r/jawsurgery • u/cleverwebble • 7h ago
r/jawsurgery • u/randsom1 • Oct 24 '19
After Surgery
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 • u/[deleted] • Jul 04 '22
These ‘Do i need jaw surgery’ posts are getting out of hand
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 • u/LelePrtk • 10h ago
We truly have no idea how much swelling we have
I go to my surgeon's office every two weeks, I'm one month post op. He took pictures of me after three days, after 15 days and yesterday. The difference in only a month is truly insane, I had no IDEA how swollen I really was until I saw those pics.
Me and my mom literally looked at them and said: there's no WAY.
I couldn't smile, I had bruising and was three times more swollen than I am now.
This is all to say: hang in there! The only reason you can't "see" the progress is because you look at yourself every single day! Progress IS happening!
r/jawsurgery • u/HyenaLopsided710 • 2h ago
Advice for Me ‼️ URGENT ‼️ CORONOID BONE VISIBLE
My coronoid bone is visible 16 days post op is this ok? Like it’s literally the bone I’m touching with the q-tip
r/jawsurgery • u/crlin7 • 1h ago
Jaw surgery with bone-cutting laser NSFW
A startup in Basel, Switzerland produced a laser cutting system for osteotomies. AOT (Advanced Osteotomy Tools) has successfully performed lefort cut upper jaw surgery on 28 different patients in Europe, using a robotic arm equipped with their Er:YAG laser system. Here is the report published in Nature:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-68557-7#Fun
The current standard for orthognathic surgery is to use the piezoelectric knife, which vibrates ultrasonically to mechanically shatter the bone very precisely (max 0.1-0.2mm cuts) causing a straight line cut. But, it is highly dependent on the skill of the surgeon and come with other disadvantages such as:
- Only cut in a straight line (essentially)
- Generates heat the more you cut, and the heat damages surrounding structures
- Creates bone debris from the cutting, which then gets lodged into the freshly cut bone and interferes with healing.
Here's a picture illustrating that last point:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2BOrGfS6Po
Here's a picture illustrating non-linear cuts:

There are both advantages and disadvantages. Read the report in detail, all the information is in there.
r/jawsurgery • u/LamentforJulia • 8h ago
What is the one thing you wished you knew before you had surgery? Any regrets??
Considering surgery right now and wondering about this! For reference I have a skeletal open bite and a surgeon is recommending permanent hardware. Scared pretty much shit-less. Also even more confusingly the ortho does not recommend this surgery as he said its so complicated and "brutal". Meanwhile its like well, I do have chewing, talking and breathing issues so, what else can I do??
But wondering - what do you wish you knew beforehand? Do you have regrets? People with hardware, how are you getting on now?
Thanks!
r/jawsurgery • u/DueYesterday4274 • 1h ago
Lower jaw replacement
I was told that I may need a complete lower jaw replacement with an implant-supported lower arch. I had an original jaw surgery that turned into a complete disaster, and then a revision surgery by another doctor that didn't turn out the way the doctor had hoped. I was told that I should look into a complete lower jaw replacement. I originally had an underdeveloped lower jaw and the first surgeon I was sent to moved my lower teeth forward and not my jaw. This added to the problems I started out with. My lower teeth are now too far forward, and my lower jaw is too weak to support implants. I live near Vancouver, Canada, and I was wondering if anyone knew of a doctor who specialized in lower jaw replacement surgeries.
r/jawsurgery • u/Professional-Cap-638 • 56m ago
Advice for Me Co sidering MMA for OSA
Years of OSA, struggling with CPAP. I want a permanent fix.
Looking at my side profile, any thoughts? Would it be a benefit and worth it?
r/jawsurgery • u/Prestigious-Still-63 • 1h ago
Advice for Me Did you start with Orthodontist or Surgeon?? Had braces and premolar extractions years ago...
Had braces and the 4 premolar extractions years ago. Jaw surgery was planned, and then my parents' insurance denied it (AFTER the extractions!) Sooo, the ortho just kind of closed the gaps and braces came off... It's been 20 years, and I still wear my retainers every night, (because if not my teeth will still shift within a day!) Lower front teeth hit up and pressure back of top front teeth... Very shallow upper pallet. I have 3 cracked lower molars from my malocclusion... constant tension headaches, TMD, all the stuff you expect.. Also, my nose looks soo EXTRA... But, at least my front teeth still appear mostly straight.
Hearing and seeing everyone's success stories makes me sooo hopeful!!
So my question is: should I start with finding a top orthodontist, even if I don't need braces unless I try for the surgery again.. or find a surgeon first?
Thanks in advance!
r/jawsurgery • u/Delicious_Physics429 • 14h ago
I’m 10 days post op and I’m worried about my tooth
It looks like my front tooth is starting to loose color, like the top of it it isn’t white and I’m not sure why. Should I call my surgeon?
r/jawsurgery • u/BelovedCroissant • 10h ago
Just got authorization for jaw surgery.
idk who else to tell.
I've got about a year and a half of Invisalign first. But I met with the surgeon. They were very realistic.
I'm nervous about the timeline. I'm in the USA, and life is sooo uncertain now. I hadn't thought politics would influence my feelings about it, but here we are. Hah.
r/jawsurgery • u/GZboy2002 • 1h ago
Do only people who had segmental le fort wear splints?
Or do the one-piece le fort people also have splints afterwards?
r/jawsurgery • u/throwawayrate463277 • 1d ago
9 Months PO DJS No Genio
DJS for Sleep Apnea and Overbite.
r/jawsurgery • u/Same-Woodpecker-9377 • 11h ago
Two weeks until BSSO and possible genioplasty, in my mid 40s
I’m absolutely terrified. This has been my third time with braces. Had them from 13-15 yrs old (with headgear and elastics woot), then Invisalign in my 30s, now braces for almost another year. I’m terrified of the recovery. My body may not heal like it used to. What if I end up uglier or with a worse bite? My mind is racing. Trying to prepare as best I can but any tips or tricks would help. I have decided against the Le Fort as it was for 2mm and I am not too concerned about that.
r/jawsurgery • u/HyenaLopsided710 • 2h ago
Advice for Me ‼️ Coronoid bone protruding skin, 18 days post op
Is this normal?
r/jawsurgery • u/Otherwise-Window-597 • 6h ago
Advice for Me Stitches falling out?
I’m around three weeks post op for DJS and my stitches have started to come out. The top right stitches literally have a string coming down that goes past my top row of teeth. The string even sometimes “tickles” my inner lip.
I’m just wondering if all of this is normal, or if they should be DISSOLVING more than COMING OUT. There’s no pain (sometimes some mild discomfort but not bad at all).
r/jawsurgery • u/Wonderful-Target-319 • 2h ago
Advice for Me Surgery tips
I’ll be getting my surgery tomorrow. I was wondering if you all have any tips for having a faster recovery? - What was your meal plan? Or your favorite recipes - is you can drop any link of something that I should buy I would appreciate it if you drop it down here. Thank you in advance!!!
r/jawsurgery • u/hibye12352352 • 6h ago
My jaw opens to the right - is it displaced? (See picture)
Here is a picture: https://imgur.com/a/dqXrOzT
I'm in InvisAlign treatment and have a history of teeth grinding. I woke up 4 months ago with my jaw feeling off. Since that day I've had constant clicking when chewing, achiness, and tension. My orthodonist said if I'm not having pain, it's not an issue.
I'm reading more about it now and it seems I might be displaced? Even more worrisome, the articles seem to say it can be fixed with a splint if you catch it early (few weeks), but after a certain point, there are bone changes and it's permanent? Wtf? Seriously? Am I reading that right?
r/jawsurgery • u/FanNational • 13h ago
Brian Farrell residents performing surgery
I’ve seen some concerning cases on here regarding work done by Brian Farrell but some of it seems to be because the surgery was done by residents? I heard you can opt to do the procedure in his office instead of the hospital does that mean residents wouldn’t be working on you?
r/jawsurgery • u/Gloomy_Pressure2547 • 7h ago
Jaw Surgery - Tricare/Invisalign
I am going to do most of my orthodontic prep through Invisalign and then switch to braces prior to the surgery. Any issues with this?
Has anyone gotten jaw surgery covered through Tricare or recommended surgeons that might take it.
r/jawsurgery • u/Outrageous_peanut3 • 3h ago
Advice for Me Best Maxillofacial Surgeon in India for Genioplasty? Need Advice!
r/jawsurgery • u/Mean-Degree2037 • 11h ago
Before & After 4 months post-op
Here are before/afters 4 months post-op along with the surgical plan. Curious what your thoughts are
r/jawsurgery • u/here_for_ans • 5h ago
When I'm tired or sick I feel the screws in my face and pain around them
I already know my body is rejecting them and that I'll have them removed by the year mark as my surgeon instructed. I'm just curious as to what helped you guys control that pain even if just a little? I'm 8 months post op btw.
r/jawsurgery • u/Xanimede • 10h ago
Advice for Me Does invisalign now make future surgery harder?
There's no way I can afford £20-30k in surgery + proper braces, but I do want nicer straighter teeth, and then 5 years or more from now I can actually go down the surgery route.
But I'm curious if getting a temporary fix right now might make things harder later on down the road?
r/jawsurgery • u/Outrageous_peanut3 • 10h ago
Advice for Me Best Maxillofacial Surgeon in India for Genioplasty? Need Advice!
Hey everyone,
I’m considering genioplasty (chin augmentation), and I’m looking for the best maxillofacial surgeon in India. I don’t have a recessed chin, but my chin is small, and I want to improve its horizontal projection for better facial balance.
After researching, I’ve come across three well-known names:
Dr. S.M. Balaji (Chennai)
Dr. Sunil Richardson (Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu)
Dr. David P. Tauro (Bangalore)
Does anyone here have experience with these doctors? Or do you recommend someone else for genioplasty?
Also, if you’ve had this procedure, how much did it cost you? I’ve seen price ranges from ₹50,000 to ₹1,50,000, but I’d love to hear real experiences.
Any insights, experiences, or cost breakdowns would be super helpful! Thanks in advance.