3 weeks after upper and lower jaw surgery, can someone help?

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#1 Post by **projo198** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 6:17 pm

Hello all, firstl so glad I found this forum. Lots of great info and experiences.

I am a 31 yr oildd male, my surgery shortened my lower jaw, brought my upper jaw forward as well as advancing my cheek bones. Rough recovery so far.

My questions are; after week 6 when they remove the bands and splints. Is it going to be hard to start swallowing/eating again? Even swallowing now seems ackward, and I can't "get it all" unless I slurp first. Kind of gross, sorry.

How long did it take for you to open your mouth fully? On my last follow up he cut my bands, but I still couldn't open very far.

How long until you could feel your lips again? I'm still numb, and worried that even after they take everything off I'll still have difficulties eating and drinking.

thanks everyone, I would really appreciate any input you can provide.

#2 Post by **mp921** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 7:39 pm

Hi projo198! I only had lower jaw surgery (advancement) and I was banded tightly with elastics but I did not have to wear a splint. Sorry but I can't help you there. I have heard others say that the splint in a real pain to deal with so I would assume that once it comes out things will be much easier to deal with!

As far as opening fully, I'm 9 weeks post-op and I have limited range of motion. I can only open up to 29mm (when my muscles aren't spasming) and the surgeon wants me opening at 40mm. Not happening right now.

From what I've read, everyone is different when it comes to the time it takes to regain feeling. Feeling is really starting to come back in my chin & gums and my lip is now super sensitive (which is a good sign). But I just noticed a drastic improvement in my chin this past week. You learn to live with and adjust to the altered sensations.

Hope this helps! Good luck with the rest of your recovery! I bet you can't wait to get the splint out!

#3 Post by **trish222** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 10:03 pm

hello projo198,
Are you from RI? That is the name of our newspaper-just curious. I had upper, lower and genio 14 weeks ago and didn't find this site unti8 weeks post-op. What a life savior it has been. My recovery has been tough and slow as well. I definately turned the corner 2 weeks ago. I still can't open my jaw to get 3 fingers in but will be there soon. Even though I can move my jaw now and am finally on solid foods after three months=all the sensations are new. I have to chew slowly-numbness still an issue but gets better every day. Try to be patient with you recovery. I have to go in and have plate and screws in chin removed next week as they are pushing themselves out. I am relived that they will be gone=-only 25 left in face! I was very niave about post-op and faced alot of issues but I am still happy with decision. I honestly doubted my decision and results for the first 3 months it was so difficult-but like child birth-you forget-oops your a man right_lol

#4 Post by **projo198** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 8:40 am

mp921 wrote:Hi projo198! I only had lower jaw surgery (advancement) and I was banded tightly with elastics but I did not have to wear a splint. Sorry but I can't help you there. I have heard others say that the splint in a real pain to deal with so I would assume that once it comes out things will be much easier to deal with!

As far as opening fully, I'm 9 weeks post-op and I have limited range of motion. I can only open up to 29mm (when my muscles aren't spasming) and the surgeon wants me opening at 40mm. Not happening right now.

From what I've read, everyone is different when it comes to the time it takes to regain feeling. Feeling is really starting to come back in my chin & gums and my lip is now super sensitive (which is a good sign). But I just noticed a drastic improvement in my chin this past week. You learn to live with and adjust to the altered sensations.

Hope this helps! Good luck with the rest of your recovery! I bet you can't wait to get the splint out!

Thanks! To be honest the spint isn' too big of a nuisance; I did look more closely at it yesterday though. It must be literally almost 1/2 inch think behind the teeth! Maybe that will help my swallowing.

#5 Post by **projo198** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 8:45 am

trish222 wrote:hello projo198,
Are you from RI? That is the name of our newspaper-just curious. I had upper, lower and genio 14 weeks ago and didn't find this site unti8 weeks post-op. What a life savior it has been. My recovery has been tough and slow as well. I definately turned the corner 2 weeks ago. I still can't open my jaw to get 3 fingers in but will be there soon. Even though I can move my jaw now and am finally on solid foods after three months=all the sensations are new. I have to chew slowly-numbness still an issue but gets better every day. Try to be patient with you recovery. I have to go in and have plate and screws in chin removed next week as they are pushing themselves out. I am relived that they will be gone=-only 25 left in face! I was very niave about post-op and faced alot of issues but I am still happy with decision. I honestly doubted my decision and results for the first 3 months it was so difficult-but like child birth-you forget-oops your a man right_lol

Thanks for the encouragment, I'm trying to stay positive. Overall after reading from this site I think I am doing well, I guess lots of people have issues with infections and such. I had 2 teeth extracted also, so I guess I'm lucky.

Not from RI, but that is a strange coincidence!

We're those screws and plates supposed to come out, or did something go wrong? I guess since the bones have healed they're not necessary, right?

I hope it goes well for you and good to hear your almost done!

#6 Post by **soleil4716** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 10:30 am

Under normal circumstances the screws and plates will be there for the rest of your life

They are taken out only if they are causing inflammation or are loose or are sticking out, etc.

#7 Post by **Davide** » Thu Nov 19, 2009 3:16 pm

Hi Projo,
could you please elaborate a little on the cheekbones advancement? This is the first time that I hear about such a procedure.
Why did you have it done? How was it done? Are you talking about an osteotomy (severing and repositioning of the bones) or are you referring to cheek implants?
Davide

#8 Post by **AF104** » Thu Nov 19, 2009 11:49 pm

You can have the cheekbones osteotomized separately or as part of a procedure such as a quadrangular LeFort I.

#9 Post by **projo198** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 1:06 pm

Davide wrote:Hi Projo,
could you please elaborate a little on the cheekbones advancement? This is the first time that I hear about such a procedure.
Why did you have it done? How was it done? Are you talking about an osteotomy (severing and repositioning of the bones) or are you referring to cheek implants?
Davide

Sorry just noticed your question.

I wish I could reply with technical terms, but I'm at a loss. Judging by my X-rays and what the surgeron told me once he got into the upper jaw and decided the cheekbones needed to be advanced as well he cut right below the eye socket and moved it out.

If I feel right below my eye where the bone protruded I can feel the seperation and brackets. Kind of glad he did, I also don't think it would have matched up corretly if he had not done it.