Is everyday pain typical at 7 months post-op??

[jonathon003]

In March I had quite a bit done, relatively speaking. Advanced lower jaw and upper jaw, widened upper jaw, and sliding genio.

I'm pretty shocked that the healing process for me has gone so slowly though. For one, I still have swelling in my cheeks (closer to my nose) and I'm fairly certain my upper lip is still swolen as my side profile (when relaxed) has my upper lip sticking out farther than my lower lip.

But the biggest concern and what bothers me the most is the pain. Not a day has gone by that I haven't had nagging pain in my jaw joints. It is mostly brought on by biting into larger, tougher things (eg. a sub), or yawning, or moving my jaw side to side (basically when I try testing my jaw's range of movement in both directions). I have mentioned it to the surgeon and he prescribed Apo-diflunisal (anti-inflammatory/pain) for a few weeks; but it didn't help much. And the last time I saw him he didn't prescribe me anything and keeps stressing patience like always.

I just get the feeling though from reading other people's experience, and knowing my unusually high threshhold for pain, that I'm getting much more pain than what's typical, especially this far out from surgery. Any advice or anyone who can relate??

My doc hasn't told me to try massaging, or stretching really much (one time I inquired about it, and he said yeah sure that could help, but he clearly never would have mentioned it had I not brought it up), but is that something I should look into?? It still feels stiff. It also still pops everynow and then.

[BracedSurgeryStudent]

It could either be TMJ or Just Post Op pain,I never had this specific surgery but i've had 7 surgeries on various things and every now nad again I'll get a little pain. You should talk to the Oral Surgeon and ask if it could be TMJ or something wrong with the surgery, sounds like TMJ, I have TMJ and certain things with my jaw like you mentioned bother it. Maybe he can also give you antibiotics to bring fdown the swelling or you could jsut take ibuproffen once a day that helps when something of mine is swollen

[jonathon003]

It could either be TMJ or Just Post Op pain,I never had this specific surgery but i've had 7 surgeries on various things and every now nad again I'll get a little pain. You should talk to the Oral Surgeon and ask if it could be TMJ or something wrong with the surgery, sounds like TMJ, I have TMJ and certain things with my jaw like you mentioned bother it. Maybe he can also give you antibiotics to bring fdown the swelling or you could jsut take ibuproffen once a day that helps when something of mine is swollen

Thanks for the reply BracedSurgeryStudent. When you say it could be TMJ, is that something permanent? I was reading about it a little and it does seem similar to the pain I'm experiencing; right around my ears (a little under them and slightly in front of them). I just want this crap to go away; it's so annoying to have this pain everyday and not be able to eat pain free.

[BracedSurgeryStudent]

You could possibly see a joint and facial specialist to double check, maybe what you need is to exercise it more. I remember having kidney surgerfy and I didn't exercise around the area much and it hurt forever until I did it felt better but you should definatly talk to your ortho and surgeon;

[Dani73]

Hi Jonathon

I'm coming up to 12 months since my op - I had the same surgery as yourself, bar the widening of the upper jaw.

I get cracking type sounds (only way I can describe it) whenever I yawn.

I also mentioned to my surgeon, at my last appoint, that my jaw aches if I talk or smile too much. I thought it was the bone, but it turns out it's the muscle. Now that I think about it, it makes sense. The muscles have been used to working one way, everything gets moved, and it's got to work another way - and unfortunately it's not going to get used to it after a couple of months.

As for the swelling in the cheeks (sinus area) I had that. My surgeon said 'you have strange swelling!' It looked like I had a continuous head cold LOL But it's finally starting to go now. Problem is everyone heals completely differently and it's frustrating when you read other's that have had pretty smooth sailing through it all.

But my surgeon did say that it would be 12 - 18 months before things started to settle.

As for the top lip, I tend to look like a duck from side on. But I have a scar that runs on the underside of my top lip (from top to bottom - not side to side) it was done to stop my top lip from curling under. Same thing, it will take time for it to heal properly.

But just wanted to reassure you, that now that I'm close to the 12 month mark, the swelling and the pain is easing considerably. It wasn't until I saw your post that I realised I went the whole weekend without any muscle pain at all! Hang in there

[Dani73]

Oh FTA - in regards to exercising - I say the vowels A E I O U - but exaggerate the movement. HTH

[BracedSurgeryStudent]

Hi Jonathon

I'm coming up to 12 months since my op - I had the same surgery as yourself, bar the widening of the upper jaw.

I get cracking type sounds (only way I can describe it) whenever I yawn.

I also mentioned to my surgeon, at my last appoint, that my jaw aches if I talk or smile too much. I thought it was the bone, but it turns out it's the muscle. Now that I think about it, it makes sense. The muscles have been used to working one way, everything gets moved, and it's got to work another way - and unfortunately it's not going to get used to it after a couple of months.

As for the swelling in the cheeks (sinus area) I had that. My surgeon said 'you have strange swelling!' It looked like I had a continuous head cold LOL But it's finally starting to go now. Problem is everyone heals completely differently and it's frustrating when you read other's that have had pretty smooth sailing through it all.

But my surgeon did say that it would be 12 - 18 months before things started to settle.

As for the top lip, I tend to look like a duck from side on. But I have a scar that runs on the underside of my top lip (from top to bottom - not side to side) it was done to stop my top lip from curling under. Same thing, it will take time for it to heal properly.

But just wanted to reassure you, that now that I'm close to the 12 month mark, the swelling and the pain is easing considerably. It wasn't until I saw your post that I realised I went the whole weekend without any muscle pain at all! Hang in there

I agree with you 100% same goes for all surgery I stillg te pains/aches in my kidney or bladder areas from the surgeries Ive had in the past its common I hope you both feel better and get to adjust. I have a tad bit TMJ so instead of retacting everything backwars the goal is to bring everything in reverse teeth wise and such without surgery because I cannot afford it even if I saved up my life savings.

[MrNovember]

I also had a similar surgery, just under 2 years ago. I don't think the pain lasted quite that long for me. However I did have the same cracking noises mentioned above