Must have items for Post Op

[Guest guest]

Hi there,

I am getting upper and lower on Jan 12th...omigosh so close! Could

you please contribute to this thread what you think are the MUST

HAVES post op. Thanks so much!! I am drawing a blank!

Jen

[Guest guest]

Hi there,

I am getting upper and lower on Jan 12th...omigosh so close! Could

you please contribute to this thread what you think are the MUST

HAVES post op. Thanks so much!! I am drawing a blank!

Jen

[Guest guest]

Jen

I had upper/lower/genio on Dec 7. My must-haves would be

1. A bell to signal when you need help

2. Lots of plastic cups in different sizes. I persevered trying to

drink with a cup by looking in a mirror and watching what I was

doing. So I wasn't too long using syringes

3. A heat wrap. My OS recommended ice only for a short period after

the op (during which I was in hospital). But moist heat feels good

and relaxes muscles

4. Small syringes with curved ends that allowed me to squirt saline

to the back of my jaws and irrigate the wounds

5. A blender. I borrowed another one so that I could always have one

ready

6. Good music/stuff to listen to. I couldn't concentrate on the TV

for a while.

7. Staples dry erase board and pens. ESSENTIAL for communicating - I

still use them today, three weeks on as I am wired.

8. Lots of old T shirts and shorts. I got food everywhere like a 2

year-old.

3 weeks on, my kitchen is full of stuff I doubt I will ever use.

Particularly lots of food stuff. In the end, I wanted to get away

from artificial tasting stuff (strawberry Ensure was a low point...)

and force myself to eat 6 small things (in liquid form). I was

DEFINITELY over-prepared - a psychological need, i guess to the

inevitable loss of control. The only specialist thing that I couldn't

have done without was the small dry erase board. Others will give you

their lists but mine was short and low-tech when I look back at it.

Good luck!

>

> Hi there,

>

> I am getting upper and lower on Jan 12th...omigosh so close! Could

> you please contribute to this thread what you think are the MUST

> HAVES post op. Thanks so much!! I am drawing a blank!

>

> Jen

[Guest guest]

Jen

I had upper/lower/genio on Dec 7. My must-haves would be

1. A bell to signal when you need help

2. Lots of plastic cups in different sizes. I persevered trying to

drink with a cup by looking in a mirror and watching what I was

doing. So I wasn't too long using syringes

3. A heat wrap. My OS recommended ice only for a short period after

the op (during which I was in hospital). But moist heat feels good

and relaxes muscles

4. Small syringes with curved ends that allowed me to squirt saline

to the back of my jaws and irrigate the wounds

5. A blender. I borrowed another one so that I could always have one

ready

6. Good music/stuff to listen to. I couldn't concentrate on the TV

for a while.

7. Staples dry erase board and pens. ESSENTIAL for communicating - I

still use them today, three weeks on as I am wired.

8. Lots of old T shirts and shorts. I got food everywhere like a 2

year-old.

3 weeks on, my kitchen is full of stuff I doubt I will ever use.

Particularly lots of food stuff. In the end, I wanted to get away

from artificial tasting stuff (strawberry Ensure was a low point...)

and force myself to eat 6 small things (in liquid form). I was

DEFINITELY over-prepared - a psychological need, i guess to the

inevitable loss of control. The only specialist thing that I couldn't

have done without was the small dry erase board. Others will give you

their lists but mine was short and low-tech when I look back at it.

Good luck!

>

> Hi there,

>

> I am getting upper and lower on Jan 12th...omigosh so close! Could

> you please contribute to this thread what you think are the MUST

> HAVES post op. Thanks so much!! I am drawing a blank!

>

> Jen

[Guest guest]

Hi Jen,

I had lower and paranasal implants on December 8. I'd say my must-have items

were:

1.) Jaw Wrap from the Zip-n-Squeeze website. I used it constantly for the first

four days

post-op; the first 48 hours because I had to and the next few days just because

it felt

good. It got a bit dirty though; could have probably used two!

2.) Blender. I have a great blender but at the last minute my sister loaned me

her Vita-Mix,

a really powerful juicer/blender that turned everything in its path to a fine

liquid. Any

blender will do though.

3.) Humidifier. Again, a loan from my lovely sister. Helped me sleep when I got

congested.

4.) 's Rosebud Salve and Arden 8 Hour Cream. I'm still

alternating between

the two to keep my lips moist. It's amazing how dry they get! Between being

stretched in

surgery, swelling, and not ever having your tongue touch them while you're

banded/wired,

your lips get pretty rough. A good lip balm is essential.

5.) Netflix subscription. Enough said.

6.) Children's Tylenol, grape flavor. I couldn't tolerate the tylenol with

codeine (made my

heart race) so I took this every 4 to 6 hours the first week. It actually tastes

good which is

a treat since the other liquid meds are really gross.

7.) Hot water bottle. I didn't use it anywhere near my face or jaw. It was just

a nice little

comfort that I grew to love. I put it on my belly or my feet to keep warm and

just generally

feel better. Some folks on the website have also used a pillow that you heat in

the

microwave for a similar effect.

Looking back these are the things that helped me the most. It's totally

subjective and

reflects my recovery. Yours may be wildly different. I bought a lot of stuff

preop that I

didn't end up using much: the zip-n-squeeze bags, protein powder, liquid

vitamins, lots

of different flavored soups, juices, and soymilk.

I could drink from a cup right away so I only used the zip-n-squeeze bags on my

worst

swelling days. As for food, I was highly particular about what I wanted to eat

postop. I had

intended on being very healthy. Potato-cheddar-bacon soup and Godiva dark

chocolate

milkshakes were my mainstays for 12 days until I was unbanded. Oh well!

Maddie

>

> Hi there,

>

> I am getting upper and lower on Jan 12th...omigosh so close! Could

> you please contribute to this thread what you think are the MUST

> HAVES post op. Thanks so much!! I am drawing a blank!

>

> Jen

[Guest guest]

Hi Jen,

I had lower and paranasal implants on December 8. I'd say my must-have items

were:

1.) Jaw Wrap from the Zip-n-Squeeze website. I used it constantly for the first

four days

post-op; the first 48 hours because I had to and the next few days just because

it felt

good. It got a bit dirty though; could have probably used two!

2.) Blender. I have a great blender but at the last minute my sister loaned me

her Vita-Mix,

a really powerful juicer/blender that turned everything in its path to a fine

liquid. Any

blender will do though.

3.) Humidifier. Again, a loan from my lovely sister. Helped me sleep when I got

congested.

4.) 's Rosebud Salve and Arden 8 Hour Cream. I'm still

alternating between

the two to keep my lips moist. It's amazing how dry they get! Between being

stretched in

surgery, swelling, and not ever having your tongue touch them while you're

banded/wired,

your lips get pretty rough. A good lip balm is essential.

5.) Netflix subscription. Enough said.

6.) Children's Tylenol, grape flavor. I couldn't tolerate the tylenol with

codeine (made my

heart race) so I took this every 4 to 6 hours the first week. It actually tastes

good which is

a treat since the other liquid meds are really gross.

7.) Hot water bottle. I didn't use it anywhere near my face or jaw. It was just

a nice little

comfort that I grew to love. I put it on my belly or my feet to keep warm and

just generally

feel better. Some folks on the website have also used a pillow that you heat in

the

microwave for a similar effect.

Looking back these are the things that helped me the most. It's totally

subjective and

reflects my recovery. Yours may be wildly different. I bought a lot of stuff

preop that I

didn't end up using much: the zip-n-squeeze bags, protein powder, liquid

vitamins, lots

of different flavored soups, juices, and soymilk.

I could drink from a cup right away so I only used the zip-n-squeeze bags on my

worst

swelling days. As for food, I was highly particular about what I wanted to eat

postop. I had

intended on being very healthy. Potato-cheddar-bacon soup and Godiva dark

chocolate

milkshakes were my mainstays for 12 days until I was unbanded. Oh well!

Maddie

>

> Hi there,

>

> I am getting upper and lower on Jan 12th...omigosh so close! Could

> you please contribute to this thread what you think are the MUST

> HAVES post op. Thanks so much!! I am drawing a blank!

>

> Jen

[Guest guest]

Basically everything everyone else has said except that I would

suggest getting a magnadoddle instead of a dry erase board. THat

way if you drop the " pen " you won't get it on you clothes, blankets,

carpet etc...

Also, I purchased a wedge to sleep on from a home medical store, I

don't have a recliner to keep me sleeping upright. I found it

pretty comfortable and am still using it to sleep (1.5 wks post op).

Take Care,

>

> Hi there,

>

> I am getting upper and lower on Jan 12th...omigosh so close! Could

> you please contribute to this thread what you think are the MUST

> HAVES post op. Thanks so much!! I am drawing a blank!

>

> Jen

[Guest guest]

Basically everything everyone else has said except that I would

suggest getting a magnadoddle instead of a dry erase board. THat

way if you drop the " pen " you won't get it on you clothes, blankets,

carpet etc...

Also, I purchased a wedge to sleep on from a home medical store, I

don't have a recliner to keep me sleeping upright. I found it

pretty comfortable and am still using it to sleep (1.5 wks post op).

Take Care,

>

> Hi there,

>

> I am getting upper and lower on Jan 12th...omigosh so close! Could

> you please contribute to this thread what you think are the MUST

> HAVES post op. Thanks so much!! I am drawing a blank!

>

> Jen

[Guest guest]

Hi Jen, I'm 9 days post-op so these are the things fresh in my mind. A stick

blender, a syringe for taking your liquid meds(I kept a few of the ones they

used for me at the hosp b/c they just throw them away), boost (ensure is too

sweet for me), carmex (lip balm), Ice packs(I kept the ones they gave me in

the hosp), a hand held mirror to see where your mouth is. A childrens

toothbrush(my os gave me one). Hope this helps.

>From: jenu224 <no_reply >

>Reply-To: orthognathicsurgerysupport

>To: orthognathicsurgerysupport

>Subject: [Orthognathic Surgery Support ] Must have items for Post Op

>Date: Thu, 30 Dec 2004 23:24:55 -0000

>

>

>Hi there,

>

>I am getting upper and lower on Jan 12th...omigosh so close! Could

>you please contribute to this thread what you think are the MUST

>HAVES post op. Thanks so much!! I am drawing a blank!

>

>Jen

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Jen, I'm 9 days post-op so these are the things fresh in my mind. A stick

blender, a syringe for taking your liquid meds(I kept a few of the ones they

used for me at the hosp b/c they just throw them away), boost (ensure is too

sweet for me), carmex (lip balm), Ice packs(I kept the ones they gave me in

the hosp), a hand held mirror to see where your mouth is. A childrens

toothbrush(my os gave me one). Hope this helps.

>From: jenu224 <no_reply >

>Reply-To: orthognathicsurgerysupport

>To: orthognathicsurgerysupport

>Subject: [Orthognathic Surgery Support ] Must have items for Post Op

>Date: Thu, 30 Dec 2004 23:24:55 -0000

>

>

>Hi there,

>

>I am getting upper and lower on Jan 12th...omigosh so close! Could

>you please contribute to this thread what you think are the MUST

>HAVES post op. Thanks so much!! I am drawing a blank!

>

>Jen

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I had a self-supporting portable mirror that I took with me

everywhere. It was useful in the hospital for feeding myself and even

now (7.5 weeks later) for putting in my elastics and traveling.

I couldn't live without a Blender and Zip-n-Squeeze. I can't imagine

what feeding with a syringe is like because I never had to use one.

A very PATIENT caretaker is also a must!

Good luck!

>

> Hi there,

>

> I am getting upper and lower on Jan 12th...omigosh so close! Could

> you please contribute to this thread what you think are the MUST

> HAVES post op. Thanks so much!! I am drawing a blank!

>

> Jen

[Guest guest]

I had a self-supporting portable mirror that I took with me

everywhere. It was useful in the hospital for feeding myself and even

now (7.5 weeks later) for putting in my elastics and traveling.

I couldn't live without a Blender and Zip-n-Squeeze. I can't imagine

what feeding with a syringe is like because I never had to use one.

A very PATIENT caretaker is also a must!

Good luck!

>

> Hi there,

>

> I am getting upper and lower on Jan 12th...omigosh so close! Could

> you please contribute to this thread what you think are the MUST

> HAVES post op. Thanks so much!! I am drawing a blank!

>

> Jen

[Guest guest]

Where do you get the zip n squeez?

ashdash_99 wrote:

I had a self-supporting portable mirror that I took with me

everywhere. It was useful in the hospital for feeding myself and even

now (7.5 weeks later) for putting in my elastics and traveling.

I couldn't live without a Blender and Zip-n-Squeeze. I can't imagine

what feeding with a syringe is like because I never had to use one.

A very PATIENT caretaker is also a must!

Good luck!

>

> Hi there,

>

> I am getting upper and lower on Jan 12th...omigosh so close! Could

> you please contribute to this thread what you think are the MUST

> HAVES post op. Thanks so much!! I am drawing a blank!

>

> Jen

[Guest guest]

Where do you get the zip n squeez?

ashdash_99 wrote:

I had a self-supporting portable mirror that I took with me

everywhere. It was useful in the hospital for feeding myself and even

now (7.5 weeks later) for putting in my elastics and traveling.

I couldn't live without a Blender and Zip-n-Squeeze. I can't imagine

what feeding with a syringe is like because I never had to use one.

A very PATIENT caretaker is also a must!

Good luck!

>

> Hi there,

>

> I am getting upper and lower on Jan 12th...omigosh so close! Could

> you please contribute to this thread what you think are the MUST

> HAVES post op. Thanks so much!! I am drawing a blank!

>

> Jen

[Guest guest]

Go to http://www.zip-n-squeeze.com for information and prices. The

customer service reps were really helpful, and the bags were super

easy to use.

> >

> > Hi there,

> >

> > I am getting upper and lower on Jan 12th...omigosh so close!

Could

> > you please contribute to this thread what you think are the MUST

> > HAVES post op. Thanks so much!! I am drawing a blank!

> >

> > Jen

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Go to http://www.zip-n-squeeze.com for information and prices. The

customer service reps were really helpful, and the bags were super

easy to use.

> >

> > Hi there,

> >

> > I am getting upper and lower on Jan 12th...omigosh so close!

Could

> > you please contribute to this thread what you think are the MUST

> > HAVES post op. Thanks so much!! I am drawing a blank!

> >

> > Jen

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to this. I got some great

ideas. You guys are the best! Cheers, Jen

> > I had a self-supporting portable mirror that I took with me

> > everywhere. It was useful in the hospital for feeding myself

and

> even

> > now (7.5 weeks later) for putting in my elastics and traveling.

> >

> > I couldn't live without a Blender and Zip-n-Squeeze. I can't

> imagine

> > what feeding with a syringe is like because I never had to use

> one.

> >

> > A very PATIENT caretaker is also a must!

> >

> > Good luck!

> >

[Guest guest]

THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to this. I got some great

ideas. You guys are the best! Cheers, Jen

> > I had a self-supporting portable mirror that I took with me

> > everywhere. It was useful in the hospital for feeding myself

and

> even

> > now (7.5 weeks later) for putting in my elastics and traveling.

> >

> > I couldn't live without a Blender and Zip-n-Squeeze. I can't

> imagine

> > what feeding with a syringe is like because I never had to use

> one.

> >

> > A very PATIENT caretaker is also a must!

> >

> > Good luck!

> >