August Buddies
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aliciaj212
- Posts: 16
- Joined: Sat Aug 14, 2010 2:35 am
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I went to the doctor today for a checkup and I was REALLY horrified to discovered that the surgical hooks are implanted in my gums???? WTH, is this normal? I kinda flipped out, which was insane considering that my bite splint was still in place. I'm really grossed out, and I couldn't practice putting on my rubber bands because of it. I don't know if I can even look at them.
Glad you are seeing progress with each passing day, braceface23. It seems that talking is exactly what causes Josh the most pain as the day goes on.braceface23 wrote:Day 10 today, swelling is going down more and more every day.. still very numb in my chin and lower jaw.. my tongue also feels numb but i dont know if thats just because of all the numbness on the lower jaw or what. I can open my mouth about 1 finger. I'm still on percocet but I think within a day or two I wont need them anymore, I have ibuprofen and Viocdin if I need them. I wake up in the morning and feel really good, the more I talk throughout the day the more pain I end up being in by the end of the day. Everything looks good but im so paranoid about things shifting/moving out of place.. also its really hard to brush my teeth because my lips are still pretty tender and when I do brush I poke stuff that shouldnt be poked. Over all things are good for day 8.. hopefully day 9 is even better!.
He wasn't drinking well at all (2 bottles of boost in 48 hours) and we finally figured out that it was because his mouth tastes so bad for him.
I got some Crest mouthwash that has NO alcohol in it. I diluted it in some water and got a soft baby toothbrush and *very slowly and gently* got in there and brushed and rinsed and brushed and rinsed. I probably took me a good 10 minutes, but he felt SO much cleaner and better and things started to taste a little more normal. Maybe try that?
Here's to better days each day!
Josh's mom
That is probably do to the swelling. You have to keep it all very very clean in there or the gums will swell and yes, it will imbed in the gums.aliciaj212 wrote:I went to the doctor today for a checkup and I was REALLY horrified to discovered that the surgical hooks are implanted in my gums???? WTH, is this normal? I kinda flipped out, which was insane considering that my bite splint was still in place. I'm really grossed out, and I couldn't practice putting on my rubber bands because of it. I don't know if I can even look at them.
See if you can take maybe some baking soda and water and gently rub it around your gums with your finger. It will take TIME for the swelling to go down and it will be better if you keep it free of bacteria.
Josh's braces on top by his molars would do that sometimes if he wasn't taking good care to clean up there.
Hang in there!
Josh's mom
What a difference a day makes!!
Josh slept about 20 out of the last 24 hours and woke up this morning with very minor swelling. Mainly it's his upper lip. He has some light yellow bruising around his jaw, but he looks fantastic!
He had pain meds at 4am and none since then. Doc said he looked very very good and he can just go to Tylenol/Motrin if it helps him enough.
He is NOT getting enough fluids, but after cleaning his mouth really good it helped things not taste so yucky. Jamba Juice was the ticket for getting more in him.
Wow, Day 5 and I didn't think he would turn around so quickly, but he's much happier.
Hope all are recovering as expected!
Josh's mom
Josh slept about 20 out of the last 24 hours and woke up this morning with very minor swelling. Mainly it's his upper lip. He has some light yellow bruising around his jaw, but he looks fantastic!
He had pain meds at 4am and none since then. Doc said he looked very very good and he can just go to Tylenol/Motrin if it helps him enough.
He is NOT getting enough fluids, but after cleaning his mouth really good it helped things not taste so yucky. Jamba Juice was the ticket for getting more in him.
Wow, Day 5 and I didn't think he would turn around so quickly, but he's much happier.
Hope all are recovering as expected!
Josh's mom
Hello, my name is Bailey im 17 and am 5 days post-op? I had lower jaw surgery on the 16th of August, so i thought i would join the conversation 
In the beggining i was supposed to have both top and bottom done, and about a month before surgery my surgeon told me that only my bottom would be necessary. Im really grateful for this now because even having my bottom jaw operated on, it has been rough..
As everyone usually says, the first feew days you just wish you never did it, but after 5 days i am really starting to feel better. The biggest issues i had around 2 days post-op was that i was just so hungry and not motivated to get anything down, and that i had a very very sore throat from the tube being down my throat. I also started to get an upset stomach from the liquid morphine i was taking for pain. My anti-inflamatory is a pill which i crush up into juice, and if i ever had to go through this again i would definately request all pills, i find it so much easier and i dont like the taste of the liquid medications.
My swelling has gone down but it seems like the bruising has been getting worse, very yellow and unsttractive.. I think tommorrow i will start on warm compresses? i have only been using ice so far.
I cannot wait untill the swelling goes down more, my bottom lip feels so awkward, swollen and with no feeling.
Its nice to chat with people who are in the same situation with me! ive read through the thread and am aware where everyone is!
we can do it
In the beggining i was supposed to have both top and bottom done, and about a month before surgery my surgeon told me that only my bottom would be necessary. Im really grateful for this now because even having my bottom jaw operated on, it has been rough..
As everyone usually says, the first feew days you just wish you never did it, but after 5 days i am really starting to feel better. The biggest issues i had around 2 days post-op was that i was just so hungry and not motivated to get anything down, and that i had a very very sore throat from the tube being down my throat. I also started to get an upset stomach from the liquid morphine i was taking for pain. My anti-inflamatory is a pill which i crush up into juice, and if i ever had to go through this again i would definately request all pills, i find it so much easier and i dont like the taste of the liquid medications.
My swelling has gone down but it seems like the bruising has been getting worse, very yellow and unsttractive.. I think tommorrow i will start on warm compresses? i have only been using ice so far.
I cannot wait untill the swelling goes down more, my bottom lip feels so awkward, swollen and with no feeling.
Its nice to chat with people who are in the same situation with me! ive read through the thread and am aware where everyone is!
we can do it
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BracketRacket
- Posts: 400
- Joined: Mon Dec 14, 2009 10:51 pm
- Location: East Coast, USA
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I had wires from my expander (bone-borne) that went around my teeth and through my gums on the other side. Gross to look out, and they caused me some pain, but I just had the whole shebang removed, and it was very quick and painless (at least with the novacaine). So even if it is going through your gum, ick factor aside, shouldn't be too bad! Good luck!aliciaj212 wrote:I went to the doctor today for a checkup and I was REALLY horrified to discovered that the surgical hooks are implanted in my gums???? WTH, is this normal? I kinda flipped out, which was insane considering that my bite splint was still in place. I'm really grossed out, and I couldn't practice putting on my rubber bands because of it. I don't know if I can even look at them.
Glad Josh is doing so well! Yay!
Hi Bailey!
It sounds like your experience is shared with many others - a rough few days and then feeling better.
Our son had upper jaw and chin surgery also on August 16th. We were quite worried about him for a few days because, like you, we could not get him to eat or drink much. He got very weak and every time he got up, he got dizzy.
However yesterday he started turning around and this morning he feels well enough to whine about being bored. Hip Hip Hooray!
His bands came off on day 3 and now he just has two bands when he isn't eating.
Hope things are turning around for you this morning! Keep us posted!
It sounds like your experience is shared with many others - a rough few days and then feeling better.
Our son had upper jaw and chin surgery also on August 16th. We were quite worried about him for a few days because, like you, we could not get him to eat or drink much. He got very weak and every time he got up, he got dizzy.
However yesterday he started turning around and this morning he feels well enough to whine about being bored. Hip Hip Hooray!
His bands came off on day 3 and now he just has two bands when he isn't eating.
Hope things are turning around for you this morning! Keep us posted!
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Jessica37769
- Posts: 25
- Joined: Thu May 27, 2010 7:36 pm
Everyone seems like they have improved 100 percent! I have been doing good, I am now 18 days post op and feeling good. I am still swollen and I cant really feel my upper lip all the way to under my eyes, but it is starting to get tingely so I think that is a good sign!
Braceface I also feel more time as the day goes on and I have talked more. I also worrying about something happening and messing something up. I guess thats pretty normal after such a big surgery. My top lip is still very tender, and i worry when I brush that I am going to hit something or tear some stiches out or something. I hope your days do get even better!
Alicia- that is awful about your surgical hooks, I hope everything is getting better! I dont know if thats normal or not, but I dont think I would think it was normal, I would be freakin out too!
Joshs mom- that is wonderful that he has improved so much! I remember that nasty taste in my mouth after the surgery, it was really bad! So, I bet that helped alot. Its also great that his swelling has gone down! Good luck with the upcoming days!! Glad he is feeling well enough to complain!!
Bailey-Welcome!! I also hated the liquid and got my dad to call and get all pills, it really helped!! I found that the warm helped alot with my swelling and bruising, so I hope it does for you 2! Good luck to your upcoming days! You are through the worst!
Braceface I also feel more time as the day goes on and I have talked more. I also worrying about something happening and messing something up. I guess thats pretty normal after such a big surgery. My top lip is still very tender, and i worry when I brush that I am going to hit something or tear some stiches out or something. I hope your days do get even better!
Alicia- that is awful about your surgical hooks, I hope everything is getting better! I dont know if thats normal or not, but I dont think I would think it was normal, I would be freakin out too!
Joshs mom- that is wonderful that he has improved so much! I remember that nasty taste in my mouth after the surgery, it was really bad! So, I bet that helped alot. Its also great that his swelling has gone down! Good luck with the upcoming days!! Glad he is feeling well enough to complain!!
Bailey-Welcome!! I also hated the liquid and got my dad to call and get all pills, it really helped!! I found that the warm helped alot with my swelling and bruising, so I hope it does for you 2! Good luck to your upcoming days! You are through the worst!
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braceface23
- Posts: 20
- Joined: Mon Nov 16, 2009 8:55 pm
Hey guys, Today is day 11, I start school tommorrow so this ought to be interesting. My lower chin is completey numb still, lower lip is completely numb, top lip has some feeling but is minimal... and my cheeks are still puffy. I drip and drool on my chin and I don't even know until my girlfriend wipes it off for me. The pain is minimal at this point and its more a discomfort/irritation then anything. I am officially off pain meds. I dont have to wear bands but at night ive been sleeping with my mouth open so last night I put them on while sleeping. Rubber bands suck though! My face is starting to take shape and its crazy seeing my teeth where they are supposed to be.. ive always had a mesed up bite. Cleaning absolutely sucks, if i poke around in the wrong spot it still hurts so ive been paranoid bout brushing, my teeth definately feel icky. I can eat pretty good now with the baby spoon, today i had oatmeal for the first time and nothing spilled on my shirt. To date ive lost 16 lbs ( I was 186 lbs/ 5'11") so i'm at 170. I drank a gallon of chocolate milk today so maybe that will give me a pound back:).. overall everything seems to be going as planned, swelling is going down, ive been using a heat pad every night.
Thanks for the welcomes!
Things are going great now, I have made such an improvement in the past few days. Last night I switched from ice to heat and woke up this morning with a big improvement in the swelling, which is nice!
But on the downside i woke up at 2am with a mouthful of blood and a very queasy stomach, probably only because i took a dose of morphine on an empty stomach and the blood in my mouth dident help..
I still really havent been eating much and am trying to drink lots of water. I have an appointment with my surgeon on the 24th and am hoping he will loosnen my bands so i can eat! I feel like I am recovering well. A few bumps in the road but things seem to be going well, rarely taking pain medications and still feel pretty decent.
Planning on going for coffee with some friends tommorrow afternoon which should be nice, i feel like ive been at home all week.. well technically i have! Glad to hear everyone is recovering well! Thanks for the tips and all!
Things are going great now, I have made such an improvement in the past few days. Last night I switched from ice to heat and woke up this morning with a big improvement in the swelling, which is nice!
But on the downside i woke up at 2am with a mouthful of blood and a very queasy stomach, probably only because i took a dose of morphine on an empty stomach and the blood in my mouth dident help..
I still really havent been eating much and am trying to drink lots of water. I have an appointment with my surgeon on the 24th and am hoping he will loosnen my bands so i can eat! I feel like I am recovering well. A few bumps in the road but things seem to be going well, rarely taking pain medications and still feel pretty decent.
Planning on going for coffee with some friends tommorrow afternoon which should be nice, i feel like ive been at home all week.. well technically i have! Glad to hear everyone is recovering well! Thanks for the tips and all!
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vincejawsurgery
- Posts: 55
- Joined: Mon Aug 23, 2010 12:25 am
- Location: Singapore
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Does anyone know how long it takes for the swelling to go down completely?
I'm 23 days post-op. And I think my face is still swollen, but I can't really tell and I'm starting to worry that this is what my face is going to look like for the rest of my life but I'm not sure.
I've been really depressed about it lately.
I'm 23 days post-op. And I think my face is still swollen, but I can't really tell and I'm starting to worry that this is what my face is going to look like for the rest of my life but I'm not sure.
I've been really depressed about it lately.
Hello everyone. It's nice to read your stories. I am 5 days post-op and feeling good overall. Yesterday was the worst day, both in terms of the physical and psychological pain. Today I'm actually feeling pretty good and energetic. I had double jaw surgery to correct an open bite and an overbite. My lower jaw was advanced 15mm, my lower jaw was advanced 3mm and I also had genioplasty. I lost a lot of blood during the surgery but being relatively young (27yo) I was still able to recover pretty quickly. I was really scared of getting a general anesthesia, but the team really comforted me and everything went well. It's a funny feeling: you fall asleep and then you feel walking up shortly after, even though 6 hours actually went by!
My mom has been taking care of me and I wouldn't have been able to do it without her. The worst is taking the pills every 6 hours, not getting enough sleep, having difficulty to swallow, having a burning and intense tingling sensation in my jaw and chin, and just drooling everywhere uncontrollably. I am still very swollen but it does go down everyday so its motivating. I am having my first post-op meeting with the surgeon on Thursday. Ill let you know how that goes. Ill also try to post some pics soon.
- Frank
My mom has been taking care of me and I wouldn't have been able to do it without her. The worst is taking the pills every 6 hours, not getting enough sleep, having difficulty to swallow, having a burning and intense tingling sensation in my jaw and chin, and just drooling everywhere uncontrollably. I am still very swollen but it does go down everyday so its motivating. I am having my first post-op meeting with the surgeon on Thursday. Ill let you know how that goes. Ill also try to post some pics soon.
- Frank