I slept until 6pm then came on here and gave you an updates:

What I did to keep myself amused:
Mobile phone (yes they allowed them in my room)
Played with my teddy (sounds stupid, but I loved it)
Drew some pictures on my makeshift whiteboard.
Chatted for a while to my roommates.

#13 Post by **pk_girl** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 5:25 pm

Did you guys find that time went by really slowly after surgery? because it feels like a month has gone by when its only been 3 days.

My skin on the lower lip has begun to peel off, for those who have had that happen, what can be done about it, and how long does it take to regrow.

#14 Post by **Eeegsy** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 4:13 am

pk_girl

Yeh the skin peeling off the lips happened to me as well. I wouldn't worry about it too much as it regrows in a couple of days. Like Meryaten says just apply a good moisturiser and things will be well.

#15 Post by **misskristen** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 9:40 pm

I had upper and lower jaw surgery on January 31st. Now I'm 2 months post op! Still some swelling and some numbness - but other than that, all's well! http://bracemyself.blogspot.com/

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