7 day post-op. ready to rip these bands off!!! should I?

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#1 Post by **Kalun47** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 6:15 pm

I had my surgery exactly a week ago. I'm not sure of the specific term, but they moved my upper jaw forward and lower jaw back (correcting an class III underbite).

I'm read the stickys that I should blend up regular foods and drink it, but that isn't gonna fly here. How the heck can one blend up a pizza and drink it? I might vomit just thinking about it. =(

I'm supposed to be banded shut for 4.5 weeks from the day of my surgery, but that sounds like a long time compared to the rest of you guys. I've read that some people are encouraged to chew 10 days post-op. Is my surgeon trying to screw with me?

a) Do the strength of the rubber bands change as time goes on? at 1 wk post-op, the bands are so strong I have no movement in my jaw whatsoever. Should I expect these bands to remain so tight throughout the 4.5 weeks?

b) When they give you a timeframe to remove the elastics, can that timeframe be moved up, depending on how you heal? Like say, if I go for an x-ray and they see that I'm healing faster then expected, will they remove the bands sooner then 4.5 weeks?

i'm 19, 5'7" and 115 pounds. I lost 8 pounds already and I'm only 1 week post-opp. I'm not sure I'll be alive in 4 weeks if I can't get anything solid in my stomach. =(

#2 Post by **phil** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 6:50 pm

Kalun47,

Oh, it's difficult to be patient at this stage, I know. I was in your shoes not that long ago.

If your surgeon says you need that long, perhaps there is an important reason. Everyone is different.

I think erring on the side of caution is probably a good thing.

X-rays won't give your surgeon enough information to make a decision about things like how you're healing. Bone density takes a lot longer to show up than that.

In the meantime, maybe you could think of things that you would like to eat that would appeal to you blended up. There are lots of choices in the world! If you don't know where to start, and the "sticky" at the top of the forum doesn't cut it, throw me back some foods you like, and I'll give you some ideas on how to prepare them. In the meantime, try some health food workout-type supplements, so you don't lose too much weight.

That should get you started for now. Hang in there, man. You'll make it!

Be well, and at peace,

Phil

#3 Post by **Thathrill** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 7:33 pm

wow we're both in the same boat as far as having surgery on the same day goes. Im 5'6 and weigh 140 as of 2 days ago. So I can't imagine weighing 135 or even 130. So far I lost about 6 pounds. The key is you have to eat. I find that drinking a bunch of smoothies and ensure help. I have a ton of yogurt, puddings, juices, fruits, ice cream, soy milk, frozen fruits, and regular fuits so I can change things up. I personally can't eat blended up real foods like pizza, hot dogs, etc. The thought of it makes me sick and I know I wouldn't like it because I am pretty picky about what I eat and if the texture isn't right I won't eat it

My oral surgeon gave me the 4-6 weeks time frame for being banded. I also wish I could have some solids before then. I would like to rip these things out. But as Phil stated, every OS have their reasons behind their time frames. I was told that at every follow up appointment they will loosen up the bands. My first follow up is next wednesday. Right now my bands are kinds of doubled on itself so my mouth is really tight. so i say hang in there and express your concerns with the OS at your next follow up

#4 Post by **loulou123** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 2:51 am

I was tightly banded for weeks (cant actually remember how many but it was more than 6) and you have my sympathy. But it is possible to be creative and not lose weight, i lost 6 or 7 pounds in total and most of that was during the 1st week. Try things like milkshakes, hot chocolate, yoghurts, ensure.

I was tightly banded too, where i had the bands on doubled up, and couldne open my mouth a mm at first, but gradually the surgeon will loosen the bands. Best of luck to both of you.

#5 Post by **hedybleu** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 11:43 am

Hi Kalun47,
I had a Lefort I & BSSO about 3.5 weeks ago. I think they moved me out 8mm on top & 10 mm on bottom, but I don't remember exactly right now. They also narrowed my lower jaw and did lipo under my chin. I wasn't wired but was in heavy elastics for the first 3 weeks. Just this week my OS dropped me to medium elastics during the day and heavy ones at night. I am lucky enough to be allowed to remove the elastics to eat. They are still in a weird place, two rectangles on either side of my mouth so I can't even stick my tongue out when I have them on. I know my situation is a bit different, but here are some ideas on eating and increasing calories/protein:

Soups - there are a ton of different recipes on the internet. Be creative and go for the higher calorie & fat since you don't want to lose weight. Chowders, Chilis, etc. Any soup can be strained & blended. If making your own from scratch won't work, start trying different can, box or mix varieties. Try different grocery or specialty stores for different kinds.

Smoothies & Milk Shakes - again, be creative and go for the high calorie & fat content. Use full fat milk, ice creams, yogurts, fruits, syrups, etc. If uncomfortable trying out at home, go to a smoothie shop or ice cream store to try some different flavors so you learn what you like and can do at home. There are also the yogurt shake drinks in the grocery stores now that you might like to try.

Protein Waters - Kelloggs and South Beach make protein water (already mixed & bottled or you can buy the powers to add to your own water). This run about 30-50 calories and 3-5 grams of protein per bottle/packet and comes in several fruits flavors. Just another way to boost your calories during the day.

Protein Powders - I used a mix of Soy & Whey protein powders to my soups and smoothies. This added calories and the protein my body needed.

Fiber Additives - I also added BeneFiber to my plain water (it has no taste or texture) to make sure I was getting enough fiber those first couple of weeks.

Ensure or Boost - These make good ways to up your calories and protein during the day. I personally liked the Ensure High Protein Banana Creme flavor. Strawberry was OK as well. There are several flavors available to choose from, so try some different flavors/brands to find the one that you like.

Honestly there are not only a bunch of recipes out on the web, but there are several cookbooks available for people who can't chew. And soup cookbooks are just about everywhere. If your Mom is the one cooking and not you, talk to her about trying out some new recipes. Maybe if you found a couple online and printed them off, she's give them a try?

I still can't chew yet, but I've been able to eat some different things just by chopping into little tiny bits or running through a food processor... grits with shrimp butter, fettucine shrimp alfredo, white bean chicken chili, flaky fish (salmon, tilapia, cod, etc), sweet potato, eggs, etc.

Best of luck and just remember that this too will pass.

#6 Post by **Lovely Rita** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 2:47 pm

Hi there, I had Le Fort I and was tightly banded for the entire six weeks of healing. I was SO sick of the elastics and SO happy when I got them off. Then I had three weeks of freedom, went to see my orthodontist, and I am BACK in elastics (thankfully not as tight but still in a really awkward position -- right in the front of my mouth! I can't even get my tongue out!). And THESE will be in until I see my OD again -- in ANOTHER SIX WEEKS! lol, sorry for the rant, but you're not alone

! Elastics Sufferers Unite!