Bill- I used qtips dipped in hydrogen peroxide to clean my nose. Worked like a charm. Also, are you using afrin? That helps too.
As far as the heartbun, maybe try some pepto if it is OK with your surgeon since it is liquid. After about six days I was able to swallow pills and I started taking probiotics which helped a TON!
Can't believe you are doing so well so soon....how wonderful!!!
October buddies
Moderator: bbsadmin
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mamaneedsanewjaw
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Broadway Bill
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Mandy: I requested some pepto from my mom, but I might just wait it out a few more days and start a probiotic instead. It IS really gross feeling all this liquid slosh around in me though! I can also still feel some gross clump of something in the back of my throat/mouth... Blood or mucous or something else unpleasant. I tried the 7 up, and it helped a little, but it's still driving me mad! I just wish I could open wide, clean it up, brush normally and be on my way! Wishful thinking, I know!! Did you guys experience that feeling in your throat too? It sorta makes me gurgle when I breathe, which is not fun (plus it freaks out my mom).
My swelling is going down a bit around my lips, but going up around my chin and cheekbones. Some feeling coming back into my cheeks too!
I'm using Affrin and it seems to help some...i also got in my nostrils with a wet qtip and really cleaned em out good; there was a LOT of blood dried up there!
Also, Mandy, I looked at your blog and your results are incredible! Congratulations on such a great outcome!!!
My swelling is going down a bit around my lips, but going up around my chin and cheekbones. Some feeling coming back into my cheeks too!
I'm using Affrin and it seems to help some...i also got in my nostrils with a wet qtip and really cleaned em out good; there was a LOT of blood dried up there!
Also, Mandy, I looked at your blog and your results are incredible! Congratulations on such a great outcome!!!
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mamaneedsanewjaw
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Thanks for the compliment Bill! I am seeing an amazing difference with my profile but my face is still swollen so head-on I am still getting used to everything! 
I too, have something annoying at the back of my throat I can't get rid of. The more liquids I drink, the more it has helped but it hasn't entirely gone away. I can't figure out what the heck it is.
Since it is just a few days since your surgery, maybe it is still a sore throat fron the anesthesia tube??
I too, have something annoying at the back of my throat I can't get rid of. The more liquids I drink, the more it has helped but it hasn't entirely gone away. I can't figure out what the heck it is.
Since it is just a few days since your surgery, maybe it is still a sore throat fron the anesthesia tube??
How are you guys cleaning your mouth?
My surgeon said I can use saline and put my water pik at "low" setting but I dont know how aggressive I can be? Can I shoot near my incisions?
Also... Pain seems to be getting worse instead of better. I can't eat anything but juice and ensure. I only had lower jaw - is this normal?
My surgeon said I can use saline and put my water pik at "low" setting but I dont know how aggressive I can be? Can I shoot near my incisions?
Also... Pain seems to be getting worse instead of better. I can't eat anything but juice and ensure. I only had lower jaw - is this normal?
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Broadway Bill
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mamaneedsanewjaw
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Izzy- My pain was bad day one post op...got better day 2 & 3 and then more pain day 4 &5 and afternoon of day six was when I started feeling better. Hang in there!!!
I used the waterpick on low and the first few days just used it to spritz my front teeth....I soon got more aggressive and used the tounge scraper tool from my waterpick to clean off my tounge which was so great!
I used the waterpick on low and the first few days just used it to spritz my front teeth....I soon got more aggressive and used the tounge scraper tool from my waterpick to clean off my tounge which was so great!
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Broadway Bill
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Broadway Bill
- Posts: 103
- Joined: Tue Sep 07, 2010 4:17 pm
So yeah, day 3 is the worst so far when it comes to swelling! Feels tough to breathe again! The swelling has sort of moved from my lower face (lips, jaw) to my upper face (nose, cheekbones). I think I'm going to start using some most heat today to treat swelling; any good recommendations for a method for that?
I also know what you guys meant about the meds and liquid diet wrecking the GI system! Can't wait to get back to "normal" in that department.
Hopefully, today will end with a good rinse and cleaning, some improved swelling treatment, and a feeding catheter of soup! I'm getting hungry now, and anxious to try something other than water. I think my antibiotics are what's hurting my stomach... Is that in line with you guys feelings? I'm taking Amoxicilin and it tastes and feels AWFUL!
I also know what you guys meant about the meds and liquid diet wrecking the GI system! Can't wait to get back to "normal" in that department.
Hopefully, today will end with a good rinse and cleaning, some improved swelling treatment, and a feeding catheter of soup! I'm getting hungry now, and anxious to try something other than water. I think my antibiotics are what's hurting my stomach... Is that in line with you guys feelings? I'm taking Amoxicilin and it tastes and feels AWFUL!
Hang in there Broadway!! The swelling will very slowly go down the next 4 days or so. It will probably be two weeks before you start to feel somewhat comfortable, but I promise you each day gets better from here on out. I used a heating pad and misted it with water from a spray bottle. Be careful though as that mist really makes the heat more intense.
Your band configuration was the same as mine, and I had this week 2 through week 4. Week 5 was same spot but no "box", and week 6 has been only bands at night. I was totally banded shut the first 5 days. I go to the ortho on Wednesday and I'm sure he'll use some sort of medieval band configuration to try and get my bite back to "normal"...
Don't use a waterpik the first two weeks unless you are SUPER careful and on the lowest settings - This is a great way to rip open the incisions. Use a baby toothbrush and concentrate on brushing the actual tooth. Also rinse several times a day with salt water. Do not do anything with cleaning that your surgeon did not specifically approve.
As for the stomach, I think you asked a couple of days ago about antacids. I was told not to take these while on antibiotics - It will tear your stomach up even more as the antibiotics have killed the "good" bacteria in your stomach...so it is very sensitive.
Keep your spirits up!
-Chicago29
Your band configuration was the same as mine, and I had this week 2 through week 4. Week 5 was same spot but no "box", and week 6 has been only bands at night. I was totally banded shut the first 5 days. I go to the ortho on Wednesday and I'm sure he'll use some sort of medieval band configuration to try and get my bite back to "normal"...
Don't use a waterpik the first two weeks unless you are SUPER careful and on the lowest settings - This is a great way to rip open the incisions. Use a baby toothbrush and concentrate on brushing the actual tooth. Also rinse several times a day with salt water. Do not do anything with cleaning that your surgeon did not specifically approve.
As for the stomach, I think you asked a couple of days ago about antacids. I was told not to take these while on antibiotics - It will tear your stomach up even more as the antibiotics have killed the "good" bacteria in your stomach...so it is very sensitive.
Keep your spirits up!
-Chicago29
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Broadway Bill
- Posts: 103
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Thanks Chicago! I got my mom to get me some pepto, but I ended up deciding not use it since it wasn't on my surgeons list. Probably for the best!
I am not going to use my water pik until after my post op on thursday, I don't think. I have to drive 2 hours to the surgeons, and I'd hate to break a band or suture this early...i can wait until thursday!
Worst thing today is that the increased swelling has made breathing tough again. I got some Breathe Right strips though, and they're helping a lot. Some folks recommend the saltwater rinse, but my doc gave me an antiseptic oral rinse; you guys think that'll work just as well?
Take care folks! Thanks for all the help and support!
I am not going to use my water pik until after my post op on thursday, I don't think. I have to drive 2 hours to the surgeons, and I'd hate to break a band or suture this early...i can wait until thursday!
Worst thing today is that the increased swelling has made breathing tough again. I got some Breathe Right strips though, and they're helping a lot. Some folks recommend the saltwater rinse, but my doc gave me an antiseptic oral rinse; you guys think that'll work just as well?
Take care folks! Thanks for all the help and support!
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Broadway Bill
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My oh my! This swelling 3 or 4 days post surgery is huge! I assume it's going to go down soon, because I don't think it could possibly go up any more. The swelling goes to right under my eyeballs, which is making it pretty uncomfortable. More than anything, though, it's just so tight that it gives me a headache and makes my face feel paralyzed!! Can't wait for the turn in the road with this swelling...
Had some success cleaning things earlier: I was able to lightly rinse and sort of brush the front teeth. It felt great! I also ate some homemade chicken stock, a berry smoothie, and an Ensure shake...nice to finally have some food in me (I've lost about 6 pounds already!!).
Through it all though, I'm seeing glimpses of my new profile and I think I love it already. It is such a relief to not be feeling any tinges of regret so far, even with it feeling like Hell right now.
Hope all the other recently operated-on posters are doing well! So, you guys doing okay?
Had some success cleaning things earlier: I was able to lightly rinse and sort of brush the front teeth. It felt great! I also ate some homemade chicken stock, a berry smoothie, and an Ensure shake...nice to finally have some food in me (I've lost about 6 pounds already!!).
Through it all though, I'm seeing glimpses of my new profile and I think I love it already. It is such a relief to not be feeling any tinges of regret so far, even with it feeling like Hell right now.
Hope all the other recently operated-on posters are doing well! So, you guys doing okay?
I actually have no bands right now. I only had BSSO, no upper jaw, maybe that's why. He said he would put rubber bands on Tuesday (oh joy, more crap in my mouth). I do have to wear this fabric splint under my chin that ties over my head to hold my chin in and avoid the formation of dead space/hematoma on my chin so that the skin stays thight there - can only take that off to "eat"/shower.
I think today is the first day I think the swelling is better, not same or worse, since surgery (Day 5 post op)
As far as eating... I've been sticking mostly to juice, liquid yogurt and a few protein shakes (I strongly recommend EAS brand, I used them as part of training even before this and they taste pretty good and don't have that chalky texture, I get the already mixed ones, order on Abbott store). I tried soup one day but the warmth/texture in the syringe was just gross so I gave up. I had my first store bought, fattening, chocolate milkshake today and it was great! That's all I could really eat today though, feel full still from it.
For those sick with antibiotics.... yeah this has not been fun. Im allergic to amoxicillin so in hospital they gave me IV clindamycin (which I've taken before without issues) but I guess in people there is a risk of getting C. Perfringens (which is an awful GI bug) while on that anbiotic which is why I assume he send me home with erythromycin. I was supposed to get 5 days worth but after day 2 he told me to stop cause my gut was falling apart.
So currently I have it down to
- ibuprofen liquid (ew) 400 to 600mg every 4hrs (I know this is not helping the gut but oh well, better GI discomfort that mouth pain!)
- Roxicit liquid (oxycodone/tylenol) - 4 to 5mg every 4hrs.
whoever makes those liquid meds shoudl be hung for the taste they give them. And I'm a veterinarian so I know all about liquid meds, if I can get kitty a tuna-flavored antibiotic I'm pretty sure they can get me something that doesn't taste like poison...
On another note... can you guys close your teeth together? I'm still so swollen inside my mouth that my jaw still hangs a little open, so i can't even tell if my bite is normal yet... you guys have the same thing happen??
I think today is the first day I think the swelling is better, not same or worse, since surgery (Day 5 post op)
As far as eating... I've been sticking mostly to juice, liquid yogurt and a few protein shakes (I strongly recommend EAS brand, I used them as part of training even before this and they taste pretty good and don't have that chalky texture, I get the already mixed ones, order on Abbott store). I tried soup one day but the warmth/texture in the syringe was just gross so I gave up. I had my first store bought, fattening, chocolate milkshake today and it was great! That's all I could really eat today though, feel full still from it.
For those sick with antibiotics.... yeah this has not been fun. Im allergic to amoxicillin so in hospital they gave me IV clindamycin (which I've taken before without issues) but I guess in people there is a risk of getting C. Perfringens (which is an awful GI bug) while on that anbiotic which is why I assume he send me home with erythromycin. I was supposed to get 5 days worth but after day 2 he told me to stop cause my gut was falling apart.
So currently I have it down to
- ibuprofen liquid (ew) 400 to 600mg every 4hrs (I know this is not helping the gut but oh well, better GI discomfort that mouth pain!)
- Roxicit liquid (oxycodone/tylenol) - 4 to 5mg every 4hrs.
whoever makes those liquid meds shoudl be hung for the taste they give them. And I'm a veterinarian so I know all about liquid meds, if I can get kitty a tuna-flavored antibiotic I'm pretty sure they can get me something that doesn't taste like poison...
On another note... can you guys close your teeth together? I'm still so swollen inside my mouth that my jaw still hangs a little open, so i can't even tell if my bite is normal yet... you guys have the same thing happen??
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Broadway Bill
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Izzy, I could not agree more about the flavor of meds. It's one of the worst things about the whole experience!
Since I just have the box bands up front, I think I CAN close my bite, but it's all so numb and tender and fragile feeling that I don't want to try. I had one of the fabric head wraps the first day and I hated it; I thought for sure that it was gonna choke me! I'm sorry you have to deal with that!
The GI issues really are unpleasant. I've basically just tried to stay hydrated and comfortable, instead of trying to feel full, because when I gave tried to feel full I just end up nauseous.
How is your swelling and pain level izzy? Hope it's not bad and you feel well! I'll try those EAS shakes...the chalkiness of the Ensure shakes is pretty gross.
Since I just have the box bands up front, I think I CAN close my bite, but it's all so numb and tender and fragile feeling that I don't want to try. I had one of the fabric head wraps the first day and I hated it; I thought for sure that it was gonna choke me! I'm sorry you have to deal with that!
The GI issues really are unpleasant. I've basically just tried to stay hydrated and comfortable, instead of trying to feel full, because when I gave tried to feel full I just end up nauseous.
How is your swelling and pain level izzy? Hope it's not bad and you feel well! I'll try those EAS shakes...the chalkiness of the Ensure shakes is pretty gross.
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mamaneedsanewjaw
- Posts: 139
- Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2010 9:06 am
I couldn't agree more about the taste of the liquid meds. Day 6 I forced myself to swallow pills and it was because the taste was so bad I couldn't stand it....between the liquid Roxicet (which was the WORST), antibiotics, sudafed and ibuprofen I was so sick of swallowing nasty things I didn't want anything else to drink. MY advice to you is to try to swallow pills. Regular advil tablets are pretty small. My surgeon perscribed me the pill format of the Roxicet and those are pretty small as well...they can also be broke in half easily. Also, once you can swallow pills you can take a probiotic which was such a HUGE help for me. Takes a few days to take effect, but oh the relief!!! 
I remember reading how people had a hard time with the liquid meds before surgery and wondering how it could be that bad. Oh now I know!!
I remember reading how people had a hard time with the liquid meds before surgery and wondering how it could be that bad. Oh now I know!!
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Broadway Bill
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- Joined: Tue Sep 07, 2010 4:17 pm
Mandy, I'm going in for post-op Thursday and I'll look into switching to pills. The Roxicet isn't the worst for me, it's the Amoxicilin that holds that title! Gross!
I turned a corner last night, and feel much better today. Swelling feels better (still looks just as bad, but it feels better), and as a result I can breathe okay again. I also got some ROM back and figured out how to clean/rinse, which made things much better. Also, as I regain feeling, I'm able to tell more of what is going on in there, so the tendency to feel helpless and panicked is fading. Plus, each time I see a mirror things look a bit better!
How are you guys doing? Anything (good or bad) to expect from my appointment this week?
I turned a corner last night, and feel much better today. Swelling feels better (still looks just as bad, but it feels better), and as a result I can breathe okay again. I also got some ROM back and figured out how to clean/rinse, which made things much better. Also, as I regain feeling, I'm able to tell more of what is going on in there, so the tendency to feel helpless and panicked is fading. Plus, each time I see a mirror things look a bit better!
How are you guys doing? Anything (good or bad) to expect from my appointment this week?