Mouth Wired Shut Part III

Home Tested Do's and Don'ts for Your Recovery from Jaw Surgery

Aug 23, 2007 Nadia Santiago

Your mouth is wired shut. You can't speak or eat solid foods, so let's try not to add any stress to this already challenging recovery period.

Here are a few home tested Dos and Don'ts for some peace of mind (and body):

• DON'T mix your antibiotics into your meals. The taste is not pleasant and will very likely overpower your soup, smoothie, or shake so that now your two tablespoons have turned into 8-10 ounces of pure torture.
• DO have a sip or two of a tasty, thick liquid before taking the antibiotics. This will blunt the sharp taste, reducing some of the nausea that occurs in most patients. Drinking 100% citrus fruit juices like orange or grapefruit can also help to settle your stomach afterward.
• DON'T jog or exercise intensely. Your nutrition is most likely off balance and your body is already recovering from surgery. It will not be able to handle the additional strain. In addition to blasting the muscles you worked, you will feel the impact on your jaw within a few hours if not immediately. Save yourself the headache.
• DO walk lightly or perform other low impact movements for short periods (about 10-20 minutes). Yoga, aikido, tai chi, and basic ballet are great alternatives that you should be able to use by week two.
• DON'T stay in bed all day because you are feeling low on energy. Good nutrition is hard to come by during this period, but that is no excuse for letting your health slide. Put some effort into it!
• DO ask your local pharmacist about liquid or powdered multi-vitamins. It won't boost your calorie count, but there are some supplements that provide up to 100% of most of your daily required nutrients. This will make getting up and getting out easier and more enjoyable.
• DON'T consume alcohol. Perhaps you were thinking that you could cheat, but there is a reason they put this on your recovery form. On your all-liquid diet, alcohol is a quick ticket to dehydration and you'll feel the effect within minutes. It will also send you running to the nearest restroom (if you're lucky enough to find one nearby!).
• DO keep hydrated. This may seem redundant since you are consuming only liquids, but take it from a former wire-ee, it is very easy to forget the most important beverage of all: water. Be sure to keep a bottle with you at all times, in addition to your other drinks.

Hope these tips serve you well. Good luck with your recovery! And look out for more articles in the Mouth Wired Shut Series.

Haven't had your surgery yet? Get ready for it by taking a look at the Streetwise Guide to Preparing for Jaw Surgery.

The copyright of the article Mouth Wired Shut Part III in General Medicine is owned by Nadia Santiago. Permission to republish Mouth Wired Shut Part III in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.