Hi, all
I'm post op 8 days and kind of having a hard time.
I had an upper-jaw osteotomy, the operation went really well. It was on waking I was extremely sick, will keep out gross part. But I had to have blood transfusion and it took me 5 days to stop being sick.
I'm now at home living on my own find this ok but hard to feed myself.
Due go sickness I didn't have bands on. But when I went to week later check up they put bands on.
Thing is, this gives me panic attacks as I can't open my mouth. I'm scared to eat incase it makes me sick, I lost 18lbs in 8 days.
Guess I feeling really sorry for myself.
Thank you all for listening.
Post op and struggling hard.
Moderator: bbsadmin
Re: Post op and struggling hard.
Sorry part two, my upper jaw is really sensitive to cold drinks and get pains in my teeth that are crowns and had the roots taken out.
Is this normal that each day the pain get worse in my teeth.
Please bear with me as in not good with expressing what I'm trying to say. I have mental blocks on words and sentences.
Is this normal that each day the pain get worse in my teeth.
Please bear with me as in not good with expressing what I'm trying to say. I have mental blocks on words and sentences.
Re: Post op and struggling hard.
Sorry to hear how hard it's been, I also had extremely difficult first week but it does get better. For the panic attacks, ask your doctor for a prescription of ativan, that should help.
I lost 13 pounds in the first week after surgery so don't worry too much about the weight loss. Just try your best with whatever you can keep down (gatorade, apple juice, soda, soup, milk, etc.).
Also ask your doc for pain killer prescription if you haven't already, tramadol for example is extremely effective for most patients even though it's pretty strong opioid. It's important you not suffer too much these first few weeks.
I'm almost 7 weeks post-op so feel free to ask me any other questions you may have.
I lost 13 pounds in the first week after surgery so don't worry too much about the weight loss. Just try your best with whatever you can keep down (gatorade, apple juice, soda, soup, milk, etc.).
Also ask your doc for pain killer prescription if you haven't already, tramadol for example is extremely effective for most patients even though it's pretty strong opioid. It's important you not suffer too much these first few weeks.
I'm almost 7 weeks post-op so feel free to ask me any other questions you may have.
Re: Post op and struggling hard.
Thank you ReoSity, for your reply it great to know I'm not alone and there people out there who understand.
Today is a better day. I feel a bit better and taking it day by day instead of thinking 8 weeks a head.
Each time I ask the dentist any question all he says is in a few months. Which adds to my frustration instead of making me feel better.
Questions I have are like.
Do the bands get tighter or looser. At the moment I can't open my mouth at all how long is that going to be like for.
Is it each time I go for a check up I get to open my mouth a little wider each time.
How long does the roof of mouth numbness last for.
I know it's different for everyone but I guess if I got a guild line it's something I can work towards. Be very great full for everyones experiences thank you all once again.
P.S
It's it normal for mouth to make strange noise like cracks and pops
Is it normal to hear strange noise in my mouth. Like cracks and pops.
Today is a better day. I feel a bit better and taking it day by day instead of thinking 8 weeks a head.
Each time I ask the dentist any question all he says is in a few months. Which adds to my frustration instead of making me feel better.
Questions I have are like.
Do the bands get tighter or looser. At the moment I can't open my mouth at all how long is that going to be like for.
Is it each time I go for a check up I get to open my mouth a little wider each time.
How long does the roof of mouth numbness last for.
I know it's different for everyone but I guess if I got a guild line it's something I can work towards. Be very great full for everyones experiences thank you all once again.
P.S
It's it normal for mouth to make strange noise like cracks and pops
Is it normal to hear strange noise in my mouth. Like cracks and pops.
Re: Post op and struggling hard.
Hi Scraggy,
Hope you are past the worst of it!
I had upper jaw surgery 17 days ago. Based on my experience, the bands should get looser or you will not have to wear them all the time. In my case, I had to wear them all day for the first 10 days and then only at night. I would assume as you heal and the bite gets in the right place they can loosen them up or let you take them off for bit.
You should be able to open your mouth more when the bands are off for a longer period of time or you have looser ones.
I still have absolutely no feeling in the roof of my mouth, so I think this will take some time to resolve itself.
I also get popping and cracking so I assume its normal.
Hope you are past the worst of it!
I had upper jaw surgery 17 days ago. Based on my experience, the bands should get looser or you will not have to wear them all the time. In my case, I had to wear them all day for the first 10 days and then only at night. I would assume as you heal and the bite gets in the right place they can loosen them up or let you take them off for bit.
You should be able to open your mouth more when the bands are off for a longer period of time or you have looser ones.
I still have absolutely no feeling in the roof of my mouth, so I think this will take some time to resolve itself.
I also get popping and cracking so I assume its normal.
Re: Post op and struggling hard.
Ty for your reply Tchjho.
That makes me so much better.
I do ok till it gets about 8pm then I don't know everything gets on top of me, im normally a very active person. I work 3 jobs and socialise alot.
Think sitting around all day on my own does me any good. So I plan to go out and see friends tomorrow to see if that makes me feel better.
That makes me so much better.
I do ok till it gets about 8pm then I don't know everything gets on top of me, im normally a very active person. I work 3 jobs and socialise alot.
Think sitting around all day on my own does me any good. So I plan to go out and see friends tomorrow to see if that makes me feel better.
Re: Post op recovery stories to help me recover.
Hi are there any people that can give me there experience on when the got to start to eat.
And what type of eating. What op did u have, how far along are you.
I'm interested in anyone story of recovery no matter how far along you are.
These things tends to help me have a rough guildline in my head. Instead of emptiness and the thought I'm still going to be this way when I'm a hundred and six.
Please share anything you like.
Thank you so much. Sorry if Im being a pain
Normally I'm such a patient person, I've had my braces on for about 3 years.
First with one in roof of mouth pushing my arch wider. Then it went to having wisdom teeth out.
The upper brace train tracks the lower with adjustments every 6-8 weeks.
None of this ever worried me at all. Even the surgery I didnt start to worry till right two weeks before
Spent whole time like a drown rat so I could not sweating over the thing.
Guess my main worries are right now are
1) I will break the plates that hold jaw together.
2) that the smallest mouth movement I make will pull it all in the wrong way.
3) that there is something very wrong with my jaw.
My last appointment with Ordo, he was really pleased looking good and everything.
Same with my surgeon who saw me a week after the op said was healing nicely and that he no longer needs to see me.
Feels like he did his part on the Day that's it, he done with me. When I've read on here people get seen weekly fir a little while.
To be fair I fill cheated about the hole thing I asked question like work. Sausage take 3 weeks off. Said what do I eat. Was told your be told when and what to eat by Ordo
And what type of eating. What op did u have, how far along are you.
I'm interested in anyone story of recovery no matter how far along you are.
These things tends to help me have a rough guildline in my head. Instead of emptiness and the thought I'm still going to be this way when I'm a hundred and six.
Please share anything you like.
Thank you so much. Sorry if Im being a pain
Normally I'm such a patient person, I've had my braces on for about 3 years.
First with one in roof of mouth pushing my arch wider. Then it went to having wisdom teeth out.
The upper brace train tracks the lower with adjustments every 6-8 weeks.
None of this ever worried me at all. Even the surgery I didnt start to worry till right two weeks before
Spent whole time like a drown rat so I could not sweating over the thing.
Guess my main worries are right now are
1) I will break the plates that hold jaw together.
2) that the smallest mouth movement I make will pull it all in the wrong way.
3) that there is something very wrong with my jaw.
My last appointment with Ordo, he was really pleased looking good and everything.
Same with my surgeon who saw me a week after the op said was healing nicely and that he no longer needs to see me.
Feels like he did his part on the Day that's it, he done with me. When I've read on here people get seen weekly fir a little while.
To be fair I fill cheated about the hole thing I asked question like work. Sausage take 3 weeks off. Said what do I eat. Was told your be told when and what to eat by Ordo
Re: Post op and struggling hard.
I can tell you what my doc said regarding eating but he's pretty conservative to prevent relapse.
week 1 - liquid diet only
week 2-7 - blended diet
week 8-15 - soft chew diet
week 16 - normal diet
So assuming your on a blended diet, well try anything you want lol. Use chicken or beef broth to mix most foods and milk for desert type stuff
Try not to speak against your bands and always have them out when your eat. Also jaw exercises would be good after week 2, without bands in just simply open your mouth wide as possible then close. repeat for 10-15 minutes. Don't push too hard to cause pain.
Your main worries are mostly unfounded if both your doc and ortho have looked at your bite. As long as you your overjet doesn't start opening up then everything should be okay. And call your doc again for an appointment if you have concerns that really bother you, who cares if he said he doesn't need to see you again. You just had serious major surgery.
Until week 8 avoid - intense exercise, using straws and blowing nose
And again, these are just rules by my doctor. Other doctors have their own guidelines.
week 1 - liquid diet only
week 2-7 - blended diet
week 8-15 - soft chew diet
week 16 - normal diet
So assuming your on a blended diet, well try anything you want lol. Use chicken or beef broth to mix most foods and milk for desert type stuff
Try not to speak against your bands and always have them out when your eat. Also jaw exercises would be good after week 2, without bands in just simply open your mouth wide as possible then close. repeat for 10-15 minutes. Don't push too hard to cause pain.
Your main worries are mostly unfounded if both your doc and ortho have looked at your bite. As long as you your overjet doesn't start opening up then everything should be okay. And call your doc again for an appointment if you have concerns that really bother you, who cares if he said he doesn't need to see you again. You just had serious major surgery.
Until week 8 avoid - intense exercise, using straws and blowing nose
And again, these are just rules by my doctor. Other doctors have their own guidelines.
Re: Post op and struggling hard.
The first week is really hard. The first 4 or 5 days after surgery I literally thought I was going to die. I didn't have any nausea luckily but I was so hungry all the time and I couldn't imagine how I was going to get enough calories when it was so hard to eat anything. I couldn't breath through my nose at all and my mouth and throat would get terribly dry and irritated from sleeping with my mouth open. It slowly got better day by day. As far as what to eat one thing I would recommend is Kefir yogurt. It is very thin so it is easy to swallow and it is very high in protein. I would also finding ways to add fat to what you make to get enough calories. One recipe in the book my doctor gave me called for melting butter and cheese in a can of cream of mushroom soup and then mixing it in a blender with some broccoli. I quite liked the taste of that and it had a lot of fat from the butter and cheese. I would also make mashed potatoes and mix sour cream into them. Another thing I liked to do was put a little milk in the blender along with several scoops of ice cream. I got so sick of the liquid diet by the end of the 8 weeks I was on it but I managed to not lose much weight.
Re: Post op and struggling hard.
Ty so much for your replies. The hardest thing I'm having trouble with is not eating. I want to chew,
But I'm only 12 days post op and I had enough now.
To think I got another 6 weeks before I can chew food. Don't think I can make it.
I have to return to work in 13 days where I will be surrounded by food.
Plus I'm so worried about the energy level to work 16 hour days.
I can't afford to take anymore time off work. It took me over 6 months to save just for the 3 weeks off
Making sure I had enough for bills and rent ,
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh I just want to scream and shout can't even do that.
Got Ordo tomorrow have to see what he says. I only hope he got some good news for me.
Sorry to be so down.
But I'm only 12 days post op and I had enough now.
To think I got another 6 weeks before I can chew food. Don't think I can make it.
I have to return to work in 13 days where I will be surrounded by food.
Plus I'm so worried about the energy level to work 16 hour days.
I can't afford to take anymore time off work. It took me over 6 months to save just for the 3 weeks off
Making sure I had enough for bills and rent ,
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh I just want to scream and shout can't even do that.
Got Ordo tomorrow have to see what he says. I only hope he got some good news for me.
Sorry to be so down.
Re: Post op and struggling hard.
Just an update.,
Well had appointment today and Ordo says everything is looking good. He even did a little dance bless him, so I'm really pleased there has stopped some of my fears.
Also has taken my bands off and put lighter ones on in a different way. So it's a lot easier to open my mouth less panicky for me.
Sad news is that I still don't get to chew for another 2 weeks.
This is hardest and I have so many food phobia that most foods I can't eat. I find it really hard to eat at all.
I can't eat soup or veggies each time I try it makes me reach,
Overall I feeling a bit better.
Well had appointment today and Ordo says everything is looking good. He even did a little dance bless him, so I'm really pleased there has stopped some of my fears.
Also has taken my bands off and put lighter ones on in a different way. So it's a lot easier to open my mouth less panicky for me.
Sad news is that I still don't get to chew for another 2 weeks.
This is hardest and I have so many food phobia that most foods I can't eat. I find it really hard to eat at all.
I can't eat soup or veggies each time I try it makes me reach,
Overall I feeling a bit better.
Re: Post op and struggling hard.
Does anyone know how you can tell if your jaw has become unstable. If the plates or screws have become undone.
I've been to see a surgeon assistant she looked at my bite said I was ok, no x rays or anything no examation. I'm worried that something is really wrong but can't seem to get the doctors to listen to me.
The next appointment is with my ortho on 4 Oct
Don't know what to do.
I've been to see a surgeon assistant she looked at my bite said I was ok, no x rays or anything no examation. I'm worried that something is really wrong but can't seem to get the doctors to listen to me.
The next appointment is with my ortho on 4 Oct
Don't know what to do.
Re: Post op and struggling hard.
My surgeon said that if there was a problem with the plates or screws, or the general set of the bones, I'd know (because it would really hurt well past when most of the bone pain should be gone.) I imagine there'd also be some localized swelling and pain from the plates/screws themselves. (While every person is different, the only sensation I'm feeling with my bones right now is occasional painless throbbing on each side of my nose.)
Since describing your pain and discomfort will "take care" of your ortho/surgeon knowing about the plates and screws, the remaining concern is that your bit isn't "drifting" from how the surgeon set it up. That's only done via visual observation anyway; you wouldn't use x-rays to see if a bite lined up.
I'm three weeks post-op and I haven't had an x-ray since the day after my operation. My next appt. is six weeks post-op to get my accursed splint out, and I'll probably get x-rays then. (I also happen to be getting a CT scan, but that's just as part of a special study I'm in.)
Why do you think something is really wrong?
In any case, if you are losing weight right now, you really need to figure out a way to get in more calories. You'll never have your strength back for work if you don't. Don't worry about a "healthy balanced diet"; your primary concern is calories, calories, calories. Unless you have some dietary restrictions, then yes, this will mean lots of fats and sugars. You need some amount of protein and fiber, but less than you'd think. This would be unhealthy long-term, but a few weeks will be ok. If your current diet includes dairy, soy, or beans, you should be getting enough protein. Fiber is harder to get on a liquid diet, but it can be worked around to some extent with laxatives. If you are tapped out of ideas, I'd call your surgeon's office on Monday and see if they can get you an urgent referral to a dietician that might be able to help.
Remember that "no chew" doesn't necessarily mean "liquid." It just means "stuff you can swallow without making it smaller by chewing first." Mashed potatoes (made with butter and cream... don't "wimp out" with the milk the recipe calls for), scrambled eggs (using your tongue to push the eggs against your teeth is ok), rice pudding, etc. One of my "go to" dishes right now is slightly modified Corned Beef Hash. Use a decent portion of canned (or I guess you call it tinned) Corned Beef broken up as best you can in the skillet and lightly fried, stir it into a good serving of mashed potatoes and shredded cheese, serve with scrambled eggs. Ketchup/Catsup/Whatever-you-call-it-over-there goes over the hash, and hot sauce over the eggs. This is all deliciously salty and flavorful, and a nice break from all milkshakes, all the time. You can do baked beans as long as you cook them for some additional time to make them softer.
Cream of *insert food here* soups are great (my Mom left behind a great Chicken Corn Chowder), but I've learned to blenderize BEFORE adding the cream... otherwise the blender whips the cream and I end up with foamy soup.
Since describing your pain and discomfort will "take care" of your ortho/surgeon knowing about the plates and screws, the remaining concern is that your bit isn't "drifting" from how the surgeon set it up. That's only done via visual observation anyway; you wouldn't use x-rays to see if a bite lined up.
I'm three weeks post-op and I haven't had an x-ray since the day after my operation. My next appt. is six weeks post-op to get my accursed splint out, and I'll probably get x-rays then. (I also happen to be getting a CT scan, but that's just as part of a special study I'm in.)
Why do you think something is really wrong?
In any case, if you are losing weight right now, you really need to figure out a way to get in more calories. You'll never have your strength back for work if you don't. Don't worry about a "healthy balanced diet"; your primary concern is calories, calories, calories. Unless you have some dietary restrictions, then yes, this will mean lots of fats and sugars. You need some amount of protein and fiber, but less than you'd think. This would be unhealthy long-term, but a few weeks will be ok. If your current diet includes dairy, soy, or beans, you should be getting enough protein. Fiber is harder to get on a liquid diet, but it can be worked around to some extent with laxatives. If you are tapped out of ideas, I'd call your surgeon's office on Monday and see if they can get you an urgent referral to a dietician that might be able to help.
Remember that "no chew" doesn't necessarily mean "liquid." It just means "stuff you can swallow without making it smaller by chewing first." Mashed potatoes (made with butter and cream... don't "wimp out" with the milk the recipe calls for), scrambled eggs (using your tongue to push the eggs against your teeth is ok), rice pudding, etc. One of my "go to" dishes right now is slightly modified Corned Beef Hash. Use a decent portion of canned (or I guess you call it tinned) Corned Beef broken up as best you can in the skillet and lightly fried, stir it into a good serving of mashed potatoes and shredded cheese, serve with scrambled eggs. Ketchup/Catsup/Whatever-you-call-it-over-there goes over the hash, and hot sauce over the eggs. This is all deliciously salty and flavorful, and a nice break from all milkshakes, all the time. You can do baked beans as long as you cook them for some additional time to make them softer.
Cream of *insert food here* soups are great (my Mom left behind a great Chicken Corn Chowder), but I've learned to blenderize BEFORE adding the cream... otherwise the blender whips the cream and I end up with foamy soup.
Re: Post op and struggling hard.
Ty sirwired for your reply.
Why I think some thing is really wrong.
Is that I have content pain in my left cheek. Everytime i swallow it feels like the left side if my jaw moves. My swelling went right down but the came up only on the side of my face. And this has been going on since about 18 post op.
I never had a splint and since the change of my bands I've lost my bite. My teeth on the left side top & bottom if my jaw is closed bite into each other and now pushed the lower teeth in on the selves.
When I saw my ortho last Wednesday he changed the bands back to the way I had straight after surgery with I can't open mouth so back on liquid diet.
Am on build up drinks and vitamin tablets all helping with my energy levels.
My ortho rang himself and made appointment with surgeon for the next day. I went but it was only with one of his junior doctors. All she did after explaining my concerns was to say to me smile. Which I did. Then she said I was fine.
When I said what about the pain and other stuff she said I see you in two weeks time. I don't think she knew what she was doing.
The next appointment I have is on Friday with the ortho.
My surgeon only works Thursday and has no appointments till the week after.
All I'm doing now is taking really strong pain killers and just taking each minute as it comes.
Why I think some thing is really wrong.
Is that I have content pain in my left cheek. Everytime i swallow it feels like the left side if my jaw moves. My swelling went right down but the came up only on the side of my face. And this has been going on since about 18 post op.
I never had a splint and since the change of my bands I've lost my bite. My teeth on the left side top & bottom if my jaw is closed bite into each other and now pushed the lower teeth in on the selves.
When I saw my ortho last Wednesday he changed the bands back to the way I had straight after surgery with I can't open mouth so back on liquid diet.
Am on build up drinks and vitamin tablets all helping with my energy levels.
My ortho rang himself and made appointment with surgeon for the next day. I went but it was only with one of his junior doctors. All she did after explaining my concerns was to say to me smile. Which I did. Then she said I was fine.
When I said what about the pain and other stuff she said I see you in two weeks time. I don't think she knew what she was doing.
The next appointment I have is on Friday with the ortho.
My surgeon only works Thursday and has no appointments till the week after.
All I'm doing now is taking really strong pain killers and just taking each minute as it comes.
Re: Post op and struggling hard.
Good news,
I have my bite back. My ortho said today that it might have been his fault that he changed my bands to soon for me after surgery. That I wasn't ready for it when others have been.
I'm still banded the way I was straight after surgery with not being able to open my jaws more than 2mm but I can now take the bands off to eat. I have to stay this way for another two weeks.
But the best news ever is that I can now chew soft foods.
I still have that something is still moving on my left side of jaw. But seeing surgeon next Thursday. My ortho thinks it could be muscle rubbing on the left plate.
If anyone reads this thread. I don't Wang to put you off having this type of surgery.
It's the best thing I have ever done and I don't regret it. What I struggled with the most was the isolation of not going out for 3 weeks it left me a little depressed,
Now I'm back working I'm so much happier and feeling great.
I have my bite back. My ortho said today that it might have been his fault that he changed my bands to soon for me after surgery. That I wasn't ready for it when others have been.
I'm still banded the way I was straight after surgery with not being able to open my jaws more than 2mm but I can now take the bands off to eat. I have to stay this way for another two weeks.
But the best news ever is that I can now chew soft foods.
I still have that something is still moving on my left side of jaw. But seeing surgeon next Thursday. My ortho thinks it could be muscle rubbing on the left plate.
If anyone reads this thread. I don't Wang to put you off having this type of surgery.
It's the best thing I have ever done and I don't regret it. What I struggled with the most was the isolation of not going out for 3 weeks it left me a little depressed,
Now I'm back working I'm so much happier and feeling great.