Re: Work (Will it Stop Me)

[Guest guest]

Shane, it really depends on what type of surgery you're having but

medically speaking you should feel safe to walk the streets between 6

to 10 weeks post-op. This said, I was out and walking 6 days after my

surgery but I wasn't walking the beat:-) I will tell you this - I was

paranoid for the longest time that someone would accidentally hit me in

the face and that my jaw would fall apart for a very long time after

surgery. I'm 4 months and 1 week post-op and my doctors gave me the ok

to start working out again heavy duty (i.e. running and lifting weights

rather than just light exercise) after 3 months of my surgery. I would

say that at the 2 month post-op mark I stopped thinking someone could

hurt my jaw if they got too near me but today if, say I go clubbing or

am in a crowded area I still get scared that someone will elbow me in

the face by accident. But it's really paranoia more than any thing

because other than the braces and some residual numbness in my mouth I

feel 100% as if I was pre-surgery. My doctors have told me that it

actually takes a full year for the bone in the jaw to heal 100% so

basically much the same as any old bone you might break. Look at this

this way - if you broke a leg or an arm how long would it be before you

felt safe enough to walk the beat again? I suspect the answer would be

much the same as with your jaw. The important thing is not to let the

fact that you've had jaw surgery prevent you from getting on with your

life. My doctor used to always tell me " your jaw post-surgery is just

work in progress not a permanent faulty or fragile fixture. life must

go on and it will. "

That's my 2 cents. Good luck!

Sara

Surgery June 6th, 2005

Upper 3 piece le forte, palet expansion, 2 upper bicuspids removed,

lower jaw brought forward + genioplasty

>

> Hi, I am a current serving Police Officer and I fear that getting

this

> surgery will cause problems with me at work. Another words how long

> after the operation can I expect to be out there walking the streets

> a.k.a beat again?

>

> Shane

>

> P.s I mean walking it and feeling safe. Not thinking that my jaw is

> going to cave in

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Shane,

Have you talked with your OMS about this? Since you have a street

beat, your situation of possibly needing to wrestle someone who

doesn't care about your recent jaw surgery, is a lot different from

most of our experiences. Tell your OMS frankly the type of contact

and force you might experience on duty. Ask them how long post op

will you be able to return to that level of possibile force/contact

with your jaws. They can give you the best estimate for your

situation and surgery.

And in most heavy physical jobs like yours, there is a limited duty

roster or desk position you can do during your recovery and safe

recovery period. Have you checked on this? In my husbands work, he

can work these light duty jobs until his surgeon releases him. It

would be good to know if you have a simmilar program in place at

your work. I wish you luck with this!

Hugs,

Fran

> >

> > Hi, I am a current serving Police Officer and I fear that

getting

> this

> > surgery will cause problems with me at work. Another words how

long

> > after the operation can I expect to be out there walking the

streets

> > a.k.a beat again?

> >

> > Shane

> >

> > P.s I mean walking it and feeling safe. Not thinking that my jaw

is

> > going to cave in

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Shane,

I'm five months post op and i'm still nervous/anxious that someone will hit me

in the face. I work as a nursery nurse.

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