Metal Mouth Message Board

Hi all!

I am getting upper and lower jaw surgery next year. I have moved to a new city and I'm getting the surgery done there, but I don't have anyone to look after me! I asked my mum to come but she's afraid of flying SO... Looks like my 2 options will be: 1. Looking after myself; 2. Flying home straight after the surgery.

Can anyone comment on whether either of these options are feasible?

Thanks!

I can't imagine flying home right after the surgery - you're so sensitive to pressure build-up, maybe queasy, and certainly congested.

As long as you get off on the right foot (for example, don't do what my son did and get discharged when you're underfed and queasy) I think you'd be fine on your own.

Or, maybe, time to get yourself adopted

I would just go home by myself. You'll want to sleep a lot the first few days, then you'll just need to rest and take is easy. You should fine by yourself. I was by myself for the first two days and I was glad.

I can't imagine flying anywhere after the surgery. It would be more of a hassle then its worth.

Is there anyone else who can come to stay with you for a few days? A friend even for a few hours a day? I had to fly out of state for my surgery and was 100% forbidden to fly for a minimum of three weeks post-op. I flew on the 3 week mark and wish I had waited at least a few more days if not another week because the air pressure was horrible!!! I thought my sinuses and ear drums were going to burst! I also had to wear special stockings to keep the circulation flowing. Due to the air pressure, etc and flying so close to surgery you are at risk for heart attacks (I'm only 25 and was shocked to hear this). Do yourself a favor and try to find someone who can help you out at home! Best wishes

I personally was fine handling things by myself. Only needed someone to drive me to and from the hospital. Your first few hours home will be in bed sleeping. You may have issues taking medicine at first but it's really nothing anyone can help you with anyways. If you prep meals the first couple of days before surgery, then you shouldn't be too bad. If you want, you can also set a cooler next to your bed with drinks so you'll never have to leave except to pee.

what do you mean by "looking after you"?

RedDress wrote:what do you mean by "looking after you"?

He probably means someone to take care of him after surgery. But jaw surgery doesn't make you bed ridden. If you're an independent person, you'll be fine after surgery.

asmileconnectsus wrote:Is there anyone else who can come to stay with you for a few days? A friend even for a few hours a day? I had to fly out of state for my surgery and was 100% forbidden to fly for a minimum of three weeks post-op. I flew on the 3 week mark and wish I had waited at least a few more days if not another week because the air pressure was horrible!!! I thought my sinuses and ear drums were going to burst! I also had to wear special stockings to keep the circulation flowing. Due to the air pressure, etc and flying so close to surgery you are at risk for heart attacks (I'm only 25 and was shocked to hear this). Do yourself a favor and try to find someone who can help you out at home! Best wishes

was there anything unusual about your surgery?
because my surgeon said I could fly a week after

nothing unusual about my surgery- I had double jaw surgery with cheek implants. i had many bone grafts in upper and lower. There are several cases of people having heart attacks post jaw surgery when they have flown too soon. I would just be cautious.

You might want to see if you can pay a person to come to your house for a few hours every day until you are totally able to take care of yourself. You might want to call your local social services agency to see what might be able to be arranged. Your hospital's social worker might also have some suggestions in this regard. They arrange that sort of thing all the time. They might even know of local volunteers who do that sort of work.

asmileconnectsus wrote:nothing unusual about my surgery- I had double jaw surgery with cheek implants. i had many bone grafts in upper and lower. There are several cases of people having heart attacks post jaw surgery when they have flown too soon. I would just be cautious.

do you have a link/more info on that? 10 days seems to be the recommendation for a lot of surgeries, is the risk higher for jaw surgery?
(i think mine was one week after hospital, so also about 10 days)

dvdrdiscs wrote:

RedDress wrote:what do you mean by "looking after you"?

He probably means someone to take care of him after surgery. But jaw surgery doesn't make you bed ridden. If you're an independent person, you'll be fine after surgery.

In that case I would just make a week supply of groceries in advance and all other things like aspirin so that I would not have to go out or drive to get them later.

[quote="asmileconnectsus"]nothing unusual about my surgery- I had double jaw surgery with cheek implants. i had many bone grafts in upper and lower. There are several cases of people having heart attacks post jaw surgery when they have flown too soon. I would just be cautious.[/quote]

I'm glad that I'll be the one flying, not my daughter, before and after her surgery, to help her in recovery. She goes to college in SB.

[quote="mamaofmmouth"][quote="asmileconnectsus"]nothing unusual about my surgery- I had double jaw surgery with cheek implants. i had many bone grafts in upper and lower. There are several cases of people having heart attacks post jaw surgery when they have flown too soon. I would just be cautious.[/quote]

I'm glad that I'll be the one flying, not my daughter, before and after her surgery, to help her in recovery. She goes to college in SB.[/quote]

someone to take care of you---ha! I'm a mom of 2 kids--by post op day 3 or4 , I was taking care of them.....If I were by myself I'd have been fine! If I could take care of the kids, surely, unless there are complications you can take care of yourself!