Will the swelling ever go down??!!

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#1 Post by **Jaydees** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 1:51 pm

Hi Everyone,

Well I've been a silent fan of this website for around a year and a half now. Reading all of your stories and experiences gave me the confidence and motivation to actually get braced in the first place and go ahead with surgery - thank you all!!

I got braces 15 months ago, and had upper and lower jaw surgery on May 30th (7weeks ago today). I also had a septorhinoplasty, which is where they make a small incision under the chin to insert the breathing tube. I was suppose to have my nose done at the same time (I have a deviated septum), however the jaw surgery took longer than it should have so I'm having my nose done in 6 months.

My big question is, has anyone experienced long term swelling, and how long did it take to go down?? So many people seem to be back to normal after 4-6 weeks â€“ I wish! Being 7 weeks post op I would have thought the majority of the swelling would have gone down by now but it hasn't

I naturally have a thin and narrow face (well use too). My top lip has also thinned out alot - anyone else had this experience, are you happy with it?? My smile still isn't a smile yet, more of a grimace! I saw my orthodontist a week ago and she was surprised that the swelling was still this bad, she said as a worse case scenario when I get my nose done I could have facial liposuction! That seems so extreme and I seriously hope it doesn't come to that. I'm very happy with my new bite, just quite disappointed with the way my face looks at the moment and I'm having a very hard time picturing it being an improvement to my pre surgery face.

Iâ€™ve seen a few people promoting manual lymphatic drainage, which I am trying to find someone in my area that offers this to give it a try. Iâ€™ve also recently started taking Bromalin. Iâ€™d be grateful for any other suggestions that anyone may have, also does anyone think ice/heat would help at this late stage? I was told by my ortho not to bother after surgery so have never tried it.

Thanks in advance!

Jaden

#2 Post by **Audra** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 2:46 pm

How much bromelein are you taking? I was advised when I had knee surgery to take 1000 mg 3x/day - and it helped a lot.

#3 Post by **Arvensis** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 3:53 pm

I did lymphatic around week 5 and that really helped. I was upper with septorhinoplasty and turbinectomy, 7 months ago. I definitely was still swollen around week 7.

In fact, I'm crossing my fingers that the picture I took of myself around week 7 at the end of January will still be accurate enough compared with my ID photo (on new license made in April since I was literally being denied booze because they thought I had a fake ID) to get me into the Texas Bar Exam at the end of this month

Yes, the swelling is that much more than now.

So just be patient, try lymphatic;) I also found that walking on the treadmill for a bit helped a lot (couldn't get back to running till March - funny thing, jaw felt fine, the NOSE hurt). I still have a small patch of swelling on the right side that I know is there because I can feel it, but it's not noticiable to anyone but me. It can take up to a year for all the swelling to go down I've heard, but I think in a month or so more you won't realize it;)

I remember thinking "Well, this is it, this is my new face!" in Jan and then in March realizing how swollen I was still, I had no idea

#4 Post by **Sweet Escape** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 3:48 am

Swelling is a complain as I'm learning.

I'm back to uni this Monday and know I'm going to get some stares.

Bring on 4 weeks from now!

#5 Post by **loyaltydeath** » Sun Jul 20, 2008 11:30 am

For me pretty much my whole face was back to normal after 4-6 weeks but my lower lip was still rather large and kind of stands out. I'm not sure if it was because it didn't have feeling or something but it's getting better now.

#6 Post by **ananda2** » Sun Jul 20, 2008 4:08 pm

hi

i often get a lot of swelling in the morning which gradually comes down during the day. it has been almost 5 weeks since my double jaw surgery. what exactaly is a llymphatic massage, and are there any medications which i can take which will cause the swelling to sorta be stabalized?

#7 Post by **tbarr15** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 1:22 pm

Hey there,

I had jaw surgery on May 28th actually. A lot of my swelling went down during the first few weeks, but I definitely still have some swelling. It is especially noticeable on my left side. My ortho also pointed this out like yours did to you.

However, I will tell you that in the last few days I have lost a bit of that swelling, so every person is different.

Hang in there, we're thinking about you!

#8 Post by **Lirpa** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 1:39 pm

Hi, I am 3 weeks post op and most of my swelling is down in my lower jaw, but the upper jaw is taking forever. I look like a chipmunk, and what's worse, it's asymmetrical, so one side is bigger than the other.

I use a heat pack at night for about 20 minutes on each side. I think it's helped me immensely.

#9 Post by **ananda2** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 4:04 pm

hey guys thanks for the replies really appreciate it. I personally noticed that coffee in the morning brings the morning swelling down dramatically for me. wierd!! lol

#10 Post by **Jaydees** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 3:53 pm

Thank you all for your replies! Right I am now nearly 9 weeks post op and over the past 2 weeks I have upped my intake of Bromalin - thank you Audra! I have also been for lymphatic drainage twice - (thanks Arvensis, hope the bar exam went well!) the first a few days ago and again today. My swelling has definitely come down over the past 2 weeks but its still pretty noticable. I think the lymphatic drainage has helped the most. I'll be going back again and I would recommend it to anyone.

Thanks again!

#11 Post by **loulou123** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 4:31 pm

Im over 5 months post op and still have some swelling and puffiness, so i know how you feel. Glad to hear youve found something that seems to be working for you tho

#12 Post by **phil** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 4:40 pm

hi, Jaydees.

Try taking Omega-3 daily to see if that helps. It certainly won't hurt! Most studies show that we don't get enough of it anyway.

Glad to hear that lymphatic drainage helps. I have also heard very good things about that therapy in relation to swelling.

Be well, and at peace,

Phil

#13 Post by **Sweet Escape** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 6:47 am

So what does lymphatic drainage do and how does it work?

What kind of a practitioner does it?

#14 Post by **amd** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 9:37 am

Lympatic drainage opens and helps the lymph nodes around your neck drain all the extra fluid from your face. Lymph nodes detox the body in a way. A friend of mine is a massage therapist and she has done it twice on me. I'm not sure if it "greatly" reduced the swelling as I am still quite swollen. It did help with the pains I had in my neck. She said that my lymphs were blocked. I have also started taking bromelin (pineapple juice too) and Omega 3. My os also suggested exercising my lips to help stimulate circulation.

I understand your frustration. The combination of swelling and numbness is really a pain. I hate this part the most.

#15 Post by **amd** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 9:48 am

Double post