Has anyone ever had their jaw wired shut? My 15-year old daughter will be going into the hospital in April for the procedure because he jaws do not fit together. She'll be in the hospital for 5 days, and have her jaws wired shut for 6 weeks. Yikes.

Everything the surgeons have told us, and personal stories I've read on the internet, make this sound so scary. Her teeth will be clamped together so that she can only eat liquids through a little syringe in her mouth. She can only breath through her nose, so she can NOT get the sniffles or a cold (and apparently you're stuffed up after the operation and have a moisture mask on). She can't talk AT ALL....so we have to figure out hand gestures (plus she can write things down). And lots of pain, of course....which, I guess the meds will be in liquid form to go in the syringe. And she can't brush her teeth, and she has braces on already.....she's going to be one mouth full of wire!! Lol.

It's going to be quite an experience, and I'm not hesitant to say that I'm scared of taking care of her when she comes home. But at least I won't be having to make meals. Ha ha. She gets 3 cans of either Boost or Ensure per day for her meals, and then 3 snacks (any ideas on watery snacks? Nothing thick).

Anyways, would love to hear from anyone with experience in this. Thanks so much.

God bless,
Sandy