5 week post op update

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone,

I am now 5 weeks post op from lower/genio- wow it has really gone

fast!

I went and saw my surgeon yesterday and he keeps going on how

wonderful i look- even though i am still slightly swollen around

sides and under chin. Also numb still on chin and lower gums and lip-

but thats normal!

I went swimming again on wednesday - managed 1.5km (which is about

1/2 of what i normally do)- i was abit tired but not too bad, it just

hurt abit to turn and breath to he side. Waterpolo starts again this

week - and asked my surgeon when i could play again- he said next

saturday- i dont think i will be mentally ready by then, but he said

there could be no damage done even if i got hit, as footballers who

get hit worse (sometimes) than me play after 6 weeks and the bones

have healed.

Has anyone played a contact sport after surgery so soon? how do you

get over the psychological barrier? i know after i broke my ribs

4years ago, i still worry about getting knocked in them now- how am i

going to get over this? as in waterpolo the face is the place most

commonly elbowed, punched etc!

Anyway- he also said that i could chew next friday which will be good-

he said anything i like- but i will definantly start with soft

things. This doesnt really excite me, because i have been eating

normal food anyway- just chopped up- and probably the only person to

gain weight doing this (due to little exercise) which sucks! (i could

of done with losing a couple of kilo's!)

I started back at work this week and that was ok, not tired or

anything, and university starts this monday- and i'm ready for that!

good luck to all those going through the first few weeks, hang in

there and drink lots of water and move around if you can, it helps

with swelling and makes you feel heaps better, as do hot showers or

baths (dont lock the door!)

Jaimi