If you are unhappy with the appearance of your jaw, if you are experiencing problems such as temporomandibular joint disorder, or if orthodontic treatment like braces fails to improve the position of your jaw, you may be referred for surgery to correct it instead.

It probably comes as no surprise to learn that jaw surgery is a very intense procedure, with a significant preparation and recovery period. Here’s what you need to know about what to expect before and after your jaw surgery.

What to Expect Before Jaw Surgery

Knowing what to expect before jaw surgery will help to alleviate some of the anxiety that you may feel. Meanwhile, following your surgeon’s instructions with regards to preparation will help ensure that you are as ready as possible for the day of your procedure, and will reduce the likelihood of you experiencing complications either during the surgery itself or in the days and weeks that follow.

Around a fortnight before your surgery, you’ll need to stop taking certain medications. Your surgeon will advise you if this is the case at your consultation and explain why. For example, aspirin is a blood thinner, and this could lead to abnormal bleeding during or after jaw surgery. By stopping taking medications a fortnight before your surgery, there will be enough time to make sure that their effects aren’t still in your system when you have your procedure.

Your surgeon will also strongly recommend that you stop smoking at least a fortnight before your surgery. This is because smoking increases the risk of complications and slows down natural healing. There really is no better time to quit for good, but if you can’t, you should stop for at least two weeks before and eight weeks after your surgery.

A Week Before Surgery

Around a week before your procedure, you’ll need to have your pre-operative checks. These will involve taking x-rays of your jaw and potentially impressions of your teeth too. Your surgeon may request blood tests, as well as meeting with you to perform a physical exam and check that your medical history is all up to date.

24 Hours Before Surgery

You won’t be allowed to eat or drink anything for at least 12 hours before your procedure, so make sure that you have a good meal before this countdown starts. This is because you’ll be given a general anesthetic for your procedure. You will also have to stop taking any other medications to ensure that they don’t interact with any of the medications that you are given during your surgery.

What to Expect After Jaw Surgery

Immediately after your jaw surgery, you’ll be taken to recovery where you will come around from the general anesthetic. Your surgical team will check on you regularly to make sure that the effects are wearing off. It is highly unlikely that you will be able to go home for at least 48 hours as your surgical team will want to monitor the earliest stages of your recovery.

You will be in some considerable discomfort, and your surgeon will prescribe you pain medications to help ease this. It’s important that you take any medications, including pain medications, exactly as and when prescribed. This can help to prevent pain from becoming unbearable and reduce your risk of complications.

Unsurprisingly, you won’t be able to eat normally for some time. It will be difficult to open your mouth and chewing anything will be painful. For this reason, you’ll be recommended to follow a liquid and/or soft food diet for at least six to eight weeks – think soups, ice cream, scrambled eggs, and smoothies. Over time, you will be able to increase your tolerance and progress to things like porridge, pasta, and potatoes.

Your surgeon will advise you on how to take care of your teeth and mouth while you heal, including how to brush. You should use a manual toothbrush during the healing and recovery period since the vibrations of an electric variety could prove painful. You’ll also need to take a few weeks off of work, and again, your surgeon will be able to advise you how long you are likely to need.

For more information about what to expect before and after jaw surgery, visit Hawaii Oral Surgery in Aiea. Call 808-731-2220 to schedule an appointment today.