Metal Mouth Message Board

I have already posted in the April Thread, but I am writting here to ask for some advice. Anything you can offer would be very much appreciated

I am 1 day post op lower jaw surgery. To tell you the truth I expected much worse. I am not in much pain, but very uncomfortable and becoming more swollen, and have a huge headache. I have been given liquid codene. But only one refill? This will only last me 1 or 2 days. I don't find it very helpful. What did you do to deal with the pain? Should I be buying anything else?

Good news is that I think I can already see positive results.

If any others can help me out with a few of my concerns it will be much appreciated.

What day is my swelling and pain at the max? Are the first 4 days the toughest?


I have an appt one week to have my splint and bands taken off and new looser bands put on. The bands right now suck. Feels like there is so much pressure on my jaws. How long will I be banded? So far I seem to be restricted to a liquid based diet because the bands are so tight. Can anyone give me a heads up on what I am going to experience diet / banding wise and for how long?

If anyone can help me it would be very much appreciated! So far better than expected. I was up walking around the night of my surgery.

Hi,

Sounds like you are doing well for your first day out. I think swelling usually peaks around day 3 or so and should decrease from there. I didn't experience any pain really so I still have all of my tylenol-codeine leftover.

I didn't find much to do about the discomfort from the swelling except icing it the first couple days - after that I was advised to apply moist heat.

As for your splint and bands, the amount of time seems to vary on the person/surgeon/type of surgery. I was actually wired shut for about 3 weeks. I was then changed to looser bands, but I still have the splint for another 3 weeks.

When I was wired shut I was restricted to pretty much liquids only. I lived off milkshakes like Special K, Boost, Ensure. Any soups I made, I blended up and strained since any little bits would clog up my drinking openings. It's annoying but wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. Once they loosened up the bands I was able to eat some chunkier soups since I could get my mouth opened up.

Keep your positive attitude, I'm sure that helps recovery a great deal.