5 months later--need advice

[Guest guest]

I'm just about 5 months post op (lower only). While I'm very happy

with my new bite and profile, I thought I'd be " all better " by now.

I have TMJ pain every morning and off an on throughout the day.

Evenings get bad because it still hurts to yawn. I can chew most

things, but it's still awkward and slow. I can still only get about

2 fingers in when I open my mouth. Can someone give me some

perspective? My OR doesn't seem concerned, but our visits are quite

quick these days and I don't want to be a whiner. Help from another

post op person???

[Guest guest]

I am interested to hear what folks post to your message, as, although

i am not there yet, i wonder the same things. I wonder, as i feed my

daughter pretzels, when will it be that i can really eat those

again. When will i be able to eat a simple PBJ? Curious to hear

replies.

> I'm just about 5 months post op (lower only). While I'm very

happy

> with my new bite and profile, I thought I'd be " all better " by now.

> I have TMJ pain every morning and off an on throughout the day.

> Evenings get bad because it still hurts to yawn. I can chew most

> things, but it's still awkward and slow. I can still only get about

> 2 fingers in when I open my mouth. Can someone give me some

> perspective? My OR doesn't seem concerned, but our visits are

quite

> quick these days and I don't want to be a whiner. Help from another

> post op person???

[Guest guest]

--- Hi Bonnie,

I'm only 3.5 wks postop. I have TMJ and was told it would improve,

worsen, or stay the same after surgery. I thought what a BS answer

to my question but at least he didn't say I be cured in case things

weren't better. I was also told it takes a full year to heal and

recover. I was told upfront it take a long time before I be able to

really open my jaw and eat solids like I used to. I figure at this

point anythings better than just liquids. I talk with your OS if

you have concerns but I think it may just take longer to heal. The

TMJ may not get better. I pray that things will get better for you.

I'm also interested in hearing others postop stories on this

matter. Take Care,

In orthognathicsurgerysupport , " Bonnie "

wrote:

> I'm just about 5 months post op (lower only). While I'm very

happy

> with my new bite and profile, I thought I'd be " all better " by

now.

> I have TMJ pain every morning and off an on throughout the day.

> Evenings get bad because it still hurts to yawn. I can chew most

> things, but it's still awkward and slow. I can still only get

about

> 2 fingers in when I open my mouth. Can someone give me some

> perspective? My OR doesn't seem concerned, but our visits are

quite

> quick these days and I don't want to be a whiner. Help from

another

> post op person???

[Guest guest]

Bonnie,

I'm almost 3 months lower jaw advancement postop. Although, I don't

have TMJ problems now , i did have problems in the first 3 weeks. I

think it had to do with my new bite and adjusting to it... although,

i'm not certian...

My OS told me that if i didn't have TMJ problems before the surgery,

then i won't have TMJ problems after; however, if I had TMJ problems

before the surgery, there was no guarantee that I wouldn't have TMJ

problems after the surgery...

I'm a bit surprised you don't have full range in your mouth opening

yet. However, my OS did tell me that everyone's recovery time is

different.

I think most important advice is to be a whiner! It's your mouth, jaw,

face, and teeth... ask all the you need to ask to ensure that

everything is fine. I would even ask if your OS has had other patients

with such limited range in their mouth after 5 months...

by the way, how bad was your overbite before the surgery? what is it now?

good luck!

ps. do you still have any residual swelling? i still have a tiny bit

and it's very annoying... i've been told it could take 1 year to

subside...

> I'm just about 5 months post op (lower only). While I'm very happy

> with my new bite and profile, I thought I'd be " all better " by now.

> I have TMJ pain every morning and off an on throughout the day.

> Evenings get bad because it still hurts to yawn. I can chew most

> things, but it's still awkward and slow. I can still only get about

> 2 fingers in when I open my mouth. Can someone give me some

> perspective? My OR doesn't seem concerned, but our visits are quite

> quick these days and I don't want to be a whiner. Help from another

> post op person???

[Guest guest]

Forget not being a whiner... Talk not only with your orthodontist but

with your surgeon, as well.

There is, sadly, no guarantee that any of these procedures will

resolve TMJ troubles. But perhaps a splint or something else I as a

lay person don't know about can help you.

I urge you to stamp your little foot, if need be, and insist on an

appointment to discuss these troubles. Pay extra for it, if that's

the way to get it.

Cammie

> I'm just about 5 months post op (lower only). While I'm very

happy

> with my new bite and profile, I thought I'd be " all better " by now.

> I have TMJ pain every morning and off an on throughout the day.

> Evenings get bad because it still hurts to yawn. I can chew most

> things, but it's still awkward and slow. I can still only get about

> 2 fingers in when I open my mouth. Can someone give me some

> perspective? My OR doesn't seem concerned, but our visits are

quite

> quick these days and I don't want to be a whiner. Help from another

> post op person???