What should I expect at the initial surgical consultation?

[snapdresser]

Yeah, part-time at 2-3 weeks is possible. What makes post-op difficult is the lack of sleep/quality of sleep, nutrition, and IMO the mental aspect. Forcing yourself to lay on your back on an incline every night gets old quick, especially once you're off the pain meds, if you're not naturally a back-sleeper. 5 or 6+ Ensures a day also gets old quick, and many of us are on it for about 8 weeks. Even when they start opening you up to other foods, it'll be such a hassle to consume mashed potatoes/eggs/whatever through your elastics and weak chew that you'll still be drinking Ensures just to get enough calories that you don't feel like you're starving. The mental aspect is pretty significant in my experience, too. You feel cooped up in a small place for weeks on end. You have constant concerns about your new bite/numbness/swelling/etc. Not to mention the time it takes getting used to a new face; NOBODY likes how they look all puffed up.

[Dureena]

If you're on the NHS, this is a good guide.

http://bos.org.uk/Public-Patients/Your- ... nt-Journey

[CCinBraces]

Thanks--checking out the NHS guide!

Im hoping to at least be able to take my dog out on some short walks early-ish on or she and I both may lose our minds.

Im glad you brought up the anxiety issues that come with a "new" face. Ive been wondering--even after the swelling goes down and you start to get back to normal, is it difficult/strange to experience a different face structure? I know some do not actually end up with a different overall look (most of the changes are inside the mouth instead) but then others look quite a bit different, especially to their own eye. Im told I will have some changes that I consider pretty big (lips coming together naturally/ larger chin/ no more open bite/possibly some other changes) Did anyone here struggle with that?

[snapdresser]

I've been wondering--even after the swelling goes down and you start to get back to normal, is it difficult/strange to experience a different face structure? I know some do not actually end up with a different overall look (most of the changes are inside the mouth instead) but then others look quite a bit different, especially to their own eye. Im told I will have some changes that I consider pretty big (lips coming together naturally/ larger chin/ no more open bite/possibly some other changes) Did anyone here struggle with that?

YES. Big time. I was lucky enough to see simulated "after" pictures before my procedure but it was still a huge mind-f*ck (pardon my French) when you look into a mirror/at pictures afterwards. It took me months to get used to it, and I'm still often surprised at how I look in pictures. And it seems to be a slippery slope, too. I find myself thinking "well now the lower part of my face looks great, but my nose seems bigger. Maybe I should get that done next!" There were days that I hated my new face, just because at first "different" seems "ugly" when you're used to considering your old face "normal". Fortunately those thoughts are pretty few and far between now (and looking at an old picture resolves it immediately )

[CCinBraces]

Ha! I can see my reaction being similar--maybe even totally regretting it at first. Did the surgeon give you a good idea of what changes to expect?