Five Essential Items for Jaw Surgery

My blog is turning into a jaw surgery blog but since this is the biggest thing going on in my life, it makes sense. Don't worry, I'll get back to my riveting book reviews and randomness soon I'm sure.

It's also cartoon central so I'll also break that that up with this post.

My mom and I were talking about what the five essential items were that I absolutely could not have done without during my recovery. I'm putting this out there in case anyone ever stumbles across this post and is looking for advice.

These are items I believe every jaw surgery patient should have on hand when they get home.

1. Proper Pain Meds (make sure you fill this and have it at home before your surgery)

My surgeon put me on a really good pain med*. I was on morphine in the hospital and of course, it was great. I was pleased that he didn't send me home with a recommendation to take Advil or Tylenol. He gave me a more powerful med and it has helped me so much. You will experience discomfort but nobody should have to writhe around in pain.

2. Blistex (get the economy size!)

Don't use Vaseline, you're going to need something medicated. Don't just use your regular lip balm either - the one you have to squish on your lips from the tube. I'm on Day 23 now and can't imagine when I'm going to get on a regular balm because my lips are still numb.
Your lips will be in really rough shape when you wake up from surgery. Blistex cleared my lips up in 4-5 days tops. Impressive considering what they went through.

3. Kleenex

I went through so much Kleenex! When rinsing my mouth, "eating", drooling, crying, bloody nose etc. In the first ten days I think I used 16 boxes. I'm on Day 23 and I'm up to 26 boxes. Easier than doing a million loads of laundry, especially the first week.

4. Ice

Get a good jaw bra for recovery at home. My surgeon gave me one and it was the bomb. Skip the blue ice packs - the ones you buy in the store and put in the freezer. They don't last very long and aren't that cold! I put ice cubes** in a double ziploc bag and it worked much better. If you're having a hip graft put the ice/Ziploc in a small sock and place that on your incision - it really helped me.

5. Syringes

The syringes are really the only way to "eat" during your first few days but it takes so much practice. I also used a tube on the syringe when my lips were in bad shape, but the syringes alone are better because they're easier to control. Get a couple of them because mine all wore out in less than a week.

I'm so glad my surgery is over and I'm this far into my recovery. I can already tell how much better my life will be!


*Hydromorphone, Brand Name: Dilaudid
** I also went through 2-3 bags of ice in the first week and a half.