What to Expect Following A Jaw Surgery?
The jaw is not only an important feature that structures your face, but it also has some significant functions. The primary roles of the jaw include aiding in chewing, speaking, and controlling air flow to the mouth. Some jaw disorders may be caused by accident, while others are genetic, and one is born with them. These jaw inadequacies may hinder the quality of life for the sufferer.
However, with orthognathic surgery, doctors can fix jaw problems entirely. So what should you expect after getting jaw surgery? Below is a list of some of the things you should be on the lookout for.
Table of Contents
Expect After Getting Jaw Surgery
Pain Management and Medication
Pain is part and parcel of any surgery, and this fact also applies to oral and maxillofacial procedures. You will be under anesthesia during the process; thus, you will feel only a little discomfort. Jaw surgery is done under local anesthesia. Therefore you will only experience a little discomfort. You will be given a mild pain reliever in syrup form.
For the most part, codeine is prescribed to be taken as per the doctor’s instruction. Your doctor will prescribe other medications such as anti-inflammatory and anti-steroids to cater to the swelling post-surgery. The doctor will prescribe nasal decongestants in some cases, especially if you had maxillary osteotomy. Antibiotics before and after surgery are a must to reduce instances of infections.
Read: Revision Rhinoplasty Risks
Post-Surgery Symptoms
Swelling and stiffness are some of the most noticeable post-surgery effects. There will be visible signs of swelling and bruising that last for three weeks after the jaw surgery. The other symptoms you may experience right after the surgery include nausea and blood loss which gets less intense by the hour. Most of these symptoms will go away in three to four weeks after the surgery. An ice pack and the medication given will go a long way in reducing these symptoms.
The jaw and teeth are also held together tightly with orthodontic elastics that help alleviate some of these symptoms. It is very likely to have a blocked nose with bloody discharge after the surgery. It would be best if you did not blow your nose more so during the first-week post-surgery. You will also experience numbness for a few months after surgery which should go away. After the surgery, you should be on the lookout for emergencies cases that warrant hasty medical attention. Medical emergencies include persistent nose bleeds and any signs of infections.
Discharge from Hospital
Although it is a very extensive surgery, jaw alignment procedures are relatively fast. On average, jaw surgery takes three hours to perform unless there are other complexities. The discharge time is usually one day for one jaw. The recovery time increases with double jaw surgery and other procedures being achieved. It is advisable to have a person driving you home and being with you for at least the first few days after discharge.
