surgery Aug 3

[Guest guest]

I am having upper jaw surgery Aug 3 after 6 months in a TMJ splint,

19 months in braces and lots of research and thinking. I am worried

about how I'm going to take care of my 3 and 7 year old, how I'm

going to return to work and generally function after recovery. I do

have family around to help. People tell me that upper jaw surgery

is " a piece of cake " , but I am almost 42 and given my age, I think

recovery will be slow. I don't want to hear horror stories, I've

created enough of my own, but would appreciate practical advise.

[Guest guest]

> I am having upper jaw surgery I am almost 42 and given my age, I

think

> recovery will be slow. would appreciate practical advise.

Hi rhone41

I am 11 weeks past lower jaw advancment and am also 42 years old.

First, take as much time off work as your job/disability/money will

allow. You can always go back early, but it's real difficult to ask

for more time than expected. Maybe the first week back work just

mornings, by afternoon you will probably need a nap.

As for help with the kids, start calling in favors now!! Make a list

of everything you need help with - carpools to activities, grocery

shopping, dr appts, a couple hours in the afternoon without the kids

etc. When people give you the vague " call if you need help " line,

pull out your list and ask for specific times, dates and errands.

This is no time to be supermom. Ask trusted friends, neighbors and

relatives for help now. Since it's summer vacation, is there a teen

sitter in the area who could come in and take the kids to the park for

a few hours in the afternoon, maybe vacuum, do a load of laundry?

Are you married? If yes, make a list for hubby of all kid activities,

friends #'s to call for questions, grocery lists. Stock up on

household supplys, tp, paper towels etc so you don't run out for a

month. Just look at all you do in a day and think ahead - who could

you ask for help with.

42 isn't that ancient. I recovered very quickly. 1 night hospital

stay, husband worked out of house for 4 days, then I was on my own

getting kids (9 & 7) ready for school. I couldn't drive for 6 days

because of meds I was on, needed rides to follow up Dr appts. But by

end of week 2, except for napping the afternoon, everything was pretty

much under control, alot slower, the house was messier, but hey we all

survived and my kids learned how to make their beds and fold towels.

Good luck

Hannah

[Guest guest]

I had my upper moved up and widened and genioplasty. I have 3 kids,

3, 6 and 10 all waiting for me at home. My mom lived with me at the

time so having her help was great. The kids were a bit scared of

me, they really didn't come near me for a couple of days. By day 6

or so, my mom had to take them away only because the noise was

really getting to me. Don't worry about them, as long as you have

help. I am 4 1/2 weeks post op. I would say that days 3 and 4 were

by far the worst for me. I can't believe now that it has already

been a month. Pain was minimal. Swelling went down considerably by

week 2 and then again at week 4. I still can't feel my entire upper

mouth but it doesn't bother me. With upper, the main problems for

me were being banded shut (mostly a mind trip thing) and being very

stuffy. Get some nasal spray, liquid decongestant and a cool mist

humidifier. Also a few times a day I would go in the bathroom and

turn on the hot water and breathe in the steam.

> I am having upper jaw surgery Aug 3 after 6 months in a TMJ

splint,

> 19 months in braces and lots of research and thinking. I am

worried

> about how I'm going to take care of my 3 and 7 year old, how I'm

> going to return to work and generally function after recovery. I

do

> have family around to help. People tell me that upper jaw surgery

> is " a piece of cake " , but I am almost 42 and given my age, I think

> recovery will be slow. I don't want to hear horror stories, I've

> created enough of my own, but would appreciate practical advise.

[Guest guest]

--- I'm postop day 13, upper and lower surgery with genio/turbs

reduced/septoplasty. I have a 2, 3, and 5 yr old. I am grateful to

have my parents stay with us for 5 weeks. My doctor made it clear

to take it easy for 5 weeks and then life would return to normal.

If you can get help that would be great. At 2 weeks I feel pretty

good but know I'm still recovering and need not to push myself. The

first five days are the worst with swelling, congestion, and

phlegm. I didn't have alot of pain after the 3rd day. I'm off work

for 5 weeks (took FMLA and vacation). I could go back at two weeks

but felt that would be pushing it. Plus I need to talk all day which

would be impossible. So I took the doctors advice and I'm laying

low for 5 weeks. So far its been going fast. Good luck with

surgery.

In orthognathicsurgerysupport , rhone41

wrote:

> I am having upper jaw surgery Aug 3 after 6 months in a TMJ

splint,

> 19 months in braces and lots of research and thinking. I am

worried

> about how I'm going to take care of my 3 and 7 year old, how I'm

> going to return to work and generally function after recovery. I

do

> have family around to help. People tell me that upper jaw surgery

> is " a piece of cake " , but I am almost 42 and given my age, I think

> recovery will be slow. I don't want to hear horror stories, I've

> created enough of my own, but would appreciate practical advise.

[Guest guest]

My daughter had her upper, lower and genio done on wednesday 7/14. she came

thru with flying colors. she stayed in the hospital for 2 1/2 days (she wasnt

drinking enough fluids). Saturday was the worst day... trouble breathing,

sleeping, discomfort but no real pain. ice packs worked the best. tylenol with

codeine made her sick. sunday was a good day for her and today is even better.

I am taking FML for 10 days and then intermittently to take her to her doctor

visits. she had her first checkup on monday and now has to eatmore then yoohooo

and chicken broth.... so we are trying different things.

I cant imagine going thru this without anyone around to help. as the care giver

i am pretty tired but will be going out this evening ( one of my daughers

friends is coming over to sit with her). i just noticed that my daughter doesnt

have as much energey some days, i make her get out of the house, walk around the

block etc. she is only 16 and this is her first major surgery/hospital stay.

today she started doing her summer homework so i know she is feeling better.

all of you hang in there.

Re: surgery Aug 3

--- I'm postop day 13, upper and lower surgery with genio/turbs

reduced/septoplasty. I have a 2, 3, and 5 yr old. I am grateful to

have my parents stay with us for 5 weeks. My doctor made it clear

to take it easy for 5 weeks and then life would return to normal.

If you can get help that would be great. At 2 weeks I feel pretty

good but know I'm still recovering and need not to push myself. The

first five days are the worst with swelling, congestion, and

phlegm. I didn't have alot of pain after the 3rd day. I'm off work

for 5 weeks (took FMLA and vacation). I could go back at two weeks

but felt that would be pushing it. Plus I need to talk all day which

would be impossible. So I took the doctors advice and I'm laying

low for 5 weeks. So far its been going fast. Good luck with

surgery.

In orthognathicsurgerysupport , rhone41

wrote:

> I am having upper jaw surgery Aug 3 after 6 months in a TMJ

splint,

> 19 months in braces and lots of research and thinking. I am

worried

> about how I'm going to take care of my 3 and 7 year old, how I'm

> going to return to work and generally function after recovery. I

do

> have family around to help. People tell me that upper jaw surgery

> is " a piece of cake " , but I am almost 42 and given my age, I think

> recovery will be slow. I don't want to hear horror stories, I've

> created enough of my own, but would appreciate practical advise.