Realistic Recovery Time

[Annieapple]

Hi all, im due to have my surgery this March but as I am a young teacher and the job situation is so bad I feel I can't take the time off during the school year so have decided to delay the surgery until the summer. I am kind of disappointed about this as I would like to just get it over with and the thought of my summer hols being spent recovering isn't too nice either I just have a few questions and would be delighted if someone could help

1. If i was to get the surgery (upper and lower) at the start of July would I be in full 'working order' for school in September?? I will need those jaws to be functioning right with all the talking I'll be doing!

2. If i was to book a holiday for myself mid August would I be able for it? It would be nice to have something to look forward to

3. Have had my braces on 14 months now and my underbite is getting much worse..has anybody experienced mid-braces blues?? ha! I know its a means to an end but at the moment I am feeling abit down about it!

Would love to hear some responses..

[coffeecupcakes]

hi there

Yes you should be in good shape by then! It takes 6 weeks to let your jaw fully heal, and most surgeons will wire you shut for this period. (Sometimes, if you're lucky, they use elastics instead so you don't have to be 100% sealed shut...) It depends on the procedure you're doing and your surgeon.

After this, you will probably still have some elastics/practise getting to talk and eat again for a further 2 weeks.

A 2 month period is a good guesstimate for everyone, but of course it depends. I'm pretty sure you'll be fine!



As for your third question: Yes, braces can make your underbite worse. It made mine worse! But that's a good thing, because your teeth are moving into a good position so that you will have a good bite afterwards. I just had the surgery and my teeth fit together almost perfectly! (granted there will always be some tweaks with braces afterwards but you shouldn't worry about your underbite !! )

[MrNovember]

Hi Annie,

I had upper and lower jaw surgery and was comfortable following a somewhat normal routine after the 2-3 week mark. You should be fine to go on a summer vacation, and return to school in September.

Good luck with your surgery!

[Bullfighter]

hi there

Yes you should be in good shape by then! It takes 6 weeks to let your jaw fully heal, and most surgeons will wire you shut for this period. (Sometimes, if you're lucky, they use elastics instead so you don't have to be 100% sealed shut...) It depends on the procedure you're doing and your surgeon.

After this, you will probably still have some elastics/practise getting to talk and eat again for a further 2 weeks.

A 2 month period is a good guesstimate for everyone, but of course it depends. I'm pretty sure you'll be fine! ...

Sort of... it actually takes closer to 6 months, as I understand it, for the bone to fully heal.

But after BSSO I was certainly normal looking after a few weeks. Just couldn't open my mouth very wide for the first few months.

[Rodney008]

I felt really good about 3-4 weeks in. You should be good.

[Van'braces]

I travelled 3 weeks after upper jaw surgery. It was fine, but to be honest cleaning the palate expander while away from home was tiresome, especially during a 10 hour flight. It was doable though, depends how much having to carry out mouth maintenance will bother you while you're on vacation...