Immediately Following Surgery
Immediately after surgery you will be moved to the recovery room until the general anesthesia has worn off. Your family may not be allowed in the recovery room, but they should be able to visit you shortly thereafter. An intravenous apparatus attached to your arm can provide required medications and nutrients until you are able to take sufficient liquids by mouth. Medications may be administered to control post-surgical discomfort or pain.
The length of stay can be one or more days. You can expect temporary swelling, especially of the lips and cheeks, and perhaps bruising, but this is a normal healing response and should disappear over time.
For the first few days after surgery you may experience nasal congestion or sore throat due to the nasal tubes used for anesthesia. Post-operative discomfort is usually not significant and can be controlled with medications.
To aid in healing, your jaws may be prevented from moving with the use of fixation appliances. In many cases the jaw sections are held together during the healing period by small screws placed by the surgeon. In other cases wires are used to hold the bones together and keep the jaws from moving. Wiring the jaws together may not be necessary after surgery, may be required for a few days, or for the entire healing period, depending on the techniques used.
While your jaws are fixed and healing, you may consume a liquid diet. During this time period you may lose weight, but
this can be regained after the fixation period is over. During the first week after surgery your dietary intake is very important, and you may be advised to supplement your diet with liquid vitamins and minerals. A blender can be used to liquefy almost any food to provide a balanced diet.
Smoking is highly discouraged as it can retard the healing process. Strenuous activities should be avoided during the first postoperative weeks.
During Healing
When you leave the hospital or surgical facility you should be able to return to work or school as soon as you feel like it, often within two weeks for most people. Your appearance may have changed somewhat due to the repositioning of your jaws and associated swelling, so you should be prepared for signs of surprise from your family and friends. It won't take long for them to adjust to the "new" you.
You will see the oral and maxillofacial surgeon and the orthodontist for regular evaluation visits, and it is very important that you keep these appointments. The surgeon will monitor your healing, and at the appropriate time, remove fixation devices if they were used.
The initial healing phase will take approximately 6 weeks, but completion of the healing process will take 9 to 12 months. During the entire healing phase it is critical that you practice the best possible oral hygiene. Your surgeon and orthodontist can assist you in this area, and may recommend the use of some special oral care devices.
The orthodontist will usually begin the post-surgical phase of orthodontic treatment 4 to 6 weeks after surgery to "fine tune" your bite. In most cases braces are removed within 6 to 12 months following surgery.
Follow-up Care
After your orthognathic surgery and related orthodontic treatment are completed, your surgeon and orthodontist will want to see you periodically to monitor you and make sure your teeth and jaws are staying properly aligned. You should maintain your oral health and visit your family dentist regularly, and have any other needed dental work completed.