My surgery date is in 15 days and I am trying to prepare myself and my family. We have to move our freshman daughter into her college dorm on Aug 18 across the state. How long do they normally tell you not to lift? I was also interested to hear from anyone as to food after surgery. Also do you eat or drink the same night as the surgery? What type of diet do they normally put you on and for how long…ie liquid diet, soft food diet etc., Any timeline info on the diets would be interesting to me. Also I have been reading about first bite and was wondering what people’s experience was with that. Thanks so much!
Not long now, that’s good!
Doctors do seem to gloss over the recovery a bit from what we’ve seen on here, so if you were to ask your doctor they’d probably say you’ll be back to normal in a week! Everyone’s experiences vary, but as for lifting, I wasn’t comfortable lifting heavier things for a few weeks- I worked with young children so did have to pick them up, I did feel it if I did alot. With the eating, most people can manage soft foods if it’s an external surgery (with intra-oral surgery your throat is usually pretty sore for a good couple of weeks) - smoothies & mushy stuff is good, a week to 2 weeks. I couldn’t open my mouth wide & chewing was uncomfortable after my first surgery for about 10 days, but I was fine after my 2nd surgery & could eat normally straight away!
The first bite for me was uncomfortable- a shooting pain up my cheek. It does vary alot also. I still get it occasionally, certain foods seem to aggravate it for different people.
I hope that your surgery goes well, I’ll make a note to pray for you!
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The hospital ordered me on liquid for 12h after the first surgery and then soft for 24h but allowed to eat anything after the second. It took about 2 weeks for me to eat anything requiring chewing, so no sandwiches etc.
My doctor didn’t put any restrictions per se, but said most people take 4-6 weeks to get back to activities like lifting and such. I went back to working remotely at 4 weeks and started exercising again at 6 weeks.
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My experience was similar to Jules in that my jaw was sore after my first surgery. Add to that my tongue didn’t work right for awhile so a liquid or soft diet worked for me for a few weeks post op. I drank a lot of green smoothies (veggies, fruit, water & protein powder), & we would put whatever “heartier” meal the family was eating for other meals in a blender w/ some almond milk & would make it into a smoothie for me. Those looked awful but tasted good. I came home from my second surgery & was able to eat a normal meal. Just depends on how your body reacts to the surgery. You will be asked not to eat anything in the 12 hours before your surgery but can eat as soon as you feel like it after surgery.
FBS set in for me on the fifth day after my first surgery. Thankfully I didn’t get it after my second one. FBS is caused by over-reaction of the parotid glad (your major salivary gland) when you take your first couple of bites of food. Mine caused (& still occasionally causes) a sharp pain that radiates from the front of my ear across my cheek & lower jawline on my right side. It lasts for a few seconds. In my experience it was very painful at first but as time has passed, it happens less frequently & with less intensity. Some people have felt it in their scalps or down their necks. Just goes to show we’re all “wired” a little differently. Many people who get FBS recover from it completely several weeks to months after surgery.
I expect you’ll be able to help your daughter move into her dorm as the move in date is about a month after your surgery. You will do better to let others move the heavy boxes/furniture & you help with the lighter things. You may also find that you get tired more quickly. It took me a couple of months after surgery for my stamina to fully return. Just be aware that if you overdo it, you may get some symptoms back for a few days. Dont’ worry that you’ve caused a permanent problem. It’s just your body’s way of telling you it’s not ready yet for that level of activity.
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Thank you so much for your replies and helpful tips. It’s so nice to be able to know what to expect from a patients point of view. Also thank you for the prayers. I am looking forward to putting this behind me after this surgery as I only have to have one side done. 
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First good luck with your surgery. I had both internal and external surgery for my first operation. The internal made my throat extremely sore….the external was just uncomfortable. With that said I wound up eating liquid foods for at least 2 weeks. Protein shakes 3 times a day and just to have something smooth and cold I ate yoguart or pudding. Keeping your strength is important and if I do it again I will make sure to be as active as I can prior to surgery and to start engaging muscles in legs and arms with isometrics as soon as possible. I remember clearly that I lost a lot of muscle over those two weeks so I would make sure you keep up your strength.
Lastly, I saw you are in Florida. I am looking for a new surgeon do you have a recommendation….if so please message me or post who you found in Florida. Dr Arnold did my first surgery in 2019 in Miami.
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Good luck beachlady with your surgery and the move. I would venture to guess at least a couple weeks for lifting and likely more like 6 weeks.
I found mac & cheese and Jimmy Dean Breakfast bowls…all microwavable to be my go to’s after 2 surgeries. Ripe watermelon was refreshing as well as ice cream. Apple sauce and yogurt. I had some “first bite” on the first surgery but is wasnt bad and slowly subsided by 2 weeks. Didn’t have any on the 2nd surgery but did have some tongue issues (half frozen) which prevented me from very much solid food for a few weeks because I couldn’t move my food around inside my mouth after chewing.
As an FYI: If you have any TMJ issues, expect it to possibly flair.
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Thanks Ann and Snapple 2020 for the advice.Snapple, I would have never thought about Mac n cheese which is a great idea! Ann, I sent you a message about my doctor, Dr. Bunnell in Jacksonville at UF Health (used to be called Shands). Also, Ann, we visited Jupiter before Covid as my daughter was thinking of going to Harriett Wilkes Honors College but decided on NSU instead so she can get her Pharm D. Stay safe with the storm and good luck with your future surgery. Keep in touch.
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I was in a hotel and went to Trader Joes and just happened to pick up the Mac & cheese. After surgery, I needed something easy. I bought all kinds of things but not everything tasted good or appealed to me after surgery. For some reason this just tasted good and went down easy. It also settled my stomach from the anesthesia and pain medications. I bought all kinds of soups but never touched them. You will find your taste to be off so dont overbuy. I left alot of food behind but the hotel maids liked it!
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Thanks so much for that advice. It’s very good information to have! It must have been hard to stay in a hotel after surgery but I know many people do it. I bet you are glad that it is behind you now.
Hope you are doing well….Dr Burnells office got all the paperwork done in one day so I have an appointment on July 21 at 9 am. Thank you for your help and fingers crossed you are doing well….
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Oh that’s great news!! I That is the day after my surgery with him! I will still be in the hospital. Ok let’s keep in touch. Let me know how your appointment goes with Dr. B. Tell him I referred you. And he should remember me since he is doing surgery on me the day before.
You will love Dr. B!
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Thank u again for your help …and good luck with your surgery…keep in touch!
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