Pre-Op for DJS Questions: New ID? Haircut? and more!

[kpw818]

Hi there,

I have some assorted pre-op questions (I'm about a month away). Those who are finished (or may have an answer) can you help me out? I'm having DJS for underbite/crossbite.

1) Will I need to get a new ID or plan to get one? I'm traveling in December (two months post surgery) and will probably be out for dinner and drinks. I will get carded--should I be concerned that I will look so different I should grab a new picture?
2) How long should I wait after surgery to get a haircut? They work around your face, so I am curious about if this is a problem? I feel like it is a silly question, but I also can't find anything on it!
3) I will have upper jaw surgery, so I know I can't blow my nose for awhile--what are some other options? Those suction things they use for babies? lol.
4) Will I be okay to fly two months after? Should I expect some swelling?

I think that is it for now

[sirwired]

- I wouldn't worry about your ID
- I'd get the haircut right before the surgery. The most obvious swelling will be gone in a couple of weeks, but no need to rush things.
- Use decongestants so you don't have to. My OMFS had me on Sudafed and Nasal Spray. Just catch the drips for the rest.
- I'd say flying two months later should be fine. Of course, ask your doctor. I flew after my upper-jaw three weeks after surgery.

[jaime]

I flew two months after surgery and I was totally fine.

Definitely get your hair cut beforehand...it'll be easier for you to make conversation and you won't have to stare at your swollen face in the mirror.

[kpw818]

- I wouldn't worry about your ID
- I'd get the haircut right before the surgery. The most obvious swelling will be gone in a couple of weeks, but no need to rush things.
- Use decongestants so you don't have to. My OMFS had me on Sudafed and Nasal Spray. Just catch the drips for the rest.
- I'd say flying two months later should be fine. Of course, ask your doctor. I flew after my upper-jaw three weeks after surgery.

No on the ID? I'm guessing they won't look that closely at it, but I look super young already

Good to know on the haircut and decongestants. Is Nasal spray okay for upper?

[kpw818]

I flew two months after surgery and I was totally fine.

Definitely get your hair cut beforehand...it'll be easier for you to make conversation and you won't have to stare at your swollen face in the mirror.

Thanks! Good to know on both. Did you have some swelling after flying?

[snapdresser]

- I wouldn't worry about your ID
- I'd get the haircut right before the surgery. The most obvious swelling will be gone in a couple of weeks, but no need to rush things.
- Use decongestants so you don't have to. My OMFS had me on Sudafed and Nasal Spray. Just catch the drips for the rest.
- I'd say flying two months later should be fine. Of course, ask your doctor. I flew after my upper-jaw three weeks after surgery.

No on the ID? I'm guessing they won't look that closely at it, but I look super young already

Good to know on the haircut and decongestants. Is Nasal spray okay for upper?

I wouldn't worry about the ID. I look a lot different IMO and it hasn't been an issue. I'll probably go in for a new one at some point too, but definitely no rush. They'll let you get your booze with the one you have lol

They'll probably tell you exactly what nasal sprays to use. I was told to use a prescription steroidal nasal spray and original Afrin, and then if I was feeling congested I was allowed to use a plain saline spray too.

Also, I flew at 4.5 weeks post-op and it had no effect in terms of swelling or anything. With a doctor's note you're allowed to bring Ensure through security (I didn't have a note but they took pity and allowed me to bring just 1 bottle through anyways). I was newly-permitted to eat scrambled eggs so we had to seek out some place that served them after we landed

[jaime]

I flew two months after surgery and I was totally fine.

Definitely get your hair cut beforehand...it'll be easier for you to make conversation and you won't have to stare at your swollen face in the mirror.

Thanks! Good to know on both. Did you have some swelling after flying?

I don't recall any specifically after flying, but I did have minor residual swelling until about about a year post-op, FYI.

[uneunsae]

I think you should wait until after surgery and healing to get a haircut because your face shape will be a bit different. (If you care about that kind of thing.) Or just get a very small trim now and wait for a major cut later.

This all depends on you and your hair. I have no idea how long your hair is or anything.

If you were just going in for a trim in the first place, ignore me.

[kpw818]

- I wouldn't worry about your ID
- I'd get the haircut right before the surgery. The most obvious swelling will be gone in a couple of weeks, but no need to rush things.
- Use decongestants so you don't have to. My OMFS had me on Sudafed and Nasal Spray. Just catch the drips for the rest.
- I'd say flying two months later should be fine. Of course, ask your doctor. I flew after my upper-jaw three weeks after surgery.

No on the ID? I'm guessing they won't look that closely at it, but I look super young already

Good to know on the haircut and decongestants. Is Nasal spray okay for upper?

I wouldn't worry about the ID. I look a lot different IMO and it hasn't been an issue. I'll probably go in for a new one at some point too, but definitely no rush. They'll let you get your booze with the one you have lol

They'll probably tell you exactly what nasal sprays to use. I was told to use a prescription steroidal nasal spray and original Afrin, and then if I was feeling congested I was allowed to use a plain saline spray too.

Also, I flew at 4.5 weeks post-op and it had no effect in terms of swelling or anything. With a doctor's note you're allowed to bring Ensure through security (I didn't have a note but they took pity and allowed me to bring just 1 bottle through anyways). I was newly-permitted to eat scrambled eggs so we had to seek out some place that served them after we landed

Good to know. I think I will pick up the breath strips that have been mentioned as well for nasal decongestant. I'm going to be terrified of messing up anything post upper jaw surgery :/

I won't be flying until 10 weeks after surgery. So it sounds like I will be okay! I think I will be eating fairly normally at that point though too?

[kpw818]

I think you should wait until after surgery and healing to get a haircut because your face shape will be a bit different. (If you care about that kind of thing.) Or just get a very small trim now and wait for a major cut later.

This all depends on you and your hair. I have no idea how long your hair is or anything.

If you were just going in for a trim in the first place, ignore me.

Haha thanks for the input! My hair grows fast, and I will want it to look nicer during the holidays (traveling to visit SOs family, going out for dinner, work holiday parties) but I don't know that I want to deal with it before or a few weeks after.

My hair is short, and yes! I figure my face will change a bit, so I may even be able to pull off a bit shorter

[kpw818]

I flew two months after surgery and I was totally fine.

Definitely get your hair cut beforehand...it'll be easier for you to make conversation and you won't have to stare at your swollen face in the mirror.

Thanks! Good to know on both. Did you have some swelling after flying?

I don't recall any specifically after flying, but I did have minor residual swelling until about about a year post-op, FYI.

Okay, thanks! That helps. Just wondering if I should prepare for some puffy face times with my BFs family in December

[snapdresser]

Just wondering if I should prepare for some puffy face times with my BFs family in December

Definitely! Not as puffy as when you're 4 days post-op, but when you look back at pictures from the occasion a year later you'll realize that you still had a fair bit of puffiness. The flight won't make it any worse tho.

[kpw818]

Just wondering if I should prepare for some puffy face times with my BFs family in December

Definitely! Not as puffy as when you're 4 days post-op, but when you look back at pictures from the occasion a year later you'll realize that you still had a fair bit of puffiness. The flight won't make it any worse tho.

Oh man, I bet! I'm looking forward to visiting with them. They've known about this surgery for over a year now. I originally thought I would get it last summer. Then fall. *Sigh* Glad I am finally on track!

[uneunsae]

Haha thanks for the input! My hair grows fast, and I will want it to look nicer during the holidays (traveling to visit SOs family, going out for dinner, work holiday parties) but I don't know that I want to deal with it before or a few weeks after.

My hair is short, and yes! I figure my face will change a bit, so I may even be able to pull off a bit shorter

Yeah, the one thing I am enjoying now is pulling my hair back. Before surgery, I hated to do this because of my terrible profile and jawline but now I have more confidence!

[glennstanzalone]

I just flew at 7 weeks post op and I swelled up a lot. It went back down within 24hrs.