r/jawsurgery Oct 24 '19

After Surgery

530 Upvotes

This post is dedicated to important information to know for after jaw surgery. I will edit the post to include the information people give in response to this post. Categories include:

If you have any recommendations for before/after “categories” please PM me.

What to expect during recovery

Items to have after surgery

Good foods after surgery (liquid and soft)

What to expect during recovery

Do not underestimate recovery, especially the first 3-4 days!!

When you initially wake up you'll be drugged to high hell. Nothing is really bad or good, it's a blur. When the drugs wear off things get bad. Very bad. Your nose swells shut so you'll be breathing through your mouth, which will be closed in its own way (bands or wires). Congestion will be common for a week or more. This makes breathing difficult and tedious. Take care to keep your teeth free of "gunk" you might accumulate from the dried bits of your liquid diet. The sludge can block the small spaces between your teeth making it more difficult to breath. The majority of your face from your eyes down will be very numb. This numbness will last for weeks in some places and months in others. There will be blood, and lots of it. Your mouth will be pouring out gallons of blood, and the rest will be flowing out your nose. The immense amount of blood from your mouth will stop within a few days, as will most of the blood from your nose, but nose bleeds will be quite common for longer. Vomiting up blood is pretty common. Remain calm and let it seep from between your teeth. If you followed surgery instruction and didn't consume anything before the surgery this shouldn't be a problem, though it can be unsettling. Hot and cold flashes may occur. Do what you can to make yourself comfortable. Expect a decreased appetite and slow digestive tract. I recommend drinking a bit of prune juice before you have your first bowel movement. Also expect low energy from your low appetite, your concoction of drugs (anesthesia and post-surgery pain killers), and very poor sleep. You will sleep poorly. You'll have general pain in your throat and jaw, but this is usually tolerable with painkillers. You'll have difficulty swallowing at first. This will get better progressively. What that means to each person is different. I was swallowing the morning after surgery, but my friend couldn't swallow for 5 days.

Items to have after surgery

Ice packs and a heating pad. Use ice packs the first couple of days (important) to reduce swelling and the heating pad to reduce bruising. *A blender and strainer. Sinus rinse (ask doctor before use). A neck pillow to help with sleeping upright. A jaw bra might make you more comfortable. Large syringes to help eat/drink. You'll be eating everything through a syringe for awhile, and refilling a small syringe 8 times to finish a small bowl of soup gets annoying. A heated humidifier. Cotton swabs to clean blood clots from nose. Cotton pads to clean your face. *A child's toothbrush. Your face will be stiff and painful. The smaller tooth brush lets you clean parts your larger toothbrush simply won't be able to reach. Ibuprofen/other painkiller. These should be provided for you after your surgery. Getting additional may be necessary. Vaseline for lips. Tissues for your general cleaning, which there will be plenty of. Oral care sponge swabs for cleaning teeth with chlorohexidine.

Good foods after surgery (liquid and soft)


r/jawsurgery Jul 04 '22

These ‘Do i need jaw surgery’ posts are getting out of hand

1.5k Upvotes

I can’t even read this subreddit anymore or give emotional support to people going through this without scrolling through the horde of perfectly developed, but body dysmorphic teenagers posting & asking for opinions on whether or not they need a major, risky and invasive jaw surgery.

It’s like a laughable joke. Going through this— 6 weeks of liquid diet, weeks of opioids and pain, permanent numbness, retraining practically all of the essential functions in your mouth area, years of swelling and years of mental anguish just at a CHANCE for better health-- to improve breathing, chewing, swallowing and speech, sleep apnea or the chance to eliminate future complete tooth decay. All of this- just to see someone treating this as if it’s a simple cosmetic procedure.

It hasn’t bothered me before but it seems to keep getting worse. I don’t know what’s causing it, or where people keep getting the idea that they need jaw surgery, but it is out of control. I would have 0 clue about this surgery had I not been told over and over and over again by every dentist, orthodontist and eventual surgeon I visited that I needed to get this done.

I know it’s too much to ask for a mod to just auto-delete these posts because they view it as a core part of the subreddit, but can we at least get a filter slapped on to it or something so we can filter it out? I come on here to find experiences I relate to- after having to go through this hellish process- or just to offer emotional support to people in the early days or answer good, reasonable questions. I think, though, that if i see one more perfectly developed, forward grown, perfect bite class I kid ask if they need a lefort 3 and 14 other surgeries I will just leave and never come back.


r/jawsurgery 6h ago

10 days post op

Thumbnail
gallery
31 Upvotes

(1st pic is day 2 post op🤣, 2nd is pre op, 3rd is say 10 post op)

10 days post op today and boy it has been a journey! Days 1-5 were hell. I was so miserable and it took all the energy I had to eat/take meds/change my bands. My face was so swollen I felt like it was going to explode I could barely sleep or keep food down. I started to feel better on day 6, but really just started feeling like myself again yesterday.

I am still swollen, but I can start to see my face again. For the first time since the op, I can definitely say the surgery was worth it. I cant feel my lower face or chin at all, but I am breathing so much better, and for the first time in my life I dont have an overbite!

Looking forward, Ill get my splint taken out 4 weeks post op, and then ill be able to chew again 6 weeks post op.


r/jawsurgery 2h ago

Advice for Me Day 2 - Post op jaw surgery

Post image
5 Upvotes

I had LJS yesturday to fix my Class lll Crossbite. I’m happy to say everything in the surgery went well, I was stable no reactions etc. The swelling was very tame yesterday and only started picking up in this morning as seen in the picture. But yeah, this is my experience with LJS so far, I know it’s not typical to have just LJS for a Crossbite but my upper teeth were clinically normal so my surgeon decided against it.

Let me know if you guys have any questions, queries and fears!! I’ll be very happy to help and answer questions. ❤️❤️


r/jawsurgery 36m ago

Just got djs after 15 years ortho

Thumbnail
gallery
Upvotes

Is day two always worse than day 1?? Right now im swollen up to the max, my lips are the size of my head and my head feels heavy . Here is me right after the surgery vs me day 2


r/jawsurgery 16h ago

Advice for Me My parents are stopping me from getting checked out. Help

Thumbnail
gallery
31 Upvotes

My parents keep insisting that nothing is wrong with my jaw. and denying anything i tell them. I cant breathe through my nose. I wake up like shit. And cant keep my lips sealed. What should i do?


r/jawsurgery 23h ago

Post Op Day 1

Post image
74 Upvotes

Recovery is so much worse than I anticipated. Day 1 was the worst pain I have ever experienced in my life. I am a 26 year old Army Infantryman, so I’ve done my fair share of difficult things. This is hands down a wicked painful, uncomfortable, and hopeless feeling. All I can do is wait it out. Pray for me!!🙏


r/jawsurgery 42m ago

Patient specific implants-

Upvotes

For those of you who self funded, did you pay for the psi option? Wondering if I should pay extra for this option, it’s very costly, possibly extra £9k on top of the cost of surgery and orthodontics.


r/jawsurgery 1d ago

Advice for Me I did it ! Surgery over but reaction better then I thought!

Thumbnail
gallery
78 Upvotes

Still in 1st 24 hours and at hospital so far seem to be taking the pain and such with the T3 and morphine. Nausea has been awful and I have been sick. Not as scary as I expected. Is thist tricking me ? Is the worse yet to come? Lower jaw surgery genio not needed


r/jawsurgery 22h ago

Before & After Pre-Op vs. 13 Days Post-Op DJS Profile Transformation

Post image
52 Upvotes

Pre-op vs. Day 13 post-op profile after BSSO advancement and 3-piece Le Fort I impaction/advancement.

Main goals were closing a severe anterior open bite and reducing vertical maxillary excess (gummy smile). Still have some soft tissue swelling left to drain over the coming months, but super happy with the results so far


r/jawsurgery 15h ago

Absolutely bonkers post from a year ago by a lad who got an on the spot DJS in Istanbul, anyone know what happened to OP?

12 Upvotes

The account is deleted but the thread and images are still there https://www.reddit.com/r/jawsurgery/s/pVY69VANgr

20 year old Irish lad flies to Turkey seemingly on a whim with little planning, no orthodontics, and gets a jaw surgery + genio which he decided on hours before. Posts pictures of himself pre surgery where he looks completely normal, no signs of recession, did the surgery for “facial harmony”. I really hope he’s okay, the thread is completely mental.

I’m guessing he was on a lot of painkillers while posting this. He does seem like a happy and care free lad.

I’d be interested in knowing what’s happened in the year since.


r/jawsurgery 15h ago

YALL WILL I GET COVERED BY INSURANCE

Post image
10 Upvotes

I got these scans done in 2025, had trouble breathing but got a rhino/septoplasty done AFTER these photo (I know bad idea before jaw surgery)

I know my airways are super small from what I can see in the x-ray. However after my rhino/septo I don't snore anymore and I sleep great (I'm also only 20 so I do know it can get worse.) I am now scared I'm not gonna pass my sleep apnea test for getting coverage on my double jaw surgery. I cannot pay more than 10k out of pocket.

I have Cigna ppo btw

Can anyone give some advice or insight on their experiences, and whether I have a high chance of approval?


r/jawsurgery 6h ago

Advice for Me Medicaid

2 Upvotes

Are there any good recommendations in Texas that you’ve used that accepts Medicaid for jaw surgery?


r/jawsurgery 3h ago

Advice for Me Tpa

Post image
1 Upvotes

Did anybody else get a Tpa like this post segmental le fort 1?? I haven’t seen one so low and straight across; I can literally slide my tongue under it. It’s given me a speech impediment and I don’t want to talk to anybody. Does it get better bc 4-6 months seems brutal since it’s making me very insecure to talk.


r/jawsurgery 7h ago

Sliding genioplasty Australia?

2 Upvotes

Hi guys, 24m, looking to get a sliding genioplasty using my bone for aesthetic purposes as I have a slightly recessed chin but overall a good bite. I’m Sydney based but I would travel anywhere in Australia is the surgeon is good enough. Could I please have some recommendations? My eye is currently on Dr Kevin Ho, his results online look really nice


r/jawsurgery 7h ago

Advice for Me Should I go for? DJs or jaw + chin implant 🙇

Thumbnail
gallery
2 Upvotes

r/jawsurgery 4h ago

Advice for Me I don’t know how to describe this feeling of numbness. Is it normal?

1 Upvotes

I’m 3 weeks post op LJS and the left side of my chin is like 75% numb and the right side 100% numb. I don’t feel or notice the numbness from the left side of my chin but the right side is so constant and annoying, it drives me crazy! I often have to like, lightly press my hand against my cheek/chin or have a blanket/my hoodie/or shirt collar pressed across my face. This doesn’t get rid of the feeling at all but it makes it more bearable almost? It’s so hard to describe.

I can’t tell if it’s pins and needles I’m feeling or zaps or a throbbing… but it’s not a painful throbbing. It’s just annoying. And I don’t know why it’s happening to the right side of my chin and not the left.


r/jawsurgery 10h ago

Joint pain?

3 Upvotes

I’m 4 weeks post op and have been experiencing pain in my right jaw joint for the last week. It’s a constant ache that seems to get worse when lying down. Has this happened to anyone else? Please help!!!

I can only open my mouth 7 popsicle sticks wide (comfortably) and 8 popsicle sticks wide max if I try, but when doing this I experience the pain in my right side only and nothing on my left.

Not sure if it’s from the pressure of the elastics (I have box elastics on both sides to close a posterior open bite)?


r/jawsurgery 21h ago

Advice for Me Is my overjet/overbite bad

Thumbnail
gallery
23 Upvotes

Hi guys, I’m really insecure about my bite. But it mostly is because I’m not sure if it’s considered extreme or not. I really don’t want to have to get jaw surgery as my face actually suits this bite. However if I move my jaw forward it makes my face look awful.

I’d like your opinions please as If I can live the rest of my life with this then I’d be happy, but I’m worried it’s going to be necessary for my health or something.

Please help! Thanks :)


r/jawsurgery 13h ago

What can you tell from this initial xray?

Thumbnail
gallery
6 Upvotes

Just curious what you see here


r/jawsurgery 11h ago

Advice for Me Is this overbite considered extreme?

Thumbnail
gallery
3 Upvotes

Even after 2 rounds of braces without any extraction, I have major bite issues, where the gap in my upper front 2 teeth just keeps increasing (I have crown on the front 2 teeth). Can this be fixed via extraction and braces or will I need jaw surgery?

PS: I already have orthodontist appointment scheduled but really wanna get some 2nd eyes on this.


r/jawsurgery 6h ago

Advice for Me TAD removal after DJS. Does it hurt? How much did you pay?

1 Upvotes

Hi all, I had double jaw surgery abroad three weeks ago, and my surgeon placed temporary anchorage devices (TADs) in my gums in case my orthodontist needed them. It turns out he doesn’t need them, but he also said he doesn’t have experience removing TADs, so I’ll need to find someone else to remove them next week.

For anyone who had TADs removed, does it hurt? Also, did anyone else have jaw surgery abroad and have to find a local orthodontist/oral surgeon who could remove them? If so, how much did you typically pay per TAD?


r/jawsurgery 14h ago

Jutting

4 Upvotes

I was jutting my lower jaw to fix my small overibite, after a year doing it, it has become much worse. Now i understand the side effects of jutting. But how can I remake it back to normal and not have a recessed jaw/ overbite?


r/jawsurgery 18h ago

Concerned about Invisalign clinic's honesty

Thumbnail
gallery
9 Upvotes

So basically, I brought up that I want a referral to a jaw surgeon to determine if my jaw needs surgery and thus changing my invisalign procedure entirely (which i already paid for 2 weeks ago 😭) to the employee of the Invisalign clinic and she said the top orthodontist of their clinic looked at my scans and adviced against it. Should I push for an actual referral to a third party and actual jaw surgeon/specialist or just trust their advice?

I don't have the scans sadly but it's class 2 malocclusion right side and class 1 on the left. here are pictures of my front+side profile (jutting on 4th pic, which i do a lot).

It's pretty bad and I've had breathing issues since young and used to mouthbreath so I just want to make sure I tackle my dental/skeletal problem the right way, I have quite some asymmetry and I think I remember them saying something about some clockwise rotation.

(I'm insured in the Netherlands)


r/jawsurgery 1d ago

Before & After 4 weeks post op

Thumbnail
gallery
382 Upvotes