Well my day finally came. I had my surgery at UAMS Little Rock Arkansas. I cannot say enough about the care and compassion I recieved from the entire team of staff, nurses, anesthesiologists, and surgeons.
I will give a few details of my experience in case anyone is considering surgery and looking for information. I hope this can help.
The surgery took just under 2 hours and I was on my way home about 2 hours later.
I felt great during my 3 hour drive home. Oddly awake and alert. Then the swelling hit about 10 that night and i couldn’t swollow. The Doctor had me start taking motrin and Tylenol on top of the pain medicine and that got the swelling down to where I could swallow again…even though it was still very painful to do it.
I have been able to speak very little since the surgery. Partly because I am actually physically unable to do so and partly because it is painful to do so. The doctor told us before the surgery to expect this so we were prepared for it.
The doctor also told us I might have pain in my ears due to the surgery, which I have had but only briefly.
All in all I will admit that bilateral intraoral surigery is not for the faint of heart, but it is doable. This is post surgery day two. My throat is still very raw and painful, sleeping is difficult but I am sleeping most of the day so I think I am getting enough. It seems like every time I nod off my airway closes up and I get startled awake. My husband says I am snoring worse than Oscar the Grouch. Again, the doctor says this will pass as I heal from the trauma of surgery.
Staying hydrated and nourished has been my main concern while I am awake. Infused water and high calorie meal replacement shakes are what I am drinking along with cold homemade bone broth I made in bulk before the surgery. The broth is very soothing. I am so glad I made the broth. The infused water is just water with Thyme, elderberry, and peppermint. Good for you and more interesting than just water. Everything cold!
Ice is something I had planned on having to suck on to soothe my throat but that is not working for me because my tongue is not exactly working all that well. That is just my personal experience though.
As far as symptom relief, I think it is too early to say for sure but one thing I have noticed is the absence of the constant pain and pressure in my left jaw under the ear. That was the one pain I was most hoping to get rid of. So if it really is gone for good, this surgery will have been worth it.
One more thing I want to mention is that as soon as I had my bearings after surgery I started to do jaw and tongue stretching exercises. I think that that has really helped me to regain range of motion quickly, not allowing them to stay locked up.
Let me know if there are any questions I can answer.
