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1. • CommentAuthorkristenrt
   • CommentTimeAug 31st 2009

    
   Hi,
   New here to igotbraces.com. I have been reading the site for a couple of days and it has given me a lot of information. I had braces in my tween years and almost automatically after getting them taken off they noticed I would need surgery later in life. My right lower jaw has kept growing when it is suppose to stop growing in your teens. The doctors finally decided that my jaw has stopped growing and decided that it is time for surgery. I have been lucky so far that my insurance has decided that it is medically needed at this time.
   I got my braces placed 5 days ago (again :0( ) The orthodontist says that he believes that I can have surgery in december ! Im glad that I do not have to wait too long to have surgery, although I am not looking forward to it at all.
   I'm worried about the post op 100%. The pain, swelling, risks, eating, etc. I also work in a hospital so I understand what happens in the OR, and what the possible wrongs that could happen while being under anesthesia. I also do not know how long that I should take off of work. I do a lot of talking and being on my feet at the hospital with my 12 hr shifts. I was thinking 3 weeks. I will have to take short term disability and Family Medical Leave Act to make sure that I get paid. If anyone has any advice I would appreciate it.
   
   Thanks
2. • CommentAuthorJubi
   • CommentTimeAug 31st 2009

    
   Hey Kristen,
   welcome to the board. I too am still looking forward to an approaching surgery so I can't tell you a whole lot about what to expect but I'm sure someone on here can. From what I've been told though you should anticipate about 3 weeks but it depends on the individual case and what happens in surgery. I wouldn't worry too much about being under anesthesia. It's amazing what doctors know these days and its become pretty rare to have any real problems during this kind of surgery. Still of course it's a major surgery and I'm sure when you wake up you won't be feeling so hot and will need to take it slow for a while. You'll be on a liquid diet for a while so make sure to stock up on ensure or something and some zip'n'squeeze bags might not be a bad idea. Swelling is usually pretty intense for the first few days but goes down pretty quick after that. It'll take months for it to completely go down but it shouldn't be too noticeable after a couple weeks.
   Hope that helps! Good luck!
3. • CommentAuthorkristenrt
   • CommentTimeSep 7th 2009

    
   Hi Jubi-
   
   I am planning on taking three weeks off. Maybe four depending on how I feel. I am for sure going to get the zip n squeeze bags, along with some protein powder. I have also heard that a baby spoon helps later on to get the food down. T
4. • CommentAuthorkristenrt
   • CommentTimeSep 7th 2009

    
   Ahh... accidently hit enter.. The surgery I am not too worried about. I am worried about the after care. Not being able to eat is a big deal (to me at least because food is a vice for me at least). Thats going to be a killer. Going to look for a good cook book to get, any suggestions any one?
5. • CommentAuthorpushead
   • CommentTimeSep 8th 2009

    
   Once I could eat mushy foods my favorite became grilled chicken, Texas Pete hot sauce and racnch dressing blended together. It was like eating chicken wings all over.
6. • CommentAuthoremmy78
   • CommentTimeSep 21st 2009

    
   Hi Kristen,
   I am 6 days post surgery (BSSO). I have taken 3 weeks off from work, also under short-term disability. The first few days were hard, but I am actually feeling really good today. I found that I wasn't very hungry for the first 2-3 days after surgery and that broth and apple juice were enough. I started to get hungry on day 3-4, but actually got full really fast by drinking some ensure, which completely surprised me. I have not used zip-n-squeeze bags but I found that sipping from a spoon was the best way to control the amount of fluids I was getting with a numb lower lip.
   As for the actual surgery. I remember being wheeled into the OR and then waking up in the PACU. I was in some pain when I woke up, but it is a blur now. My surgery went ok. They severed the nerve on my right side during surgery, which means that I may never regain feeling on that side. They made an attempt to repair during the surgery, but could not make any promises. As of now, it is not bothering me too much, since I don't have much feeling on either side.
7. • CommentAuthorsara515
   • CommentTimeSep 21st 2009

    
   Do you wake up in recovery? I have heard that you are intensive care? How long roughly has everyone had their braces for before they were given a date for surgery? I have had mine for 21 months and no word of surgery yet? Get seriously hacked off, I live in Scotland and this is being performed on the Nhs, is this why they are taking soo long?
8. • CommentAuthoremmy78
   • CommentTimeSep 21st 2009

    
   I got my braces on in May 2007. Just had the surgery...I am not sure how long other people wait. Orthodontist said another 3-6 months after surgery and they can come off. As for where you wake up, I think it depends on the facility where you have the surgery done. I hade my surgery in Portland, Maine, USA.
9. • CommentAuthorMeryaten
   • CommentTimeSep 29th 2009

    
   I had my surgery way back in July of 2006. My own experiences were way to the fortunate end of the spectrum - none of my fears came to pass, my recovery was entirely pain-free, and I was able to resume half-time work after only a week off.
   
   The first thing I remember post-op was drifting into consciousness in the recovery room. The operative splint had already been removed. I drifted back out again and the next I knew I was being wheeled up to my room - no stay in Intensive Care or such. As is the norm here in the USA I was kept in the hospital only one night, and my OS discharged me the following morning.
   
   I used ice packs overnight at the hospital, then after being sent home the following morning, switched over to gel-packs. I used ice/gel for the first couple of days or so only, since my surgeon had pointed out that they help with swelling only during the first 48 - 72 hours. (After that they can be used, he tells patients, for comfort, but will not help with swelling). Very lucky for me, my swelling peaked within about a day and a half, and receded from then on. Peaking after maybe 3 days is more the norm.
   
   I was actually very hungry within 8 hours of surgery, so we sent down for food - my surgeon had me cleared for anything up to the consistency of yoghurt - pureed clam chowder, and a protein-fortified shake. I had a shake for breakfast the following morning too. Once home, I ate pureed soups for the first few days, then on the 6th day post-op resumed chewing (my OS was disappointed I did not resume chewing sooner) - penne in a creamy sauce. From there, I gradually increased how challenging my foods were to chew. That said, this is as an area where different surgeons have extremely different post-op regimens - some keep their patients no-chew for several weeks.
   
   I was lucky enough not to have any numbness by late on the day of surgery (I was AMAZED!!) and was able to open my mouth far enough for a baby spoon as soon as the tight elastics were removed the following morning. However, I did still like the Zip N Squeeze bags, and used them til I graduated from pureed meals. I did, however, use a plastic cup for water. Many people whose stories I've read do prefer plastic cups to glasses until the swelling comes down a bit and they regain just a little sensation.
   
   Post-op, we had hoped I could be out of braces in 3 - 6 months, but we hit a small "road-block" or three, so it took closer to a year. But no regrets here.
10. • CommentAuthordougz1
    • CommentTimeOct 12th 2009

     
    Be careful getting the Zip-n-Squeeze bags. I tried that and found that they took my money but never sent the bags. I finally had to get my payment back through PayPal. I think they may be out of business.
    
    Doug.
11. • CommentAuthorLeroyInsane
    • CommentTimeOct 15th 2009

     
    I'm wondering if I'm underestimating the time I need to be taking off from school. I was assuming 7-10 days (surgery on Tuesday, back the following Thursday or Friday depending on how much I'm missing at school). Should I be telling my teachers I'll be requiring more time off than I originally told them?