Surgery in 5 days!

Message

#1 Post by **brianne1898** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 4:53 pm

HI,I'm 26 and have been in braces for over a year now. I'm getting Lower and upper jaw surgery on the 3rd and i'm extremely scared and nervous. Just wondering if i could get any helpful advice or tips to make this a bit easier or kinda what to expect from someone who has actually had it done. thanks so much and Happy New year

#2 Post by **katmpet** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 8:39 pm

Hi Bri-Totally understandable being scared

I would worry about you if you weren't. I had my upper and lower jaw done a little over 4 weeks ago. It varies so much from person to person. I hadn't counted on being numb all over-I only thought my jaw itself would be-I wish I had been prepared for lips, chin etc. It comes back-no worries there. As I have read here, each OS is so different in how they handle this surgery, that other advice as far as food, pain meds, etc. would be premature. My biggest advice-Be kind to yourself. You feel like crying-cry. You want to sleep-sleep. You don't want to see people-don't. Really and a chant that has become a bit of a mantra for me is "this too shall pass". Good luck

#3 Post by **brianne1898** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 8:55 pm

thank you both! you've helped me feel a little more at ease!

#4 Post by **Debly** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 10:22 am

Hey Bri - I hope everything went well yesterday!!! Thanks for posting and thanks for the information -- I'm going under the knife in 3 weeks for both Upper and Lower Jaw and am also beyond nervous.

Thu Jan 04, 2007 11:40 am

Yes, be sure to let us know how it went and how you are doing.

#6 Post by **Lillers** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 9:15 pm

My best advice to you is to treat any swelling and bruising with a sense of humour - don't let it get you down, because it really is only temporary.

Too right, Meryaten! Up until a few days ago, I was referring to myself as Marlon Brando (circa The Godfather) in drag!

I hope it went well for you, Brianne. My own surgery on December 18th was a lower jaw advancement. I've followed Meryaten's (and others') advice and it's served me well. Even so, I've found my recovery to be kind of up-and-downy, so I guess the best advice I can add to the great stuff already on this thread is to go very, very easy on yourself and don't try to take on too much too soon. Realize that your immune system has been temporarily weakened, but also try to remain optimistic, cuz you'll get through this.

Take good care and let us know how you're doing.

Healing wishes,

L.