Jaw Surgery Forums » Post-Surgery and Recovery Questions

Expectations Vs. Reality

(18 posts)
  • Started 5 months ago by BaliGirl
  • Latest reply from BaliGirl
12

  1. BaliGirl
    Member

    Did anyone expect their surgery and recovery to be worse than it has actually been?

    I have been trying to imagine and prepare for every possible recovery scenario - I figure it would be better to expect the worst and be pleasantly surprised if things went better than expected than the other way around. Either way I figure it will suck, but I'm hoping it sucks less than I'm expecting.

    Just wondering how others experiences after surgery compared to their expectations.

    On 12/28/11 I had a 4 piece LeFort 1 procedure done to correct an open bite.

    http://jawsurgerysaga.blogspot.com/
    Posted 5 months ago #

  2. RachelM
    Member

    I'm not sure there is anyone on here who has said surgery is worse than they thought it would be. In fact, most people say it's much better than they ever could have imagined.
    I woke up and felt loads better than I thought I would. When you think about what they do to you, it sounds so brutal it's hard not to think it's going to be awful. But actually it's ok. The worst thing for me was getting frustrated by just how long it takes to recover fully. It's tougher psychologically than physically more than anything

    Posted 5 months ago #

  3. talkalot24
    Member

    I agree with Rachel.

    I've not had jaw surgery done twice, and (heaven forbid!) I would have it again if I had to. That I'd be willing to have it done for a third time has to be a good indication that I didn't find it to be too bad.

    Pain wasn't really that big of a deal. My jaws ached a good bit for the first 24 hours or so, but it was nothing that Ibuprofen couldn't alleviate.

    The hardest part for me the first 12 hours was not feeling like I could breathe. Due to the inflammation, I felt like my throat was closing up a bit. Being so weak and how hard it is to eat were the other hard parts. But, all in all, it really is not that bad -- especially if you have some help.

    The psychological battle is often the hardest part for many people. People worry about how it's affecting their nose. People see swelling at the 2-week mark and (not realizing it's swelling) wonder if that's what they are going to look like permanently. And, you do get tired of the liquid diet and would almost be willing to sell your first child if you could just eat a cheeseburger.

    But again, I really don't think it was that bad. I would have it again if necessary.

    Posted 5 months ago #

  4. linzi
    Member

    i too agree with both the above posts.before surgery i trawled through you tube videos and scared myself silly.
    i was expecting to be in hospital for at least 3 days in pain etc ect and infact i used no pain relief ,was up and about within hours and home the next day.

    the first week was no fun at all,but as said above it was the emotional side that was worse and i think thats because when you planning for surgery you only think about the pain,not feelings so it comes as a bit of a shock.

    theres no easy way around the not eating ...that for me has been the most challenging part

    lower jaw surgery 22nd november 2011
    Posted 5 months ago #

  5. Hose.A.Jaw
    Member

    @BaliGirl: For me, the physical aspect of recovery from this surgery has been MUCH easier than I had expected. What I did NOT prepare for was what ultimately broke me... I had an emotional breakdown at the end of Day 6. Am much better now. I go into great detail on my blog. See the post titled "One Week..."
    I hope this could help anyone who is considering this surgery. You are very smart to ask.

    http://hoseajaw.wordpress.com/
    Posted 5 months ago #

  6. BaliGirl
    Member

    Thanks for the replies! It's awesome to be able to connect with others going through the same thing.

    I guess the emotional stuff is what I've been trying to prepare for more than anything. If I have thought about and prepared for possible scenarios, they become familiar and somehow less scary. For example: if I didn't expect to have difficulty breathing after surgery, if this happened I would probably flip out immediately. Because I know that difficulty breathing is a possibility, if it happens to me, I will be better equipped to deal with it (internal dialog will be running telling me it's normal, temporary, I just need to get through it, and remembering things that helped others to breathe). I just hope I can maintain that internal dialog through whatever I encounter. :-)

    Posted 5 months ago #

  7. Hose.A.Jaw
    Member

    I found it amazing how many people are having/recovering at any given time. Yes, BaliGirl, it is important to keep that internal dialog. Also, try keeping a journal. I almost didn't do a blog, but a friend of mine recommended it and I started the night before the surgery. It has been a life line for me just to get everything out. I wasn't sure if I could write something every day, but now it almost seems like I can't stop.

    Posted 5 months ago #

  8. bonbon2111
    Member

    Hey baligirl, i agree with rachel that it is def more about the psychological side of it all. Every one surgery is different and the experince they will take away with them will be diff. I prepared myself for teh worst and im glad i did, first 24 hours was teh worst for me personally after the surgery, i was so sick and fainted unbeliveablley amount of times.lol and took teh flu on top of it all.

    The best advise i wud give is stay postive, think of the outcome, u will go through sum hard times but that will be normal and try hard to push past them. I found this forum just in time before my surgery and i make sure im on it ev day as the support from ev1 is brill, esp rachel and linzi, they have really helped me through....thanxs girls by the way.lol

    I hope ur suregery goes well and u have a speedy recovery and just remember there will always be sm1 here to help u through ur though days and share ur gud days with u!!!!

    Good luck!xox

    Posted 5 months ago #

  9. linzi
    Member

    aww deffo no thanks needed,but thats very kind of you to say.i guess in a way helping you has also helped me as ive thought about someone else and not what i was going through.
    which is the great thing about this forum as you say ,theres always someone here who understands :-) x

    Posted 5 months ago #

  10. bonbon2111
    Member

    yeah i know linzi as good as my other half is he just dosent understand it fully how im feelin or goin through. example: his mum made me home made soup today oure liquidised, great so thought gonna have sum really runny readbreak teh nite, didnt think how thick it wud be still to get through my splint, of course didnt wrk, cryed cuz was so hungry.lol. and he just didnt know wot to do.lol so instead of takin it out on him i just came on here and it calmed me down.lol

    i think im going crazy!

    lol x

    Posted 5 months ago #

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