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Orthognathic Surgery: Needing Encouragement and a few questions.

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    Hi All,
    I'm officially 23 days post-op (upper and lower) today. To be honest, I've never felt so hopeless about this surgery before. It's easy to shrug off being swollen and not being able to eat in the beginning because you have the hope that the 2nd or 3rd week will be better. It really sucks to almost be 1 month after surgery and still feel/look horrible. I've heard that some people had to wear their splint for 6-8 weeks, and lucky for me I'm geting it off on my 4th week. I really don't know what I'd do if I had to wear it any longer. I'm back at college now and I'm almost certain that the splint is what makes it so that I can't talk and it has been so hard not being able to talk. Anyway. Enough about my complaining. I have some questions for you all if you wouldn't mind answering :)
    What was the biggest difference you experienced once the splint came off? Were you able to use a straw after splint removal? Because right now I can't, and I've tried. I'm thinking the splint blocks the air or something used for sucking power.
    When did you start eating soft foods? After my splint comes off I'm sure i'll try to eat mashed potatoes, but my surgeon acted like I can't do any chewing at all until 8 weeks. It's kind of upsetting because I kind of have the attitude that if I can fit it in my mouth (since the opening is so small) I should be able to eat it. I'm not talking about trying to chew a steak, but I think having pasta would be nice.
    When did your swelling go away? I'm not even worried about the area above my lip/between my nose, but one side of my face is completely swollen, while the other side isn't. There's a lot of swelling around the nose as well.
    Also, did anyone have a crooked smile after surgery? I think it has to do with the messed up nerves and muscles but when I try to smile, one side goes up and the other doesn't really move at all. I'm hoping this doesn't last forever.
    Thank you all,
    Ashley
    • CommentAuthorpushead
    • CommentTimeJan 6th 2010
     
    I could barley use a spoon with the splint in let alone a straw. But the glorias day it came out I was back in buisness for both items.

    I was eating soft foods no later than week 4. I was not able to get much of any thing in due to the splint being in the way so it was very annoying.

    Most of my swelling went away in the first week.

    I laughed when I read about the crooked smile, because that is just what I have. Will be at one year on the 23rd.
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    Well I'm glad to hear that about the spoon and straw being able to be used after the splint coming out. I guess I'll just have to see what I can do with my soft foods after the splint comes out. I think my surgeon is a nice guy, but may be a little too cautious. So if he tells me to stay on the all liquid diet even after the splint comes out, I don't think I'm going to. And that's wonderful that all of your swelling went away so quickly. Apparently I still have a lot. Are you worried at all about the crooked smile? Like since it's almost been a year and it's still that way, do you worry that it'll never be a non-crooked smile?
    Anyway, thanks bunches for the response.
    • CommentAuthorpushead
    • CommentTimeJan 7th 2010
     
    The crooked smile does come to my mind every once in a while. When I am posing for a picture or looking in a mirror it does slightly irritate me. However I instantly think back to how I used to look and know even if I knew I would have a crooked smile for the rest of my life I would do it again. I am hopeful the nerve will come back. I try to exercise it when I can by smiling in the mirror.
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    That's good. Did you find it easier to talk once the splint was out?
    • CommentAuthorpushead
    • CommentTimeJan 7th 2010 edited
     
    Ya you will be able to talk allot better when the splint comes out. You will be able to pronunce words again. That thing is like a giant baracade for the roof of your mouth. No spoons, straws or clear speach. When It comes out you will be very pleased. Chewing is going to take a little time for you to get back to though. I remember how bad I wanted to shred a steak when it came out. That didnt happen. But I could slowy eat a cut up burger. I had to cut all my food for about a month or so after it all came out. It also seemed like it took an hour to eat a regular meal. Just let your lunch partners know in advance it may not be a prety site and you may not feel the kethup on your chin if it lands there. My friends where all very understanding about this even when I spit food on them or as they watched food fall out of my mouth.
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    Oh okay well I'm glad to hear that. I guess some people can talk with their splint even if it sounds abnormal, but I really couldn't talk at all and it's been frustrating. My splint comes off in less than 24 hours though :) Thanks for the help.

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