This leaflet will help you prepare for your overnight hospital stay and recovery.
Before surgery
You’ll have several appointments in the run up to your operation. Please try to keep these appointments to avoid a delay to your operation. The orthodontic team will discuss what to expect. You may want to ask questions about the operation.
Your orthodontist will add hooks to your braces and give you comfort wax.
You’ll usually be in hospital for about 1 to 2 nights. Plan what you need to take as part of your stay in hospital. Remember to pack:
- vaseline or plain lip balm
- a soft baby toothbrush and your single-tufted toothbrush to help clean your mouth after the operation
- loose fitting clothes to help with changing after the operation
You’ll meet a specialist doctor called an anaesthetist to discuss the general anaesthetic. They’ll ask you a series of questions about your medical history.
On the day
You’ll come into hospital on the morning of your operation.
Go to the surgical pre-assessment unit and a member of staff will welcome you. A nurse will explain the process and you’ll be asked to sit in a side room. Several people may ask you the same questions during your time in hospital but this is routine.
A nurse will give you an identity bracelet to wear during your stay in hospital. They’ll take your medical history and check your heart rate, blood pressure and temperature. You’ll be asked to get undressed and change into a hospital gown.
The surgical team will explain the final details of the operation. You may want to ask some questions of your own.
The anaesthetist will discuss the general anaesthetic and ask questions about your health.
When the theatre team are ready to start, you’ll be taken to a room. The anaesthetic team will insert a cannula. This is a thin, plastic tube that feeds into a vein, often on the back your hand. They may place gel inside your nose to numb it.
Once you go to sleep, they’ll place a tube in your nose. If you are having upper and lower jaw surgery, they’ll place a catheter. This is a flexible tube used to empty the bladder during and after surgery.
After surgery
After surgery, you’ll be moved to a recovery room and then back to the ward. You may feel hazy or groggy as you come round from the general anaesthetic. You may have a dry mouth so use a syringe or straw to help drink.
You’re likely to be uncomfortable rather than in pain. You’ll be given medicine after surgery (antibiotics, mouthwash, painkillers and steroids). At first you’ll need to sleep in an upright position.
The orthodontic team will see you on the ward the day after surgery. They’ll show you how to fit elastics on your brace, which will help guide your bite into its new position. They’ll show you how to keep your mouth clean. They’ll book your next appointment in the orthodontic department.
You’ll not be able to drive yourself home after surgery. It's a good idea to have an adult available to help you for at least 24 hours after returning home.
Numbness, swelling and bruising
Your lips, face and mouth will feel swollen at first. The swelling will be at its worst around 48 hours after surgery and bruising will appear. Bruising or swelling will get better within a couple of weeks but it can take much longer for all the swelling to disappear.
Your lips and face will feel numb at first. This is similar to having an injection at the dentist.
The numbness of the top lip will usually recover quickly after surgery to the upper jaw. It is difficult to predict how long the bottom lip will take to recover after surgery to the lower jaw. This can take up to 18 months, but for a small number of patients the lower lip stays numb. Even when numb the lips look and move as usual.
As the feeling in your lip returns you may have altered sensations such as tingling.
You may find a little blood in your mouth the first week after surgery. If you had surgery to the upper jaw, blood may also come from your nose. Do not blow your nose. Stitches will dissolve in 2 to 3 weeks.
Recovery
Do not be surprised if you feel very tired and a little low in the first week. Have plenty of rest and take time to recover. After the first week take things slowly. See friends and family and do gentle activities such as short walks outside.
Good hygiene such as regular showers and hair washing will help your recovery and mental health. Plenty of pillows will help you find a comfortable upright position to sleep.
Do not smoke after surgery. Smoking will reduce the blood supply to the mouth and slow down healing. Patients who smoke are at greater risk of complications and infections after surgery.
Most patients return to work or education after 2 to 4 weeks but this will depend on your type of work and surgery. You’ll be able to take part in non-contact sports 6 to 8 weeks after surgery. Speak to your surgeon about when you can take part in contact sports.
You’ll need regular appointments to adjust your brace after surgery so arrange to have support at home.
Diet
Make sure you eat well after surgery to help with healing. In the first 2 weeks it will be more difficult to eat as you’ll be swollen, numb and unable to open your mouth widely. You should eat little and often as it will take longer and your jaw will feel tired.
Start with a liquid diet and drink plenty of fluids. Foods can be liquidised in a blender or mashed finely. Try adding nourishing fluids to your foods rather than water to maintain the nutritional value.
You may find a small plastic spoon easier to use and more comfortable at first. Drink using a straw, a sports bottle with a spout, or syringe.
Suitable foods 0 to 2 weeks after surgery:
- Porridge
- Soft cereals
- Mashed potatoes and vegetables
- Dairy such as milk, cream and custard
- Pureed meats in gravy
- Soups
- Smoothies
- Supplement drinks and milkshakes
Around 2 to 4 weeks after surgery you’ll move to a soft diet and then slowly return to your usual foods after 4 to 6 weeks. Your mouth movement will improve and swelling will reduce. Drink plenty of fluids and ensure a high fibre diet to avoid constipation.
Suitable foods 2 to 4 weeks after surgery:
- Pasta
- Scrambled egg
- Lentils and pulses
- Soft fruit
- Cooked vegetables
- Minced meat
- Grated cheese
Tooth brushing
After surgery it’s important to keep your mouth clean. This will help with your recovery and stop infections.
Brush with a small baby toothbrush as soon as you are able to. It will be difficult to brush at first as you’ll struggle to open your mouth and you’ll feel swollen.
Work from one side your mouth to the other. Continue to use your single-tufted brush around the brace. Use any antiseptic mouthwash as prescribed.
Use salt water mouthwashes for a couple of weeks. To make these, fill a mug with warm water (boiled in a kettle then cooled) and stir in 1 teaspoon of salt. Check the temperature before you rinse so it is not too hot. Gently rinse and spit. Try and repeat until you finish the whole mug.
Questions
Please see your Orthodontist or Surgeon if you’re unsure about any of the above points or have any further questions.
Everyone is different. You may need more or less support than average after the operation. We will see you regularly in the days and weeks after your operation, but if you have concerns between your appointments please get in touch.
If you need to ring the surgical team immediately following surgery, then contact hospital switch board on 01228 523444 and ask for “Oral and Maxillofacial SHO on call”.
Any queries with regards to the braces should be directed to the orthodontic department in normal working hours on: Tel 01228 814225.
Useful websites
British Orthodontic Society – Patient Information Leaflets
British Orthodontic Society – Your Jaw Surgery
Contact details
Orthodontic Department
Cumberland Infirmary
Newton Road
Carlisle CA2 7HY
Tel: 01228 814225
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Feedback
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