Re: A realistic perspective on life post-op?

[Guest guest]

Sara,

That's funny, because my otho told me if I was tough that I COULD go

back to work after about 4 days. Now, I am a fifth grade teacher

that talks all day and I had upper, lower, and am wired ahut for 5

1/2 weeks. Yes my ortho is very good but when reality was here I say

he's crazy. It is different for everyone keep that in mind, but! I

didn't get dressed in anything but tshirts and underwear the whole

first week. I also didn't get far from bed the first week. The

second week is when I started wearing " outfits " again. I didn't feel

like putting make up on my numb sore face til the end of week two

(when I did go back to work only because I was out of days) It was

very hard going back at the end of week two but got me in gear

again. I felt so awkward because my face was still swollen. But

others say it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought.

Jane

>

> Ok, I have a question about post-op....how long does it take before

> you

> feel ready and comfortable enough to leave the house and go around

> doing everyday errands? My ortho keeps on telling me that I'll be up

> on

> my feet in a jiffy and tells me stories of other patients of his

> where

> a week after surgery they were out playing golf even with their jaw

> wired shut but after reading a number of messages on this board I'm

> starting to realize that this can't be true. I adore my ortho and

> know

> he's probably telling me all of this to calm me down and keep me

> positive but I'd like to have a realistic perspective on this. My

> surgery is due to take place end of May. I'll be having a Le Forte 1

> -

> 3 segments, mandibular anterior sliding osteotomy, removal of my

> bicuspids and 2 wisdom teeth, plus potentially genio and

> straightening

> of a deviated septum. My jaws will be wired for 6 to 8 weeks. I'd

> like

> to know how long I should expect to be locked up at home

recovering,

> how long before i can begin to speak with my jaws wired shut and if

> you're really incomprehensible. I'm graduating from grad school on

> May

> 16th and will need to find a job for after surgery, plus I'd like to

> be

> able to fly home for a couple of weeks (I come from Italy and my OS

> has

> told me I can go there for a couple of weeks even with my jaws

wired

> shut). Any insights are much welcome!

>

> Sara

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

That does sound rather unrealistic. I only had lower- no numbness and went back

to

work -part time- after 7 days. It was HARD to go back but I work for myself and

love

what I do and don't have to talk to people. My first day back at work I also

went to

the surgeon and he told me I was doing really well... that most of his patients

would

come for their 1 week post-op appointment with a friend or family member because

they could not speak at all and were still pretty much not likely to be out and

about.

This was from the same man who told me pre-op that I'd be fine & back at work in

7-

10 days. You really gotta be a trooper... and again, I only had lower... I

understand

upper is a lot more difficult. I could blow my nose and all that. Speaking was

difficult

until they removed the splint. Then it was not fun but it was audible.

Personally, the

entire 6 weeks that I was wired shut I was in the worst, bitchiest mood and did

not

want to deal with anyone. Not eating, no matter how much liquids you are taking

in,

in tough and for me, made me feel like my life was pretty much on hold. Even

though I was at work, my work was not getting done. You are not going to want to

go

on job interviews while wired. You may feel ok to go home- I took a 5 hour car

drive

10 days post-op... it was terrible but I lived.

Good Luck!

Tova

> >

> > Ok, I have a question about post-op....how long does it take before

> > you

> > feel ready and comfortable enough to leave the house and go around

> > doing everyday errands? My ortho keeps on telling me that I'll be up

> > on

> > my feet in a jiffy and tells me stories of other patients of his

> > where

> > a week after surgery they were out playing golf even with their jaw

> > wired shut but after reading a number of messages on this board I'm

> > starting to realize that this can't be true. I adore my ortho and

> > know

> > he's probably telling me all of this to calm me down and keep me

> > positive but I'd like to have a realistic perspective on this. My

> > surgery is due to take place end of May. I'll be having a Le Forte 1

> > -

> > 3 segments, mandibular anterior sliding osteotomy, removal of my

> > bicuspids and 2 wisdom teeth, plus potentially genio and

> > straightening

> > of a deviated septum. My jaws will be wired for 6 to 8 weeks. I'd

> > like

> > to know how long I should expect to be locked up at home

> recovering,

> > how long before i can begin to speak with my jaws wired shut and if

> > you're really incomprehensible. I'm graduating from grad school on

> > May

> > 16th and will need to find a job for after surgery, plus I'd like to

> > be

> > able to fly home for a couple of weeks (I come from Italy and my OS

> > has

> > told me I can go there for a couple of weeks even with my jaws

> wired

> > shut). Any insights are much welcome!

> >

> > Sara

[Guest guest]

I think it depends on the kind of surgery you have. On Dec 22 I had

upper and lower. I am a high school teacher and was out about 4

weeks. I was going to go back right away after break, but then we had

some snow days and I couldn't really talk well. I might have been

able to make it after 3, but the principal said it would be better to

come back when I could manage well instead of rushing.

I had another surgery on Feb 3 and went back after 1 1/2 weeks. This

time it was just upper and it really didn't bother me too bad. I

probably would have went back sooner except that I was a little

paranoid about overdoing it and having to have a 3rd surgery. The

pain medicine also made me sick or I had the flu so I was feelig

pretty weak. (A plate broke loose the first time and my OS isn't

exactly sure why).

So upper...might not be too bad, but lower surgery is a doozy.

HTH,

[Guest guest]

Thanks Lindsey, Tova and for your insights.

Hopefully I'll be one of those rare cases that doesn't react too badly

from the surgery. They're still not sure whether they will also have

to do lower jaw surgery on me...I find out this week once my ortho has

completed my mounted model for the surgery. Fingers crossed it will

only be the top jaw and my bottom jaw will just fall naturally into

its place.

- a broken plate? That sounds terrible and painful?! I hope your

doctor was able to sort it out and that you are now well on your way

to recovery.

Sara

>

> I think it depends on the kind of surgery you have. On Dec 22 I had

> upper and lower. I am a high school teacher and was out about 4

> weeks. I was going to go back right away after break, but then we had

> some snow days and I couldn't really talk well. I might have been

> able to make it after 3, but the principal said it would be better to

> come back when I could manage well instead of rushing.

>

> I had another surgery on Feb 3 and went back after 1 1/2 weeks. This

> time it was just upper and it really didn't bother me too bad. I

> probably would have went back sooner except that I was a little

> paranoid about overdoing it and having to have a 3rd surgery. The

> pain medicine also made me sick or I had the flu so I was feelig

> pretty weak. (A plate broke loose the first time and my OS isn't

> exactly sure why).

>

> So upper...might not be too bad, but lower surgery is a doozy.

>

> HTH,

>