Metal Mouth Message Board

June 14th is my big day for my lower jaw advancement and am I ever scared!! I've been reading a lot of positive posts about all your recoveries and it has made me feel a lot better. The biggest thing I'm concered about is the amount of swelling and the 6 week no chew diet I will be on straight liquids for 1 week with really tight elastics, then after that they will be changed to lighter ones and I can start puree/mush food. After 6 weeks I'm told I can return to my normal diet. Now I've heard this rumor about pineapple juice being helpful to reduce swelling? Has this worked for anyone? Also has anyone yawned or sneezed during recovery? I've waited for this surgery since October...now that it's almost here I am so scared..but at the same time I just want it over with..I hope the pre surgery is the worst part haha

sillikitti
Trust me you are not alone in your fear. I'm now 8 days post op, and I did a pretty good job of managing my stress up until my surgery date, but seriously when I went into surgery, I was in tears I was so frightened. I could not even speak! My doctor came over, rubbed my arm and assured me they would take very good care of me. The anethesiologist told me she was going to give me something to help me calm down. I don't remember anything after that. Six hours later I awoke in recovery, and my very first thought was "OMG I'm alive, I made it" I was stoked just to be alive. It is very normal to be afraid of the unknown, having just come through this though, it is not near as bad as the anticipation. Try and stay busy and not think about it too much. It really goes pretty quickly, and the thinking about it before hand is really just so much worse then the real thing. Ask me how I know?

Bromelain did seem to help me - you can get it in tablets and it's not even very expensive. Also, MLD (Manual Lymph Drainage) works really well at reducing swelling and feels very relaxing.

You might also want to think about getting some Zip N Squeeze bags for that first week. Zip N Squeeze also has a recipe book - it's full of great ideas.

You will be just fine - I know it's easier said than done, but try to relax!

Thank you I know I'm not the only scared one out there hehe..but it sure feels like I'm being a total wimp about it all. I've seen some people that said it's no worse than getting wisdom teeth removed and I've heard others tell me horror stories. It really is funny..you wait so long for this surgery and then all of a sudden BAM it's here..I hope recovery seems to go by that fast! I'm still at the can't imagine not having real food for 6 weeks. But it seems like everyone I talk to is really glad they went threw with it and had no regrets. I'm anxious to get this over with and join some of you on the other side And I read a couple people are having surgery around the same time as me...best of luck to whoever it was
I might try the pineapple thing..I will do the ice thing for sure.

That is a good question - what happens if a sneeze comes along?

haha yeah I actually asked the surgeon if I sneeze will my face come apart? He cracked up laughing and he's like..if you have to sneeze, sneeze..

Hi sillikitti,

I'll be having a lower jaw procedure on June 30th, so I will be checking on your progress and recuperation. I know you'll do well. It is nerve-wracking the closer the surgery date gets.

I'm just getting the things I'll need a little at a time so everything isn't so overwhelming and I feel like I have a little control. Fortunately, I'm pretty good at putting things out of my mind until I need to worry about them. Then, on June 29th, I'll fall apart! Hopefully not

We'll all be here for you, though.

Lo