Before and after jaw surgery tips

There are times we feel insecure about your face especially its shape in the jaw area. Some faces are too round, some too angular, others too long, and a few uneven ones.

Don’t we all dream of having the perfect shaped face with a smooth facial line? This is particularly difficult to achieve since face shapes are mostly defined by the jaw bone and bone shapes cannot be remedied by using skincare and other natural methods. If you often find yourself being insecure of your face shape especially your jaw line, then jaw surgery might be for you.

Before surgery tips

Do NOT eat or drink anything after midnight the day before surgery or as directed by the pre-procedure testing appointment. Prepare all items and medications needed during your hospital stay.

After Surgery tips

All patients feel discomfort or pain after an operation, although the level of pain varies from patient to patient. Take your pain medications as directed.

When you go home, it is important that a friend or relative spends the first night with you. Continue to take any previous medications before following the instructions on the bottle.

You will be able to shower on the second day after surgery. You must avoid hot, prolonged showers which may cause bleeding in the upper jaw if surgery is performed there.

Avoid exercises, any heavy lifting or activity that raises your blood pressure or pulse for at least one month after the surgery. The blood vessels are still healing from the surgery and any increase in activity may cause bleeding. You may begin gentle exercise (eg walking on a treadmill) after 2 weeks, but do not do any cardio for 4-6 weeks after the surgery.

Do not drive a vehicle or perform any task that requires coordination or judgment for at least 48 hours following your anesthetic.

How to sleep after jaw surgery

after jaw surgery sleep the first 1-2 weeks on your back, head elevated. After my first surgery I used two thick memory foam pillows under my head on the bed, and also slept in a recliner the first few nights. Two feather pillows that are easy to mash down might not be enough to qualify for “elevating your head”. Ask your surgeon before you return to sleeping on your side, or normally with one pillow. Sleeping with your head elevated helps to reduce swelling. By week 3-4 I was sleeping normally, and by week 6 it seemed even better. My experience following my second surgery was even better. I was sleeping through the night with ease after two weeks.

Types of Jaw Surgery

The 2 primary types of jaw surgery are:

Lower jaw surgery (mandibular osteotomy)

Upper jaw surgery (maxillary osteotomy)

Lower Jaw Surgery

The lower jaw is medically called the mandibular jaw. It follows that a mandibular osteotomy removes part of the bone of the lower jaw.
An OMS might recommend this procedure to correct either a protruding or receding lower jaw. The process typically involves:

-Accessing the lower jaw from the inside of the mouth;
-Cutting the lower jaw bone and soft tissue behind the molars;
-Enabling movement of the front of the lower jaw;
-Repositioning the bottom jaw bone;
-Securing it in its new position with screws, plates, wires, or rubber bands

Upper Jaw Surgery

A board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon might recommend a maxillary osteotomy surgery to correct:

Having too little facial bone growth in the midface region (midfacial hypoplasia)
– Having too much or too little teeth showing
– A protruding or receding upper jaw
– Open bite
– Crossbite
– Cleft lip

Following are some of the conditions that may indicate the need for corrective jaw surgery: