Metal Mouth Message Board

Hey guys,

So I just got out of the hospital yesterday afternoon after upper jaw surgery, and I'm running into some problems that I'm hoping you guys can help me with. Did anyone else experience 'bubbles' in their cheeks? My surgeon says this is normal but they are really bugging me, and I think they are making my eyes red. I also feel like there is this huge pressure in my nose, and nothing seems to help. Finally, did you guys switch between hot and cold packs to reduce swelling, or is heat all you need after the first day?

Right now I'm questioning why I ever decided to do this in the first place =/

I can't relate to the bubbles, can relate to the congestion though. It should clear up in a few days. You kind of have to ride out the congestion for 2 or 3 days considering you can't blow your nose and can't really do much about it. I was given an Afrin type spray but was recommended only to use it if it was an emergency, like a panic attack or something.

I was told the cold press does nothing for swelling after the first 24 hours but can be used as often as you want for comfort. So use whatever helps you feel less hellish I suppose.

Congrats on getting through the surgery. You'll be fine, it will get better and that regretful feeling will dissipate over the next week.

When you say bubbles, is it a discomfort where you're swollen, or air bubbles trapped under the skin that crackle when you press them? If your surgeon says it's normal then try not to worry... Small amounts of air get reabsorbed by the body.

I know it's uncomfortable, and the first week or so is really difficult, but things WILL get better... The thing I hated the most was feeling bunged up, my nose constantly dripping (with blood, at first) and not being able to blow it, and the GUNK at the back of my throat more than anything - not being able to clear it by coughing or swallowing any food to scrape it down.

But I'm not just over 6 weeks post-op and it's definitely the best thing I have ever done!!

Bless you heart! The first few days were miserable for me as well. My neck was so sore I couldn't lift my head up and I hated being laid up and hurting. I think it's normal to question why you did it but trust me, very soon you will be so glad you did. In a couple of days, your swelling/bruising will peak(if it hasn't already), then probably by the next day, you will see visual impovement each day.
Hang in there and congrats on making it to the other side!

sounds like perfectly normal post op stuff ..... for any op not just our stuff . The post aneasthesia / adrenaline let down contributes a lots to the "why did I ever get this done"

... bit like post birth baby blues too ... even if you know its coming you just cant stop the tears


air in the skin bubbles will dissipate in a day or two ...... and you WILL feel better

I am not sure about bubbles, but I was pretty miserable with the hachet job in my cheeks--all that cutting, combined with the stitches, was pretty painful, and it still isn't completely gone after 4 weeks, but it gets better as time goes by. I do have some bumps under my upper lip that are still painful--again, I doubt if that is the same thing you are talking about--but I was told that area takes the longest to heal due to it being difficult for the saliva to get up there and it's job.

My surgeon actually warned me that by the third day after surgery, when the swelling would peak, that I would be asking myself why on earth I did this--but, now, 4 weeks later, having seen major improvements, I know it was worth it. You are only 24hrs out of surgery--just take some deep breaths, and plenty of your good pain meds, and give yourself time to heal. It is frustrating--especially if you are as impatient as I am!--but the body does heal itself, in time. Hang in there--we've all gone through it, and can tell you it will pass!

Oh, yeah--you asked about the ice/heat. I was told that ice can be effective for up to 48 hours, but then you need to switch to moist heat (they emphasized "moist!"). It's a pain in the butt to keep trying to keep the cold or hot packs on, but it should help. And that tightness you feel in your nose--I can totally relate. It is probably going to be the last part of the swelling that goes away--sorry to tell you. My entire face, from my cheeks up to my eyes felt tight the first week, but then the cheeks gradually reduced, and the eyelids gradually begin to feel normal again--all the reduction in swelling seems to work from the outer part of the face, inward--so prepare for feeling tight for awhile. At 4 weeks, I am still a little tight in and around the nose, but everything else is feeling more normal. Expect to be numb in many places for awhile too. My OS told me I should start to have feeling back in my upper lip by around 6 weeks. Anyway, I hope some of this is helpful. It's not a fun thing to go through, but when all is said and done, you will likely not regret having this surgery.

I had my surgery april 1st.

1. my right side is still noticably more swollen
2. i still have remnants of a black eye from it

Fat suit on the face-- That really does describe how it feels!

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the support. Still not feeling that great, but I heard it gets worse before it gets better. Your words are so helpful.