Days after my jaw surgery

On June 9/10 I had upper and lower jaw surgery and a chin lift. These are the days after my jaw surgery. Reason for jaw surgery is that my jaw joints were grinding in the sockets and causing discomfort in everyday activities, and only my back teeth touched. Spent all of my 25 years breathing through my mouth because I had problems breathing through my nose.

I spent one night in the hospital recooperating. The next day I came home and all I did was ice my face, and drinking from a siringe, and lots of rest. All I was allowed was broths, jell-o and water. It was very frustrating to eat the jell-o because I couldn't open my mouth wide enough to shove the jell-o in there and most of it ended up in my lap. So, i use a towel for drinking purposes because my bottom lip is still numb. I still have numbness is my chin, and around my nose area.

A week later I went to the surgeon's office so he can take out the elastics that was keeping my mouth shut, and in replace were two small elastics (one on both sides). It was such a relief to get them taken off. Then I was told I can have fish, mashed potatoes (basically mushy food). I was so excited. I have to wear a upper jaw splint for six weeks and was told to start talking because if I didn't the jaw would tense up. Now talking is a whole other story. It is so hard to talk with the splint in my mouth and there's a lot of liquid so my words sound gurgly, and its also frustrating at some times.

A couple days later, I decided to try to eat mashed potatoes, well that was a joke. I couldn't even eat it (might have to try whipping them). So, I gave up and drank some broth and ensure drinks to boost my energy level.

I wasn't really bruised, just around the cheeck area, and my eyes got really puffy. To this day, I still use ice packs for my face, and sometimes a cold cloth over my eyes.

I just found out yesterday that I have a infection, so now I am taking horse pills (how do they expect me to swallow that?) However I manage to swallow them without breaking them in half.

I get a tingling feeling in my lip and sometimes my chin, and my chin gets itchy but I cannot scratch it, and its irritating. I have no problems in smiling after a week.

I didn't do any before and after pictures, however, I will post before pictures and when I am completely healed (six weeks). I can't believe the change in my face. People really noticed the change, and some however, didn't recognize me. Also they said that I looked 20 years younger.

I will post updates on my progress as the time goes by.

Thank you for taking your time in reading this and if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.