Re: 6-days post op wondering a few things

[Guest guest]

Judy, Hugs, thoughts & prayers. My surgery for sleep apnea was

Thursday. I had almost as much done as you.

> I'm still incredibly swollen and bruised from chin to chest...a

> little under the eyes, but not too bad.

> The swelling is causing plenty of discomfort...I'm trying to

> alternate between Tylenol and Motrin (liquid of course)...but it's

> so nasty and I choke on it nearly every time I drink it.

> I'm not able to use a cup because I am so numb yet.

My meds are terrible tasting, too. (Hydrocodone & clindamycin

antibiotic). I Take them with Boost Breeze a juice based protein

supplement. It hides the taste, then I chase it with water.

Walgreens has the the Boost Breeze. You mix the meds with the

Breeze and then aspirate into the syringe.

My swelling is about the same as yours. Major brusing from chin

to " boobs " (pardon the choice of words .

> Does that get better... the drinking I mean? I'd like to not have

> to use the syringe the ENTIRE six weeks.

Are you wired? I'm just banded without splint, so I can drink from

cup, though I keep a towel under my chin just in case I slobber it

down the front of me. They wanted me to use syringe and I tried it

and felt like I'd choke it, so went to cup. I think it will get

better & I'm thinking of you as I'm in the same boat, too.

I felt better this morning than now, but I think it's the steroid

downer. They load you up with steroids before and after surgery.

Hang in there we're here for you.

Shirley

[Guest guest]

Hi Shirley!

Hey...I just had to reply even though I'm getting ready for bed

soon. Thanks for all the support by the way! The words that really

caught my eye in your email was that you had the surgery for sleep

apnea....well, same here for me!!! I thought I was the 'odd person

out' because this surgery was done for medical reasons (the sleep

apnea of course!) I've suffered with it for so long, and I also

have some chronic pain issues (from injuries)...so managing that

PLUS sleep apnea was getting out of control at my age. I'm 41 by

the way....(inside I still feel young, but lack of sleep was really

robbing my energy and I had to work out daily just to keep going). I

really think that once I'm healed up I'm going to do so much better,

and am glad I had this done, just wish I'd had it when I was a

little younger, and I'd probably not be so swollen.... well, maybe -

maybe not, huh?

As far as wiring, nope I'm not either, plus no splint. I'm banded

just like you. My problem is the swelling and numbness currently.

It's gotten much better than right after surgery last Monday...but

still, I feel I've got a ways to go yet with those two issues.

I will have to try the Boost Breeze...I'll have hubby go get it for

me. I don't dare leave the house looking like this just yet. Plus,

because of the extensive nature of my surgery - doctor doesn't want

me going anywhere for at least two weeks. After seeing myself after

surgery - I simply replied " Okay! " With all the work I had done, I

felt I looked just a bit like Shrek (minus the ears and all the

green coloring...lol).

Because I had upper jaw advancement too, my nose is now wider than

before, and shorter. Weird, because my nose was slightly long

before surgery, but not now...now I have a nose just like some of my

sisters, only a little bigger because of the swelling which doc has

said will go down in time.

As far as bruising/swelling...yep - mine goes right down to the

boobs too, same as yours! - lol (my husband keeps flashing people

because he can't believe I'm bruised that far down my body....the

big deal with that is that last year I had a breast reduction done,

and so when he flashes - well, everything is 'right there in front'

if you know what I mean). I've told him to stop that and don't do

it anymore....so far it's been limited to my 5 sisters, and a few of

my friends...but it's stopping at that point!

As far as a cup, you've encouraged me to keep trying with that since

you've had much the same done as me...I'll try again tomorrow, and

the next day until I get it. I really want to be able to because I

miss being able to drink as much water as I usually do.

Anyway, keep me posted on how you're coming along.

I had my surgery(s) done at the Mayo clinic by the way.

Take care!

Judy

Judy, Hugs, thoughts & prayers. My surgery for sleep apnea was

Thursday. I had almost as much done as you.

I'm still incredibly swollen and bruised from chin to chest...a

little under the eyes, but not too bad.

The swelling is causing plenty of discomfort...I'm trying to

alternate between Tylenol and Motrin (liquid of course)...but it's

so nasty and I choke on it nearly every time I drink it.

I'm not able to use a cup because I am so numb yet.

My meds are terrible tasting, too. (Hydrocodone & clindamycin

antibiotic). I Take them with Boost Breeze a juice based protein

supplement. It hides the taste, then I chase it with water.

Walgreens has the the Boost Breeze. You mix the meds with the

Breeze and then aspirate into the syringe.

My swelling is about the same as yours. Major brusing from chin

to " boobs " (pardon the choice of words .

Does that get better... the drinking I mean? I'd like to not have

to use the syringe the ENTIRE six weeks.

Are you wired? I'm just banded without splint, so I can drink from

cup, though I keep a towel under my chin just in case I slobber it

down the front of me. They wanted me to use syringe and I tried it

and felt like I'd choke it, so went to cup. I think it will get

better & I'm thinking of you as I'm in the same boat, too.

I felt better this morning than now, but I think it's the steroid

downer. They load you up with steroids before and after surgery.

Hang in there we're here for you.

Shirley

[Guest guest]

Hi Judy, We can talk back and forth about our recovery. I know what

you mean about the sleep apnea. I choose this route as I couldn't

get face mask (CPAP) to fit properly and was tired of being

exhausted all the time.

I, too, has a lot chronic pain issues (nerve pain cancelled my

surgery in Dec, & Mar). And I'm no " spring chicken " , I was 62 in

May. But with me the sleep apnea was robbing me of a quality of

life. So the surgery became a " quality of life " issue. The risks

of surgery were less to me the continuing to not have any energy,

etc.

I don't think the age probably makes a difference on swelling. I

think we're either going to swell a lot or not.

I had to laugh about looking like Shrek, I feel the same way. But

that too will eventually pass. We just want it to get better

sooner. If I could just move my lips more it would help. Yesterday

I tried to brush my teeth (ha), one can not do a lot when bands are

in the way and so far I can't take them out yet. I did rinse with

peridex and that helps get rid of the awful taste in mouth sometimes.

Well guess I need to go take my nasal spray, some antibiotic, etc.

and then I'll try the shower. Hmmmm a warm shower sounds so good

about now.

Hang in there - thinking of you.

Shirley

[Guest guest]

Hi Judy,

One thing I've seen suggested and tried myself after my previous

surgeries was a sippy cup. If you take the valve out, you can just

pour the liquids into your mouth. It's still a little messy but I

found it easier than using a regular cup and a lot faster than the

syringes.

minirascal-

> Hi everyone,

> I had my surgerys done June 20th. Five procedures in one I guess

you

> could say. Upper and lower jaw, genio, repair of deviated septum

> and removal of the uvula at the back of my throat (that little

hangy-

> thingy back there).

> I'm still incredibly swollen and bruised from chin to chest...a

> little under the eyes, but not too bad.

> The swelling is causing plenty of discomfort...I'm trying to

> alternate between Tylenol and Motrin (liquid of course)...but it's

> so nasty and I choke on it nearly every time I drink it.

> I'm not able to use a cup because I am so numb yet. So I am using

a

> syringe with rubber tubbing on the end of it...it's the only way I

> can eat/drink at the moment.

> Does that get better... the drinking I mean? I'd like to not have

> to use the syringe the ENTIRE six weeks. The doctor said I could

> convert to soft mashed potatoe consistency foods now but it is

very

> hard to manipulate that down. I'm existing on Boost, Ensure,

water,

> juice - mainly. I'm certainly not getting the amount of fluids

> including water, that I was used to before surgery.

> Does it become easier in time to get those fluids in....? With

> time, I mean before six weeks is up?

> I also find myself drooling, very embarassingly, I might add. I

> droll more than our family dog - Molly! Does that get better also

> in time? Is that common after these procedures?

> Yikes....I'm just having a rough day I guess and am overtired; so

> sorry if I've rambled too long....

> Thanks for any answers,

> Judy

[Guest guest]

Hi Judy,

One thing I've seen suggested and tried myself after my previous

surgeries was a sippy cup. If you take the valve out, you can just

pour the liquids into your mouth. It's still a little messy but I

found it easier than using a regular cup and a lot faster than the

syringes.

minirascal-

> Hi everyone,

> I had my surgerys done June 20th. Five procedures in one I guess

you

> could say. Upper and lower jaw, genio, repair of deviated septum

> and removal of the uvula at the back of my throat (that little

hangy-

> thingy back there).

> I'm still incredibly swollen and bruised from chin to chest...a

> little under the eyes, but not too bad.

> The swelling is causing plenty of discomfort...I'm trying to

> alternate between Tylenol and Motrin (liquid of course)...but it's

> so nasty and I choke on it nearly every time I drink it.

> I'm not able to use a cup because I am so numb yet. So I am using

a

> syringe with rubber tubbing on the end of it...it's the only way I

> can eat/drink at the moment.

> Does that get better... the drinking I mean? I'd like to not have

> to use the syringe the ENTIRE six weeks. The doctor said I could

> convert to soft mashed potatoe consistency foods now but it is

very

> hard to manipulate that down. I'm existing on Boost, Ensure,

water,

> juice - mainly. I'm certainly not getting the amount of fluids

> including water, that I was used to before surgery.

> Does it become easier in time to get those fluids in....? With

> time, I mean before six weeks is up?

> I also find myself drooling, very embarassingly, I might add. I

> droll more than our family dog - Molly! Does that get better also

> in time? Is that common after these procedures?

> Yikes....I'm just having a rough day I guess and am overtired; so

> sorry if I've rambled too long....

> Thanks for any answers,

> Judy

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Oops, I have to add that sippy cup to my list! That is one I have

left out..(haha)

Caboose

> > Hi everyone,

> > I had my surgerys done June 20th. Five procedures in one I guess

> you

> > could say. Upper and lower jaw, genio, repair of deviated

septum

> > and removal of the uvula at the back of my throat (that little

> hangy-

> > thingy back there).

> > I'm still incredibly swollen and bruised from chin to chest...a

> > little under the eyes, but not too bad.

> > The swelling is causing plenty of discomfort...I'm trying to

> > alternate between Tylenol and Motrin (liquid of course)...but

it's

> > so nasty and I choke on it nearly every time I drink it.

> > I'm not able to use a cup because I am so numb yet. So I am

using

> a

> > syringe with rubber tubbing on the end of it...it's the only way

I

> > can eat/drink at the moment.

> > Does that get better... the drinking I mean? I'd like to not

have

> > to use the syringe the ENTIRE six weeks. The doctor said I

could

> > convert to soft mashed potatoe consistency foods now but it is

> very

> > hard to manipulate that down. I'm existing on Boost, Ensure,

> water,

> > juice - mainly. I'm certainly not getting the amount of fluids

> > including water, that I was used to before surgery.

> > Does it become easier in time to get those fluids in....? With

> > time, I mean before six weeks is up?

> > I also find myself drooling, very embarassingly, I might add. I

> > droll more than our family dog - Molly! Does that get better

also

> > in time? Is that common after these procedures?

> > Yikes....I'm just having a rough day I guess and am overtired;

so

> > sorry if I've rambled too long....

> > Thanks for any answers,

> > Judy

[Guest guest]

Seeing that my kids are only 3 1/2 and 5, we have plenty for

everyone to go around. Party at our house!

> > > Hi everyone,

> > > I had my surgerys done June 20th. Five procedures in one I

guess

> > you

> > > could say. Upper and lower jaw, genio, repair of deviated

> septum

> > > and removal of the uvula at the back of my throat (that little

> > hangy-

> > > thingy back there).

> > > I'm still incredibly swollen and bruised from chin to

chest...a

> > > little under the eyes, but not too bad.

> > > The swelling is causing plenty of discomfort...I'm trying to

> > > alternate between Tylenol and Motrin (liquid of course)...but

> it's

> > > so nasty and I choke on it nearly every time I drink it.

> > > I'm not able to use a cup because I am so numb yet. So I am

> using

> > a

> > > syringe with rubber tubbing on the end of it...it's the only

way

> I

> > > can eat/drink at the moment.

> > > Does that get better... the drinking I mean? I'd like to not

> have

> > > to use the syringe the ENTIRE six weeks. The doctor said I

> could

> > > convert to soft mashed potatoe consistency foods now but it is

> > very

> > > hard to manipulate that down. I'm existing on Boost, Ensure,

> > water,

> > > juice - mainly. I'm certainly not getting the amount of

fluids

> > > including water, that I was used to before surgery.

> > > Does it become easier in time to get those fluids in....?

With

> > > time, I mean before six weeks is up?

> > > I also find myself drooling, very embarassingly, I might add.

I

> > > droll more than our family dog - Molly! Does that get better

> also

> > > in time? Is that common after these procedures?

> > > Yikes....I'm just having a rough day I guess and am overtired;

> so

> > > sorry if I've rambled too long....

> > > Thanks for any answers,

> > > Judy

[Guest guest]

Hi Shirley,

Our situations are starting to sound more and more alike each time

you reply! I couldn't get the CPAP to fit my face properly either.

I had to do something, because being tired all the time, plus

chronic pain issues....well, it became unbearable after my low back

injury in August 2003. So, you're right - this does become a

quality of life issue...definately. I had to do something, because I

was sick & tired of being sick & tired, lol. I've got a husband,

three great kids, and it was becoming really hard to keep up with

everything.

As far as moving your lips more...here's what I do to help with

that - my doctor told me to do this 'therapy' and I'll regain lip

and tongue 'control' sooner: (it's really quite simple!) All I have

to do is practice saying " puppy " and " church " ! Saying puppy forces

your lips together, and church exercises the tongue and jaw. He also

said to try to stick my tongue between my lips frequently too. It's

all facial exercise, I've been doing it and getting better with it

everyday.

I'm really happy this morning because I was able to eat some cottage

cheese, using a plastic spoon!! It took me about 20 minutes to get

just 1 oz. down - but wow, not only did it taste fantastic, but I

felt really proud of myself too!! I had to sit in front of a mirror

to do this (because of the numbness)...so it wasn't a pretty picture

watching myself struggle to do this, but I was determined and I did

it!! I'm pretty happy right now! I dont' have any sippy cups

anymore (kids are older now)...but I took one of those small plastic

dixie cups, and formed a small 'funnel' with it, and I was able to

drink a little bit that way...very carefully at first, because I was

afraid I would choke...but I did it. This is starting out as a good

day for me :-)

The teeth brushing...ya, I'll agree with your 'ha'...it's

impossible! I even bought a child size toothbrush and can't really

get it in there to do the job just yet. I'm currently using those

little tiny sponges on a stick and it's working ok for now. I'll

keep trying the tooth brush and maybe in the near future I can get

it to work out. I still don't understand how in the world one is

supposed to brush around those bands though...

I don't have a peridex rinse, doctor never mentioned it or gave me

any. Is it prescription? I'm using just warm salt water rinses.

I'm going to take a shower now too, I have company coming in just

one hour so I'd better get a move on it!!

I'll answer the rest of other people's posts later on after company

leaves.

Thanks Shirley - it's great to have someone who has gone through the

same thing within the same week even!

Take care,

Judy

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Thanks for the sippy cup idea. My kids are 12, 15 & 16 currently, so

no sippy cups left here I'm afraid! I just wrote to Shirley that this

morning I tried using one of those plastic and bendable mini Dixi

cups - actually though I think the brand name isn't Dixie - nope, I

just checked and it's SoHo brand, so I really shouldn't have said

Dixie originally. Anyway, I didn't drink a lot, but I got liquid down

using a soho cup bent to form a little funnel going into my mouth. It

worked!! If I practice this, I think I can possibly convert to a

regular cup after a while.

Anyway - you're having surgery tomorrow right? (Mine was one week ago

today!!!).... so good luck with everything I will definately be

thinking about you tomorrow. Take care!

Judy