Re: Jaw Surgery - permanent numbness

[Guest guest]

My guess is yes. I had upper/lower/genio surgery last Tuesday the

27th of August, and prepared for it by having some manual lymph

drainage therapy before surgery to " open things up " (they go into

shock after surgery), and also afterwards the day I got out of

hospital. It has dramatically reduced swelling and subsequent

numbness, although I still do have some (I can feel it going down

hour by hour now). I go on Tuesday for another session, and may have

one more after that depending on the extent of my swelling.

The lymph network runs over your entire body, and consists of lymph

nodes and lymph vessels. There are many vessels, or chains, in the

face, mandible and neck (or cervical). The physiotherapist explained

to me that the lymph pathways are, in some cases, as fine as a silk

thread, and easily blocked, causing fluids to back up into the

tissues causing swelling. The more swelling you have, the more

possibility of nerve distress or numbness. I can't answer about the

permanency of it, but my theory, confirmed by the physiotherapist,

was that the sooner I could get the swelling down, the less nerve

distress and hence numbness I would encounter. And it's been just

like that for me. Despite having quite a lot of surgery, I have very

minimal swelling and little numbness, mostly in areas that are

difficult for me to self-massage using the techniques she taught me.

It certainly wouldn't hurt to have a professional look at opening up

your lymph network. My physiotherapist trained at the Vodder Clinic

in Austria, and says that you can surf their site to see

physiotherapists in your area that may have trained there (it's a

paid listing though, so not all participate).

Cost to me was CAD 95 an hour. I expect to have a total of 4

treatments, including the pre-op one, when I'm all done.

I hope that helps. This therapy is very commonly used for breast

cancer patients who have had their lymph nodes removed.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I'm very happy to hear that your recovery is going so well. In fact,

I plan on taking a cue from you and going to see an MLD practitioner

this week. I have several areas of stubborn swelling which haven't

noticably improved in the past week.

How much numbness do you currently have? I still have complete

numbness in my chin and lower lip, about 90% in my palate/gums, and

50% in the left side of my upper lip - where there remains some

swelling.

-john

> My guess is yes. I had upper/lower/genio surgery last Tuesday the

> 27th of August, and prepared for it by having some manual lymph

> drainage therapy before surgery to " open things up " (they go into

> shock after surgery), and also afterwards the day I got out of

> hospital. It has dramatically reduced swelling and subsequent

> numbness, although I still do have some (I can feel it going down

> hour by hour now). I go on Tuesday for another session, and may

have

> one more after that depending on the extent of my swelling.

>

> The lymph network runs over your entire body, and consists of lymph

> nodes and lymph vessels. There are many vessels, or chains, in the

> face, mandible and neck (or cervical). The physiotherapist

explained

> to me that the lymph pathways are, in some cases, as fine as a silk

> thread, and easily blocked, causing fluids to back up into the

> tissues causing swelling. The more swelling you have, the more

> possibility of nerve distress or numbness. I can't answer about the

> permanency of it, but my theory, confirmed by the physiotherapist,

> was that the sooner I could get the swelling down, the less nerve

> distress and hence numbness I would encounter. And it's been just

> like that for me. Despite having quite a lot of surgery, I have

very

> minimal swelling and little numbness, mostly in areas that are

> difficult for me to self-massage using the techniques she taught me.

>

> It certainly wouldn't hurt to have a professional look at opening

up

> your lymph network. My physiotherapist trained at the Vodder Clinic

> in Austria, and says that you can surf their site to see

> physiotherapists in your area that may have trained there (it's a

> paid listing though, so not all participate).

>

> Cost to me was CAD 95 an hour. I expect to have a total of 4

> treatments, including the pre-op one, when I'm all done.

>

> I hope that helps. This therapy is very commonly used for breast

> cancer patients who have had their lymph nodes removed.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I was wondering how you and were doing. This is now day 5 for

me (no wall yet! yay!)

I can feel my cheeks all the way to my lips. Chin is numb, of course,

but I can feel parts of it halfway up to my lower lip (but not the

center, if that makes any sense). Lower lip is numb in the center,

but appears to be recovering well on the outer sides. Upper lip is

numb, but swelling is continuing to go down hour by hour. Upper

palate seems to be ok, but feels stiff in the front. I guess it's a

bit numb. Upper cheeks are numb around the nose. I can feel the

bridge of my nose all the way down to the tip, but it's numb on the

sides.

I still have swelling on both sides of my neck, starting where you

might call jowels. I don't have exercises to open that up, so I'm

hoping for big relief on Tuesday.

I can hardly talk, though. Where I am numb I'm pretty stiff. So

taking it pretty easy in that department. Getting writer's cramp as a

result.

I thought you might find the MLD interesting. My physio says there

are probably trained people in Edmonton area. Make sure they give you

some exercises to do on your own. Let me know how it goes!

Happy healing,

> Hi ,

>

> I'm very happy to hear that your recovery is going so well. In

fact,

> I plan on taking a cue from you and going to see an MLD

practitioner

> this week. I have several areas of stubborn swelling which haven't

> noticably improved in the past week.

>

> How much numbness do you currently have? I still have complete

> numbness in my chin and lower lip, about 90% in my palate/gums, and

> 50% in the left side of my upper lip - where there remains some

> swelling.

>

>

> -john

[Guest guest]

Hey, it's J. I think 's doing better than I am, but he's

also up to exercising a bit more than I am. I'm still having a little

trouble with my hip (what do I expect, it's only been 2 weeks

tomorrow.) and I know it in spades if I've done too much walking

around. Also, I'm wired shut, which is not, I really think that

diet has a big part to do with healing. While I am nutritionally

sound (I drink a Boost and a V8 every day, plus drink tons of milk

and juice with Vitamin C, soups, and my liquid supplements, and

blended yogurt) I don't exactly have a lot of variety. I am doing

pretty good though considering how long I was in surgery. I was out

of the hospital 2 days earlier than they anticipated and I feel

pretty good.

I don't know if everyone has the same type of splints that I do. My

upper splint basically feels like an upper retainer, it form fits the

entire roof of my mouth, but I also have a splint on the bottom teeth

that is just like a hard one piece impression of the biting surfaces

of my teeth. Between my top teeth and the bottom splint is a very

narrow gap for my liquid diet, but I can't eat anything that has any

bits in it, like chicken noodle soup blended, etc. Anything that has

even small bits in it (like I can't use the regular Mrs. Dash, the

bits are too big, I have to use table blend for seasoning) gets

caught in between my top teeth and the bottom splint and then I can't

breathe through my mouth. Then I end up rushing for the waterpik and

can't enjoy whatever it was that I thought I could eat. Like last

night, I tried a different yogurt (the Breyer's Creme Savers are

perfect for wired shut, they have absolutely no fruit bits in them

but are delicious and great if you are on antibiotics, also Dannon Le

Creme Vanilla) that was supposedly " blended " and " smooth " . Well, all

these little microscopic bits of blueberry got caught in the splint,

so I won't be eating that type again.

Enough about my dietic woes though, I can't believe how well you are

doing. I've never heard of the type of therapy that you are having,

but it sounds like it's working wonders for your swelling. It also

sounds like there is a lot to be said for holistic methods of

healing, and I thought I was ahead of the game with my liquid

supplements!

Keep us informed and keep up the good healing!

J.

> > Hi ,

> >

> > I'm very happy to hear that your recovery is going so well. In

> fact,

> > I plan on taking a cue from you and going to see an MLD

> practitioner

> > this week. I have several areas of stubborn swelling which

haven't

> > noticably improved in the past week.

> >

> > How much numbness do you currently have? I still have complete

> > numbness in my chin and lower lip, about 90% in my palate/gums,

and

> > 50% in the left side of my upper lip - where there remains some

> > swelling.

> >

> >

> > -john

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

> I was wondering how you and were doing. This is now day 5

> for me (no wall yet! yay!)

I was waiting for " the wall " , but it never came. I just chalked it

off to the fact that I didn't receive the normal amount of anti-

inflammatory steriods, but maybe not everyone encounters it. I hope

you miss it altogether.

> I can hardly talk, though. Where I am numb I'm pretty stiff. So

> taking it pretty easy in that department. Getting writer's cramp as

> a result.

I know exactly what you mean. Much of the stiffness is gone now, but

it still flares up in a hurry when I eat, or if I get too chatty.

> I thought you might find the MLD interesting. My physio says there

> are probably trained people in Edmonton area. Make sure they give

> you some exercises to do on your own. Let me know how it goes!

I found three practioners here. They were listed on the Vodder School

website. I'm looking forward to the treatment, if for no other reason

than it will at least give me the satisfaction of doing something.

I'm not very good at patiently letting mother nature take it's

course. I prefer to give her a helping hand if possible.

Keep healing! Your progress is inspiring.

-john

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

It's true that our bodies can heal ourselves if we give them the

chance, but there are some areas that we can improve on, and MLD is

one of them. Hope it helps you.

Somehow I just managed to ask the right questions at the right time

of the right people to get all this stuff happening for me, and then

had the nerve to go through with it all. I'm really grateful for it,

believe me!

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

> Hey, it's J. I think 's doing better than I am, but

> he's also up to exercising a bit more than I am. I'm still having a

> little trouble with my hip (what do I expect, it's only been 2

> weeks tomorrow.) and I know it in spades if I've done too much

> walking around.

That sounds just like what I started to go through. Also, sometimes

the hip just get's stiff, for no obvious reason. I've found a couple

of things that help: stretching, and the stationary bike. Cycling

doesn't seem to bring on the pain like walking does.

> Also, I'm wired shut, which is not, I really think that

> diet has a big part to do with healing.

I think that makes a huge difference. My doc ok'd me for soft mushy

foods immediately, and I've taken full advantage of it. Tonight I had

baked salmon with a cream cucumber salad. The salmon flakes into tiny

pieces that are easily swallowed, and the bones are soft enough that

they don't cause trouble if you accidentally miss one.

You --and all the splinted folks-- truly have my sympathy.

-john

[Guest guest]

Hey .

I'd love to hear how the MLD works out for you, and if you find a " guy "

here in town to do it, I'd love to know who it is for future reference.

How's things going with you? Still shaming us all by working every day?

Talk to you soon.

> > My guess is yes. I had upper/lower/genio surgery last Tuesday the

> > 27th of August, and prepared for it by having some manual lymph

> > drainage therapy before surgery to " open things up " (they go into

> > shock after surgery), and also afterwards the day I got out of

> > hospital. It has dramatically reduced swelling and subsequent

> > numbness, although I still do have some (I can feel it going down

> > hour by hour now). I go on Tuesday for another session, and may

> have

> > one more after that depending on the extent of my swelling.

> >

> > The lymph network runs over your entire body, and consists of lymph

> > nodes and lymph vessels. There are many vessels, or chains, in the

> > face, mandible and neck (or cervical). The physiotherapist

> explained

> > to me that the lymph pathways are, in some cases, as fine as a silk

> > thread, and easily blocked, causing fluids to back up into the

> > tissues causing swelling. The more swelling you have, the more

> > possibility of nerve distress or numbness. I can't answer about the

> > permanency of it, but my theory, confirmed by the physiotherapist,

> > was that the sooner I could get the swelling down, the less nerve

> > distress and hence numbness I would encounter. And it's been just

> > like that for me. Despite having quite a lot of surgery, I have

> very

> > minimal swelling and little numbness, mostly in areas that are

> > difficult for me to self-massage using the techniques she taught me.

> >

> > It certainly wouldn't hurt to have a professional look at opening

> up

> > your lymph network. My physiotherapist trained at the Vodder Clinic

> > in Austria, and says that you can surf their site to see

> > physiotherapists in your area that may have trained there (it's a

> > paid listing though, so not all participate).

> >

> > Cost to me was CAD 95 an hour. I expect to have a total of 4

> > treatments, including the pre-op one, when I'm all done.

> >

> > I hope that helps. This therapy is very commonly used for breast

> > cancer patients who have had their lymph nodes removed.

> >

> >