I was born with a cleft lip and palate and had gone through 13 surgeries but by far this is the worst recovery and the hardest I have to deal with. I had a double jaw surgery with bone grafting along with genioplasty since my previous two had failed and was not in a good condition even though my doctor said I don't need to do genioplasty but I went along with it if it makes me look better than before.
Today marks 6 weeks and 1 day from post-op <- still on liquids only Recovery had been a rollercoaster! I didn't have much bleeding from the nose nor my mouth. I am able to brush good now but not as normal as I normally would if I hadn't had a surgery, so I still struggle brushing.
I wasn't wired shut and I probably had bands less than a week because my jaw was able to close back to where it was supposed to be so I got lucky there.
I had massive severe headaches and ear pains which one ear led to ear infection but that is gone now. My headaches were gone this week, but I also started Physical Therapy (physiotherapy)
My doctor gave me popsicle sticks to use to help to open my mouth, he gave me around 22 sticks which should be close to around 40 mm that's how wide your mouth should open fully at the end or say 3 fingers since everyone's mouth varies. I can only fit 12 and that too is even painful. My mouth still decides to not open big and the furthest I can go is 12 mm right now and I needed to get around 30 for him to take out the splint. There are 4 different kinds of splints so I don't know what kind everyone has. My splint was supposed to be taken out 2 weeks ago but since I couldn't, he assigned me to physical therapy.
I still can't move my mouth/lip whenever I talk nor even close it and note its been 6 weeks from surgery. I have to go to therapy 3 times a week for an hr and honestly I rather be there than try doing on my own at home more. At first, I was very scared but they help a lot more. I should be getting my splint off on August 10th, so pray for me that I open my mouth wide enough. My orthodontist said I can start eating soft food a week ago but I am still scared so I am still sticking with liquids.
My friends say my face changed drastically from a round to a square, I even have a cheekbone line and jawline more noticeable. I love my results but the recovery has not been on my side.
I can't open wide enough for 2 fingers to fit in, move my lips, talk normally with my lips, nor eat. 6 weeks of post-op and I asked my therapist whether I'll be normal and can fully talk normally in 3 weeks since that's when my classes will start, and she said no. As of now, I've been breaking down a lot but never one I cried before these 6 weeks besides brushing since it was scary.
im scared