Guest guest Posted June 1, 2004 Report Share Posted June 1, 2004 Hi! I just came across your group while doing some research on my upcoming jaw surgery. I have had braces for a year or so now and we're waiting for a space to finish closing on the bottom. The " guesstimate " is July for the surgery. I'm having my lower jaw brought forward. The surgeon explained that I'd have a total of 6 fractures, 3 on either side. Then the jaw will be held together with plates and screws. Okay....now from a patients perspective, what will I be going through? How severe is the pain? I know that pain is subjective but will I feel like I was hit by a train? What about food? My surgeon said nothing harder than mashed potatoes for 6 weeks. Any creative ideas? 6 weeks is a long time! Please let me know what to expect! I'm more nervous than I thought I'd be. Thanks! Mitzi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 1, 2004 Report Share Posted June 1, 2004 I had lower advancement a couple of years ago... by 5 mm, plus 3 mm to the side. I didn't have a lot of pain. I didn't feel like I'd been hit by a truck. (I'm not counting the time in the hospital here, because I was clicking away at the morphine throughout the night after surgery...) I did go home with Lortab, used one prescription of liquid, and got a refill of the pills. I had the liquid not because I was wired or banded - I was neither. But because my throat was very, very sore from the intubation. I'm not sure how your fella is counting 'fractures.' My guy made two cuts, one on each side, at the back. Found the nerve, and protected it carefully as he split the jaw toward the front, so that he could slide it forward on itself. Then he used three little screws (which he placed through tiny incisions in the cheek. Do not panic. These were indeed tiny, had three little stitches in each, which stitches were removed a week post op, and left no scars at all.) on each side. It may be that you require more movement. I did not need plates. I had what is called a bilateral saggital split osteotomy. there are other ways to do the lower. I had a splint wired into the upper brace for seven weeks. I believe that it's not unusual at all to be on a soft diet until the bones heal. And before you lament too much, give a thought to our brethren and sistern who are wired shut and can take in only liquids! I did quite well with milkshakes, smoothies and blended soups. (My m.o. was to use a Braun stick blender and a Pyrex 2-cup measuring cup, along with the microwave. In short time, I could make a whiz of anything 's puts out. I was extraordinarily tired, post op, for a month or more. I was also 56. You may not be. Or you may. I had little swelling, much bruising, no numbness and little pain. It is usual, I think, to have more numbness than I did, but most people don't have a bad time with the pain, at least not after the first few days. Good wishes to you. cammie > Hi! I just came across your group while doing some research on my > upcoming jaw surgery. I have had braces for a year or so now and > we're waiting for a space to finish closing on the bottom. > The " guesstimate " is July for the surgery. I'm having my lower jaw > brought forward. The surgeon explained that I'd have a total of 6 > fractures, 3 on either side. Then the jaw will be held together with > plates and screws. Okay....now from a patients perspective, what > will I be going through? How severe is the pain? I know that pain is > subjective but will I feel like I was hit by a train? What about > food? My surgeon said nothing harder than mashed potatoes for 6 > weeks. Any creative ideas? 6 weeks is a long time! Please let me > know what to expect! I'm more nervous than I thought I'd be. Thanks! > Mitzi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.