How To Best Recover After Orthognathic Surgery

10 January 2022
 Categories: Dentist, Blog

Share

If you need orthognathic surgery or jaw reconstruction, you want to make sure everything heals properly. When you know what to expect ahead of time, you will have an easier recovery period. The following tips will help you heal after your jaw surgery:

Only Eat a Liquid Diet Right After Surgery

After you have jaw surgery, your doctor will recommend you consume only a liquid diet for a period of time. Not all jaw surgery will require you to have your jaw wired shut. Even if you do not have to have a wired jaw, you will heal best by only drinking a liquid diet. Eating and chewing might be uncomfortable.

To best prepare, you need to shop ahead of time for the items you would like to eat during your convalescence. You might want to purchase a juicer or a blender if you do not already own these tools. They will be very helpful in preparing your liquid diet. You can make pureed soups, smoothies, juices, and broths to sustain your health after your surgery. To make your recovery even easier, consider making some of your foods ahead of time and freezing them. You can then simply defrost your foods and eat them when you are ready.

Take Your Pain Medication

Your doctor will prescribe pain medication to deal with any discomfort you have after your jaw surgery. If you feel you need it, take the medication. You do not want your pain to get out of control. Make sure you drink plenty of water when you take your pain medication as it can cause some stomach pain or constipation. You can also take over-the-counter pain medication if you choose to avoid the prescription medicine. To aid in your recovery, you can also use a warm compress on your jaw daily.

Rest As Much as Possible

Rest is so important for the healing process. You should rest for the first couple of days after your jaw surgery. You can prepare to rest by getting some of your favorite books, games, movies, and anything else you need to keep yourself comfortable and entertained. You should plan to take several days off of work. Try to have someone available to help you around your house if possible.

After a few days, you can start doing some light activity. Take short walks or do a few easy activities around the house. As you build up your strength, you can begin to increase your activities. Always consult with your doctor before you begin any strenuous activities.

Keep these tips in mind when looking to get orthognathic surgery.