Posted by Rob Christensen on 1/27/2011 to
Surgery - Jaw, Facial, Oral, Cosmetic, Orthognathic
Here is a great blog on a going through the process of a bi-maxillary osteotomy, including a Le Fort I Maxillary Osteotomy and a Sagittal Split Mandibular Osteotomy. http://realityalwaysbites.wordpress.com/
She also has some great suggestions from her experience on preparing for surgery. Her checklist for post-surgery survival included:
• Extra boxes of tissues. Ideal for mopping up floods of drool.
• Facial wipes, to cleanse your skin gently whilst your face is all tender and puffy.
• Vaseline. Keep slapping it on to prevent your lips from drying out and becoming sore.
• Antiseptic mouthwash, baby toothbrush and toothpaste for sensitive teeth. Once you start feeding, it’s important to keep your mouth as clean as possible to prevent getting trapped food decaying in there. Very carefully give your teeth a once over with the brush after your first meal, but be careful not to disturb the stitches in your gums. If you can’t manage to cram a small brush in there, swill with mouthwash instead.
• Eye mask and ear plugs. You’ll need as much rest as possible and sleeping in a busy ward ain’t easy with all the glaring lights and beeps.
• A couple of bottles of water with sport cap. It’s essential to drink as many fluids as you can, and the cap makes it easy to squirt water through your jaws.
• Large feeding syringe. You can buy these in pharmacies, but if not request one at the hospital. Essential for getting juice and blended food in as you will not be able to open your mouth very wide to begin with. Using a straw unfortunately won’t cut the mustard, as you won’t be able to move or feel your face. (Or try our new NutriSqueeze™ pouches http://www.craniorehab.com/nutrisqueeze-pouches.html)
• Food. It might be a good idea to bring something in to snack on in between meal-times, or in case the hospital food isn’t soft enough for you. Good stuff to bring in are fruit smoothies, blended soup and yoghurt. Chocolate milk, custard or/and rice pudding can be brought in for a treat.
• Pajamas, slippers, bedsocks and bathrobe for shuffling about in. It can get cold in some part of the hospital, so bring a warm fluffy robe to wrap up in. Also recommended are pajama tops that do up at the front rather than the kind that are pulled on over the head to prevent contact with the jaw.
• Music player, magazine, book, etc. Whatever keeps you entertained, really. Sitting around in a hospital bed is boring as hell after a while. So bring something to entertain you, otherwise you might get lumped with a copy of Good Housekeeping picked up from the waiting room for company. You’ll be feeling drowsy and a tad disconcerted after the op. so music is essential to relax and soothe you, especially as hospital t.v.’s are often pricy to rent out.
• Towel and toiletries: deodorant, shower gel, shampoo etc. Take a shower as soon as you feel up to it, it can get really sticky and unpleasant between those hospital sheets. You’ll feel much better for it.
• Compact mirror. You might as well get it over with and face the music.
• Pen and paper. You jaw will quickly get tired of gabbing with your guests, so it’s useful to have this at hand to communicate with your loved ones when you feel like giving the face a rest. Also, it’s kinda fun to play pictionary!
• Photo of partner/pet/family, cuddly toy, etc. Any trinket from home will do to comfort you when you feel a bit grotty.
• Clothes to wear on leaving the hospital. Flat shoes, trekkie bottoms and zip-up top are permissable on this day. You’ll feel groggy and want to be as comfy as possible. Don’t worry about stealing out of hospital with a wedding veil to cover your face. Not many people look their best on coming out of hospital and noone is expecting you to!
She also has some great suggestions from her experience on preparing for surgery. Her checklist for post-surgery survival included:
• Extra boxes of tissues. Ideal for mopping up floods of drool.
• Facial wipes, to cleanse your skin gently whilst your face is all tender and puffy.
• Vaseline. Keep slapping it on to prevent your lips from drying out and becoming sore.
• Antiseptic mouthwash, baby toothbrush and toothpaste for sensitive teeth. Once you start feeding, it’s important to keep your mouth as clean as possible to prevent getting trapped food decaying in there. Very carefully give your teeth a once over with the brush after your first meal, but be careful not to disturb the stitches in your gums. If you can’t manage to cram a small brush in there, swill with mouthwash instead.
• Eye mask and ear plugs. You’ll need as much rest as possible and sleeping in a busy ward ain’t easy with all the glaring lights and beeps.
• A couple of bottles of water with sport cap. It’s essential to drink as many fluids as you can, and the cap makes it easy to squirt water through your jaws.
• Large feeding syringe. You can buy these in pharmacies, but if not request one at the hospital. Essential for getting juice and blended food in as you will not be able to open your mouth very wide to begin with. Using a straw unfortunately won’t cut the mustard, as you won’t be able to move or feel your face. (Or try our new NutriSqueeze™ pouches http://www.craniorehab.com/nutrisqueeze-pouches.html)
• Food. It might be a good idea to bring something in to snack on in between meal-times, or in case the hospital food isn’t soft enough for you. Good stuff to bring in are fruit smoothies, blended soup and yoghurt. Chocolate milk, custard or/and rice pudding can be brought in for a treat.
• Pajamas, slippers, bedsocks and bathrobe for shuffling about in. It can get cold in some part of the hospital, so bring a warm fluffy robe to wrap up in. Also recommended are pajama tops that do up at the front rather than the kind that are pulled on over the head to prevent contact with the jaw.
• Music player, magazine, book, etc. Whatever keeps you entertained, really. Sitting around in a hospital bed is boring as hell after a while. So bring something to entertain you, otherwise you might get lumped with a copy of Good Housekeeping picked up from the waiting room for company. You’ll be feeling drowsy and a tad disconcerted after the op. so music is essential to relax and soothe you, especially as hospital t.v.’s are often pricy to rent out.
• Towel and toiletries: deodorant, shower gel, shampoo etc. Take a shower as soon as you feel up to it, it can get really sticky and unpleasant between those hospital sheets. You’ll feel much better for it.
• Compact mirror. You might as well get it over with and face the music.
• Pen and paper. You jaw will quickly get tired of gabbing with your guests, so it’s useful to have this at hand to communicate with your loved ones when you feel like giving the face a rest. Also, it’s kinda fun to play pictionary!
• Photo of partner/pet/family, cuddly toy, etc. Any trinket from home will do to comfort you when you feel a bit grotty.
• Clothes to wear on leaving the hospital. Flat shoes, trekkie bottoms and zip-up top are permissable on this day. You’ll feel groggy and want to be as comfy as possible. Don’t worry about stealing out of hospital with a wedding veil to cover your face. Not many people look their best on coming out of hospital and noone is expecting you to!