After Jaw Surgery | Berks Oral Surgery

Before surgery: pre-surgery checklist

Surgical hooks from your orthodontist before surgery
Aim for a good night's sleep
Nothing to eat or drink after midnight
Clearance from your primary care physician
Remove fingernail polish and makeup
If you have long hair, place it in pigtails
Stock up on liquids, protein shakes, old pillowcases, and old clothes you don't mind getting messy

Checkmarks are saved on this device only.

01 · Pain management

Alternate ibuprofen and Tylenol every 3 hours

Expect some discomfort right after surgery. Taking ibuprofen and acetaminophen (Tylenol) on a schedule builds a baseline that controls pain before it builds. Don't wait until it hurts.

First dose (when you get home)

Asleep? Don't wake up for a dose. It's OK to stop the schedule at bedtime. If you're sleeping well, stay asleep and recover.

The pattern repeats: ibuprofen, then acetaminophen 3 hours later, then ibuprofen 3 hours after that. That puts each medicine 6 hours apart. Your start time is saved on this device only.

Ibuprofen

One dose: as directed by your surgeon

Daily maximum: as directed

Acetaminophen

One dose: as directed by your surgeon

Daily maximum: as directed

Severe pain

A pain medication may be prescribed. Take it only when, or if, the pain is severe. These opioid-based medications are a last resort and can cause nausea, constipation, itchiness, urinary retention, and other side effects.

Day by day

What matters on your recovery day

Enter your surgery date, or drag the slider, to see what to do, what to avoid, and what changes next.

Surgery date

Day 1Week 1 after surgery

01 · Medications

Your other medications

To make your recovery easier, we recommend a variety of medications to help ease symptoms that may occur.

Swelling: steroids and antibiotics

Swelling typically peaks around days 3–5. Take the steroids as prescribed on the package (typically a Medrol Dosepak).

For antibiotics (for example Augmentin or amoxicillin), take as indicated on the bottle. It's essential that these are taken as prescribed to prevent infection.

Antibiotics can reduce the effects of birth control pills.

Decongestants

After surgery your nose will be stuffy and your sinuses will feel congested. Take decongestants as indicated on the package, and keep your head elevated with a pillow. Nasal spray can be used in 6–8 hour intervals and can be alternated with a saline solution.

Upper jaw surgeryDo not blow your nose for 4 weeks.

Lip ointment

Use Vaseline or Aquaphor; your lips should look wet. Keep incision sites on the outside of the face moist with Aquaphor. Antibacterial ointments can cause inflammation and a worse appearance of the sites if used for more than 3 days.

Sleeping

You may have difficulty sleeping at first; sleeping medications can be discussed if this becomes a problem. Try to sleep with your head propped up on pillows.

Try to avoid sleeping on your side. It can put pressure on the jaws and increase swelling on the side facing down.

02 · Hygiene

Keep every area of your mouth clean

After every mealThe importance of keeping your mouth clean can't be overstressed. Brush and rinse after every meal.

Week 1
Use caution when brushing. Use soft bristles and keep the brush on your teeth and braces, avoiding incision sites. Opening your mouth may be difficult but will improve with time.
Brushing
Use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. Brush all areas, including braces on top and bottom and around the splint.
5–7 days
Rinse your mouth thoroughly with warm salt water.
4 weeks
No water flossers or electric toothbrushes. They can be aggressive and can open up surgical sites if used improperly.

8 ozwarm water

¼ tspsalt

5–7days after surgery

Swelling and your face

Days 1–3Ice

For the first 48–72 hours. 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off.

After day 3Warm moist heat + massage

Ice no longer helps. Switch to moist heat and gentle massage to reduce puffiness.

Elastic facial dressing

Keep it in place for the first 24 hours, then wear it as much as possible for the first week. It helps reduce swelling.

Sutures

These are often dissolvable. If not, they are removed in the office within the first week.

Tape

If you have tape over the chin, it may be removed the first week. If it falls off after showering, that's not a concern.

03 · Eating

Small meals, 5–6 times a day

Full meals will be hard at first. Try 5–6 smaller portions through the day. Take your elastic bands out each time you eat, and make sure you put them back in. More about elastics

Food should be liquid or baby-food consistency.
A small, baby-sized spoon may be helpful.
Supplements such as Boost, Ensure, or similar products can add calories. Prioritize protein.
Diet changes and pain medications can cause constipation. If you've gone 2–3 days without a bowel movement, start adding a fiber supplement.

Mashed potatoesApplesauceOatmealProtein shakes

Avoid hard foods such as apples, large sandwiches, pizza crust, and tough meats until 3 months after surgery.

03 · Rubber bands

Elastics on 23 hours a day

Your elastics (rubber bands) train your jaw to bite into its new position. They only work when they're in.

23 hours elastics on1 hour off, only to eat and brush

Off only
Take them off only when you are eating and brushing.
Right away
Put them back in immediately after cleaning your teeth. Make sure they go back in every time.
1–2× a day
Use new elastics once or twice each day, since they stretch.

04 · Drinking

Fluids come first

Drinking fluids is the most important part of the early recovery. Prioritize fluids to ward off dehydration. Aim for 2–2.5 quarts (8–10 cups) of water a day.

0 of 8–10 cups today

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Day 1
You'll be given a syringe and a small tube to help you start taking in liquids.
ASAP
Try drinking from a cup as soon as you can. Spilling at first is normal. A thermos or sippy cup limits spills for the first few days. If a cup isn't manageable, use a squeeze bottle to squirt fluids into your mouth.
2 weeks
No straws. They can increase bleeding and cause sinus issues.
3 days
No cold milk products. They stick to incisions and may breed infection.

Stop: no smoking, vaping or nicotine

3months
minimum

Do not smoke, vape, or use tobacco or nicotine pouches for at least 3 months after surgery. Nicotine cuts off the blood supply your jaws need to heal. It can cause:

Bone that heals slowly or does not heal at all
Infection
Incisions that open up
Plates and screws that become exposed or loose
Another surgery to fix these problems

A single cigarette, vape, or pouch is enough to slow healing. If you need help quitting, tell us.

05 · Physical activity + exercises

Return to normal life, slowly

Your energy will be lower than normal for a while. Getting back to "normal life" as soon as possible helps you stay resilient and recover more smoothly.

Week 1
Walking is encouraged and can begin within the first week.
After wk 1
Non-strenuous activity is fine as long as there's no impact or bouncing, like jogging on a sidewalk or basketball. Start with shorter distances and less intensity, and increase intensity as your endurance improves.
After wk 3
Start passive opening to stretch your jaws while your elastics are off.
After wk 3
Start facial reanimation exercises. In front of a mirror, exaggerate expressions like frowning or smiling to re-strengthen your facial muscles.

Your face and lips will feel "tight." That's swelling and the soft tissues settling, and it's a normal part of recovery.

Post-op expectations and tips from Dr. Luo

Watch the video on YouTube

Questions? Call us.

If something doesn't feel right, or you're unsure about any instruction, contact the office.

Phone: 610.374.4093
Fax: 610.375.6454
Email: [email protected]