double jaw surgery?

[Guest guest]

Next month, I'm having double jaw surgery (after a year of braces to straighten

my teeth first) to correct my underbite. This involves cutting both jaws, moving

the lower one back and upper one forward, and then using small screws to pin the

jaws in the new alignment. I will have a splint between my jaws to hold them in

that perfect alignment, and my jaws will be wired with the splint in place for 6

weeks. I'll be on a liquid diet, using a feeding tube or syringe

that fits through a small opening in that splint.

Since the surgery requires insertion of a naso-gastric (NG) tube, I have

arranged that the NG tube be placed under fluoroscopy so that no damage is done

to my band or pouch.

I only have a loose fill of about 2.5 cc's in a 9-cc Swedish band, and have more

or less maintained a 170 to 180 lb weight loss for almost 7 years. Since I was

banded in September, 2003, I have never vomited or had any notable band

complications.

And it is barfing that now has me concerned. I gather some people do vomit dried

blood after this surgery. (The jaws are highly vascularised, and bleeding or

oozing is normal for at least the first week. I may not bleed that much,since my

hematologist will give me desmospressin (DDAVP) in my intravenous to help clots

form, and tranexamic acid (Cyklokapron) for 10 days post-op to help clots stay

in place.) Also, since I will not be able to chew, I am worried

that if I don't use my blender thoroughly enough, a little chunk of solid food

may get swallowed. (Mostly I'll drink Ensure meal replacement shakes, but also

have smoothies, tomato soup, etc.)

Some people lose a few pounds a week while their jaws are wired.

So: should I get a defill before this jaw surgery, or keep my fill intact as I

did with 8 of my 9 post-band surgeries? (I got a partial defill during my

beltline lipectomy.)

Also: anyone else have double jaw surgery as a bandster? Any tips?

Thanks,

in Canada.