Surgery Supplies and Must Haves
People in the pre op phase always ask, "What do I need for surgery?" I was lucky enough to get some of that answered in this pre op class that my insurance HMO gave before my first surgery. I am not sure a private surgeons office is going to have something like that. But, if not, sections like this in other people's blogs really had me set up before I even went to the pre op class.
Comfort (clothes, sleeping set up, etc):
Dress comfy to go to the hospital. I pretty much wore sweats and a pull over. You'll be put in a gown with nothing on under, so you won't need to worry about what to wear in the hospital. To go home I ended up putting the same clothes right back on. I made sure the sweater I had was oversized with a big hole to put my swollen tender face through.
Once at home I wore what I wanted. Mostly PJ's. I bought a lazy boy recliner and set that up in my living room as my crash area for the first few weeks. It was very helpful with sleeping upright. I was not able to lay in my bed until about 2.5-3 weeks post op, and was only back sleeping until about 6 weeks post op. I was able to sleep on my side around 6 weeks post op but everything still felt very tender.
Pre-Op Supplies:
As far as what to get pre-op, I would suggest getting some Arnica cream and/or gel. I used these:
http://www.amazon.com/Arnicare-M1072352-Cream-2-5-Ounce/dp/B00DEYEREY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1400764815&sr=8-1&keywords=arnica+cream
http://www.amazon.com/Boiron-Arnicare-Arnica-Horizontal-Ounce/dp/B00EEEFUZI/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1400764815&sr=8-3&keywords=arnica+cream
The cream was pretty moisturizing too, which was nice! My swelling went down really quick and I didn't swell as bad as most, so who knows, maybe this stuff really helped or I just naturally bounced back that quickly. Also along the lines of things to get to help with inflammation/swelling/bruising, I also got a pill that contained tumeric and bromeline. Both are natural anti-inflammatory supplements. I also got more of the arnica in tablet form that could be throw into my smoothies. Otherwise, I did pick up some liquid multi vitamin which was great since I didn't get all the nutrients I needed from food post op. And I also did some liquid B-12 since that helps with the healing of the damaged nerves. Lastly, I also used some probiotic powder. Good to keep things in check with your gut, especially if you're on antibiotics after surgery.
I made sure I had some Q-tips and facial wipes stocked. For the first few days post op you're so weak you don't even want to get up and shower. I got pretty dizzy and would feel like I needed to sit right away. Wipes were great for cleaning and Q-tips help you clear all the snotty and bloody build up in your nose (you can't blow your nose for about 6 weeks post op, and the first week or so after surgery you have some epic nasty stuff up your nose that you'll need to scoop out!). A little hand towel and mirror is also good to pick up since you'll likely be drooling all over yourself and will maybe need to eat in front of a mirror to make sure you're getting everything through your numb lips. I ended up not having much of an issue here. Maybe just a little mess leaked out of my squeeze bottle by accident.
Your lips get pretty dry with all the swelling and stuff. I would suggest a good lip balm, or even simple coconut oil. Vaseline is a good temporary alternative, but in the end it doesn't do much to moisturize your lips long term.
I was given a jaw bra at my pre op class, but if you don't get that from your doctor, that might be handy to pick up. I ended up taking a few home from the hospital since I liked theirs better.
I had a humidifier set up next to my lazyboy that I slept in. That helped with the sinus congestion and breathing.
Your surgeon will tell you when/if you can go from ice to heat. The heat feels AMAZING, so stock up on a few of those packs you can throw in the microwave and put up to your sore face. I used these the first few months post op through both of my surgeries.
Things To Grab From The Hospital:
I loaded up on some things at the hospital. I liked their jaw bra better and asked for extras to take home with me. I also liked their small syringes better than the huge syringe I was given at my pre op class. I got about 4 or 5 of those to go home with and had one for teeth cleaning, one for liquids, one for food, one for meds and vitamins. Took some extra gauze home too since you get some nose bleeds for the first few days post op. I got some off and on for about 10 days, but nothing like the ones I got in the first 24 hours. I was also discharged with meds that included pain stuff, anti nausea stuff, affrin nose spray.
Food Supplies:
I have some info in my recipes section about this already, but a blender is definitely good to have. Juicer as well. I ended up using the blender a lot less than I thought I would post op because it was actually MUCH harder to get thicker/blended things in through my wires than I thought it would be. And honestly, I wasn't even hungry enough to want to go through the trouble of doing it. I basically stuck to broth (a lot of pho broth!) and liquids the two weeks I was wired. Boost and Ensure are great to have, but I was not able to get those in the first week or so post op since it caused my mouth to get all mocuosey and that combined with the stuffy nose made me feel like I couldn't breathe. I suggest getting a few of these condiment squeeze bottles:
http://www.amazon.com/Squeeze-Condiment-Open-Tip-Screw-On-Polyethylene/dp/B009D9Z7TS/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1400766411&sr=8-3&keywords=condiment+bottle
Those and the syringes were my life line for a few weeks until I was unwired. Even after you're unwired you can't open that far and really chew that much. Stock up on soft foods like yogurt, any of those squeeze kiddie pouches of fruit and/or yogurt, any pureed soups, boost, ensure, etc.
***Edit to add as of 2/2017: There is a drink supplement out now called Soylent. People who use it love it. So, check it out and look at it as a replacement for Boost and/or Ensure if you don't like those meal replacements.
Comfort (clothes, sleeping set up, etc):
Dress comfy to go to the hospital. I pretty much wore sweats and a pull over. You'll be put in a gown with nothing on under, so you won't need to worry about what to wear in the hospital. To go home I ended up putting the same clothes right back on. I made sure the sweater I had was oversized with a big hole to put my swollen tender face through.
Once at home I wore what I wanted. Mostly PJ's. I bought a lazy boy recliner and set that up in my living room as my crash area for the first few weeks. It was very helpful with sleeping upright. I was not able to lay in my bed until about 2.5-3 weeks post op, and was only back sleeping until about 6 weeks post op. I was able to sleep on my side around 6 weeks post op but everything still felt very tender.
Pre-Op Supplies:
As far as what to get pre-op, I would suggest getting some Arnica cream and/or gel. I used these:
http://www.amazon.com/Arnicare-M1072352-Cream-2-5-Ounce/dp/B00DEYEREY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1400764815&sr=8-1&keywords=arnica+cream
http://www.amazon.com/Boiron-Arnicare-Arnica-Horizontal-Ounce/dp/B00EEEFUZI/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1400764815&sr=8-3&keywords=arnica+cream
The cream was pretty moisturizing too, which was nice! My swelling went down really quick and I didn't swell as bad as most, so who knows, maybe this stuff really helped or I just naturally bounced back that quickly. Also along the lines of things to get to help with inflammation/swelling/bruising, I also got a pill that contained tumeric and bromeline. Both are natural anti-inflammatory supplements. I also got more of the arnica in tablet form that could be throw into my smoothies. Otherwise, I did pick up some liquid multi vitamin which was great since I didn't get all the nutrients I needed from food post op. And I also did some liquid B-12 since that helps with the healing of the damaged nerves. Lastly, I also used some probiotic powder. Good to keep things in check with your gut, especially if you're on antibiotics after surgery.
I made sure I had some Q-tips and facial wipes stocked. For the first few days post op you're so weak you don't even want to get up and shower. I got pretty dizzy and would feel like I needed to sit right away. Wipes were great for cleaning and Q-tips help you clear all the snotty and bloody build up in your nose (you can't blow your nose for about 6 weeks post op, and the first week or so after surgery you have some epic nasty stuff up your nose that you'll need to scoop out!). A little hand towel and mirror is also good to pick up since you'll likely be drooling all over yourself and will maybe need to eat in front of a mirror to make sure you're getting everything through your numb lips. I ended up not having much of an issue here. Maybe just a little mess leaked out of my squeeze bottle by accident.
Your lips get pretty dry with all the swelling and stuff. I would suggest a good lip balm, or even simple coconut oil. Vaseline is a good temporary alternative, but in the end it doesn't do much to moisturize your lips long term.
I was given a jaw bra at my pre op class, but if you don't get that from your doctor, that might be handy to pick up. I ended up taking a few home from the hospital since I liked theirs better.
I had a humidifier set up next to my lazyboy that I slept in. That helped with the sinus congestion and breathing.
Your surgeon will tell you when/if you can go from ice to heat. The heat feels AMAZING, so stock up on a few of those packs you can throw in the microwave and put up to your sore face. I used these the first few months post op through both of my surgeries.
Things To Grab From The Hospital:
I loaded up on some things at the hospital. I liked their jaw bra better and asked for extras to take home with me. I also liked their small syringes better than the huge syringe I was given at my pre op class. I got about 4 or 5 of those to go home with and had one for teeth cleaning, one for liquids, one for food, one for meds and vitamins. Took some extra gauze home too since you get some nose bleeds for the first few days post op. I got some off and on for about 10 days, but nothing like the ones I got in the first 24 hours. I was also discharged with meds that included pain stuff, anti nausea stuff, affrin nose spray.
Food Supplies:
I have some info in my recipes section about this already, but a blender is definitely good to have. Juicer as well. I ended up using the blender a lot less than I thought I would post op because it was actually MUCH harder to get thicker/blended things in through my wires than I thought it would be. And honestly, I wasn't even hungry enough to want to go through the trouble of doing it. I basically stuck to broth (a lot of pho broth!) and liquids the two weeks I was wired. Boost and Ensure are great to have, but I was not able to get those in the first week or so post op since it caused my mouth to get all mocuosey and that combined with the stuffy nose made me feel like I couldn't breathe. I suggest getting a few of these condiment squeeze bottles:
http://www.amazon.com/Squeeze-Condiment-Open-Tip-Screw-On-Polyethylene/dp/B009D9Z7TS/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1400766411&sr=8-3&keywords=condiment+bottle
Those and the syringes were my life line for a few weeks until I was unwired. Even after you're unwired you can't open that far and really chew that much. Stock up on soft foods like yogurt, any of those squeeze kiddie pouches of fruit and/or yogurt, any pureed soups, boost, ensure, etc.
***Edit to add as of 2/2017: There is a drink supplement out now called Soylent. People who use it love it. So, check it out and look at it as a replacement for Boost and/or Ensure if you don't like those meal replacements.
