At Clínica Martínez Navarro we want to help your recovery be as good as possible. Post-treatment care, hygiene, and check-ups are critical to long-term success.
THE FIRST DAYS
Swelling
- The swelling will be signicant and will increase during the rst 4 –5 days.
- Keeping your head elevated by lounging in a recliner or sleeping on a couple of pillows will help limit swelling.
- Ice packs on the sides of your face for the rst 24–48 hours will decrease swelling.
- Because of the swelling of the lips you will tend to drool a little, this is temporary.
- You may feel swelling especially in the jaw area that will recover over the days.
Congestion / Secretions
- Your nose may feel stuy after surgery. Please do not blow your nose as this will increase the pressure in the surgery area.
- Congestion usually peaks between the 3rd and 5th day.
- We recommend using a vaporizer in your room.
- Dr. Manuel Martínez Navarro has released you from the hospital with decongestant medication; follow the directions on the package.
Pain
- Enough medication has been prescribed to relieve the pain, use it when it starts and do not wait for the pain to set in as this will decrease the eect of the drug.
- It is also recommended to gradually decrease the use of pain medication. If the pain medication is not suitable or if you are experiencing nausea, vomiting, dizziness or headaches after taking it, please call 952 40 20 00.
Nausea and Vomiting
- Call Dr. Manuel Martínez Navarro if you experience nausea after your surgery. Medications are available for this.
ORAL HYGIENE
Good oral care after surgery keeps the surgical area clean and helps prevent infection. It also contributes to the feeling of having your mouth clean. Oral care begins within 12 hours after surgery and should continue when you go home.
Oral care will be carried out in two phases:
Rinses
- Saline (salt water) rinses should be done every four hours. Use 1 tablespoon of table salt dissolved in 1 liter of lukewarm water.
- Avoid using mouthwashes with alcohol. Use only the chlorhexidine mouthwash recommended by your surgeon twice a day. Please use this for the rst 7–14 days after surgery.
Tooth brushing Brushing
- Should be done with a soft surgical brush.
Communication
- You will probably have elastics between your upper and lower teeth for the rst week to stabilize your jaw bones. Talking can be frustrating for you, especially with the elastics on, but it won’t hurt when speaking.
- You may be more comfortable using a notebook or paper to communicate for the rst few days after surgery.
- Talking will be easier once the swelling on the face subsides.
Reaction to your appearance
- Orthognathic surgery changes your appearance. If your appearance is very dierent after surgery, it is to be expected that your family and friends will be surprised by the dierence.
- Instead of having to explain your surgery to everyone you meet, tell your family and friends ahead of time that you will look dierent after surgery.
DIET
Proper nutrition is important for recovery after surgery. You may lose your appetite for a few days after surgery. It is important to stay well fed and hydrated.
- Plan on a pureed diet for about 4 weeks after surgery. Warm purees, scrambled eggs, and milk shakes are good examples of the types of foods you can eat.
- Maintaining adequate uid intake is critical to your health and well-being.
- Caeinated products will dehydrate you and it is recommended to decrease your intake for a couple of weeks after surgery.
- You should avoid alcohol for the rst few weeks.
EXERCISE
- Starting the day after surgery, you are advised to get out of bed to walk or sit in a chair. When you get home it is important to be on the move.
- Expect to feel tired after simple activities.
- Showering is okay, but a long, hot shower may make you dizzy.
Make sure to get up and move around several times a day, changing positions and taking deep breaths.
MEDICINES
Medications that you will take with you after your jaw surgery may include an antibiotic, decongestant, and anti-inammatory pain relievers. The medications will likely be liquid. If you have any other medications that you take regularly, Dr. Manuel Martínez Navarro will discuss with you how to take those medications with the elastics on.
- Antibiotics: According to prescription.
- Pain Medicine: You need to take pain medicine on a scheduled basis (every 4 hours) for the first 24 hours and as needed after that. Remember that medications can make you drowsy, so do not drive, swim, use machinery, and do not drink alcoholic beverages while taking them.
- You can use ibuprofen, 600 milligrams, every 8 hours, for the rst 4 or 5 days, if you have been instructed to do so.
- Chlorhexidine Mouth Rinse: Use twice a day for two weeks after surgery.
Call your doctor immediately if you experience one of the following symptoms:
- Fever, 38 degrees or more.
- Pain that gets worse or is not relieved by medicine.
- Nausea or vomiting