Out of wires, into rubber bands -- any tips?

[Guest guest]

So I'm 2 weeks post-op from having upper LeFort I, and lower

mandibular ramus; everything has gone more or less routinely so far,

and 80% of the swelling is gone.

Yesterday, my OS removed the pointy fixating wires, and replaced them

with these elastic bands that i suppose serve more or less the same

purpose, but they're a little more comfortable.

For those who have undergone the switch from wires to bands, what are

some of the things I should be on the lookout for? Already my jaw

feels a little weird...it's less restricted, and every time it moves

forward and back (even in just the minor increments allowed by the

bands) it kind of freaks me out. Is there any risk that even this

minor mobility could damage it? Is there anything I should make sure

that I do or do not do?

[Guest guest]

I wasn't wired shut, but the bands that I had on immediately after

surgery weren't much different because they were so incredibly

tight. There was no chance for movement I know exactly what you

mean though. When my OS took those bands off and brought me down to

only 2 rubber bands (only 4 days post-op, no less) it was a huge

change. The slightest movement would make my jaw move and totally

freak me out. Don't worry. That's why you're in bands. It's

slowly easing your jaw back into movement while at the same time

providing support. But due to all the surgical trauma, your jaw

won't be doing anything crazy, provided you're wearing your bands.

I know it feels loose and scary, but the muscles really are

incredibely tight and won't let anything nutty happen. It just

takes a few days to get used to. I had a 2 hour drive home after my

OS brought me down to 2 and every bump we hit would make my jaw

move. Tiny movements is good for it all. I was incredibely scared

to move mine, but my OS encouraged me to talk and open as wide as my

jaw would let me (at which point I looked at him like he was crazy--

I was perfectly happy letting my jaw remain stationary). Chewing is

the only thing you have to watch out for. Everything else will just

help you recooperate (sp?) a little faster.

> So I'm 2 weeks post-op from having upper LeFort I, and lower

> mandibular ramus; everything has gone more or less routinely so

far,

> and 80% of the swelling is gone.

>

> Yesterday, my OS removed the pointy fixating wires, and replaced

them

> with these elastic bands that i suppose serve more or less the

same

> purpose, but they're a little more comfortable.

>

> For those who have undergone the switch from wires to bands, what

are

> some of the things I should be on the lookout for? Already my jaw

> feels a little weird...it's less restricted, and every time it

moves

> forward and back (even in just the minor increments allowed by the

> bands) it kind of freaks me out. Is there any risk that even this

> minor mobility could damage it? Is there anything I should make

sure

> that I do or do not do?