Guest guest Posted October 8, 2004 Report Share Posted October 8, 2004 Does it really matter whether it's normal or not? If it's what my doc suggested, I'd do it, vis a vis the overnight stay. You'll be where you can get help right away (if it's a good hospital) and that should give you some reassurance. I have been amazed that most people who have had this procedure, and have had an expander installed, have found it not to be particularly painful. (I did not have the SARPE, nor the expander, myself. And I'm not really clear about when the surgery is used in conjunction with the expander and when the surgery does the job all by itself.) I do remember that there has been talk of swelling, congestion and some complication for conversations. I would hope your doc has prepared you for whatever, with regard to that. a humidifier or vaporizer, either cold or hot, can help a lot with congestion, as can steamy baths. You might be wise to have some nasal saline spray on hand, as well as something like Afrin or Pseudafed, just in case. I don't think the liquid/soft diet lasts long for this one, but just in case, I recommend a stick blender and a quart-sized Pyrex measuring cup. With those, a supply of broth and milk, and a microwave, you can turn almost anything into something you can manage. Best of luck. It's natural to be nervous before any procedure. I still get butterflies when I'm going in for a regular cleaning, and I had surgery 2 years ago. The jaw surgery, however, was much worse in the anticipation than in the event, as I hope this will be for you! cammie > > i know i'm not well known around here, but i've been lurking for a > while and have made a couple of posts. i was hoping that someone > could give me a bit of encouragement, even though you all don't know > me that well! > monday morning i am scheduled to go in for my sarpe, the first leg > of my orthognathic journey. its being done in the hospital, and my > os is having me stay overnight. is this normal??? > i don't know why i am so nervous... this isn't even the half of what > i will be going through! but i guess once i get past this, i will > feel a bit better about embarking on this scary trip. > so, if anyone can tell me what to expect, i'd appreciate it. like, > how much swelling, how long before i can talk, how bad does it look > and for how long, etc, etc. i am so nervous! my os said the pain > factor is not bad... i'm not really too afraid of the pain, i > guess. more just afraid of how long it will be before i can > function again. i've stocked up on soups and whatnot as my surgeon > said i will be on a liquid/soft diet for a bit. anyone have any > idea how long? my surgeon is supposed to be very good, one of the > best (according to my ortho, anyway.). but... i feel so under > prepared and haven't had many of my questions answered... and that > makes me nervous too... > ~sigh~ even if no one answers (not even sure i really have any real > questions in there!!! lol!)... i appreciate anyone who " listened " . > > kindly, > susanna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 8, 2004 Report Share Posted October 8, 2004 Does it really matter whether it's normal or not? If it's what my doc suggested, I'd do it, vis a vis the overnight stay. You'll be where you can get help right away (if it's a good hospital) and that should give you some reassurance. I have been amazed that most people who have had this procedure, and have had an expander installed, have found it not to be particularly painful. (I did not have the SARPE, nor the expander, myself. And I'm not really clear about when the surgery is used in conjunction with the expander and when the surgery does the job all by itself.) I do remember that there has been talk of swelling, congestion and some complication for conversations. I would hope your doc has prepared you for whatever, with regard to that. a humidifier or vaporizer, either cold or hot, can help a lot with congestion, as can steamy baths. You might be wise to have some nasal saline spray on hand, as well as something like Afrin or Pseudafed, just in case. I don't think the liquid/soft diet lasts long for this one, but just in case, I recommend a stick blender and a quart-sized Pyrex measuring cup. With those, a supply of broth and milk, and a microwave, you can turn almost anything into something you can manage. Best of luck. It's natural to be nervous before any procedure. I still get butterflies when I'm going in for a regular cleaning, and I had surgery 2 years ago. The jaw surgery, however, was much worse in the anticipation than in the event, as I hope this will be for you! cammie > > i know i'm not well known around here, but i've been lurking for a > while and have made a couple of posts. i was hoping that someone > could give me a bit of encouragement, even though you all don't know > me that well! > monday morning i am scheduled to go in for my sarpe, the first leg > of my orthognathic journey. its being done in the hospital, and my > os is having me stay overnight. is this normal??? > i don't know why i am so nervous... this isn't even the half of what > i will be going through! but i guess once i get past this, i will > feel a bit better about embarking on this scary trip. > so, if anyone can tell me what to expect, i'd appreciate it. like, > how much swelling, how long before i can talk, how bad does it look > and for how long, etc, etc. i am so nervous! my os said the pain > factor is not bad... i'm not really too afraid of the pain, i > guess. more just afraid of how long it will be before i can > function again. i've stocked up on soups and whatnot as my surgeon > said i will be on a liquid/soft diet for a bit. anyone have any > idea how long? my surgeon is supposed to be very good, one of the > best (according to my ortho, anyway.). but... i feel so under > prepared and haven't had many of my questions answered... and that > makes me nervous too... > ~sigh~ even if no one answers (not even sure i really have any real > questions in there!!! lol!)... i appreciate anyone who " listened " . > > kindly, > susanna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 10, 2004 Report Share Posted October 10, 2004 Hi na! My name is Suzanne and I just had SARPE on Wednesday 10/6 (the day after my birthday - ugh!). I am just embarking on this journey, too, so perhaps we could encourage and help each other. I stayed overnight in the ICU, too, because my surgeon wanted every precaution for my airway. Are you having this due to cleft palate? That is why I am having this. It was only one night. I had surgery at about 9 a.m. on Wednesday and went home 2 p.m. on Thursday. I bounce back quickly, I guess. I can tell you I am swollen from my upper jaw to my eyes, but not badly, and I am not bruised (not yet anyway!). I am making do on soft pudding, broth, cream soups, ice cream, juice, Jell-O. It's boring but it is okay. The pain is not bad at all. Do you have an expander? They activated mine in surgery and were able to gain 10 mm of space across my palate (20 mm total is needed). I do sound more nasal and there is more communication between my nose and mouth, but that will be addressed in time. I am not on any narcotic medication, just something for the swelling and Penicillin for infection precautions. I am not able to take Sudafed because of insomnia problems and heart racing, so I use Vicks Vapo-Rub to clear the sinuses instead. Also, warm baths help. I am also using ice on and off for 20 minutes at a time. My husband has become expert at wrapping this around my head. One thing I did not expect was dry, cracked, painful lips. Have plenty of Blistex on hand. Also, I get cold sores and those have definitely broken out. I am numb on the upper jaw too but that seems to be slowly diminishing. I am going to see the surgeon tomorrow (five days postop) and will ask him how long this numbness will last. Also, the bleeding into the sinuses and down the back of my throat is uncomfortable and sort of gross, but not painful. Try not to be nervous. I know it's hard. But in the end, it will all be worth it. I try to think, other people do it, I can too. Do you have support? Write back to the board or privately (pajamazon62@...) and let me know about yourself. I will be thinking about you on Monday and please e-mail if there is anything else I can help with. Suzanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 10, 2004 Report Share Posted October 10, 2004 Hi na! My name is Suzanne and I just had SARPE on Wednesday 10/6 (the day after my birthday - ugh!). I am just embarking on this journey, too, so perhaps we could encourage and help each other. I stayed overnight in the ICU, too, because my surgeon wanted every precaution for my airway. Are you having this due to cleft palate? That is why I am having this. It was only one night. I had surgery at about 9 a.m. on Wednesday and went home 2 p.m. on Thursday. I bounce back quickly, I guess. I can tell you I am swollen from my upper jaw to my eyes, but not badly, and I am not bruised (not yet anyway!). I am making do on soft pudding, broth, cream soups, ice cream, juice, Jell-O. It's boring but it is okay. The pain is not bad at all. Do you have an expander? They activated mine in surgery and were able to gain 10 mm of space across my palate (20 mm total is needed). I do sound more nasal and there is more communication between my nose and mouth, but that will be addressed in time. I am not on any narcotic medication, just something for the swelling and Penicillin for infection precautions. I am not able to take Sudafed because of insomnia problems and heart racing, so I use Vicks Vapo-Rub to clear the sinuses instead. Also, warm baths help. I am also using ice on and off for 20 minutes at a time. My husband has become expert at wrapping this around my head. One thing I did not expect was dry, cracked, painful lips. Have plenty of Blistex on hand. Also, I get cold sores and those have definitely broken out. I am numb on the upper jaw too but that seems to be slowly diminishing. I am going to see the surgeon tomorrow (five days postop) and will ask him how long this numbness will last. Also, the bleeding into the sinuses and down the back of my throat is uncomfortable and sort of gross, but not painful. Try not to be nervous. I know it's hard. But in the end, it will all be worth it. I try to think, other people do it, I can too. Do you have support? Write back to the board or privately (pajamazon62@...) and let me know about yourself. I will be thinking about you on Monday and please e-mail if there is anything else I can help with. Suzanne 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.