[SandyWeb]

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

[Soidhonia]

Hello Sandy
I have not experienced this procedure but I just wanted to say I hope everything goes well with your daughter and your family. Take care and good day. Soidhonia

golly.....i've had two friends that have had that done. one was a bullrider and a bull stuck his horn in Ronnie's mouth and the other one had a head on wreck with a tree..........it was very uncomfortable but livable. they both came out of it okay.....sending all kinds of good wishes to your daughter....pat

[SandyWeb]

That's good to know that it's liveable. LOL. Thanks for both of your responses. I appreciate it.

My daughter is having more of a reconstructive jaw surgery, though. She has never been able to close her mouth (although she can close her lips down over so the mouth looks closed), and the only teeth that touch in her entire mouth are two back molars. That's it. Her other teeth are so sharp from lack of wear and tear that they are always cutting her. So they will be breaking her jaw, doing a bunch of cutting and shifting and even fixing one jaw joint, and probably filing her teeth some so they won't be so sharp. She's going to be in surgery for 5-6 hours. That's a long time!

The family is just trying to get prepared for this. Eeks.

Take care and God bless,
Sandy

both my friends were in surgery 7-8 hours. their jaws were broken, misaligned, screwed, all of it. the one that took the bull's horn in his mouth was the worst. it's gonna hurt....no getting around it. don't ever let the pain get ahead of the pain meds.....never, ever.......give the med as soon as it is due so you can stay level on her pain......xoxoxo pat

[Christina86]

(((((((((SandyWeb and daughter))))))))))))

That definetely doesn't sound like any fun at all. I hated just having braces and then a retainer!

I hope all goes well...

As for snacks, apple sauce? Ice-cream? Milkshakes?

[jacq10]

I had my jaw broken this past summer actually, however, i only had it wired for a week. I stayed in the hospital for a couple of days, but it really wasn't all that bad. The hosptial i was at anyways was really good, and the oxygen mask that they put on, well don't worry at allll about that. It helps you breath SO much, its really good. As for the talking bit, it is kind of hard, but she will most likely be able to talk. Its tough at first, but you adapt, and talking definitely wasn't a huge problem.

As for the pain, well they will give her good medication, and to be honest i was never in that much pain at all. I remember being so scared going into it, but as long as you are supportive it should go fine. The only real pain i remember is just headaches .. well they were pretty bad, but if you can get stuff for that i honestly don't think that it will be unbearable at any means.

As for the diet .. well she won't be able to eat much as i assume you know, but i do want to point out that she can't eat ice cream! It is sad i remember they gave me ice cream while i was in the hospital and i was like "ugh thanks ... but i can't eat it!" Stick with protein shakes and make sure she gets enough calories. While i was on this liquid diet i lost about 5 pounds in a week (although they say that you shouldn't lose more than 3 i think?) but i wasn't up for eating. The meds they will give her will most likely reduce her apetite, so its important to make sure she gets those calories. Soup is a good way, or even just drinking lots of milk. I also ate yops - the yogurt things, and those are pretty good too.

As for the brushing teeth thing... well i guess thats a bit tricky. After a couple days i was able to use a little kids tooth brush because the bristles are softer, and just make sure that she is mouth-washing alot .. that was my way of cleaning for the first bit!

I hope that this was helpful, and if you have any more questions please feel free to ask!!

Jacq

[bizi]

my older sister had this done as an adult and she was able to stop smoking this way...she will be able to breath thru her teet spaces I am pretty sure of that. she was so pleased with the results and she lsot weight as well which was good. they make liquid vitamins which taste pretty bad but are neccesary since her diet would be great. slim fast make a lower sugar diet drink with more protein that are quite tasty, optima she doesnot need the extra sugars but the fats and proteins.oral gel is good for temporarily numbing her mouth as she has probaably used before sence she already has braces. I am sorry that she is going thru this but earlier than later she she should do fine.
good luck to her and your family.
bizi

[SandyWeb]

Thank you, everyone, for your support. I know it is easier to deal with pain and to heal faster when you are a youngster, so I'm really glad she's getting it done now. Especially since it is also affecting her neck (it gets stuck), she gets migraines, and her jaw cracks constantly. Plus, the fact, of course, that she can't really eat. And she's never been able to make the "S" sound....sounds like a lisp....but it's just the way her jaw is shaped. Poor thing. The surgeon said that he normally wouldn't do this type of surgery on someone this young, but she seemed very mature for her age (physicaly and mentally), and he wasn't concerned for her.

Pat, I can't imagine getting a bull's horn in my mouth!!! WOW!!! Talk about an experience that this guy will be able to talk about until he's an old man in the senior's home. Lol. It's a story that certainly catches people's attention. I'm glad everything turned out okay for him and your other friend.

By the way, what type of pain meds did everyone use? She can't take pills, and she isn't even allowed anything viscous (thick) to drink. (I was thinking of Yop for a snack, too, but I thought that might be too thick. I'll find out). Anyways, I would imagine the pain meds will be liquid and quite strong? I've seen picture of wired jaws, and oh my gosh!!! You can't tell me that doesn't hurt more than getting a tooth pulled! Lol! Plus they said she's going to look like a Mack truck hit her in the face. We won't even recognize her at first. Oh, my baby. But I trust the hospital to treat her great (thank goodness she's still young enough to go to the Children's Hospital rather than the Adult's.....I think the kids get special treatment. *smile*). And my family and I are going to do the best that we can to encourage her and keep her comfy. I'm even setting it up with her school that she can get most of her coursework over the school's internet site.....so she doesn't miss too much work. I don't know how much energy she'll have to keep at it, but at least she can give it a try.

Oh, the doctor said that her throat would be sore and it would be hard to swallow for the first while. Any ideas why? I can't imagine she'll be intubated because her jaws will be closed down at some point. Is it just from the oxygen being forced down her nose through the cannulas during surgery?

I'm sooooo glad some of you know people who have been through this. I'm sure I'll have lots more questions, especially once she comes home. I may need a few extra clonazepams to help me through the first week or so! Lol.

God bless,
Sandy

[jacq10]

Yes the pain meds will be liquid, and they are VERY strong so she really shouldn't be in THAT much pain. And as for the wiring .. it doens't hurt at all. you wake up and they're already on. Taking them off wasn't really bad either, it was just weird more so because you hadn't been able to open your jaw at all before. They just put little wires around your braces on the top and bottom .. over my life i've had 16 (yes 16!!) teeth pulled out, and i can tell you right now that they hurt more than getting the wires off!

BTW, my doctors told me too that i would look like i was hit by a truck (his words) but it was not as bad as i had expected! Your face is realy swolen around where they do it, but it by no means looks like that! I know that your daughter's surgery is different than mine was, but try and not get freaked out by how the doctor described it!

[Perna]

Yes, the sore throat will be from the anethesia during the operation(s), etc. That's normal for operations I think.

Like jacq knows from experience, I wouldn't think the wiring itself will hurt; mostly just the original operations/doing of it (kind of like when they first put your braces on only 10 times worse but after a bit it doesn't hurt anymore).

I found this hospital page with a "wired jaw diet" complete with recipes. Maybe it can help with what to fix that will be a bit of a treat/fun and good for her and another from a nutritionist :-) I may be way off-base but I think the "thickness" issue is just in the beginning when she's healing from the operation effects themselves but later, when her throat is feeling better, etc. she should be able to handle anything through a straw? The supplemental drinks are just as "viscous" I think as anything else would be that wasn't pure liquid.

http://library.umsmed.edu/pe-db/pe-wired-jaw.html

http://drirene.healthandage.com/qa3/qa130082.htm

[SandyWeb]

Hi Jacq10,

What a relief it was to read your message. You know, all the pictures I had been shown were of people who didn't have braces.....their mouths were wired shut in these horrendous manners. I don't even know if that type of wiring would even be done nowadays.....seems like braces would just naturally be put on to hold the wires until it was time to open your mouth again. Phew!!!! It really WAS a relief to read that the wires latch around her pre-existing braces. Yeah!!!

Next week she has an appointment with her orthodontist (which may actually take two appointments, we were told), and we were told it was to put new wires/brackets (??) on her teeth. I assume these will be strong since they will be used as the anchors for the jaw wiring.

We have all KINDS of appointments the following week....x-rays, impressions, education, general physical, etc, etc. That'll probably wear us out more than the actual rehabilitation from the surgery! Lol.

This is what they told us to expect. Let me know if you experienced any of it. Swollen face, of course (which they will keep applying hot and cold compresses to), no feeling in her lips or chin, stuffed nose (so we'll have the mist mask), plugged ears, pressure in the head, and pain in her mouth. She will only be able to sleep on her back and propped up, she will have a hard time swallowing (but it will get better with time), and when she chokes or coughs it is going to be very scary BUT it won't do any harm. If she really IS choking, we'll have the wire cutters to open her mouth. Yikes.

We're figuring she'll miss a week of school while in the hospital for 5 days, and then probably another 3 weeks while resting up. How much school did you miss, and were you able to stay alert in classes? She is an A/B student, so I can't imagine that they would fail her in any subject because she doesn't have the energy to concentrate as well.

Oh, and they said that after all the swelling and bruising is gone (which will take weeks, they said), that she will have nice pronounced cheekbones, a little chin, and a smaller face (because her jaw won't be open all the time, even though her lips are closed). I think she is gorgeous right now, and I can't imagine how pretty she is going to look. When she goes back for the new school year in September, no one will recognize her! Lol.

Thanks again for sharing your experience. It made me feel better.

God bless,
Sandy

[SandyWeb]

Hi Perna,

Thanks for the websites with the recipies. The hospital gave us a bunch of blender recipies as well. I'm sure that my daughter will be getting pretty sick and tired of those cans of Ensure and Boost. Lol. Plus they said she could take those little cardboard packages of milkshakes to school for a snack/lunch when she finally returns.

I'll know so much more once we have been through all the appointments, and then there are quite a few more appointments on the day she is discharged. Ugh. Everyone is going to be so wiped out.

Thanks again for the sites. That was nice of you to look them up for us.

God bless,
Sandy

[(JD)]

Why not take this time to learn a little of ASL? American Sign Language... and fingerspelling. Of course, a good notepad or white board and markers are good too! Maybe just copy some of the pictures with the signs for them... and cut them out for flashing (water, toilet, book...etc)

I used signing after my jaw surgeries (bilateral TMJ orthoscopic surgery.)

One precaution to REMEMBER: make sure as soon as she is put into her recovery room and private room, that the nurse set up and show you and her how to use the suction tubing!!! They forgot with me and I became nauseated after the surgery and ongoing from the pain medicine... and feared dying from asphyxiation! The suction tubing allows you to suction anything that she might barf up to be evacuated from her mouth. Sorry it's gross, but necessary.

TC!

[jacq10]

Hey SandyWeb,

Glad that i can help! My face was pretty swolen at first, and i dont think that i had feeling in my lips or cheeks at first now that you mention it. I remember my lips being pretty swolen for the first couple of days but they went down pretty quickly. And while i was in the hospital i had a stuffed nose, but it wasn't horrible, the only thing was it was hard to blow my nose at first. There was some pressure in the head i think, because i did have some bad headaches so they were probably attributed to that - not migrains or anything though. You did have to sleep on your back, but you did get use to it after a while. Also, its important to keep her head elevated esp at first because theres too much pressure to fully lie your head back. I don't remember having an especially hard time swallowing, but i didn't really eat alot as the medicines reduces your appetite quite a bit. As for coughing ... i dont remember it being really bad, but just being moreso difficult .. its just because you have some mucus and blood in your throat after the surgery, but it was pretty well gone within 24-48 hours. They also gave me wire cutters, but i feel as though that is just a pre-caution as i myself (and others i've known who have had similar surgery's) have never had any problems or had to use them.

As for school .. well i actually got mine done in the summer. But i remember i took the whole summer off work as i thought i would need a long recovery time, but for myself it actually didn't take that long. Obviously the first couple days were rough, but i was out again with my friends within a week and 1/2 probably. I'm sure she would be fine if she jsut took those first couple days off school, and then maybe a week after that, if even that much. It also just depends on how comfortable she is in public if she is still swolen. As she is going to have wires on for 6 weeks that also might make a difference, esp if she doesn't eat a lot because thats a long time to have them on.

Most of my swelling went down within ... probably about a month, but when i look back on pictures of myself near the end of the summer/beginning of the school year (i got my surgery in July) i could still see the swelling. But thats just me, and my mom says that she couldn't see it, so its not a noticable thing to most people.

I think thats about it ... hope it helps!
Jacq

[Juliana]

I had a couple of friends who had their jaws wired (for orthodontic reasons) when I was in high school. They had to carry wire cutters with them just in case they vomited. Better safe than sorry. That was back in the late 80s. Do docs still recommend that?

P.S. I took an ASL night class years ago. I loved it. I wish I had some friends I could practice with because I'm very rusty and there's still so much I would like to learn. It's such a beautiful, expressive language. Have you ever read "Island of the Color Blind" by Oliver Sacks? (He's one of my favourite authors.) There's a section in that book about the sign language culture that used to exist on Martha's Vineyard. It's fascinating.

[SandyWeb]

I want to thank everyone for your support, suggestions, and experiences. I feel a lot better going into this after getting first-hand accounts and great advice. WOW. I didn't know so many people got their jaws wired shut! Who'd a thunk?? *smile*

A lady is giving me an almost-new humidifier that she doesn't use, so that is a blessing in itself. And for anyone living in Canada, I have lots of Shoppers DrugMart points that I'm HOPING will be acceptable towards cases of Ensure or Boost (but somehow I think that would be placed in the health/pharmacy section, and probably wouldn't qualify). But it will save me big bucks if I can get her nutrition that way. WooHoo! I'll be over there later this week. Does anyone know already if the points would apply??

And it's really comforting to know that it's only the first couple of weeks that has the most pain. After the surgeon unwires her jaw in 6+ weeks, the orthodontist said that he'd have another few months of work....and then voila.....a whole new face for my baby!! I told her it was like she was getting a face lift! Lol. She's going to look and talk so differently. People will think she's the new kid in school when classes start back in September! Lol.

And then we'll have another condition to concentrate on. If it's not one thing, it's another...poor girl. We JUST found out that she has PCOS (PolyCystic Ovarian Syndrome). Her hormones are fine (phew....no large amounts of testosterone to give her facial hair and whatnot), but she just has stopped ovulating. She had been regular almost to the door since she was 10-years old, and then just recently she went 4 months without a period. NO....we knew she wasn't pregnant. *smile* She's a good girl. After the blood work, everything was fine except for the hormones....in that they weren't releasing. And she got all the symptoms before we knew what was happening (we actually thought it was stress from her upcoming jaw surgery). She got depressed, anxious, missed her periods, put on 15 pounds for no reason, and has crying spells about once a week (where she would say that she's all screwed up inside, but couldn't explain it). I had her seeing the counsellor every 2 weeks at school, but now we know it's hormones. So once we get her jaw repaired, I'll be taking her to an endocrinologist and see about getting her to have regular periods again. It may be difficult for her to get pregnant when she's married, and she may develop Type II Diabetes.....but that's a long ways off.

Okay, I've gabbed enough. Lol. Thanks again for all your help. I'm sure she's going to be one spoiled girl while she's "the quiet one". Lol.

God bless,
Sandy

[Juliana]

I'm not positive about this, Sandy, but I think you CAN use Shoppers points for Ensure! I've got my fingers crossed for you. I'm pretty sure I've used points for other health-related stuff (I remember using them to buy baby formula for my niece so that seems like it would be in the same category as Ensure) -- just not prescription meds. We save up so many of those damn points, it will be wonderful if you get to use them for something useful. You should just give Shoppers a call and ask in advance.

I'm sorry about your daughter's other condition. The poor thing. She doesn't need more bad news. I hope you can get it all sorted out with the endocrinologist. It's good that you found out what's going on so she can get the treatment she needs.

[(JD)]

[SandyWeb]

Thanks Julianna and Sky!

Ooohhhh, now I feel hopeful about the Shoppers Points. I have about $150 in free merchandise (accumulated through all the dang prescriptions I've had filled there! LOL). Yes, I'll have to give them a call tomorrow. Thanks for the encouragement.

And thanks for the heart, Sky. You're always so supportive of everyone. You're a nice lady, hon.

God bless,
Sandy

[jacq10]

Sorry to hear about the added complications with your daughter ... she must be one tough cookie!

[SandyWeb]

Thanks Jacq10. Yup, my girl is one tough cookie....and gorgeous to boot. It's so funny to watch the male store clerks get all tongue-tied when they're waiting on her. They don't even see ME. I could walk out of the store with a whole armload of food or clothes, and they'd still be all over my daughter. LOL.

I've joined a group for people with PCOS. Most of them were able to have babies, so I hope my daughter falls into that category. She LOVES babies, and has always said that she wanted three when she's married. She'll make a great mum.

Thanks for the spinning heart!!! Gotta love it!

By the way, Juliana, yourself and I all live in Nova Scotia. WooHoo. What the heck do we have to worry about in this part of the world?? LOL.

God bless,
Sandy

[SandyWeb]

GREAT NEWS! I spoke with a Social Worker yesterday, and they are willing to pay for ALL of my daughter's cans of Ensure! Yippee!!!! She was saying that it would cost well over $200, and that's just not a normal expense. Generally a person would buy food from the monthly Child Tax Benefits cheque, but she said that this wasn't what you would classify as "normal" food. I just need to get the doctor to write out how many cans she will need, and the Social Worker will have a cheque sent out the very next day. Can you believe it?? Yeah!!!!!! Now I just have to go out and buy some straws! Lol. Can you imagine? "Just tilt the can up to your mouth, honey." Hee hee. I think a straw may come in handy!

God bless,
Sandy

[jacq10]

Thats great news!!!!!

I'm not sure that your daughter will actually be able to use a straw though! They told me i wasn't aloud to first of all, and when i did anyways (haha yeah i'm a rebel lol, just kidding) it was hard because of the whole sucking thing that comes along with it! Just thought i'd let you know ... but i'm sure you will find these things out along the way!

Glad to hear that everything is covered though =)

[SandyWeb]

My daughter's surgery is TOMORROW (April 17th)!!!!!!!!! Yikes!!!!!

She has to be on the Unit at 7:00AM Atlantic Time tomorrow, and the surgery starts at 8:00AM. It should last 5-6 hours without any complications. They will be breaking both jaws, shifting bones around to line up the jaws, removing all her wisdom teeth (BONUS!!), and possibly restructuring her chin to make it symmetrical with the shape of her new face. Then she'll be wired shut for 6+ weeks. Morphine and a TON of other meds while in the hospital for 5 days. When she comes home, she won't have morphine anymore but 2 different narcotics and still a TON of other meds. She'll even have a nasogastric tube down her nose for the first day to drain all the blood out of her stomache. Poor thing.

If any of you are of the praying sort, I'd love for you to say some for the surgery and recovery. I think she'll be fine, but it's a mum's right not to want their child to be hurting or scared. She slept with me again last night (and she's 15-years old), and she wants to sleep with me again tonight. Awwwww. How often do you get to cuddle and sleep with your teenage child anymore? I take it as a blessing. I love it!

I'll let you know how everything works out. Tomorrow (April 17th) is going to be a very LONG day, but if I'm not too exhausted when I get back home that night, I'll try to send a message. If not, I'll send it the next day. But she's a strong girl! I think she'll be fine.

Thank you all SO MUCH for all the advice and support. You have educated us very much, and I appreciate that. It doesn't seem nearly as scary as it did when I first found out about it. Thank you.

God bless,
Sandy