zip and squeeze

[Guest guest]

Does anyone know how good the zip-and-squeeze thing is? I never knew

drinking through straws was bad after jaw surgery, but that's what it

said on the zip-and-squeeze webpage. They also make this face wrap

thing that reduced swelling, does anyone have any information on

that? I'm getting surgery in either June or July and I don't want a

swollen face when I go back to work! Thanks! Also, I was planning on

just taking a week off from work, is that too soon to go back to work

or is that a good recovery time?

[Guest guest]

In my humble opinion one weeks is way too soon to go back. I'm 13

days post-op and still struggling with a little bit of eneergy loss

and swelling. Not to mention it's still hard to talk. I didn't

personally get much use out of the zip and sqeeze bags but others

have. The wrap, however, is great! I love it. Hope that helps.

Neta-lee

> Does anyone know how good the zip-and-squeeze thing is? I never

knew

> drinking through straws was bad after jaw surgery, but that's what

it

> said on the zip-and-squeeze webpage. They also make this face wrap

> thing that reduced swelling, does anyone have any information on

> that? I'm getting surgery in either June or July and I don't want a

> swollen face when I go back to work! Thanks! Also, I was planning

on

> just taking a week off from work, is that too soon to go back to

work

> or is that a good recovery time?

[Guest guest]

I couldn't have survived my first week post op without the ZNS! The

face wrap is also great!! I had upper and lower and I'm still wired

shut so it made recovery much easier because I keep a ZNS full of

water next to my bedside table and didn't have to worry about tipping

over a water bottle or anything and during the night my throat and

lips got very dry so it was a great asset for me. My hospital also

endorses them so they gave me tons of bags to use as well. Some

people who were banded I don't think relied on it as much, but for

me, i don't think I would have survived the first week getting the

proper nutrition without it!

As for work, I took 2.5 weeks off and went back only part time for

the first week. Some people feel good after just two weeks, but in

my humble opinion, the first week is crucial to healing so all you'll

be doing is sleeping. I really don't think you'll want to go back

after a week - some people feel good after 1 week... but not enough

to go back full time to work. I have a pretty lax desk job too and I

definitely needed the full minimum 2 weeks. Talk to your doctor and

see what s/he recommends. As for swelling - the majority of my

swelling has gone down after 3 weeks, but the residual swelling (the

barely noticible ones that only the doctor can see) is still going to

be there and will take months to go down. So, you still might be a

tad still swollen if you return after 2 weeks.

Best of luck!!

-Yooli

> Does anyone know how good the zip-and-squeeze thing is? I never

knew

> drinking through straws was bad after jaw surgery, but that's what

it

> said on the zip-and-squeeze webpage. They also make this face wrap

> thing that reduced swelling, does anyone have any information on

> that? I'm getting surgery in either June or July and I don't want a

> swollen face when I go back to work! Thanks! Also, I was planning

on

> just taking a week off from work, is that too soon to go back to

work

> or is that a good recovery time?

[Guest guest]

Hello!

Yes, drinking through straws is a big no-no those first weeks postop

and I'm sure your surgeon will tell you this as you get closer to

surgery. I found the zippies very helpful the first week or so until

I could learn how to drink with a numb bottom lip. Eventually I was

thrilled to progress to a cup, but while you're tired that first

week, it's a lot easier to put the zippy straw in and squeeze. The

jaw wrap was also really nice. I took it to the hospital and found

it more comfortable than the ice wrap they saddle you with at the

hospital.

I would bet that one week from work isn't enough. I suppose it

depends on what you're getting done, but I had upper/lower/genio and

there was no way I could even think about going back to work until

the third week. I ended up taking 6 weeks off, but if I were truly

pushed I suppose I could have done it at the end of week 3. Some

folks bounce back quicker, but there aren't many who go back to work

after the first week.

Irish!

> Does anyone know how good the zip-and-squeeze thing is? I never

knew

> drinking through straws was bad after jaw surgery, but that's what

it

> said on the zip-and-squeeze webpage. They also make this face wrap

> thing that reduced swelling, does anyone have any information on

> that? I'm getting surgery in either June or July and I don't want a

> swollen face when I go back to work! Thanks! Also, I was planning

on

> just taking a week off from work, is that too soon to go back to

work

> or is that a good recovery time?

[Guest guest]

Jeanetta.....

I'm taking 2 months off from work.... I work in a bakery and lifting of

bins (the big plastic ones) and during the summer it is super busy. I am

not rushing my return to work.. even if I do work 2 days a week... still

not hurrying back. But then it isn't necessary for me to work, I do it just

for the fun of it.

I am scheduled for June or July myself.... Once I see the orthodontist on

4/28 he most likely will be sending me off to see the surgeon since the

lower 4 front teeth did move down the needed 3/4 of a mm.

My job aside from requiring lifting, you talk a lot too. Can't just grunt

and groan at customers. Usually they end up asking questions about the

village and the buildings and I am the one who ends up answering a multitude

of questions... I work at a historic Village in Wall, NJ so even if I were

to be in a building interpreting it, I'd still be talking all day. And if I

remember right, our jaws will tire easily from all that talking....

Carin

ps..... 1 week post-op we'll still be pretty swollen and pooped to say the

least! I will wear my quilt guild name tag when I do go back to

volunteering and work so ppl know it is me!

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