Swelling: You can expect swelling to be the worst in the first week after oral surgery. It's usually most noticeable from three to five days after surgery, then it gradually lessens. Bruising: Bruising often accompanies swelling, and it dissipates as the swelling subsides.
Pain and Swelling
Pain often peaks 3 to 5 days after surgery, and should slowly subside after. During the first 24 hours, ice packs can help to reduce the overall amount of swelling that you will experience. It can also help to relieve sensitivity. You can continue to use ice 3 to 4 days after your procedure.
You may need to take at least 2–3 weeks off work/school for your surgery. Most patients feel fairly good after about 2 weeks of recovery, but because of the dietary changes, it may be as long as 6 weeks before you have most of your energy back.
JAW JOINT PAIN
It is due to pressure in the jaw joint area due to the new position of your jaw. This will usually disappear within 2 to 3 weeks. If the pain medication is not taking the pain away, let your surgeon know and an anti-inflammatory medication may be prescribed.
You will be positioned with your head up. This will help minimize swelling. This “head up” position should be used for the first 7-10 days to help reduce swelling. Expect the peak of your swelling to occur 48 hours after surgery and most should be gone by 7-10 days.
Tissue injury, whether accidental or intentional (e.g. surgery), is followed by localized swelling. After surgery, swelling increases progressively, reaching its peak by the third day. It is generally worse when you first arise in the morning and decreases throughout the day.
Post-op swelling typically peaks about 3 to 7 days after surgery and then gradually subsides, with only minor swelling evident after the first month or two.
However, the extensive bone and muscle manipulation and various movements during surgery may result in postoperative pain, especially in the TMJ. Positional changes of the mandible, maxilla, or both jaws during orthognathic surgery can affect the TMJ, masticatory musculature, and surrounding soft tissue [5, 6].
Do not smoke (smoking also dries and irritates oral mucosa). Avoid alcohol, which can cause nausea and dehydration. Sleep with your head elevated on two pillows or in a comfortable recliner chair for the first week following surgery.
Returning to work and activities
The recovery time is different for each person. You need to take 2 to 4 weeks off work. Avoid any sports for the first 4 weeks after surgery.
Will I lose weight? After the jaw surgery there are several factors like restricted jaw movement, swelling, pain, dribbling, lack of sensation or feeling in the lips and mouth, and an altered ability to taste which make it more difficult to eat. Because of this you may lose weight.
Mild or moderate pain and swelling at the incision site are common. These symptoms usually peak 2 to 3 days after surgery and then get better. Many people also feel a little dizzy, sleepy, or drowsy. Nausea (feeling sick to stomach), and vomiting (throwing up) are also common.
Ibuprofen is typically prescribed as 600mg to be taken every 6 hours. This can be taken up to 5-7 days post-operatively if the patient has no medical reason to avoid this medication. Acetaminophen is typically prescribed as 500mg to be taken every 6 hours.
You will be completely numb on the jaw that was operated on, so there is not a great amount of pain. However, the swelling starts up immediately and there is some jaw stiffness to be anticipated. There is some soreness from the breathing tube that the anesthetist places and this soreness will also subside with time.
After an oral procedure, you're likely to experience pain and swelling in your face and neck. Additionally, you may experience bruising and a sore throat, leading to disrupted sleep. You must stick to postoperative care if you want to heal quickly, which involves getting proper sleep.
Don't try to fight them and open or move your jaw. If you need to cough, sneeze, or yawn, use your hand to support below your chin to avoid the tendency to try to open your mouth!
Elastic facial dressing (jaw bra) : This elastic bandage should be kept in place as much as possible for the first 24 hours. After the first day this bandage is not essential but may help reduce swelling more quickly. Wearing this dressing at night will also help reduce swelling that may occur when lying down.
We always make the patients aware that the first week of the jaw surgery is uncomfortable. This procedure is usually not that painful surprisingly. However, due to swelling and blood clots in the sinuses, patients feel uncomfortable.
Similarly, most of my patients who underwent corrective jaw surgery seldom complain of much pain after the surgery. There is always some degree of discomfort but it is largely bearable. Most patients do not even need painkillers by the time they are discharged.
As odd as it sounds, you don't feel it – I promise! If anything, your faces feels a little bit heavier than usual, but you get used to that within a couple of hours. You honestly don't even feel the metal because they're too far up.
The highest incidence of postoperative complications is between one and three days after the operation. However, specific complications occur in the following distinct temporal patterns: early postoperative, several days after the operation, throughout the postoperative period and in the late postoperative period.
Some of the anesthetics used during surgery and your post-operative medications can cause disturbances to the gastrointestinal system and can contribute to bloating and discomfort. Drinking adequate water is essential for overall good health and it can decrease swelling.
You should feel pretty good the morning following your surgery. Most women, though not “back to normal” report some fatigue but generally are not experiencing any significant pain or soreness. Your bleeding should be improved compared to the previous day.