Re: Newbie scared of upcoming surgery

[Guest guest]

Welcome! I am new to the group as well. It sounds like we are

struggling with the same issue (except for the weight), and I see my

OS tomorrow to discuss what will be done. Good luck and we'll

compare notes as we go along. I have gotten a lot of useful

information on this site and would recommend reading some of the old

postings.

Rene

> I am a 37 year old woman in the U.S. and am scheduled to have upper

> and lower surgery in November of this year to correct my TMJ pain

> and migraine headaches from my life long overbite.

>

> I'v been told that I will be in Kaiser, Oakland overnight then home

> to recover. I'll be wired shut 2 weeks supposedly but am curious

> from all that I've read here on the group if that is realistic.

>

> I have a problem with keeping weight on due to some stomach issues

> that I've struggled with all my life. Just going through the

> initial process of having braces, I lost 10 pounds in 7 days. I've

> not been able to recover that however I have maintained my 115

pound

> weight. When I get under 100 pounds I really struggle with my

> health. I've been drinking ensure +, however really struggling

with

> diareah due to the stomach issue I mentioned. I have tried high

> calorie food items or eating a few times more during the day, but

> again the diareah comes. I've explained this to my Orthodontist as

> well as my Oral Surgeon, however they seem less than concerned

about

> it.

>

> I am petrified of choaking as well as not being able to breath

> through my nose, and God forbid having to sneeze while I'm wired

> shut. At this point those as well as my weight loss are my biggest

> fears going forward towards upcoming surgery.

>

> I've been told that the pain I'm experiencing currently will have a

> 90% chance of being completley healed after the healing process

from

> the surgery. (I can't even eat meat like chicken due to the TMJ.

> I'm down to rice, pasta, and fish as my staple items)This

supposedly

> out weighs the actual fears I am having.

>

> Any words of wisdom or questions I should be posing to the surgeon

> or orthodontist based on my comments?

[Guest guest]

First, you're young. I had surgery at 56, almost 57, although only

on the lower.

From what I've seen, I'd be a lot more afraid of frequent migraines

than of any aftereffects of this surgery...

Also from what I've heard, the Kaiser folks are very expert and know

what they're doing, so you're probably in most excellent hands.

I am no medical pro -- but I wonder whether the steroids that are

often given to help reduce the swelling post op may also make your

stomach issues easier. That's a question for your docs, though.

Those who treat your stomach and those who are operating on your

mouth. It sounds to me as though you have some sort of chronic bowel

or stomach inflammation, and I believe that steroids can be helpful,

at least short term. In any case, I don't know what I'm talking

about, and you need to talk at length with those who do -- namely,

your docs, and do what you can to get them all on the same page.

I don't think you need to worry about the choking/breathing issues.

Use the prescribed meds. Ask your docs about sneezing -- the

conventional wisdom is to keep your lips (or, if you can, your

mouth) open, and you'll relieve the pressure.

Dunno about whether you'll get relief. Many have. My own surgeon,

whom I would trust for anything he suggested, said he hated to hear

people trying to predict the future, and that jaw issues could get

better or worse -- that the only sure prospect is that the pressures

on the jaws and joints will change. Mine (and many others) have

improved. A few have worsened.

Get a vaporizer. Use soaky baths and/or showers, and you'll loosen

whatever clogs.

You will not die of asphyxiation -- at least, I've never heard of

that happening and I've been on these boards since 2001. If someone

screws up your anesthesia, that's something else, but the chances of

that are really, really minimal. You have a much greater chance of

being wiped out by a lunatic in an SUV on your daily drive to work

or home -- or for that matter, in transporting yourself to the

hospital.

> Any words of wisdom or questions I should be posing to the surgeon

> or orthodontist based on my comments?

Ask your ortho and surgeon what they expect for you in long-term

results, and in short term. Ask them how available they will be to

you, post op. Ask exactly what to expect in the hospital experience,

and what your caregivers will know about your needs, post op. And

whatever they tell you, if there is someone you know and trust, plan

to take that person with you (preferably to the surgeon's

appointment, so that he/she will know what you need) and certainly

to see you through your time in the hospital. My guy wanted ice for

48 hours and then heat. i was alone at the hospital, and he has the

staff there trained wonderfully. But there have been tales of

patients who desperately needed their caregivers to get ice/pain

meds/ water, whatever -- according to schedule.

Don't be scared. This is much less frightening than many other ops,

believe me.

C.

[Guest guest]

Hi,

You sound a lot like me. I had a huge overbite and TMJ problems

since early childhood due to an underdeveloped lower jaw. Because of

that, I've always been underweight. I have not been able to chew at

all for the last three years.

I was never wired shut since my surgeon believes that early

mobilization is better for the joints but there are a lot of

different opinions about that. I was banded tightly shut after my

orthognathic surgeries and my TMJ surgeon told me that that was what

caused my right joint to fuse and my left condyle to disintegrate.

Other surgeons believe that wiring is easier on the joints so you

should go with what your surgeon tells you.

Since I was already on a restricted diet before my latest surgery

(bilat total joint replacement), my diet didn't change much post-op.

I normally weigh around 90 lb and the lowest I got this time was 88

lb. To maintain my weight, I drink a lot of Boost, smoothies and

shakes. My husband and I aren't really into cooking so when I get

tired of ready-made soups, we get take-out soups from our favorite

restaurants and put them in the blender at home. The owner of our

all-time favorite restaurant knows my situation so they'll put my

whole meal in the blender. Chicken marsala doesn't look as appealing

blenderized but the taste is the same. I also eat a lot of pudding,

jello and ice cream. I get my chocolate fix by eating Reeses Swoops

since I can't get a regular chocolate bar in my mouth.

I never had any problems with choking or not being able to breathe

through my nose post-op. As a result of my underdeveloped lower jaw,

my upper jaw was overgrown vertically and assymetric which made it

impossible for me to breathe through my nose. As part of my upper

jaw surgery, my surgeon did a septoplasty and removed the

turbinates. I could actually breathe better immediately after the

surgery than I ever could before. I had always thought it was normal

to just breathe through your mouth.

I hope this helps and that your surgery will successfully cure or at

least diminish your TMJ problems.

> I am a 37 year old woman in the U.S. and am scheduled to have

upper

> and lower surgery in November of this year to correct my TMJ pain

> and migraine headaches from my life long overbite.

>

> I'v been told that I will be in Kaiser, Oakland overnight then

home

> to recover. I'll be wired shut 2 weeks supposedly but am curious

> from all that I've read here on the group if that is realistic.

>

> I have a problem with keeping weight on due to some stomach issues

> that I've struggled with all my life. Just going through the

> initial process of having braces, I lost 10 pounds in 7 days.

I've

> not been able to recover that however I have maintained my 115

pound

> weight. When I get under 100 pounds I really struggle with my

> health. I've been drinking ensure +, however really struggling

with

> diareah due to the stomach issue I mentioned. I have tried high

> calorie food items or eating a few times more during the day, but

> again the diareah comes. I've explained this to my Orthodontist

as

> well as my Oral Surgeon, however they seem less than concerned

about

> it.

>

> I am petrified of choaking as well as not being able to breath

> through my nose, and God forbid having to sneeze while I'm wired

> shut. At this point those as well as my weight loss are my

biggest

> fears going forward towards upcoming surgery.

>

> I've been told that the pain I'm experiencing currently will have

a

> 90% chance of being completley healed after the healing process

from

> the surgery. (I can't even eat meat like chicken due to the TMJ.

> I'm down to rice, pasta, and fish as my staple items)This

supposedly

> out weighs the actual fears I am having.

>

> Any words of wisdom or questions I should be posing to the surgeon

> or orthodontist based on my comments?

[Guest guest]

Thanks C.

I have started my list of questions and list of things that might be

helpful after surgery. This site has been very helpful and I really

appreciate the experience that you all have shared.

My husband also appreciates the feedback as he is the one who will

be caring for me and attending all the pre-op appts. to help

understand what's going to be taking place and what to anticipate.

TM

> First, you're young. I had surgery at 56, almost 57, although only

> on the lower.

>

> From what I've seen, I'd be a lot more afraid of frequent

migraines

> than of any aftereffects of this surgery...

>

> Also from what I've heard, the Kaiser folks are very expert and

know

> what they're doing, so you're probably in most excellent hands.

>

> I am no medical pro -- but I wonder whether the steroids that are

> often given to help reduce the swelling post op may also make your

> stomach issues easier. That's a question for your docs, though.

> Those who treat your stomach and those who are operating on your

> mouth. It sounds to me as though you have some sort of chronic

bowel

> or stomach inflammation, and I believe that steroids can be

helpful,

> at least short term. In any case, I don't know what I'm talking

> about, and you need to talk at length with those who do -- namely,

> your docs, and do what you can to get them all on the same page.

>

> I don't think you need to worry about the choking/breathing

issues.

> Use the prescribed meds. Ask your docs about sneezing -- the

> conventional wisdom is to keep your lips (or, if you can, your

> mouth) open, and you'll relieve the pressure.

>

>

> Dunno about whether you'll get relief. Many have. My own surgeon,

> whom I would trust for anything he suggested, said he hated to

hear

> people trying to predict the future, and that jaw issues could get

> better or worse -- that the only sure prospect is that the

pressures

> on the jaws and joints will change. Mine (and many others) have

> improved. A few have worsened.

>

> Get a vaporizer. Use soaky baths and/or showers, and you'll loosen

> whatever clogs.

>

> You will not die of asphyxiation -- at least, I've never heard of

> that happening and I've been on these boards since 2001. If

someone

> screws up your anesthesia, that's something else, but the chances

of

> that are really, really minimal. You have a much greater chance of

> being wiped out by a lunatic in an SUV on your daily drive to work

> or home -- or for that matter, in transporting yourself to the

> hospital.

> > Any words of wisdom or questions I should be posing to the

surgeon

> > or orthodontist based on my comments?

>

> Ask your ortho and surgeon what they expect for you in long-term

> results, and in short term. Ask them how available they will be to

> you, post op. Ask exactly what to expect in the hospital

experience,

> and what your caregivers will know about your needs, post op. And

> whatever they tell you, if there is someone you know and trust,

plan

> to take that person with you (preferably to the surgeon's

> appointment, so that he/she will know what you need) and certainly

> to see you through your time in the hospital. My guy wanted ice

for

> 48 hours and then heat. i was alone at the hospital, and he has

the

> staff there trained wonderfully. But there have been tales of

> patients who desperately needed their caregivers to get ice/pain

> meds/ water, whatever -- according to schedule.

>

> Don't be scared. This is much less frightening than many other

ops,

> believe me.

>

> C.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I just can't tell you how much your encouragement and reassurance

means to me as I prepare to educate (without getting freaked out)

prior to the surgery in November.

Your eating suggestions are helpful too, I am in the making lists

mode of life to chart what works with the tummy and what doesn't.

You're a doll. Thanks! TM

> > I am a 37 year old woman in the U.S. and am scheduled to have

> upper

> > and lower surgery in November of this year to correct my TMJ

pain

> > and migraine headaches from my life long overbite.

> >

> > I'v been told that I will be in Kaiser, Oakland overnight then

> home

> > to recover. I'll be wired shut 2 weeks supposedly but am

curious

> > from all that I've read here on the group if that is realistic.

> >

> > I have a problem with keeping weight on due to some stomach

issues

> > that I've struggled with all my life. Just going through the

> > initial process of having braces, I lost 10 pounds in 7 days.

> I've

> > not been able to recover that however I have maintained my 115

> pound

> > weight. When I get under 100 pounds I really struggle with my

> > health. I've been drinking ensure +, however really struggling

> with

> > diareah due to the stomach issue I mentioned. I have tried high

> > calorie food items or eating a few times more during the day,

but

> > again the diareah comes. I've explained this to my Orthodontist

> as

> > well as my Oral Surgeon, however they seem less than concerned

> about

> > it.

> >

> > I am petrified of choaking as well as not being able to breath

> > through my nose, and God forbid having to sneeze while I'm wired

> > shut. At this point those as well as my weight loss are my

> biggest

> > fears going forward towards upcoming surgery.

> >

> > I've been told that the pain I'm experiencing currently will

have

> a

> > 90% chance of being completley healed after the healing process

> from

> > the surgery. (I can't even eat meat like chicken due to the

TMJ.

> > I'm down to rice, pasta, and fish as my staple items)This

> supposedly

> > out weighs the actual fears I am having.

> >

> > Any words of wisdom or questions I should be posing to the

surgeon

> > or orthodontist based on my comments?

[Guest guest]

Dear Friend,

Feel free to contact me @ ducknbun1@... if you want to talk. I had

surgery in Oakland with Kaiser on Oct 26, 2004. I have Lupus and other

autoimmune problems, stomach problems being a big factor for me as well.

I did well with both top and bottom jaw surgery and I'm 50 years old. My

Dr. is Dr. Poor and I'm scheduled for genioplasty on Aug 26 at Kaiser.

They are the best! I am going on vacation but will be back Aug 8, 2005 and

just wanted to let you know I'm here if you have any questions.

Happy Summer,

Connie J

Newbie scared of upcoming

surgery

I am a 37 year old woman in the U.S. and am scheduled to have upper

and lower surgery in November of this year to correct my TMJ pain

and migraine headaches from my life long overbite.

I'v been told that I will be in Kaiser, Oakland overnight then home

to recover. I'll be wired shut 2 weeks supposedly but am curious

from all that I've read here on the group if that is realistic.

I have a problem with keeping weight on due to some stomach issues

that I've struggled with all my life. Just going through the

initial process of having braces, I lost 10 pounds in 7 days. I've

not been able to recover that however I have maintained my 115 pound

weight. When I get under 100 pounds I really struggle with my

health. I've been drinking ensure +, however really struggling with

diareah due to the stomach issue I mentioned. I have tried high

calorie food items or eating a few times more during the day, but

again the diareah comes. I've explained this to my Orthodontist as

well as my Oral Surgeon, however they seem less than concerned about

it.

I am petrified of choaking as well as not being able to breath

through my nose, and God forbid having to sneeze while I'm wired

shut. At this point those as well as my weight loss are my biggest

fears going forward towards upcoming surgery.

I've been told that the pain I'm experiencing currently will have a

90% chance of being completley healed after the healing process from

the surgery. (I can't even eat meat like chicken due to the TMJ.

I'm down to rice, pasta, and fish as my staple items)This supposedly

out weighs the actual fears I am having.

Any words of wisdom or questions I should be posing to the surgeon

or orthodontist based on my comments?