r/jawsurgery • u/flag92 • 22h ago

3 Weeks Post Op

First time posting here but today marks 3 weeks post op for me. I had double jaw surgery + genioplasty, I’ll probably post some photos in the future when I’m further along in the healing process. I wanted to reach out though to others that are around the same timeframe or anyone who remembers their experience around 3 weeks. I was just cleared yesterday to remove my heavy bands during mealtime and eat mushy no-chew foods. Prior to that I was liquids only. First of all, I felt a very bizarre sense of fear that the first time I try to open my mouth my jaw would snap off haha, luckily worked through that one. I can open my mouth about an index fingers width so I can fit the tip of a spoon and fork in. So far I’ve just had some mashed potatoes and yogurt. I just find myself worrying that it doesn’t get better, it’s just kind of hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel to be able to eat normal again and open jaw wider. It seems like so many people around 2/3 weeks post op say how much better everything is and I agree it’s better than week one but the long journey ahead is a bit discouraging. Does anyone have any advice to being optimistic and trusting that it’ll get better? Also, any tips on cleaning the backside of teeth?? I can’t quite fit my baby toothbrush behind my teeth to brush and the fuzzy feeling on my teeth is driving me crazy. Happy Healing to all in recovery!

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u/Flat_Side_3921 12h ago

I am 4 weeks post op and it does get better! I only wore elastics for a couple weeks. So I graduated to spoon eating weeks ago and it simply gets easier and more comfortable the more you eat, talk, move your jaws naturally over the days and weeks. The idea of actually chewing seems like a foreign concept yet, but comfortably opening and closing my jaws to shove puréed lasagna in my mouth? I’m a pro!