How long off work?

[deathorglory]

My surgery is supposed to happen in February and I'm kind of worried about how long to take off of work. I'm in a retail job that requires me to work for 10hours standing up, with a lot of moving around and talking to people, as well as eating in full view of people.

I'm worried because my surgeon said in my consult that I should only need one week off of work, but with the whole eating and talking thing, I'm not sure that's going to cut it. I'm only having my lower jaw worked on, so I figure it won't take as long as people with double jaw surgery. It seems everything that I read, people still have trouble feeding themselves without drooling or spilling on themselves and it takes forever to eat. I'd have to try to eat in between talking to people, which would obviously make it difficult to eat a decent amount of food if I have to stop every 5 minutes ...

...help...?

[deathorglory]

Anyone...?

...Bueller...

[survenant]

I took a month off after a bi-jaw surgery. Though I would have been able to get back to work after 2 weeks and a half. For just a lower jaw surgery, 1 week seems a bit short but I think that in 2 weeks you should be able to go back to work.

[jaime]

I agree, I would say no less than 2. Take as much time off as you can. I'm slated to get triple jaw surgery next year and I'm planning to take a month off.

[sirwired]

Which surgery are you getting?

I certainly didn't feel myself for two weeks after just a LeFort, but I was able to work some from my couch after one. Returning to full-time retail work? At least two weeks for either surgery, and maybe a 3rd week for Bi-Max.

And get used to meal replacement drinks; that is the only food you'll be able to consume quickly. Other foods will take a while.

[boodles8]

I had lower only. I think you'll need about three weeks. By that point, I was still a little slow eating, but reasonably fast enough if you're in a time crunch. Keep in mind that you won't be chewing yet; it's just shovel and swallow. I had also figured out how to keep clean by the end of week 3. I think the drooling is worse with the upper jaw. At least, I hardly drooled at all, even the first few days after surgery.

[sirwired]

Hmmm... I didn't have any drooling with my LeFort. Unlike a BSSO, the surgeon doesn't have to get anywhere near the nerves in charge of your lips. They are crazy-sore and cracking for a while due to the stretching during the surgery, of course.

[deathorglory]

Thanks guys!

The surgeon said it's a BSSO for me, and I am hoping that there won't be much drooling involved...

I'm a pharmacist, so I thought trying to shovel food, not drool/miss my mouth, then go talk to a patient might be kinda rough at 1 week... ...plus I might scare people with the swelling and bruising...

Thanks for all the feedback!!! I'll definitely take at least 2 weeks off...!!!!

[sirwired]

Thanks guys!

The surgeon said it's a BSSO for me, and I am hoping that there won't be much drooling involved...

I'm a pharmacist, so I thought trying to shovel food, not drool/miss my mouth, then go talk to a patient might be kinda rough at 1 week... ...plus I might scare people with the swelling and bruising...

Thanks for all the feedback!!! I'll definitely take at least 2 weeks off...!!!!

I'll repeat why my #1 life-saving (okay, not literally) implement was during a recovery. A square whiskey tumbler. (happen to get it free with a bottle of Tullamore Dew, but they aren't that hard to find) One of those, combined with a mirror, should all you to get liquid nutrition (along with the gobs of water you'll want to drink) without dribbling, and without needing to squeeze stuff into your mouth. Just "hook" the corner on top of your bottom teeth and tilt it like a pour spout. No lip seal required.

[deathorglory]

Oooooh I'll have to get one of those! Or, really two. One for work, one for home, and like 20 more so I don't have to wash it twenty times a day

[Beebop]

Everyone heals and recovers differently, many factors play a part in this. If you're fit, healthy and don't smoke I think 3 weeks and you'll be ok. I've had double jaw and genio surgery, after 3 weeks I felt pretty normal again apart from the eating bit - But surgery does take it out of you, I do get tired easily as I am still recovering. I'm taking 6 weeks out of work for this one.