How quickly / slowly does mouth opening flexibility return??

[Guest guest]

I'm now 6 weeks post op from upper and lower. I was unwired after 2

weeks, and unbanded after 4 weeks. For the last 2 weeks, I've just

had on removeable elastics that I take off to eat, and this past week,

I've only been wearing them when I sleep.

A couple days after being debanded, I could already open my mouth

around 12mm, which I was happy about, and figured that things would

only get better day by day. Here we are 2 weeks later, though, and I

can still only open my mouth 14 or 15mm. My facial swelling is nearly

all gone (save for the last 5%). Just how long is it going to take

before I can open my mouth somewhat normally and truly get back to a

regular diet?? Is there some time marker at which I'll 'get over the

hump', or is it just a continually slow process?

[Guest guest]

I had my surgery four months ago and due to some problems my recovery has been

tough. I can only open my mouth 17 mm. I still have a lot of swelling. I have to

do some jaw exercises using some spatulas the aim is to fit an extra spatula in

every week. It's a very slow process, but everyone heals differently.

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[Guest guest]

I was unsplinted at 6weeks and right around that time is when I had

the smallest mouth opening. Much smaller than 14mm. Week by week my

opening got bigger. Eating, or attempting to, is basically physical

therapy for my mouth. At 6mos post op, my opening is not yet what it

was prior to surgery, but it is much much better. It just takes

time... slow and steady. I never noticed progress day to day, but more

week to week. You'll get there, don't worry!!

And I'm also aware that Stephie didn't have a splint either....

In contrast, I was splinted, but didn't start out banded, wired, or

anything...

katja

> I'm now 6 weeks post op from upper and lower. I was unwired after 2

> weeks, and unbanded after 4 weeks. For the last 2 weeks, I've just

> had on removeable elastics that I take off to eat, and this past

week,

> I've only been wearing them when I sleep.

>

> A couple days after being debanded, I could already open my mouth

> around 12mm, which I was happy about, and figured that things would

> only get better day by day. Here we are 2 weeks later, though, and

I

> can still only open my mouth 14 or 15mm. My facial swelling is

nearly

> all gone (save for the last 5%). Just how long is it going to take

> before I can open my mouth somewhat normally and truly get back to a

> regular diet?? Is there some time marker at which I'll 'get over

the

> hump', or is it just a continually slow process?