Metal Mouth Message Board

Hi everyone,

I haven't posted in a while, I've been so busy getting ready for my surgery. I've had to rig up homework since I'm supposed to miss about a month of school, stock up on PJ pants and DVDs, and make my bedroom a recovery-friendly place (positive quotes and pictures of my friends all over the walls), among many other things on my to-do list. My surgery is next Wednesday, and I'll be honest enough to say I'm really scared. I've never had any type of surgery done before, so this is a really big deal for me. But, I can take some comfort in the fact that there's no way that the surgery could be as bad as I think it's going to be. I have the image of myself going through this nightmarish journey following the surgery, but I keep reminding myself it can't be as bad as I have made up in my mind it's going to be lol. I'm hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst. I'm young and healthy, so hopefully I can make a speedy recovery. Is there any advice anyone would like to give me in my last pre-op week? Thanks

Jayda

Hey there, yeah I understand how you feel. I just had my upper and lower jaw surgery on Jan. 31st. The days leading up to it were not exactly easy. I think I was in denial...and managed to get a full-blown cold three days before surgery. Boy, was I lucky to feel well enough to proceed on the day of!

Tips:

1. You MIGHT have breathing difficulties in the first week due to nasal congestions. Relax as much as you can IF it happens. It doesn't happen to everyone. I wish someone had told me this going in!
2. Stock up on Q-tips (to clean your nose with).
3. Don't buy straws, they're useless. Buy Zip 'n Squeezes instead.
4. Think positive thoughts.
5. Get dry-erase boards or notepads ready, since you won't be able to talk for a while after surgery.

You can find other tips/links on my blog. http://bracemyself.blogspot.com/

Hope this helps!

Kristen

hey , hope all goes really well next week ..

I'm a week out of lower surgery myself and things are on the up .. The most important things I had this week where definately the zip n squeeze bags .. They are an absolute must .. I also have two blenders permanently in the kitchen .. That is very very handy also .. You won't believe how often you wash those !!! NIce to have soup in one and a shake in an another .. No cleaning beetween the main course and dessert !!

All the best !!!

Getting close now-so exciting for you. I had the same surgery with some extras in there on Nov. 27-today I found out that I am less than 3 months away from getting my braces off. It goes by quick-it really does. Everyone has offered you advice that will serve you well. Here is what I can offer-write this down and carry it with you: "This to shall pass" All the stuffy, puffy, drooling, numbness goes away. At the time it seems to be the worse experience of your life but it doesn't last and from where I sit-it is all worth it. Good luck

If you will be wired, nothing will prepare you. I am 1 week post op a double jaw surgery also and I was wired for 1 week. It was truly a shocking experience. I don't know if it was the anesthesia wearing off, but I had somewhat of an anxiety attack at a mere 5 hours after being conscious from surgery. I begged the nurse to cut my wire or call the dr and get them to cut it, thankfully they denied and pumped me with nice anti-anxiety drugs, they gave me Ativan (Lorazepam) which made me feel warm fuzzies and helped me sleep I was fine after getting over that first hump and everything else is a cakewalk, though you may get frustrated with a liquid diet at times. Attitude is literally everything when recovering from this. I had the zen/nature channel on in the hospital for the 2 night stay. Definitely find your "happy place" and run, don't walk there.