Plate is coming out!

[redfoxjo]

So as I thought my plate needs removing on my lower right jaw. It's infected again abcsess for those of you who have seen my other posts you will know the bother I've had with infection.

It's scheduled for November 10th. I have some questions that my surgeon unfortunately is either too vague or busy to answer so I rely on this wonderful board

1. How much pain and swelling is to be expected?
2. How long were you off work?
3. Did you have to go back to a liquid diet?

I'm most interested in the swelling because I'm still very swollen on that side because of the infection. I just hope this is gone now for good once they take the plate out!

[freakyteeth]

Ugh. I had mine out on Wednesday but it was coupled with 3 implant surgery and a bone graft. I was concerned about that part, but found it quite minor.

Are you having conscious sedation?
I was off 3 days (could have done with 2) and am on soft foods/liquids for 2 weeks. Again, I had a combined surgery, so this info may not be helpful.

I did have some swelling, but not very noticable.

[redfoxjo]

Hi Freakyteeth thanks for your reply. Man that sounds like you went through a lot in one go I hope you're ok now?

I will be under general but he said it would only take 30mins and i would be discharged the same day. I'm pretty nervous even though I know it won't be anything like the jaw surgery, I'm still scared.

Also what concerns me is I have this infection with a pus lump on my gum and my jaw bone and joint is very sore indeed. The plate removal is 4 weeks away and I'm worried this infection will get out of control. I don't feel my surgeon inspected me thoroughly enough as always and as always I was shoved out the door quickly as they are clearly top busy to talk to me. I described some symptoms and he didn't seem concerned. I literally had to ask for antibiotics! I'm not sure if this is normal. They can't take the plate out yet as I'm just shy of 8 weeks post op so when they do I will be 3 months.

This whole journey has been so hard and emotionally taxing I can't see any light at the end of the tunnel!

[zoej]

I had jaw surgery in June to correct an underbite.

The good news... my teeth are now perfect and hopefully braces will be off in a couple of months.

The bad news... i got an infection from my lower left titanium plate Ive been on and off anti biotics and im getting SO fed up. The plate removal surgery isnt for 3 weeks and im feeling as depressed, run down and weak as i was after surgery. Im off anti-biotics right now which is probably why I feel so rough.

I know i can see the light at the end of the tunnel and it all should be fine and its hard because im an actress/dancer and want to get auditioning for work again but I cant because im still swollen I cant exercise much because then I go back to where I started and I cant drink or have fun because then I feel worse again!! Im going out of my MIND!

Anyone who had a plate removed after surgery please tell me about it! Is the swelling/pain/discomfort as bad as the actual surgery.

Thanks

Zoe

[redfoxjo]

Hi Zoej,

So sorry to hear you're going through similar crud to me regarding infection and plate removal. If I'd known about how common these risks seem to be I wouldn't have bothered with this surgery - but then I'm only saying that because I'm angry, upset and scared right now. I know I will be pleased eventually - already my bite is awesome and my face shape much nicer.

But yeah - the plate issue. I have been on and off antibiotics too. The infection makes you feel toxic. I know how you feel. It can be very depressing and make you feel tired and weak. The antibiotics do make you feel better.

How bad is your infection? I actually have a red raw pus filled lump on my gum below the second back molar. I don't really understand why my surgeon didn't volunteer to give me antibiotics when I saw him on Monday and how waiting 4 weeks to have the plate removal is going to be any good for me?

What did you have done and what antibiotics have you been taking? I feel your pain with regards to wanting to get back to normal and it must be even harder if you're working in an industry that relies on looks. I'm sure you don't look as bad as you think but again, I totally relate. I don't feel comfortable going out on a big night out yet and even if I do drink, I pay for it because my immune system is still out of whack.

Apparently the plate removal is simple - did your surgeon explain what you were having done? Mine said it would take 45 mins and I'd be discharged the same day. Here's hoping!

PM me anytime if you want a moan xx

[cocomecrazy]

Wow I'm so sorry to hear that

But how did it happen? What have triggered an infection?

[redfoxjo]

Hi cocomecrazy - I have no idea. It could be a number of things. I got an infection in Week 2 and had it drained in Week 3 and was on strong antibiotics - pus was oozing out of my stitches at the back on the lower-right side. They took a swab and said it wasn't staph (MRSA) so could have just been a bit of food getting caught and causing bacteria to grow, etc. Or it could just be the plates rejecting and not healing well. I've driven myself crazy many nights wondering how it happened but it seems about 1 in 10 of us get them post jaw surgery.

I guess the mouth is the worst place for surgery as it's so hard to keep clean. I just hope this plate removal is the end of it and it hasn't spread to my bone or something horrible!

[freakyteeth]

Ugh. New complication. The extra incisions to remove the plate have ripped out twice, resulting in two re-stitchings.

Now that they've come out again, they are just going to see if it heals over on its own. Otherwise another "extensive" surgery to graft some skin.

Sigh.