What can you expect during the recovery process after a jaw correction?

After careful preparation and successful execution of an orthognathic procedure, an important phase in the treatment process begins: postoperative recovery. In this blog we share essential information about what you can expect during recovery after surgery within our Expertise Clinic for Orthognathic Surgery.

1. Immediately after the operation: wake up in the recovery room

Immediately after the operation you will be taken to the recovery room, also known as the recovery room. Here you will awaken from complete anesthesia under the caring supervision of a specialized anesthesia nurse. During this awakening process, an ice pack will be placed around your face to reduce facial discomfort, which is largely and most pronounced in the first 48 to 72 hours after surgery. Your breathing and blood oxygen levels will be carefully monitored, and you will receive adequate pain relief to reduce discomfort.

2. From the hospital to the home situation

As long as you are sufficiently awake and your heart rate, oxygen levels and pain are under control, you will be taken to your personal nursing room. In our Expertise Clinic for Orthognathic Surgery you have access to a private room, which provides maximum privacy and tranquility in the presence of your family and loved ones.

Since your jaw has been operated on, it is important to stabilize the new jaw position and beets. That is why at the end of the operation, before you wake up, a beet plate (wafer) is placed between your upper and lower teeth and tight elastic bands are applied between the bracket blocks in your upper and lower jaw. This ensures that your jaw can only close in one way, in its final position. Although the elastics provide rust and stability, they can also cause some discomfort. You will notice that your jaw cannot open or move, which makes talking uncomfortable. In addition, you will be limited to a liquid diet during the first few days after surgery.

Before you go home at the end of the day, you will receive instructions in the nursing room about oral hygiene, the use of antibacterial rinses, your liquid diet, and a follow-up appointment will be scheduled 5 to 7 days after surgery with Dr. Liebregts or Dr. Xi. This information allows you to go home with peace of mind and well prepared.

3. First week after jaw correction

The first week after your jaw correction is often experienced as the most challenging period. This is due to the large size in the face, the actual feeling in the lips, cheeks and chin region, the restriction in jaw movement, and the maximum to take only liquid food. We therefore advise you to stay at home during this first week.

Picture of a wafer

When looking at your face in the mirror or taking a selfie, the combination of significant and bruised marks is likely to startle you. Try not to focus too much on your appearance. What you see is far from the silent result and can only lead to more certainty and an unpleasant feeling. Instead, try walking around at home, reading, spending time on the computer, or just lying on the couch and resting. Seek shade during the summer months, while UV rays from the sun can aggravate the hazard and prolong recovery. You will not receive specific sleeping instructions. You can sleep however you want, but you will notice that sleeping on your stomach and/or side will be difficult.

After two days you will notice that the effectiveness does not continue and even begins to decrease slightly. From this moment on you will gradually start to feel better and fitter. It's important to consist of your liquid diet and make sure you get enough calories and protein. These are essential for healing and for optimal postoperative recovery.

Picture of the mouth, 1 day after surgery. You can see the wafer is still in the mouth, with strong elastic bands keeping the jaws in place. On the bottom you can see the stitches are still there, these will dissolve by themselves

4. Postoperative follow-up appointment

Five to seven days after the operation you will have a follow-up appointment with Dr. Liebregts or Dr. Xi. During this important appointment, the healing process is assessed and tailored to your personal situation. The tight elastics are also usually removed, which is often experienced as a great relief. You will notice that you can speak normally again, and can actually open and close your jaw. With the ability to open your jaw again, eating easier becomes easier. You start with a week of pureed foods, such as soup and puree, followed by two weeks of soft foods, such as sandwiches without crusts.

Dr. Liebregts or Dr. Xi checks the jaw and teeth position, partly based on new X-rays. For those who are interested, the procedures performed during the operation will be explained and the X-ray images will be discussed together. We also evaluate wound healing and discuss how you can maintain optimal oral hygiene. Good oral hygiene significantly reduces the risk of wound infections.

Your questions will also be answered, providing clear direction for your recovery.

At the post-op consultation you will look at x-rays and photo's together with the surgeons to see the results

5. Physical activity and work

Resuming your normal activities happens gradually. Light physical activities can be resumed after two to three weeks. Strenuous exercise and sports are only recommended after approval by your surgeon. Contact sports can usually only be practiced again after six to eight weeks.

On average, patients take two to three weeks off from work or study after a jaw correction, depending on the nature of the operation, the severity of the deformity, age and general health. An additional check-up is usually scheduled two to four weeks after the first check-up appointment.

During this second check, the focus is more on recovery of function. Once the jaw and teeth position are stable, we will discuss how you can increase your maximum mouth opening through specific exercises. Attention to nerve repair is also important; Regaining sensation in the lip and chin region can take much longer than bone recovery, sometimes up to twelve months after jaw surgery. If indicated, you can be referred to a speech therapist or orofacial physiotherapist for specialized guidance.

6. Postoperative orthodontics

One or two weeks after your first postoperative follow-up appointment with Dr. Liebregts or Dr. Xi, and in consultation with your orthodontist, orthodontic treatment will be resumed. This postoperative orthodontic phase is aimed at further refining your tooth position and bite. If teeth and molars are worn out, or if teeth and molars are missing that need to be replaced, dental treatment can often only be scheduled towards the end of the orthodontic treatment. Our surgeons will coordinate this in close consultation with you, your orthodontist and your dentist.

Finally

Recovery after orthognathic surgery is a period of adjustment and healing. With proper care, the support of family and friends, and working closely with our team, you can expect a smooth recovery process that leads to improved function and aesthetics. Our goal is to not only guide you through the surgery, but also support you in every step of your recovery process.

In our next blog we will take a closer look at technological advances in orthognathic surgery. We will discuss how these innovations contribute to achieving improved and predictable treatment outcomes. Stay tuned for more valuable insights into orthognathic surgery.