Re: Questions about exercise

[Guest guest]

Hi Jen

First off I wouldn't recommend doing any exercise until your doctor

gives you the ok. I had an upper 3 piece le forte plus palet

expansion and my doctor did not give me the ok to do gentle exercise

until 2 months post-op. I think he was being extra careful with me

because I was living abroad and he couldn't check up on me regularly.

Anyway, I had the surgery on June 6th and and by the end of July I

was swimming in the pool but without getting my face wet because my

doctor was concerned about chlorine water causing an infection. I was

allowed to do pilates and yoga (light sessions) but forbidden to run

because the impact was felt to be too hard on my jaw. At 3 months

post-op I was finally given the ok to start working out again

including weights, running etc. I know some people here on the site

have started working out as soon as 3 weeks post-op so perhaps my

doctor was extra careful but I'm thankful that he was as I have had

no problems since the surgery. I was really concerned about not being

able to work out after the surgery but to be honest with you it took

me a long time before I felt I had my old energy levels up again. I

couldn't imagine running my 45 minute run even 1 month after surgery.

If I were you I would be generous with my recovery time and try to

estimate a little longer for time off just in case. Then if you feel

up to it before hand you can always go back sooner. Also, I'm

guessing that since you're an instructor you'll need to talk to your

students. If you have a splint in your mouth or are wired/banded

shut, talking is a struggle and definitely even more difficult if

you're exercising at the same time. Don't want to be a bummer but

just a few things to consider pre-op.

On MLD therapy - I had one session the day before my surgery and

another 10 sessions post-surgery but only after 3 weeks as I didn't

feel comfortable having someone touch my face so soon after the

surgery. I also took arnica tablets pre and post-surgery. I believe

the combination of the MLD and the arnica really helped me not

getting and bruising post-op (see my pics under SARA) and keep

swelling to a minimum. I also made a point of walking around my house

as much as possible as soon as I felt up to it post-op because

exercise (in low doses) does help bring down the swelling. By day 6 I

was out of the house walking blocks, slowly, by doing it nevertheless

and felt miles better for doing it.

Good luck with your surgery!! I'm sure you'll be pleased with the

results after such a long journey to get there.

Sara

Surgery June 6th,2005

Upper le forte, 3 piece segmentation, palet expansion, 2 upper

bicuspids removed, lower jaw brought up 7mm, plus genioplasty

>

> Hi everyone,

>

> My surgery date is November 10th, for upper and lower. I've been in

braces for 2 years,

> and in splint therapy for TMJ for 4 years before that, so I am

really excited to be at the

> final stage of this process, six years later!

>

> Understanding that low energy and swelling are two big issues, I am

curious to know how

> long most of the post-op people had to wait before being able to

exercise intensely again

> without swelling or sluggishness. I teach fitness classes and lead

guided hikes anywhere

> from ten to eighteen hours per week. It is normal for me to

exercise about 2 hours a day,

> at least five days a week, and I'm wondering how long I will have

to take off from teaching

> my classes.

>

> I'm thinking of coming back to the gentle classes (like gentle yoga

stretching) after 2.5

> weeks, and the more vigorous ones (strenuous hikes/snowshoe

treks/hot yoga classes)

> after 3-5 weeks. Is this realistic, do you think? Are my time

frames on target, or am I

> grossly off the mark? I read one report of a woman who simply

walked around a grocery

> store for a few hours, two weeks after surgery, and said she

swelled up like a balloon. This

> definitely makes me nervous, but i think she's the minority.

>

> I also plan on getting MLD therapy/lymphatic massage once before

surgery, and hopefully

> several times afterward. I'll be recuperating away from home for

two weeks and need to

> find a therapist in that area.

>

> If anyone could give me their feedback on energy levels, swelling,

exercise, and MLD, I'd

> be grateful. Thanks so much

>

> Jen in Vermont

>