Pre Op Appointment

My pre-op appointment was one week before surgery. The doctor went over what to expect and what to do to prepare.  What I am having done: LeFort I Osteotomy-1 piece Bilateral Sagittarius split osteotomy of mandible So double jaw surgery. At first, the Dr. Thought he could get away with just performing surgery on one jaw, which would have been faster healing, but after he took my molds, he wanted the double jaw surgery. So basically since I had an open bite and over bite, he was going to move my lower jaw forward and tilt my top jaw towards it to given me the correct bite. The Dr. Did a general physical on my to make sure I was in good health. Here is a run down of what I was to expect:

• The surgery was expected to last 4-5 hours, and I would be in the recovery room for about 1.5 hours. 
• I would have the surgery Thursday morning, stay in the hospital Thursday night, Friday night, and leave Saturday morning.
• I would have a tube in my nose left in until Friday morning to suction my stomach and prevent nausea.
• I would have drains in my chin to help with swelling.
• Swelling would be the worst after 3 days, and it would take about 2 weeks until I was back to normal for the most part
• Ice will be good for the swelling, the nurses will give me ice packs in the hospital
• Keep the head elevated for swelling in the hospital, and for the first week at home
• I would have Afrin nose drops and saline because my nose would be stuff. I was not to use the Afrin more than 2x day for no more than 3-4 days
• I could not blow my nose for a month
• I needed to sneeze with my mouth open
• Nothing to chew for 6 weeks. The first few weeks I could have liquids, then move on to purees 
• I was to have 1800 calories minimum, with half of that from supplements like Ensure
• I would get syringes to help eat since my lips will be numb and it would be hard to use a straw or spoon
• I would have special stockings on to prevent blood clots in legs
• The best thing for me to do would be to walk
• Use a baby toothbrush, and no toothpaste for the first week
• I would have a special mouthwash to rinse with before and after surgery
• Some complications would include infection, bleeding to the point of infection, the muscles being too relaxed during surgery and my bite being off the next morning requiring another surgery, my jaw shattering to the point that they could not perform the surgery (all very rare)
• It would take 6 months to get all of my feeling back
• Some TMJ discomfort after surgery
• I would have special soap called Hibiclens I would clean my face and hair with before surgery to prevent infection

After my pre op with my surgeon, I went for pre op with anesthesia. They gave me Hibiclens to clean with as well for my body. 

 

They said no aleve or ibuprofen for one week prior to surgery. No vitamins or any supplements besides my prescriptions for one week before surgery. 

 

They said to wear comfy clothes and not to bring valuables.

 

I had some blood work done so they could determine my blood type in case I needed a transfusion and to make sure I was Healthy for surgery.