There are many reasons to choose to have jaw surgery, from aesthetic purposes to fixing an injury.
Whatever your reason for having surgery, you need to know how to get through your recovery.
Choosing the right surgeon, paying attention to your diet, and more will help! By following the jaw surgery recovery tips we discuss below, you can make sure that your recovery goes smoothly and you feel back to normal soon!
Keep reading to learn more.
Drink Your Food
For the first 24 hours after surgery (and sometimes longer during your jaw surgery recovery time), you should only drink fluids. You’ll be able to get enough nutrients through liquids to get you through the first day or two.
Some recommended liquids are water, juice, and warm broth. You can also buy milkshakes and healthy protein shakes from the store. If you have a blender, you can make yourself lots of healthy smoothies to make sure that you’re still getting plenty of calories and vegetables.
Add Soft Foods When You’re Ready
When your doctor says you’re ready, you can start adding soft foods back into your diet. Take it easy by eating the softest things first and then building up to harder foods as you feel the pain decrease and your strength return.
Some soft foods that require little to no chewing are:
- Mashed potatoes
- Ice cream
- Apple sauce
- Yogurt
As you find yourself able to really chew again, you can also try soft, flaky fish, ground poultry, and scrambled eggs. Make sure to really take your time. It’s not a race, and your comfort is of the utmost importance.
Manage Your Pain
Unfortunately, there will be pain after your jaw surgery. Your doctor will provide pain medication and give you a jaw surgery recovery timeline so that you know how long to continue taking it. Finding a doctor who is upfront about your prescriptions is an important part of choosing a corrective jaw surgeon.
You can subsidize your prescribed medication with over-the-counter pain killers such as ibuprofen and Tylenol. You should also regularly apply a warm compress to your face to reduce swelling and pain.
Your medication may cause constipation, so ask your doctor about a stool softener or prune juice to ease any discomfort.
Soothe Chapped Lips
While you go through lower jaw surgery recovery, you may find it hard to close your mouth all the way. This can result in chapped lips that will add to your discomfort.
The best way to handle chapped lips is to regularly apply chapstick. You can also help prevent chapped lips by staying very hydrated. Drink at least 12 cups of liquid a day. By drinking that much you’ll also ensure that you’re eating enough since most of your food will be a liquid diet anyway.
Take Your Time
Not only will you experience pain after jaw surgery, but you may also feel exhausted. This is normal as your body is working hard in order to heal.
Make sure that you take plenty of time off of work to make sure that you have time to rest and recover. You’ll only need a few days off of work, but be cautious returning to your regular activities. Skip your high-intensity workouts for a couple of weeks, and stay in shape through walks instead.
Jaw Surgery Recovery Made Simple
By following these tips, your jaw surgery recovery will go smoothly and without a hitch. You’ll be able to ease your discomfort, eat as much as your body needs, and rest until you’re fully recovered.
Want more surgery recovery tips? Check out our Health articles for more!
