my (double jaw) surgery experience
Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 9:42 am
Ok so I've seen a lot of threads about people's individual experiences with surgery and figured I'd add another. Reading other people's experiences is definitely a big help when going through all this. My experience seems to be a little different than the others so maybe it can help someone else.
First, I was in braces since January 2009 to prepare for the surgery. I was working with the UPenn Hospital and found out a week before surgery that my insurance didn't cover the surgery. I suppose it was my own fault for not checking but I thought that the hospital did that during my first consultation with them. I had been there 3 times since and insurance covered all the visits.
Anyway, I eventually found this site and some people on here had mentioned Costa Rica as an alternative. Long story short, I did some research, got into contact and set up surgery there.
I got there and was picked up from the airport and brought to the recovery house. There, other people getting different surgeries were hanging around and there were 3 women that cooked and cleaned and basically took care of you.
On the 4th day there (October 22nd), I had the surgery (Le Fort 1 and Saggital Split - double jaw surgery). The hospital was clean. The staff was helpful. No complaints. When I woke up I was a little groggy but not really in any pain. The ice bra helped with the swelling.
The next morning I showered, had some protein, and was driven back to the recovery house. I spent the next few days drinking protein, exotic juices, and soups and icing my jaw. The swelling decreased a lot in the first few days. I was never in any pain. Just numb and swollen. I had some headaches from laying in bed too much but nothing extreme.
The people there said my healing was really amazing and that I was barely swollen compared to other patients who had had the surgery.
Fast forward to today, Monday the 2nd of November. I'm back at work and feeling great a week and a half after surgery. I'm still slightly swollen and definitely numb. I've started eating somewhat solid foods like pancakes and pasta with ground beef in it. I'm not chewing yet but that's more out of fear that I'm recovering too fast. I keep breaking my rubber bands from opening my mouth too wide while putting food in.
So basically, I'm 11 days post-surgery and I feel no pain and am not fatigued in general. I feel like I could start working out again today, but I'm gonna wait a little while. I'm a little stiff in the jaw but I suppose that's expected. I have my first post-op orthodontist appointment tomorrow and we'll see if I can get an adjustment.
I just wanted to share my story because I think it's some hope for anyone scared about the surgery. The recovery was really only bad for a few days for me.
I must stress that I live a rather healthy lifestyle. I am not on any medications, I exercise regularly, and I'm relatively young (25). I suppose these things factor in recovering from a surgery like this. I also took Arnica, a homeopathy pill for bruising and swelling prior to and after the surgery. Not sure if it was the reason for how I recovered but who knows?
I'll keep everyone posted if anything extreme happens in the next few days / weeks.
If anyone wants any more details on the recovery process, just let me know!
First, I was in braces since January 2009 to prepare for the surgery. I was working with the UPenn Hospital and found out a week before surgery that my insurance didn't cover the surgery. I suppose it was my own fault for not checking but I thought that the hospital did that during my first consultation with them. I had been there 3 times since and insurance covered all the visits.
Anyway, I eventually found this site and some people on here had mentioned Costa Rica as an alternative. Long story short, I did some research, got into contact and set up surgery there.
I got there and was picked up from the airport and brought to the recovery house. There, other people getting different surgeries were hanging around and there were 3 women that cooked and cleaned and basically took care of you.
On the 4th day there (October 22nd), I had the surgery (Le Fort 1 and Saggital Split - double jaw surgery). The hospital was clean. The staff was helpful. No complaints. When I woke up I was a little groggy but not really in any pain. The ice bra helped with the swelling.
The next morning I showered, had some protein, and was driven back to the recovery house. I spent the next few days drinking protein, exotic juices, and soups and icing my jaw. The swelling decreased a lot in the first few days. I was never in any pain. Just numb and swollen. I had some headaches from laying in bed too much but nothing extreme.
The people there said my healing was really amazing and that I was barely swollen compared to other patients who had had the surgery.
Fast forward to today, Monday the 2nd of November. I'm back at work and feeling great a week and a half after surgery. I'm still slightly swollen and definitely numb. I've started eating somewhat solid foods like pancakes and pasta with ground beef in it. I'm not chewing yet but that's more out of fear that I'm recovering too fast. I keep breaking my rubber bands from opening my mouth too wide while putting food in.
So basically, I'm 11 days post-surgery and I feel no pain and am not fatigued in general. I feel like I could start working out again today, but I'm gonna wait a little while. I'm a little stiff in the jaw but I suppose that's expected. I have my first post-op orthodontist appointment tomorrow and we'll see if I can get an adjustment.
I just wanted to share my story because I think it's some hope for anyone scared about the surgery. The recovery was really only bad for a few days for me.
I must stress that I live a rather healthy lifestyle. I am not on any medications, I exercise regularly, and I'm relatively young (25). I suppose these things factor in recovering from a surgery like this. I also took Arnica, a homeopathy pill for bruising and swelling prior to and after the surgery. Not sure if it was the reason for how I recovered but who knows?
I'll keep everyone posted if anything extreme happens in the next few days / weeks.
If anyone wants any more details on the recovery process, just let me know!
