7 weeks until double jaw surgery....scared!!

[purpleandteal]

im getting super scared now, iv been given my date and found out that they are doing double jaw not just lower. 24th january is my date and im petrified! anyone got any words of advice they'd like to share to help me feel more prepared?

[kimnmoody]

I can't really offer advice as I only had upper jaw surgery, but if your experience is anything like mine you've got nothing to worry about. I took the painkillers and everything the hospital provided me with and I was never in pain. I would suggest you invest in some lip balms because your lips will get very dry and start to peel a little but honestly that didn't hurt either, you'll just be glad to get the old dry skin off because it looks a bit gross! After the surgery you will get bored of the liquid diet but it's a great way to lose a bit of weight! One thing I found annoying was sleeping raised up on my back as I usually sleep on my front, so you'll need a few good pillows. I got one of those V shaped cushions and it's been a life saver.

Good luck with everything. Don't spend all your time worrying about the op because it'll be fine. In my case it was always something I was looking forward to getting out of the way! I was always saying "after the operation I'll do this…" I'm now 1 month post op and it feels like it was yesterday! How long have you had your braces on?

Keep updating on your progress

[survenant]

I've had a double jaw surgery 1 month ago. There is no need to stress over this. Yes it is a major surgery but remember that thousands of people have passed through there before you. The first 3-4 days are the worst, but after that, it gets a lot easier.

[purpleandteal]

thanks for the replies :0) yes, iv been looking at v pillows, i sleep on my side, i cant sleep any other way, so having to sleep on my back is going to be fun! iv waited years to finally get to where i am, so im excited, but then reality kicks in and i get worried. iv had my braces for 18 months now, and the difference is incredible! i cant wait til i get to see what i look like post op. losing weight is an issue as im already underweight, so my gp has put me on weight gain drinks to help bulk me up before the liquid diet starts. im so glad to read its only the first few days that are the worst! that helps a lot. ill be in hospital for 2 days so its nice to know that will be half the worst bit!

[survenant]

The way I was counting, the first day is the day after the surgery, So basically, the worst is the hospital stay + the first 3 days at home. After that, you should be able to drink from a glass and ditch the syringe. 7-10 days after the surgery, you should be able to eat soft food, yogurt, ice cream, mashed potatoes, etc.

[purpleandteal]

survenant, thankyou, that helps a lot. what about talking? iv heard mixed things and forgot to ask my surgeon about it. can you talk well enough to be understood afterwards?

[survenant]

If you have a splint (or wafer?), you will have a hard time speaking as along as you have the splint. I had the splint for 2 and a half weeks.

For the first days, when I wanted to communicate, I wrote what I wanted. For example I wrote down the movies that I wanted my father to rent.

[purpleandteal]

im not sure if i will have to wear a splint, i will ask my ortho on friday. its my last ortho appointment before surgery, so having surgical hooks ets put in and when i saw the surgeon (joint appointment with surgeon and ortho) he said if i think of any more questions, he'll answer them all on friday for me, so thats going on the list of things to ask