Pain- 0/10 Discomfort- 0/10 Weight- 120/122 Energy Level- 8/10 Three weeks ago today I was being wheeled into the O.R. to have my lower jaw lengthened. I have halfway through my initial recovery to when I can start chewing again! If the next three weeks goes as quickly as the first three, then I will be chewing before I know it. This was also my first full week of being able to take my bands off to eat, which broadened my options for food. Eating The first two days of being able to take my bands off to eat was time consuming. I found myself eating a tiny bit and then making something I could just drink. However, after those first couple of days, it became easier and easier to eat. After five days of my no chew diet I have had no issues. I am now eating full meals and it takes me no longer than it did before when I could chew. I did learn a couple things though. The first is that as long as the food is wet, soft, and can easily be cut it will be no problem to eat. Dry foods cannot easily be swallowed without chewing. Here is a list of foods that I have successfully eaten with no chewing and no discomfort:
All of these foods were effortless to "tongue chew." It really helps your energy levels once you start consuming solid foods and your weight will begin to go back up. The second thing I learned is that as long as you can soften the food with a soup, milk, or other liquid it should be no problem to eat. I haven't tried this yet, but I could probably eat any sort of cookie (chocolate chip, Oreo's, short bread, etc) after being dipped in milk. If there is something you want to eat, just think if there is any liquid that would accompany it to make it easy to swallow without chewing. Third, you have to remind yourself not to chew. It's such a habit and it's unusual to not chew. I have accidentally chewed a couple of times and had no pain whatsoever, but that does not mean I can or should chew. I just have to really focus to keep from doing it. Talking I sound completely normal now. However, since my lower lip is still numb it feels awkward to talk, but the more I talk the less awkward it feels. I have looked in the mirror as I talk and it doesn't look weird, just feels like it. I am not getting sore or tired when I talk. I don't even really feel like I am recovering anymore. The elastics feel like something I would have received at the orthodontist and my teeth feel the exact same way. The main thing is getting used to talking with my jaw in its new position.
4 Comments
Laura
9/18/2016 03:00:00 pm
I'm due to have my lower jaw surgery in 19 days. Your progress has been so insightful. I'm worried about the exact same thing - will i continue to try and force my lower jaw forward after the surgery? Probably. Its going to be a difficult habit to break!
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Kristin
9/20/2016 01:33:49 pm
I'm so glad you have found it helpful! You will continue to force your jaw forward for a little bit. For me, I had spent 15+ years obsessively thinking about making sure my jaw was forward so I looked "normal." The first week after getting your bands removed are the toughest for this adjustment. With how uncomfortable it feels to push your jaw forward post-op, it is a habit that is broken quickly. Good luck on your upcoming surgery!
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Jen
3/20/2017 07:04:56 am
Did you have pain in your jaw once you were able to start moving it? Mine has been killing me for a couple days. I went back to an all liquid diet so I didn't have to move my jaw.
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Kristin
3/21/2017 03:58:35 pm
Yes, I definitely had pain. Especially because I was used to moving it a certain way or wide open that when I could no longer do that, it would be painful to go beyond what my jaw was ready for. Your surgeon should have given you some exercises to do such as opening and closing. Definitely get in touch with your surgeon to make sure there isn't something more going on. I feel like I was very numb for a long time, so I may not have felt that much pain. I hope that was helpful!
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