HELP! Tips for getting chin and lip feeling back???

[MerryCherry]

I am 8 months post-op Upper and Lower jaw surgery. I have begun to get EXTREMELY worried about the lack of feeling on one side of my chin and lip. I have a little feeling, but my chin feels stiff and it feels like needles punching my skin when I rub something sharp against my gums in that area. I have heard that after 6 months if the feeling hasn't come back, then it probably will never return. I am desperate to find a way to rejuvenate the nerves, and am wondering if anyone here has had success with anything?? I recently bought a $200 Clarisonic massaging face brush that vibrates on your skin. So far no results but its only been a week. PATIENCE STINKS!!
I heard acupuncture doesn't work so I'm not even bothering with that, but if anyone has any ideas let me know!!!

[AF104]

micro-neurosurgery is an option.

[MerryCherry]

Sorry to not be more specific...I meant Non-Surgical. I already have to go fix my doctor's mistakes for a 2nd surgery, so I really don't want to have to do a 3rd. Plus, I hear that surgery costs a ton of money and is super complicated?!? Thanks for the advice though

[domips]

Hi There,

I had my (second) double jaw+genioplasty surgery in November 2009, so less than 3 months ago. I still have no feeling in my chin, and my lower lip, not to mention the half-right side of my tongue.
For the tongue, and inside the cheeks, I've noticed that when I eat sweets (chocolate is my thing), I have a very strong tingling sensation for a few seconds, and when I mention it to my surgeon, he said that it was the nerves starting to reconstruct-work again, and that usually it did that with spicy foods.
So anything that will create such a sensation must be encouraged during the recovery.
For the face, such as chin, massages, from moderate-strong to feather-like soft should also help regain some sensation. From What I understand, there is two levels of feelings: deep and surface, hence the two types of massages.

I know that in certain cases, nerve damage can be irreversible. I hope this is not your case.
I am still learning to learn patience, since it's my second surgery and fourth round of braces, but I know how frustrating and worrying it can be.
Just keep hope, massage, and you will get better!

[cheekysara]

This really scares me. I asked my surgeon what the odds are of this happening and he said a one in ten chance. This scares the be jesus out of me. How can you look better if you cannot feel your tongue? How do you know it is not hanging out your mouth? How can you kiss again and eat properly if you cannot feel your tongue? This would mean eating oput was a no no. Someone reassure me please. I hate looking the way I do but I am so scrared of losing feeling.

[OhioM]

I am only 2.5 weeks post op and still no sensation on my top jaw. It's like I have a half wooden face. I certainly hope that it comes back, but my function is fine and I've thought that I will survive if there are spots that are permanently numb. I think it just can't be the end of the world. I'm not trying to make light of the possibility of permanent damage, but think of the benefits of your surgery compared to the possibility of some numbness. If they had told me that I DEFINITELY would have permanent numbness in small areas, I think I would have still gone through with the surgery. Are you saying you still CAN'T kiss or eat properly? I am still numb and don't really have a problem with keeping food in my mouth or kissing. It just feels....numb.

[cheekysara]

No I have not had my surgery yet. It's in 2 weeks, just a bit nervous and scared of what to expect.

[domips]

There is no permanent nerve damage to the tongue possible apparently, I was told that is always comes back.
And don't worry, at least for me, it's only part of my tongue, so I would know if it was hanging out! (Or I hope so )
Seriously, loosing sensation after surgery is not fun, but it's not terrible either. And I still kiss my husband, and my furry babies even though I don't really feel anything on the lower lip, I still enjoy it, and I know that it will come back.
Don't freak out, trust your surgeon to do the best he can, and everything will be fine!