Did you get a panicky feeling?

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#1 Post by **Rizzie** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 10:13 am

I think my biggest fear regarding surgery is that I will get panicky when I first wake up...kind of like, claustrophobia of the mouth and airway! I'm not a nervous kind of person, either, having faced other medical issues and minor surgeries without much fear, but this surgery really scares me! ( LeForte 1, BSSO)

Did any of you have to fight down or talk yourself through moments of panic?

#2 Post by **bracesat30** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 10:24 am

Honestly? I found with mine (Lefort 1 and BSSO), that I was so hopped up on medication when I first woke up in recovery (and really for the whole time in the hospital), that it didn't phase me whatsoever. I was on a post surgery high in the hospital, that's for sure, and felt great. Once I got wheeled into my room (after about 1.5 hours in recovery), I was coherent and writing down pages upon pages of questions and information to my husband!

They also give you air too, so try not to worry too much about your breathing; I found breathing in the hospital not to be an issue whatsoever at all.

My biggest fears beforehand were breathing and post surgery nausea and vomiting; and both of those fears were alleviated - I had absolutely no problems with breathing and luckily no nausea or vomiting at all.

#3 Post by **Rizzie** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 12:01 pm

I hope my post-op recovery starts out as smoothly as yours. Was swallowing with jaws shut something that was difficult to learn?

#4 Post by **bracesat30** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 12:28 pm

I didn't find it to be. I also got lucky though and didn't find I had a ton of saliva (any more than usual) to deal with. I had worried that I would be suffocating myself with my tongue stuffed back there, but those feelings never happened.

The main thing for me was keeping de-congested through my nose so that I could breathe through my nose. I had the surgery almost 4 weeks ago, am still banded and splinted totally shut, and I have breathed 100% through my nose the entire time. (Granted, moving my jaw forward helped immensely with that.) I recommend tons of saline spray and q-tips (you will have congestion in your nose from upper jaw surgery) to keep your nose cleared out, and I used Breathe Right strips for the first several days, just so that I always knew I could breathe easily. I also put some Vicks Vaporub under my nostrils to help me breathe easier as well.

#5 Post by **Rizzie** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 12:37 pm

I am anticipating some nasal congestion, and I hope it is not too bad. I like the Breathe Right strips and Vicks idea--I used to put mentholatum under my kid's noses when they had colds, and it seemed to help them a lot.

So you are 4 weeks out--ongratulations! I've read about splints--is that similar to a retainer-type of appliance? Did you get to see what one looks like prior to your surgery?

#6 Post by **bracesat30** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 3:06 pm

It felt like Breathe Right strips saved me those first few days - even though if I hadn't have worn them, I would have been fine; just knowing that my nasal passages were opened up that much more really helped.

The splint is like a bite or mouth guard , I bite down into it from my front and back teeth, so it keeps everything in place. It's wired into my braces, so it won't move even if I wanted it to!

I didn't get to see one actually before my surgery; in hindsight, I was kept pretty much in the dark when I went in for my appointments; I actually should have done more research ahead of time! The surgeon and resident would always ask me "Any questions at all?" And for the most part, I'd say "No!" I trusted what they were doing, and worried that I'd chicken out if I knew more beforehand!

I do know that I am really looking forward to the splint and heavy duty bands coming out though! It really has been "mind over matter" in regards to being closed up!

#7 Post by **Chefflaco88** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 3:17 pm

I am 2 1/2 weeks post op. I expected to be congested and panicked trying to breath when I woke up from surgery but my nose was completely clear after surgery and I could breath fine immediately after. I was also lucky that I did not have a splint and was not tightly banded after surgery. I could get the syringe between my teeth the day after my surgery so drinking was not much of a problem. Good luck with your surgery. The first 4 days are the worst but the time goes by pretty fast.

#8 Post by **Rizzie** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 5:36 pm

I'm hoping that, like bracesat30, I'm looped enough by the meds, that I will awaken slowly and not have the energy or wherewithal to panic.

I imagine at that point I should just be glad to have made it through!

#9 Post by **mountaingirl** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 6:48 pm

That was my biggest fear as well. I thought I would freak out being wired shut, so I got a prescription for Ativan. I was so doped up on pain killers that being wired shut didn't bother me. I actually don't remember waking up at all. My first memory is being in my room and even that I don't remember much of.

#10 Post by **VikingGirl** » Fri Jul 16, 2010 2:00 am

I was shockingly clear in my head when I woke up, hadn't expected that. I got panicky when I suddenly heard my moms voice (Haha, I'd asked her not to come and let me be all pathetic alone..). I had a nice tube in my nose, didn't notice it though. I threw up almost immediatly after I woke and I instincly tilted my head to the side. I didn't really think about it, it just came naturally! Don't fear! There'll be loads of people to take care of you!

#11 Post by **Quince** » Fri Jul 16, 2010 9:02 am

This was a big fear of mine! But when I woke up, I was really relaxed and drugged and far from freaking out. Kind of like when you wake up too early in the morning and your only focus is getting more sleep. I remember hearing the nurses talk about me and when I'll be out of the recovery room, but I really didn't care and just went back to sleep, being glad I made it through the surgery.

#12 Post by **Rizzie** » Sat Jul 17, 2010 8:41 am

How about during your time being banded shut? Doesn't your tongue just want to break out of prison? Also, I've practiced swallowing with my teeth together, and it seems very unnatural--but maybe more so because my bite hasn't been corrected yet.

Fortunately, I'm pretty good at the mind over matter concept. This is just so different than anything I have ever faced, that it is hard to fathom what it will be like.

#13 Post by **VikingGirl** » Sat Jul 17, 2010 9:37 am

Rizzie wrote:How about during your time being banded shut? Doesn't your tongue just want to break out of prison? Also, I've practiced swallowing with my teeth together, and it seems very unnatural--but maybe more so because my bite hasn't been corrected yet.

Fortunately, I'm pretty good at the mind over matter concept. This is just so different than anything I have ever faced, that it is hard to fathom what it will be like.

It's not that bad, especially since you really can't open your teeth when swallowing so it just comes naturally.. Don't be afraid

You maybe have some trouble with breathing because your nose is clogged, but just try and clean it and soon you'll feel better!

And yes, my tingue constantly tries to break out! It presses against my teeth all the time..

#14 Post by **bracesat30** » Sat Jul 17, 2010 2:05 pm

I don't think there's any way you can prepare for what it will be like, but the mind and body are amazing machines, and I found I adapted really quickly to the situation - I had no choice! My tongue is constantly moving around in there, and it feels weird not being able to get past the teeth, but I just try to forget about it quickly and focus on other things because the main thing is healing and getting better, and remembering that it takes measures like these to get to where I want to be.

I had a fun realization today when I had an envelope that I wanted to seal and couldn't lick the envelope!

#15 Post by **Rizzie** » Sat Jul 17, 2010 5:01 pm

Hehe! That's funny! You won't be doing that for another few weeks!