Re: Trouble getting mouth to open wider

[Guest guest]

Caroleanne,

I am 7 weeks post op, too and I must say that this is the worse

thing I have ever been through. I was in ICU for 2 days because I

was allergic to the morophine and they could figure out why I was so

sick. I would throw up and be in pain so I would hit the morophine

push, again. It was rough. The docs didn't tell me about the

depression either, but apparently it is common with this surgery and

cosmetic surgery.

I can only open about 2 fingers, too. There are different types of

jaw surgery and my doc says mine is the worst. Asymetrical jaw.

My upper jaw was completely removed from my skull, leveled, split,

plated and screwed. The lower jaw was the typical saggital split

with plates and screws.

All I can say is your not alone and what my what my doc keeps

telling me " be patient " .

It takes a long time to heal from this surgery. It has been a

lifestyle change for me. I was just given the green light to start

eating solid food, again. The sad part is, if I chew with my mouth

closed, I bite my lower lip with every chew. Fortunately it is

still partially numb, but at this rate I may chew through. ha ha. I

am just holding on to hope that once all the swelling goes

completely down and the feeling comes back, every thing will be

better.

Take the stretching your jaw slow. Don't force it (I found out that

hurts!) So you can't eat a Big Mac, yet. Hopefully, it won't be too

long.

Let your doc know whats bothering you. You can always talk to me

too at phulgan@.... Good luck.

>

> I'm 7 weeks post-op (upper/lower/chin) and I can only open my

mouth

> to about 2 fingers wide...that's on a good day. I am wearing 2

> rubber bands in a triangle position but they are removable and I

do

> take them off frequently. My range of motion doesn't seem to be

> improving. I see my surgeon next week and I want to go for physio

> because I am frustrated. It's difficult to eat, I find talking

> laborsome (is that even a word?)nothing works like it did before.

I

> had an overbite, not severe but my ortho suggested getting it

fixed

> when I signed on for braces...never did I think I would be signing

> up for this wild ride.

>

> I heat and stretch my mouth but it's not improving. I can hear a

> little rip when I yawn, it hurts!!! If anyone could share how

they

> improved their range of motion and opening of their mouth I would

> appreciate hearing about it. Any tips? Struggles? Successes?

> Timelines?

>

> Thanks, Carole Anne

>

> Happy Halloween!!! On to Election Day for us living in the

US...I'm

> a Canadian living in exile in the US...unable to vote anywhere

these

> days ;(

[Guest guest]

Caroleanne,

I am 7 weeks post op, too and I must say that this is the worse

thing I have ever been through. I was in ICU for 2 days because I

was allergic to the morophine and they could figure out why I was so

sick. I would throw up and be in pain so I would hit the morophine

push, again. It was rough. The docs didn't tell me about the

depression either, but apparently it is common with this surgery and

cosmetic surgery.

I can only open about 2 fingers, too. There are different types of

jaw surgery and my doc says mine is the worst. Asymetrical jaw.

My upper jaw was completely removed from my skull, leveled, split,

plated and screwed. The lower jaw was the typical saggital split

with plates and screws.

All I can say is your not alone and what my what my doc keeps

telling me " be patient " .

It takes a long time to heal from this surgery. It has been a

lifestyle change for me. I was just given the green light to start

eating solid food, again. The sad part is, if I chew with my mouth

closed, I bite my lower lip with every chew. Fortunately it is

still partially numb, but at this rate I may chew through. ha ha. I

am just holding on to hope that once all the swelling goes

completely down and the feeling comes back, every thing will be

better.

Take the stretching your jaw slow. Don't force it (I found out that

hurts!) So you can't eat a Big Mac, yet. Hopefully, it won't be too

long.

Let your doc know whats bothering you. You can always talk to me

too at phulgan@.... Good luck.

>

> I'm 7 weeks post-op (upper/lower/chin) and I can only open my

mouth

> to about 2 fingers wide...that's on a good day. I am wearing 2

> rubber bands in a triangle position but they are removable and I

do

> take them off frequently. My range of motion doesn't seem to be

> improving. I see my surgeon next week and I want to go for physio

> because I am frustrated. It's difficult to eat, I find talking

> laborsome (is that even a word?)nothing works like it did before.

I

> had an overbite, not severe but my ortho suggested getting it

fixed

> when I signed on for braces...never did I think I would be signing

> up for this wild ride.

>

> I heat and stretch my mouth but it's not improving. I can hear a

> little rip when I yawn, it hurts!!! If anyone could share how

they

> improved their range of motion and opening of their mouth I would

> appreciate hearing about it. Any tips? Struggles? Successes?

> Timelines?

>

> Thanks, Carole Anne

>

> Happy Halloween!!! On to Election Day for us living in the

US...I'm

> a Canadian living in exile in the US...unable to vote anywhere

these

> days ;(

[Guest guest]

Hi Carol Ann, my previous posts mention a visit i had to a

chiropractor who has helped me a LOT with range of motion. it has to

do with exercises i do internally on muscles, nothing to do with the

outside cheek muscles. my range is VERY good now. i am still

wearing 5 bands and am 4.5 months. good luck.

>

> I'm 7 weeks post-op (upper/lower/chin) and I can only open my

mouth

> to about 2 fingers wide...that's on a good day. I am wearing 2

> rubber bands in a triangle position but they are removable and I

do

> take them off frequently. My range of motion doesn't seem to be

> improving. I see my surgeon next week and I want to go for physio

> because I am frustrated. It's difficult to eat, I find talking

> laborsome (is that even a word?)nothing works like it did before.

I

> had an overbite, not severe but my ortho suggested getting it

fixed

> when I signed on for braces...never did I think I would be signing

> up for this wild ride.

>

> I heat and stretch my mouth but it's not improving. I can hear a

> little rip when I yawn, it hurts!!! If anyone could share how

they

> improved their range of motion and opening of their mouth I would

> appreciate hearing about it. Any tips? Struggles? Successes?

> Timelines?

>

> Thanks, Carole Anne

>

> Happy Halloween!!! On to Election Day for us living in the

US...I'm

> a Canadian living in exile in the US...unable to vote anywhere

these

> days ;(

[Guest guest]

Hi Carol Ann, my previous posts mention a visit i had to a

chiropractor who has helped me a LOT with range of motion. it has to

do with exercises i do internally on muscles, nothing to do with the

outside cheek muscles. my range is VERY good now. i am still

wearing 5 bands and am 4.5 months. good luck.

>

> I'm 7 weeks post-op (upper/lower/chin) and I can only open my

mouth

> to about 2 fingers wide...that's on a good day. I am wearing 2

> rubber bands in a triangle position but they are removable and I

do

> take them off frequently. My range of motion doesn't seem to be

> improving. I see my surgeon next week and I want to go for physio

> because I am frustrated. It's difficult to eat, I find talking

> laborsome (is that even a word?)nothing works like it did before.

I

> had an overbite, not severe but my ortho suggested getting it

fixed

> when I signed on for braces...never did I think I would be signing

> up for this wild ride.

>

> I heat and stretch my mouth but it's not improving. I can hear a

> little rip when I yawn, it hurts!!! If anyone could share how

they

> improved their range of motion and opening of their mouth I would

> appreciate hearing about it. Any tips? Struggles? Successes?

> Timelines?

>

> Thanks, Carole Anne

>

> Happy Halloween!!! On to Election Day for us living in the

US...I'm

> a Canadian living in exile in the US...unable to vote anywhere

these

> days ;(