Once jaw surgery in Gurunanak Colony, Vijayawada is on your calendar, your attention turns to everyday questions. What will I eat? How long will the swelling last? When can I go back to work? The operation itself takes place in a hospital setting. Your planning and reviews, however, can happen at GIA Clinics on Club Road, with Dr Sai Santosh. Here is how to prepare for the weeks around surgery. Your own instructions always come first.
In the weeks before
- Have a dental check, as any decay or gum problems should be treated first
- If you smoke or chew tobacco, stop, since both slow healing
- Ask Dr Sai which of your regular medicines to continue or pause
- Plan time away from work or college, and ask for a realistic estimate
- Arrange for someone to stay with you in the first days
Stock your kitchen
You will be on a soft diet after surgery, so prepare before you go in. A blender helps. Soups, dal, curd, porridge, smoothies and well-mashed vegetables all work, and dietary protein helps recovery. Ask your surgeon how soft your food has to be, and for how long.
The first days at home
Swelling is usually at its most noticeable early on and then fades gradually over the following weeks. Your face may look different to you for some time, and the lips or chin can feel numb. Sleeping with your head raised and following your medicine schedule can help. Keep your mouth clean as instructed, because food collects easily around braces and stitches.
Reviews at Club Road
Dr Sai checks your wounds, bite and healing at your reviews. Once he is satisfied, your orthodontist, either Dr Samata Avula or Dr Naveen G, takes over the final braces work to fine-tune your bite. This last stage continues for some months after surgery.
How you may feel
It is common to feel low or tired during the early recovery, particularly when eating is hard and your face is swollen. This generally passes as the swelling goes down. Do tell us how you are doing at your reviews.
Get in touch
If something worries you between reviews, such as a bite that feels different, fever or increasing pain, contact the clinic. The number is 092814 93949 by phone or WhatsApp. To book a first assessment, use the same number.