I could not live without _____ after my jaw surgery...?

[Tingrinteacher]

Hello all,

I am due to go in and have my face fixed on the 25th March. I'm a UK and NHS patient, and I've been looking through the pre/post op list, which is quite frankly, terrifying! (Mainly because half of the things on there don't exist in England...)

So...

If you had to suggest THREE ITEMS ONLY that you could not live without following your surgery, what would they be and why?

Thanks in anticipation, and good luck to all you currently waiting.

Gem x

[boodles8]

I can't keep it below 5. You should be able to get them all in the UK.

A blender
60mL plunger syringe and 14-16 french red rubber catheter
Vaseline (preferably applied with q tips)
Tweezers for putting on elastics
Towels and more towels, Small ones are better. For drool.

[sirwired]

Blender, mini-chopper (small food-processor-like-thing), and I don't know what I would have done without my square whiskey tumbler (it acted as a great "pour spout" to get in fluids without a spoon.) If you'll be wired or heavily banded, get some squirt bottles (like those used for condiments at restaurants) to squirt food and fluids into your mouth.

[purpleandteal]

this is a little late, really hope surgery went well. my 3 would be a v shaped pillow, rubber tipped baby spoons and a blender

[ST24085]

and I don't know what I would have done without my square whiskey tumbler (it acted as a great "pour spout" to get in fluids without a spoon.)

I don't know where a guy could simply just get one of those. But I see what you did there. I may try a measuring cup in place of the tumbler.

[hidakat]

Blender, waterpik, and some good distractions.

Good luck!!

[Alicia110613]

ice pak, blender (and/or juicer), peridex rinse.

I'd also like to add "moral support from family"

[ST24085]

peridex rinse.

Does that help with the whole not being able to brush thing? Bad breath is one of my major pet peeves and I'm kinda worried about it haha.

[hidakat]

I found it helps a little, but since there's no way to get at your tongue unfortunately it's hard to avoid having your mouth taste like a fishy smokehouse. I was able to brush after two weeks though. It's some work to get your mouth open, but feeling clean again is so wonderful.

[TheEvilCactus]

I don't have much to contribute since I only just joined and am still learning a lot myself, but - GOOD LUCK! I'm having surgery next year on the NHS in England, too. (Oh... I see that 25th March has passed now, which means you've had the surgery!) I hope it went really well, please come post come updates when you can.

[batwing]

Did you do upper or lower?

Mine were saline nasal spray, a huge water cup with a straw, and lots of pillows.

I had upper jaw surgery and my biggest problem was breathing post-surgery because it felt like my palate was swollen, and also being incredibly thirsty for a week or so. I never used syringes to eat, I lucked out!

[hidakat]

I did both, and I did use nasal spray and saline, but the breathing never bothered me much since I was a mouth breather before the surgery. Also, weirdly, only one nostril was all that plugged up. The other just had some minor congestion so all in all it wasn't too terrible.

[Alicia110613]

peridex rinse.

Does that help with the whole not being able to brush thing? Bad breath is one of my major pet peeves and I'm kinda worried about it haha.

Peridex helps a little with breath - but most importantly it helps kill germs in your mouth, which prevents infection!

[Tingrinteacher]

Now I'm on 'the other side' I thought I would be in a better place to post my three *could not live withouts*

A plastic beaker. (Fill with salt water, shake head from left to right, part mouth spit in sink... Stay classy kids!)

muslin cloths (those lovely cotton things you get for babies... 5 weeks on and they are still my best friend)

Small tablet painkillers (I couldn't stomach the horrible syrupy medicines, and as I wasn't banded till 3 weeks later I could shove the painkillers between the 3mm gap).

[Melusine]

My jaw bra that holds ice packs.

Humidifier.

Waterpik.