Metal Mouth Message Board

Long story short, I just had a consult with another ortho surgeon.

He told me I would need to be banded up for 6 WEEKS.

Going from what I've read on here and from previous consults, this is extremely usual. Most people seem to be shut tight for 2 weeks, and then 4-8 more weeks of lighter rubber bands you can take off while eating.

Is there any possible way this could be true? (Ie. mouth shut liquid-diet for 6 weeks??). It's very upsetting to hear, naturally and I don't think it's something I could physically do becuase i'm already fairly underweight ): ). I'm hoping he meant total-band time, neglecting to mention after the first two weeks you can eat soft food again.

Also, he might have said the word "wired". Are old-fashioned (what I assume are old-fashioned) metal wires actually still used, or would it most likely be super-tough rubber bands, and "wired" is just slang.

Thanks,

Zach

Unfortunately he could mean it. I am one that experienced 7 weeks of extremely tight bands (had upper and lower surgery) and they used the term "wired" when referring to me. With some surgeries you may in fact be wired with actual wires because of the nature of the break into the jaw.

Don't fret, get clarification from your doc and if it's in fact the bad news you thought it was...don't worry about it. Even really skinny people are just fine on liquid diets as long as they are eating regularly. I even know of a couple of thin people who gained weight on the liquid diets they were on (with so much ensure and protein shakes). Your body's metabolism will adjust and you will not lose more than it can with regular nourishment and then after you are back on a regular diet your weight will come roaring back.

I know for me I will be on an all liquid diet for 6 weeks (I am getting wired shut). If I remember correctly I will b wired very tight for the first few weeks and then for the remainder of the weeks not as tight but will still be on a liquid diet.

My sister, who is very thin (people think she is actually under weight but she is actually just at the perfect weight) has gone through the same surgery before as I will be going through (I am also very thin as well but probably weight a few more pounds then my sister does). I think my sis only lost 1 or two pounds when she had her surgery and during her recovery time. My mom would constantly be making her protein shakes and various foods that where very high in nutrients and proteins and she didn't loose very much. So there is hope as long as you eat or rather drink nutrient shakes, ensure, high protein stuff you should be okay.

being wired shut drastically reduces the chances of the bones moving, its actually the best thing in the long term. Yeah get your protein shakes in they are great, you can get literally same nutrional intake from a high protein/carb shake and it will be thick liquid and nice tasting.

I'm very tightly banded now and have my first OS appoiint tmorrow, and if he tells me i'm to continue like that it won't bother me, pain in the you know what but noone said this process was going to be easy, i'd rather lose a few pounds and be in a bit of discomfort that have to go through surgery again.

I was heavily banded shut for 6 weeks and on a strict liquid diet. I'm 4 months post op now and I'm still in light bands. 6 weeks seems like a long time, but it's definitely doable and the end results are worth it!

wow... that does seem like a long time.

im having bimax surgery and my first OS said I dont need to be wired shut since he's really good at making splints.

but i had to move so my OS who is going to operate said hrmm i really want to wire them shut for 7-10 days... and here i am freaking out about 7 days !! lol

Zma--don't know what type of surgery you are having--I just had BSSO and Lefort 1 done 2 weeks ago. I purposely chose a surgeon who does not wire. The folks at his clinic told me that wiring is considered old technology. I know there is a difference of opinion, but at 2 weeks out I have had no problems-- and my fiance' who, ironically, had the exact same surgery done at the same clinic, and who also was not wired, or heavily banded, never needed surgery again. I think a lot of doctors are set in their ways and give people worst case scenarios, rather than trying something new. I traveled all the way from MD to NC to have my surgery done without wiring, which scared the crap out of me, and I haven't regretted it for one moment. It's nice to be able to brush your teeth almost immediately after surgery.