Communication and Ventriloquism

[gumchewer]

Those of you who have had your jaws wired shut -- did you master speaking? After two weeks, I'm still relying on written notes for communication.

Also: maybe you'll find this interesting.

[Arvensis]

I emailed my caregivers from the wireless laptop I was chained to if I had anything important to say.

[allisonh]

I am in the process of getting set for my surgery (no date yet) but my surgeon told me that they rarely actually wire jaws shut anymore. Did they give you a reason why they wired it shut? Im having my upper, lower, and joint reconstruct, and they said they will just need to use bands since they will be using plates to hold the bones together.

[Arvensis]

I wasn't wired or even banded after the first week, but I had issues chatting anyway. Whether you are wired depends on the type of surgery you are having AND your individual surgeon. My surgeon wires shut with splint his lower jaw surgery patients (fortunately I was upper) - I know this b/c I met a woman in the waiting room who was there for her unwiring after 4 weeks of fun. She spoke pretty well, and it took me a minute to even realize she wasn't moving her teeth.

[allisonh]

Interesting... Im wondering how long I will be out of work. I am a therapist for children with autism, so I need to be able to speak clearly and constantly for at least 2 hours at a time for up to 7 hours a day. Oh, and take the occasional blow to the face. I got clawed and bit on the cheek last week. Long story, but I figured out real quick he wasnt trying to give me a kiss (he is only 2 years old) I know everyone is different, so I guess we will see..

[loulou123]

Ive only got my teeth tightly banded shut not wired (tho by tightly banded i mean , so tight i cant open my teeth at all) and although talking isnt much fun, im actually managing pretty well. Tho theres no way i could talk 100% clearly or for prolonged periods.

[gumchewer]

"Did they give you a reason why they wired it shut?"

Like someone said above, it's based on the surgery and the surgeon. That's just how my surgeon does it, and I think it's pretty typical for lower jaw surgery.

I certainly don't recommend it.

[Emaciated]

Was tightly banded shut for a week w/ my BSSO by a current surgeon professor so they definitely still do it and are apparently still teaching it to students. I couldn't talk for #^%$ and had to carry a pad right up to the point that they finally removed the splint. Once it was out I could speak MUCH better and could be understood by people again. It was a miserable week.