Jaw Surgery Forums » Post-Surgery and Recovery Questions

Jaw bra with heat

(6 posts)
  • Started 5 months ago by bracedblogger
  • Latest reply from sarah1000
  • 1 Members Subscribed To Topic

  1. bracedblogger
    Member

    I am wrapping up Day 4 since jaw surgery and I haven't iced since Day 2, per my oral surgeon's instructions. He said I could use heat if it made me feel better. Does it really help and if so with what (pain, swelling, something else?). I have a jaw bra that I purchased with hot/cold gel packs. Earlier today, I nuked them for the recommended time and tried to use the jaw bra but it actually kind of hurt. Hard to explain the pain but it was like if you squeezed a swollen face it would cause some pain/discomfort. It wasn't on too tight as I checked.

    I would love to hear your experience or recommendations using the jaw bra with heat and/or applying heat through any other measure and how it helped.

    Double jaw surgery on 12/17/11. BSSO mandibular advancement of 10 mm; two-piece le fort 1 with 3 mm impaction and maxilla brought forward 1 mm.

    http://www.tara-jaws.blogspot.com
    Posted 5 months ago #

  2. Rachellustig94
    Member

    I don't know about the jaw bra, I only used it for cold. But when my face tingled, and I was tired of the cold, I would get a hot wash cloth and hold it to my face. It would feel so good. My face stays really cold from the nerves. Don't know if that's what your looking for but it felt nice to me!

    Posted 5 months ago #

  3. keokeo
    Member

    mine came into handy later in my recovery (weeks 2-5). when i suffered from sore joints and shooting pains when i would yawn, my surgeon recommended hot compresses. the jaw bra worked like a charm for that and really felt good at that point.

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

  4. sarah1000
    Moderator

    My surgeon said ice no stop for 3 days, then he said heat if I
    wanted (increased blood flow can help healing) BUT only start this after a week. Maybe leave it for now?

    Over bite: palate expander, braces & bi-surgery with genioplasty Jan 2012!
    Posted 5 months ago #

  5. bracedblogger
    Member

    Sarah - good call on the heat. I think I will leave it for now. My surgeon only allowed me to ice while at the hospital and through the afternoon I was discharged so it was for a total of about 36 hours after surgery. I see some surgeons allow it longer up to 3 days. I wonder why there are different schools of thought on icing. I can tell you that my swelling peaked right at Day 3 (exactly 3 days to the hour since surgery) and it has been going down since. I felt the peaking was a bit early compared to some I've read about who had a peak at Day 4 or 5. I wonder if ice slows down the swelling in the beginning? Who know. I see your surgery is coming up and can't wait for your big day! Are they widening your upper jaw even though you already had a palate expander? For some reason, my upper jaw was widened 7 mm during surgery using a 2 piece le fort I. The original plan was just a le fort I with no expansion. However, after the mock surgery was performed just days prior to surgery, they decided this was necessary. It was planned to be about 4 mm expansion but during surgery the surgeon decided it needed 7 mm. I worry a little about regression because I have read that 7 mm is a lot for expansion during jaw surgery. I wonder if I would have benefited from the palate expander or a SARPE early on in my treatment. I am going to address the risks and my fears during my next apt. on 12/28.

    Anyway, I saw your photos and you're going to look amazing after your surgery! I'm really excited for you!

    Tara

    Posted 5 months ago #

  6. sarah1000
    Moderator

    Hi Tara,

    How is your recovery going now?  Yeah I guess all surgeon have found different things work and so all have their own opinions - the ice thing is what my surgeon Said yesterday as I had seen the question on here.

    No he is not planning in widening anymore during surgery - he is happy with the width after my sarpe.  Again, funny how some surgeons widen before and then some during the main surgery? I'm sure they both work really well, but some prefer to do it all in one go.  Mine was another general surgery so had wisdom out as well. 

    I am really excited about Jan, but at the same time terrified - guess that is to be expected.  My surgeon is really nice and always answers my questions no matter how many times I have asked!!  

    Thank you or your encouragement :)
    Sarah

    Posted 5 months ago #

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