Postoperative Recommendations: Orthognathic Surgery

These recommendations are intended to help you recover safely after discharge from hospital.

The first few days:

SWELLING

• You were given medication(s) in the hospital to help minimize swelling. The swelling will peak 48-72 hours after surgery and then start to decrease.
• Keeping your head elevated with an extra pillow while lying down will help reduce swelling.
• Using ice compresses for the first 24-48 hours  will help limit swelling.

CONGESTION/SALICYLATES

• After your upper jaw surgery, your nose may feel stuffy. Please do not blow your nose as this will increase the pressure in the surgical field.
• Congestion is usually at its peak between days 3 and 5.
• You can use a steam machine in your room.
• Your doctor may have discharged you from hospital with decongestant medicines; you should use them as described

AUGUST

• You have been prescribed painkillers by your doctor. You are expected to need painkillers for a few days following your jaw surgery. If you do not feel any pain, you do not need to take your medicine except for the first 3 days.
• If your pain relief is not sufficient or if you experience dizziness or headache after taking pain relief, please contact the clinic contact number and seek advice from your doctor.

NAUSEA AND VOMITING

• Contact your doctor if you experience nausea after surgery or with pain medication. Various medications can be prescribed for this condition.

ORAL HYGIENE

     Good oral care after surgery, surgery   area clean and helps prevent infection. It also helps to create a feeling of comfort that your mouth is clean. Oral care starts 12 hours after surgery and should be continued when you go home.

GARGARA

• Gargle with salt water every 4 hours or more often if necessary. Use 1/4 teaspoon of table salt dissolved in (1 cup) warm water.
• Avoid using strong mouthwashes. In addition, you will have a prescription for a bottle of chlorhexidine to use as a rinse twice a day. Please use this for the first 7-14 days after surgery

BRUSHING TEETH

• Brushing should be done with a soft, small toothbrush.
• As your lips swell, it will be difficult for you to notice the saliva accumulating in your mouth. Therefore, you may experience some drooling. This is a temporary condition.
• After surgery, your lips, especially the lower lip, and some of your gum tissue may become numb. Brush carefully and keep the toothbrush on your teeth.

EMOTIONAL SUPPORT

You may feel that the first days and weeks after surgery are difficult, both physically and emotionally. Sometimes you may wonder why you decided to have surgery. These feelings are common and usually subside quickly as you start to feel and look better. Prepare yourself for the following situations:

İLETİŞİM

• You will probably have elastics between your upper and lower teeth.
• It may be annoying for you to talk, especially with the tire on, but it won’t hurt to talk.
• You may want to communicate by writing during the first few days after surgery.
• It will become easier to talk when the facial swelling subsides.

 REACTION TO YOUR APPEARANCE

• Chin surgery changes the way you look. If your appearance is noticeably different after surgery, you can expect your family and friends to be surprised by this difference.
• Instead of having to tell every person you meet about your surgery, tell your relatives in advance that you will look different after the surgery and that their support will mean a lot to you.

DIET

Adequate nutrition is important immediately after surgery. You will probably not feel hungry or thirsty for a few days after surgery. It is important to eat well and stay hydrated.

• Plan a pureed diet for the first 2-4 weeks after surgery. After the first 2-4 weeks you can progress your diet to things like mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs and soft pasta. Your doctor will tell you the timing of your diet progression in detail at your follow-up appointments.
• Maintaining adequate fluid intake is very important for your health.
• Caffeine products cause dehydration and are not recommended for a few weeks after surgery.
• Alcohol can cause nausea and impair your perception; this can put you in danger. Do not use

ACTIVITY

• It is recommended to get out of bed and start walking or sitting in a chair from the day after surgery. It is also important to walk around when you get home.
• Expect to get tired of simple activities.
• You can take a shower after the first 24 hours  – steam helps with nasal congestion – but long hot showers can cause dizziness.
• Make sure you get up and move, change positions and breathe deeply several times a day.

DRUGS

After your jaw surgery  antibiotics  Your doctor will tell you how to take these medicines with your tires.

• Antibiotics: Continue until the box is finished. Do not stop halfway through.
• Painkillers: Generally, it is necessary to take painkillers in the first 24 hours and then on a scheduled basis (every 4-8-12 hours) as needed.
• Chlorhexidine mouthwash: Use twice a day for 2 weeks after surgery.

Call your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms

• (38°C) or higher fever
• Pain that does not go away with medication or worsens
• Discharge or bad taste in your mouth
• Nausea or vomiting