Re: Waiting for the big day................

[Guest guest]

Hi Jen, I just went through this 6 weeks ago, 2 kids ages 5 & 7. I

work part-time, but had 6 weeks off, although I did work from home.

You definetely need someone at home to help you after surgery. I

had someone lined up for 4 weeks because I thought I was going to be

wired, which I wasn't. You may not need help for that long, but

take whatever you can get. I would really recommend at least 2

weeks since you have little kids.

The things I had that were helpful....a humidifier by my bed every

night, I still use it in fact. I had a bunch of syringes, which is

what I used to eat with, I'm not sure what your surgeon recommends,

but they were great for getting alot of blended food into your

mouth - trying to eat with a spoon may be frustrating. You can get

the syringes at a medical supply store.

My surgeon recommended using heat after 4 days, some people don't

agree with this, but I used it. Even if you don't use it for your

swelling it feels nice on your jaw. I made alot of saline which I

used to clean out my mouth. I used a baby toothbrush - only on the

front teeth for the first little while, then eventually everywhere

I bought a new blender. I had alot of Boost/Ensure drinks. I also

used a protein powder since I couldn't afford to lose alot of weight

(which I did anyway) I mixed the powder in with my daily smoothies

(banana, milk, o.j., ice cream, frozen berries). I also bought a

juicer, which I think is great and I love carrot/celery juice. I

bought loads of canned soup, my favourites were cream of potatoe,

cream of mushroom, tomatoe. I bought alot of frozen berries for the

smoothies. Another thing I really liked was carnation instant

breakfast drinks just to get a bit of energy first thing until I

could actually make something to eat.

In the medicine department....my surgeon gave me Ativan to help me

sleep at night to avoid grinding, but talk to your surgeon about

what he likes to have you use. I also took extra strenth tylenol

for pain - it was all I needed once I was out of the hospital, but

again, that's up to you. He gave me Nasanex, a nose spray to help

keep my nasal passages clear. Talk to your OS about all that.

Anyway....that was a long message, I'm sure you'll get alot of

advice from people here with things that have worked for them too.

As far as having little kids.....mine were great to help me get my

mind off being as miserable as I was - I'm glad they were around to

distract me. Maybe rent some videos for the week you're out of the

hospital and you can all watch them together.

I hope you can pick something useful out of that rambling note.

Take care,

Pam

>

> Hi All!

>

> I am a 35 year old woman from New Jersey scheduled to have my

lower

> and upper jaws surgically corrected. I love this support group you

> guys belong to and have learned alot from it. I am scheduled to

have

> this procedure on Jan 31st, and the pre op visits are getting more

and

> more intense and involved as I get closer to the big day.

>

> I was just wondering if anyone could give me some advise as to the

> post op care. I have 2 kids ages 7 and 3 and work full time, so I

am

> assuming that the post op is gonna be hectic and miserable for the

> first few weeks. I just need to know what to have on hand, such as

> foods, liquids, meds, chap sticks, etc.

>

> So for all that can help me out, thank you in advance, and for all

of

> you in my boat, sweatin' in out until we care called to the table,

> good luck!

> Thanks

> Jen

>