Just had BSSO and genio...questions!!

[heath2883]

I just had a BSSO and sliding genioplasty a week ago. My doctor said everything went very well, he was able to identify the nerves and said he avoided cutting them or compressing them in the bone.

Just out of surgery the numbness I had was in the lower lip and part of my chin. My doctor said I had less numbness and swelling than many people experience right out from surgery, so I felt encouraged. Now I am feeling so pretty strong burning, throbbing nerve pain that pretty much lasts most of the day. It's only in my chin where I am numb. Moving my lower jaw area increases it, walking or talking increases it.

My question is...for those who have gone through the recovery of these surgeries, is this a normal response to nerve healing? Was there anything that you did to help relieve it? Was it pretty constant like mine is?

My chin area also feels very tight and movement is tough. When does this feeling go away?

Thanks so much!

[glennstanzalone]

I had a BSSO but no genio. Genios really increase the risk of perm damage. I'm 4 weeks into recovery about and I have all the typical tingling, burning, tight, itchy feelings that come with nerves waking up. It takes anywhere from 3-18 months for sensation to return fully and it's not guaranteed. 30% of patients experience some form of perm numbness regardless of the surgery was flawless or not. The tingling feeling is pretty constant and gets worse at night. I take Flexeril for the tightness. Otherwise, I apply heat, manipulate the tissue gently with my fingers (tap on your chin etc) and just take Tylenol.

[jaime]

Totally normal!

I had double jaw surgery plus a genio and I had constant throbbing in my chin as well. It was exactly as you described it and it lasted 24/7.

I'm not sure how long it took to go away...maybe a couple of weeks? I think it sort of gradually simmered down.

I remember using heat compresses on my chin but I don't think it helped because touching my chin even lightly was very uncomfortable.

[heath2883]

[quote="jaime"]Totally normal!

I had double jaw surgery plus a genio and I had constant throbbing in my chin as well. It was exactly as you described it and it lasted 24/7.

I'm not sure how long it took to go away...maybe a couple of weeks? I think it sort of gradually simmered down.

I remember using heat compresses on my chin but I don't think it helped because touching my chin even lightly was very uncomfortable.[/quote]


Thank you so much! That's reassuring. the recovery process is scary- you never know what's normal or not!

[heath2883]

[quote="glennstanzalone"]I had a BSSO but no genio. Genios really increase the risk of perm damage. I'm 4 weeks into recovery about and I have all the typical tingling, burning, tight, itchy feelings that come with nerves waking up. It takes anywhere from 3-18 months for sensation to return fully and it's not guaranteed. 30% of patients experience some form of perm numbness regardless of the surgery was flawless or not. The tingling feeling is pretty constant and gets worse at night. I take Flexeril for the tightness. Otherwise, I apply heat, manipulate the tissue gently with my fingers (tap on your chin etc) and just take Tylenol.[/quote]

Thanks, I'll try the heat and tissue manipulation. Hopefully it subsides soon.

[Periskir]

Did you see great change on your face?

[Periskir]

Did you see great change on your face?

[heath2883]

I have noticed some change in my face. Prior to surgery my jaw area looked more sunken in and narrowed due to my lower jaw being receded. Now my face looks a bit fuller in the lower jaw area (which is how it used to look before I started having jaw problems). But I'm also only 2 weeks out so I don't know what changes might be due to swelling.

[petebite]

Hi heath, did this throbbing eventually go away for you?