Re: new here - SHERRY

[Guest guest]

Hi Sherry

I had the same surgery you had for TMJ on June 6th so I'm just a day

ahead of you on the recovery path. I know what you mean about that

horrible taste in the mouth. I started to really feel it today and

it made me nauseas. I have been washing my teeth with a baby

toothbrush after every meal and also using a mouthwash called

Periogard that was prescribed to me by my doctor. It doesn't taste

that great at first but after about 10 minutes I really feel as if

my mouth has been refreshed. I've lost 10 lbs too since surgery and

my energy levels have not been that great so I sleep a lot. Remember

this, your body is consuming a tremendous amount of energy to

regenerate itself so it's normal that you feel exhausted all the

time. The best thing you can do is to take it easy and sleep as much

as you need to, as well as keep on hydrating yourself.

As for infection, it is pretty rare. My doctor told me about 5

percent of patients get an infection and I would say that if you

haven't developed one yet your on the safe path. I assume he has

prescribed to you antibiotics to take. These are vital to avoid any

infection. I HATE the taste of liquid penicillin but every time I

have to take it I remind myself it's to ward off infection. Hang in

there. You'll get through it, I'm sure.

Are you banded or wired and do you have a splint?

Sara

> Hello--my name is Sherry. I just had suegery on June 7th for TMJ.

> Terrible daily headaches etc! Apparently my lower jaw was too

small and

> receeded etc...they put in correct position and pulled it forward,

> doing upper jaw at samw time. They seperated my palate into three

> sections. I have 28 screws and 6 plates. Sounds gruesome...It is 6

days

> post-op and I am sooo discouraged. My mouth tastes totally aweful

and

> lacks feeling. It makes it very hard to be motivated to drink

anything.

> Of course, now I am weak and dizzy, already losing 10 lbs! I am

keeping

> myself hydrated though with protein drinks and water and pepsi and

> soups etc. Just not taking in 'a lot'. I am absolutely terrified

of

> getting an infection b/c it would set me back so far. Please tell

me it

> is extremely rare!!I hope whoever reads this is recovering well

and are

> happy they had it done.

> Take care

> Sherry