Guest guest Posted April 4, 2004 Report Share Posted April 4, 2004 Hello All Surgery coming up fast - 14th April. Saw surgeon a couple of days ago and had molds and bite plate done followed by an unexpected and rushed visit to the ortho to get my archwires snipped from my upper wisdom teeth as they are now going to get taken out at the same time. Now starting to worry about afterwards and what I might need - I've got my soft tooth brush, lip balm, triangular pillow - am going to take extra Vit C and multivitamins. I asked surgeon what I needed to prepare and little was forthcoming, just told I would be sent out with all the relevant medication - not terribly helpful I thought - just as well I can read it all here! I still have no surgical hooks - the surgeon said they would get by - not sure what that meant! I have to see my ortho a week after the surgery. He's going to put bands on. What I don't understand is - don't you have bands put on immediately after the surgery to keep the jaw together - are they different - and also how possible (and painful) is it to open your mouth to put bands in, particularly on the back molars near where all the stitches will be. Those of you that have had surgery in the UK - do they follow the ice for day1/day2 principle followed by heat? and do they provide the relevant stuff? Could do with these fears being allayed now so I can chill out a bit more!! Thanks for listening! Sue (UK) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 4, 2004 Report Share Posted April 4, 2004 What I don't understand is - don't you have bands put on > immediately after the surgery to keep the jaw together - are they > different - and also how possible (and painful) is it to open your > mouth to put bands in, particularly on the back molars near where > all the stitches will be. I came out of surgery with no bands on. The following day my lower jaw started to slip forward (I had upper surgery only) so the OS put bands on to bring it back. I wore them full-time for six days before I was allowed to take them off for periods of time. They're only to guide both jaws into healing correctly relative to each other, not to hold my face in place so it doesn't fall apart. You don't have to open your mouth to put the bands in the back. Your teeth clench together, but your lips get stretched as you reach back there. The first day I had to put in my own bands, it took me 50 minutes to get in 6 of them. I'm down to about 10 minutes now. That first day, I kept snapping myself with the rubber bands. I actually drew blood from doing it so often. I'm told that once you get the hang of it, bands are - excuse the pun - a snap. I am getting a lot better with them, and I've stopped snapping myself so often. I'm only three days into doing it myself, which isn't really that long to get the hang of things. Really, you don't need to worry about the bands. One thing at a time, and you will get through each step as it happens. Kris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 4, 2004 Report Share Posted April 4, 2004 Thanks for your reply Kris. What you say makes absolute common sense! I'm completely forgetting that lips stretch and no doubt will probably stretch to twice their limit after the surgery! One step at a time, as you say. Best wishes Sue (UK) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 4, 2004 Report Share Posted April 4, 2004 Hi Sue, Don't worry, I had surgical hooks put on by my ortho, but they weren't exactly positioned where my surgeon wanted, so he added his own twisted wire hooks during the surgery (twisted around the brackets). Cammie didn't have rubber bands put on until about a week post-op, so it's not a given that everyone gets the same. I only did ice, no heat ever. I was told ice was only good when you have the original injury, afterwards it has no effect. But I used it at home anyway because it made my face feel more comfortable. If you don't have a zip-n-squeeze jaw wrap, I'd recommend getting it. The hospital did give me the " sock " that they used to put ice in, but the jaw wrap fits better, it has velcro and it's made of spandex material. I've used it since then for putting cold packs on different parts of my body, it's really useful. I was also told heat draws fluids to the area, not a good idea when you're trying to flush out toxins that cause the swelling. Good luck with your prep, this is an exciting week! You're almost there! > Hello All > > Surgery coming up fast - 14th April. Saw surgeon a couple of days > ago and had molds and bite plate done followed by an unexpected and > rushed visit to the ortho to get my archwires snipped from my upper > wisdom teeth as they are now going to get taken out at the same time. > > Now starting to worry about afterwards and what I might need - I've > got my soft tooth brush, lip balm, triangular pillow - am going to > take extra Vit C and multivitamins. I asked surgeon what I needed > to prepare and little was forthcoming, just told I would be sent out > with all the relevant medication - not terribly helpful I thought - > just as well I can read it all here! > > I still have no surgical hooks - the surgeon said they would get by - > not sure what that meant! > > I have to see my ortho a week after the surgery. He's going to put > bands on. What I don't understand is - don't you have bands put on > immediately after the surgery to keep the jaw together - are they > different - and also how possible (and painful) is it to open your > mouth to put bands in, particularly on the back molars near where > all the stitches will be. > > Those of you that have had surgery in the UK - do they follow the > ice for day1/day2 principle followed by heat? and do they provide > the relevant stuff? > > Could do with these fears being allayed now so I can chill out a bit > more!! > > Thanks for listening! > > Sue (UK) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 4, 2004 Report Share Posted April 4, 2004 --- Hi Sue, good luck with your surgery on the 14th! Sounds like you're well prepared. I had my surgery in the UK six months ago. Have to say that the zip n' squeeze jaw wrap worked a treat for me, better than the ones they have in the hospital. The nurses will be making sure that you're sent home with all the right meds and a letter for your GP. I was sent home with nasal drops, decongestant liquid med, paracodol soluble, other meds to reduce swelling, mouthwash, oily cream for face (can't remember any more!) My surgical hooks were put on about five days before surgery, they won't operate without them. They are little hooks which hold the elastic bands in place (the bands support your bite and give you leeway to open your mouth. they can be removed for eating, they should show you how to remove them and put them back on before you leave the hospital, after a while you can do it with your eyes closed! And in my case there was no pain because i was numb around the gum areas (which was helpful) The elastic or (latex) bands are usually in place when you come out of surgery and kept on for a few days before removing them for eating. They'll supply you with bags of these before you go home. Try not to worry yourself too much, i was a nervous wreck before my surgery and everything was fine, you will be in good hands, we have some of the best surgeons in the world. Take care, Annie In orthognathicsurgerysupport , " Sue " wrote: > Hello All > > Surgery coming up fast - 14th April. Saw surgeon a couple of days > ago and had molds and bite plate done followed by an unexpected and > rushed visit to the ortho to get my archwires snipped from my upper > wisdom teeth as they are now going to get taken out at the same time. > > Now starting to worry about afterwards and what I might need - I've > got my soft tooth brush, lip balm, triangular pillow - am going to > take extra Vit C and multivitamins. I asked surgeon what I needed > to prepare and little was forthcoming, just told I would be sent out > with all the relevant medication - not terribly helpful I thought - > just as well I can read it all here! > > I still have no surgical hooks - the surgeon said they would get by - > not sure what that meant! > > I have to see my ortho a week after the surgery. He's going to put > bands on. What I don't understand is - don't you have bands put on > immediately after the surgery to keep the jaw together - are they > different - and also how possible (and painful) is it to open your > mouth to put bands in, particularly on the back molars near where > all the stitches will be. > > Those of you that have had surgery in the UK - do they follow the > ice for day1/day2 principle followed by heat? and do they provide > the relevant stuff? > > Could do with these fears being allayed now so I can chill out a bit > more!! > > Thanks for listening! > > Sue (UK) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 5, 2004 Report Share Posted April 5, 2004 Thanks Annie I'm learning to chill out about this. All's fine until anyone sows any seeds of doubt in mind (like my mum and dad - - " I can't see why you need to have it done " !!! etc). Did they supply you with an icepack in hospital? I was intending to get one of those gel packs you can either freeze or warm up. Anyway with Easter on the way I intend to scoff loads of chocolate before next Tuesday - that'll make me feel loads better!!! Best wishes Sue (UK) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 5, 2004 Report Share Posted April 5, 2004 Thanks for your good wishes I think it would be pushing it timewise to order jaw wraps now from the States! Perhaps someone should be exporting them here to cater for future patients along with the zip n squeezes. I don't think they've been heard of here in the UK. Best wishes Sue (UK) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 5, 2004 Report Share Posted April 5, 2004 sue, i'm glad you're feeling better about the impending surgery. i too, received comments early on from family members who were perplexed at my wanting this so badly. it really upset me at first because i guess i just wanted their approval. but i soon realized that it was mainly out of concern that they said these things. my parents both hated the idea of their daughter going through any kind of surgery (whether voluntary or not), but they did a great job of taking care of me afterwards and were pleased to see me come through the experience with relative ease. take care, heather > Thanks Annie > > I'm learning to chill out about this. All's fine until anyone sows > any seeds of doubt in mind (like my mum and dad - - " I can't see why > you need to have it done " !!! etc). > > Did they supply you with an icepack in hospital? I was intending to > get one of those gel packs you can either freeze or warm up. > > > Anyway with Easter on the way I intend to scoff loads of chocolate > before next Tuesday - that'll make me feel loads better!!! > > Best wishes > Sue (UK) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 5, 2004 Report Share Posted April 5, 2004 Hi Sue, I had the same from some of my family members, they're just worried about you and need reassurance too. They did supply me with an icepack in the hospital but it was annoying because you constantly had to hold it to your face whereas the jaw wrap is secured around your head, holding the ice packs in place. I just used ice for ages, didn't bother with the heat packs. Yes definetely scoff all the easter eggs you can! Happy Easter, Annie In orthognathicsurgerysupport , " Sue " wrote: > Thanks Annie > > I'm learning to chill out about this. All's fine until anyone sows > any seeds of doubt in mind (like my mum and dad - - " I can't see why > you need to have it done " !!! etc). > > Did they supply you with an icepack in hospital? I was intending to > get one of those gel packs you can either freeze or warm up. > > > Anyway with Easter on the way I intend to scoff loads of chocolate > before next Tuesday - that'll make me feel loads better!!! > > Best wishes > Sue (UK) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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