Re: 72 hours post op and need encouragement

[Guest guest]

First of all, I'm sending BIG positive vibes your side (umm... where

do you live? )

It's as if I was reading myself 6 weeks ago: upper, lower advance,

can't breathe, hungry, food getting stuck... As you said, you're on

your low point. Good news is: it probably won't get any worse. Just

better.

Don't try the baby purees yet. The texture can just clog up the

little space that you have for getting it in. But you've figured

that out by now. So what? Try things. Did your surgeon give you a

booklet of recipes? Make (or make hubby make you) whatever is most

liquid, put some eggs in the shakes for protein, etc.

About breathing: I'm sure what I did is NOT the best way. And I will

probably get chastisized by the lot of you guys for doing this. But

you told me not to blow my nose, and I was practically going into

respiratory failure... so let's say I, um, reached for whatever was

clogging the nose. My turn being sorry for the graphic details...

But it worked. I could breathe after that. And it didn't bleed or

anything scary like that. But yeah, be careful whatever you do.

Oh, and about the nasal spray: they didn't tell me this at the

hospital, but when I went to the pharmacist, she told me I had to

lean forward (head towards feet) and blow it up my nose. It doesn't

do much when the head is thrown back.

Best of luck, and hang on! Just think how happy you will be in a

couple of days.

> I am now 72 hours post op ( a Lefort 1 osteotomy and lower jaw

> advancement) and am wishing I had never had this done. Maybe I've

hit

> the wall that everyone talks about. The worst part for me is not

> being able to breathe -- both my nostrils are so plugged up with

> blood etc (sorry for the gross graphics) that I can only breathe a

> bit through my mouth -- and that is trying to breathe through all

the

> saliva. My doctor told me NOT to try to blow my nose -- I guess it

> can affect the surgery. I am so hungry. My poor husband is trying

so

> hard to help me, but it seems that all I can get through those

little

> syringes is Boost or Ensure and juices. I tried to mash up baby

food

> and blenderize it, but it kept getting stuck and air got stuck and

> went into my stomach and caused gas cramps. SORRY to be so

negative,

> I've been trying to put a brave face (a puffed up brave face) here

at

> home, and you are the only guys who understand what I am going

> through. I think if I could just breathe through my nose I would

be

> better. He gave me nasal saline spray, but it does nothing, it

just

> runs right out because it hits a big blocked bit. Oh well, no

going

> back now.

[Guest guest]

First of all, I'm sending BIG positive vibes your side (umm... where

do you live? )

It's as if I was reading myself 6 weeks ago: upper, lower advance,

can't breathe, hungry, food getting stuck... As you said, you're on

your low point. Good news is: it probably won't get any worse. Just

better.

Don't try the baby purees yet. The texture can just clog up the

little space that you have for getting it in. But you've figured

that out by now. So what? Try things. Did your surgeon give you a

booklet of recipes? Make (or make hubby make you) whatever is most

liquid, put some eggs in the shakes for protein, etc.

About breathing: I'm sure what I did is NOT the best way. And I will

probably get chastisized by the lot of you guys for doing this. But

you told me not to blow my nose, and I was practically going into

respiratory failure... so let's say I, um, reached for whatever was

clogging the nose. My turn being sorry for the graphic details...

But it worked. I could breathe after that. And it didn't bleed or

anything scary like that. But yeah, be careful whatever you do.

Oh, and about the nasal spray: they didn't tell me this at the

hospital, but when I went to the pharmacist, she told me I had to

lean forward (head towards feet) and blow it up my nose. It doesn't

do much when the head is thrown back.

Best of luck, and hang on! Just think how happy you will be in a

couple of days.

> I am now 72 hours post op ( a Lefort 1 osteotomy and lower jaw

> advancement) and am wishing I had never had this done. Maybe I've

hit

> the wall that everyone talks about. The worst part for me is not

> being able to breathe -- both my nostrils are so plugged up with

> blood etc (sorry for the gross graphics) that I can only breathe a

> bit through my mouth -- and that is trying to breathe through all

the

> saliva. My doctor told me NOT to try to blow my nose -- I guess it

> can affect the surgery. I am so hungry. My poor husband is trying

so

> hard to help me, but it seems that all I can get through those

little

> syringes is Boost or Ensure and juices. I tried to mash up baby

food

> and blenderize it, but it kept getting stuck and air got stuck and

> went into my stomach and caused gas cramps. SORRY to be so

negative,

> I've been trying to put a brave face (a puffed up brave face) here

at

> home, and you are the only guys who understand what I am going

> through. I think if I could just breathe through my nose I would

be

> better. He gave me nasal saline spray, but it does nothing, it

just

> runs right out because it hits a big blocked bit. Oh well, no

going

> back now.

[Guest guest]

hi there brenda! i have heard that " breathe right " nasal strips

maybe help somewhat...by pulling your nostrils open more....and do

you have one of those bulb syringes for babies noses or ears? i have

heard they can be useful in both shooting the saline up your nose as

well as sucking gunk out gently....i am getting the same exact

surgery as you feb 11th....i really think that in a couple of days

you will be feeling so much better...but i am not looking forward to

being where you are now....sending lots of good thoughts to you-

hilary

> I am now 72 hours post op ( a Lefort 1 osteotomy and lower jaw

> advancement) and am wishing I had never had this done. Maybe I've

hit

> the wall that everyone talks about. The worst part for me is not

> being able to breathe -- both my nostrils are so plugged up with

> blood etc (sorry for the gross graphics) that I can only breathe a

> bit through my mouth -- and that is trying to breathe through all

the

> saliva. My doctor told me NOT to try to blow my nose -- I guess it

> can affect the surgery. I am so hungry. My poor husband is trying

so

> hard to help me, but it seems that all I can get through those

little

> syringes is Boost or Ensure and juices. I tried to mash up baby

food

> and blenderize it, but it kept getting stuck and air got stuck and

> went into my stomach and caused gas cramps. SORRY to be so

negative,

> I've been trying to put a brave face (a puffed up brave face) here

at

> home, and you are the only guys who understand what I am going

> through. I think if I could just breathe through my nose I would

be

> better. He gave me nasal saline spray, but it does nothing, it

just

> runs right out because it hits a big blocked bit. Oh well, no

going

> back now.

[Guest guest]

hi there brenda! i have heard that " breathe right " nasal strips

maybe help somewhat...by pulling your nostrils open more....and do

you have one of those bulb syringes for babies noses or ears? i have

heard they can be useful in both shooting the saline up your nose as

well as sucking gunk out gently....i am getting the same exact

surgery as you feb 11th....i really think that in a couple of days

you will be feeling so much better...but i am not looking forward to

being where you are now....sending lots of good thoughts to you-

hilary

> I am now 72 hours post op ( a Lefort 1 osteotomy and lower jaw

> advancement) and am wishing I had never had this done. Maybe I've

hit

> the wall that everyone talks about. The worst part for me is not

> being able to breathe -- both my nostrils are so plugged up with

> blood etc (sorry for the gross graphics) that I can only breathe a

> bit through my mouth -- and that is trying to breathe through all

the

> saliva. My doctor told me NOT to try to blow my nose -- I guess it

> can affect the surgery. I am so hungry. My poor husband is trying

so

> hard to help me, but it seems that all I can get through those

little

> syringes is Boost or Ensure and juices. I tried to mash up baby

food

> and blenderize it, but it kept getting stuck and air got stuck and

> went into my stomach and caused gas cramps. SORRY to be so

negative,

> I've been trying to put a brave face (a puffed up brave face) here

at

> home, and you are the only guys who understand what I am going

> through. I think if I could just breathe through my nose I would

be

> better. He gave me nasal saline spray, but it does nothing, it

just

> runs right out because it hits a big blocked bit. Oh well, no

going

> back now.

[Guest guest]

I don't know if anybody gave this suggestion or not. I asked the

nurses to clean my nose out and show me how. You can get q-tips and

hydrogen peroxide solution from the drugstore. Dip the q-tips in the

HP solution and CAREFULLY go at your nose. I wiped around the front

part of my nostrils, it loosens the dried gunk up pretty nicely. Just

be careful about going too far back, or being too aggressive with

those q-tips.

I used about 600 q-tips post-op, roughly 100 a week. I had

upper/lower/genio and didn't blow my nose for a long, long time as it

felt so funny. Plus, I was told not to blow my nose for at least 2

weeks. When I asked my surgeon about it, he said, you can blow, but

keep your mouth open and just kind of puff, nothing hard. Well, you

can probably guess that blowing gently isn't going to do much, so I

never bothered until weeks & weeks out.

I cleaned my nose out every time I had to clean my mouth out, so it

was frequent!

Hang in there, you're on the other side, this stuff doesn't last

forever. Take it a step at a time.

Best wishes,

[Guest guest]

I don't know if anybody gave this suggestion or not. I asked the

nurses to clean my nose out and show me how. You can get q-tips and

hydrogen peroxide solution from the drugstore. Dip the q-tips in the

HP solution and CAREFULLY go at your nose. I wiped around the front

part of my nostrils, it loosens the dried gunk up pretty nicely. Just

be careful about going too far back, or being too aggressive with

those q-tips.

I used about 600 q-tips post-op, roughly 100 a week. I had

upper/lower/genio and didn't blow my nose for a long, long time as it

felt so funny. Plus, I was told not to blow my nose for at least 2

weeks. When I asked my surgeon about it, he said, you can blow, but

keep your mouth open and just kind of puff, nothing hard. Well, you

can probably guess that blowing gently isn't going to do much, so I

never bothered until weeks & weeks out.

I cleaned my nose out every time I had to clean my mouth out, so it

was frequent!

Hang in there, you're on the other side, this stuff doesn't last

forever. Take it a step at a time.

Best wishes,

[Guest guest]

Hello!

First, you are not being negative. It's hard to concentrate on

cheerfulness when you are feeling the way you are. You are in the

throes of this and the good news is that it doesn't last long. I

remember feeling better in the hospital than I did the first few days

after I got home, then it got better. Many folks report that Day 4

is one of the toughest days before things start turning around.

That's not an exact science for everyone but many people think things

get better around then.

Have you tried hot showers or baths? Or even if you don't feel

comfortable standing in a shower stall or sitting in a full tub (many

folks are weak at Day 3), perhaps sitting in the bathroom with

pillows around you for comfort and letting the shower/bath water run

hot, creating a steam bath. That helped my nose to open up. I

wasn't allowed to blow my nose either and I found that quite

challenging in the early days. I know what you are feeling and I

know its not fun. I remembered taking frequent (4 or 5) short showers

a day the first week because it was a quick was of relief. Also,

ready 's post about nose cleaning. You might not be able to

blow stuff out, but you can " fish " for things (GENTLY please!). I

don't remember my surgeon saying " No fishing "

Please remember this is short-lived. Many of us have already been

there and have survived! I'm the biggest baby on earth and I did it

and you will be fine. Hang in there.

Irish!

> I am now 72 hours post op ( a Lefort 1 osteotomy and lower jaw

> advancement) and am wishing I had never had this done. Maybe I've

hit

> the wall that everyone talks about. The worst part for me is not

> being able to breathe -- both my nostrils are so plugged up with

> blood etc (sorry for the gross graphics) that I can only breathe a

> bit through my mouth -- and that is trying to breathe through all

the

> saliva. My doctor told me NOT to try to blow my nose -- I guess it

> can affect the surgery. I am so hungry. My poor husband is trying

so

> hard to help me, but it seems that all I can get through those

little

> syringes is Boost or Ensure and juices. I tried to mash up baby

food

> and blenderize it, but it kept getting stuck and air got stuck and

> went into my stomach and caused gas cramps. SORRY to be so

negative,

> I've been trying to put a brave face (a puffed up brave face) here

at

> home, and you are the only guys who understand what I am going

> through. I think if I could just breathe through my nose I would be

> better. He gave me nasal saline spray, but it does nothing, it just

> runs right out because it hits a big blocked bit. Oh well, no going

> back now.

[Guest guest]

Hello!

First, you are not being negative. It's hard to concentrate on

cheerfulness when you are feeling the way you are. You are in the

throes of this and the good news is that it doesn't last long. I

remember feeling better in the hospital than I did the first few days

after I got home, then it got better. Many folks report that Day 4

is one of the toughest days before things start turning around.

That's not an exact science for everyone but many people think things

get better around then.

Have you tried hot showers or baths? Or even if you don't feel

comfortable standing in a shower stall or sitting in a full tub (many

folks are weak at Day 3), perhaps sitting in the bathroom with

pillows around you for comfort and letting the shower/bath water run

hot, creating a steam bath. That helped my nose to open up. I

wasn't allowed to blow my nose either and I found that quite

challenging in the early days. I know what you are feeling and I

know its not fun. I remembered taking frequent (4 or 5) short showers

a day the first week because it was a quick was of relief. Also,

ready 's post about nose cleaning. You might not be able to

blow stuff out, but you can " fish " for things (GENTLY please!). I

don't remember my surgeon saying " No fishing "

Please remember this is short-lived. Many of us have already been

there and have survived! I'm the biggest baby on earth and I did it

and you will be fine. Hang in there.

Irish!

> I am now 72 hours post op ( a Lefort 1 osteotomy and lower jaw

> advancement) and am wishing I had never had this done. Maybe I've

hit

> the wall that everyone talks about. The worst part for me is not

> being able to breathe -- both my nostrils are so plugged up with

> blood etc (sorry for the gross graphics) that I can only breathe a

> bit through my mouth -- and that is trying to breathe through all

the

> saliva. My doctor told me NOT to try to blow my nose -- I guess it

> can affect the surgery. I am so hungry. My poor husband is trying

so

> hard to help me, but it seems that all I can get through those

little

> syringes is Boost or Ensure and juices. I tried to mash up baby

food

> and blenderize it, but it kept getting stuck and air got stuck and

> went into my stomach and caused gas cramps. SORRY to be so

negative,

> I've been trying to put a brave face (a puffed up brave face) here

at

> home, and you are the only guys who understand what I am going

> through. I think if I could just breathe through my nose I would be

> better. He gave me nasal saline spray, but it does nothing, it just

> runs right out because it hits a big blocked bit. Oh well, no going

> back now.

[Guest guest]

I second this! I checked with my doc first, and he said it was okay for me to

gently

clean my nose. So I took a steamy bath and worked with cotton swabs, tissues,

and

*uhum* fingers to clean out my nose. It was gross, but it helped! Then maybe

you

can get the nasal spray in to do it's job.

Best of luck,

> > I am now 72 hours post op ( a Lefort 1 osteotomy and lower jaw

> > advancement) and am wishing I had never had this done. Maybe I've

> hit

> > the wall that everyone talks about. The worst part for me is not

> > being able to breathe -- both my nostrils are so plugged up with

> > blood etc (sorry for the gross graphics) that I can only breathe a

> > bit through my mouth -- and that is trying to breathe through all

> the

> > saliva. My doctor told me NOT to try to blow my nose -- I guess it

> > can affect the surgery. I am so hungry. My poor husband is trying

> so

> > hard to help me, but it seems that all I can get through those

> little

> > syringes is Boost or Ensure and juices. I tried to mash up baby

> food

> > and blenderize it, but it kept getting stuck and air got stuck and

> > went into my stomach and caused gas cramps. SORRY to be so

> negative,

> > I've been trying to put a brave face (a puffed up brave face) here

> at

> > home, and you are the only guys who understand what I am going

> > through. I think if I could just breathe through my nose I would

> be

> > better. He gave me nasal saline spray, but it does nothing, it

> just

> > runs right out because it hits a big blocked bit. Oh well, no

> going

> > back now.

[Guest guest]

My OS told me that the first week of recovery, I would say, " What in the world

have I done to myself? " But it does get better. The first week, as many of us

have already found out, is the worst. It's nowhere but up from here.

This may be hard to believe, but next week or the week after, you'll be

thinking, " I guess that wasn't too bad after all. "

Hang in there...we're rooting for you...you'll be fine and feeling better sooner

than you think.

Happy healing,

Smooches

72 hours post op and need

encouragement

I am now 72 hours post op ( a Lefort 1 osteotomy and lower jaw

advancement) and am wishing I had never had this done. Maybe I've hit

the wall that everyone talks about. The worst part for me is not

being able to breathe -- both my nostrils are so plugged up with

blood etc (sorry for the gross graphics) that I can only breathe a

bit through my mouth -- and that is trying to breathe through all the

saliva. My doctor told me NOT to try to blow my nose -- I guess it

can affect the surgery. I am so hungry. My poor husband is trying so

hard to help me, but it seems that all I can get through those little

syringes is Boost or Ensure and juices. I tried to mash up baby food

and blenderize it, but it kept getting stuck and air got stuck and

went into my stomach and caused gas cramps. SORRY to be so negative,

I've been trying to put a brave face (a puffed up brave face) here at

home, and you are the only guys who understand what I am going

through. I think if I could just breathe through my nose I would be

better. He gave me nasal saline spray, but it does nothing, it just

runs right out because it hits a big blocked bit. Oh well, no going

back now.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

My OS told me that the first week of recovery, I would say, " What in the world

have I done to myself? " But it does get better. The first week, as many of us

have already found out, is the worst. It's nowhere but up from here.

This may be hard to believe, but next week or the week after, you'll be

thinking, " I guess that wasn't too bad after all. "

Hang in there...we're rooting for you...you'll be fine and feeling better sooner

than you think.

Happy healing,

Smooches

72 hours post op and need

encouragement

I am now 72 hours post op ( a Lefort 1 osteotomy and lower jaw

advancement) and am wishing I had never had this done. Maybe I've hit

the wall that everyone talks about. The worst part for me is not

being able to breathe -- both my nostrils are so plugged up with

blood etc (sorry for the gross graphics) that I can only breathe a

bit through my mouth -- and that is trying to breathe through all the

saliva. My doctor told me NOT to try to blow my nose -- I guess it

can affect the surgery. I am so hungry. My poor husband is trying so

hard to help me, but it seems that all I can get through those little

syringes is Boost or Ensure and juices. I tried to mash up baby food

and blenderize it, but it kept getting stuck and air got stuck and

went into my stomach and caused gas cramps. SORRY to be so negative,

I've been trying to put a brave face (a puffed up brave face) here at

home, and you are the only guys who understand what I am going

through. I think if I could just breathe through my nose I would be

better. He gave me nasal saline spray, but it does nothing, it just

runs right out because it hits a big blocked bit. Oh well, no going

back now.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

,

Q-Tips are your friend. I can't even count how many I used. I would

squirt in the saline until things would loosen up and then gently

swab in and pull out the mucus. This is a tedious process, but if

you do it frequently, you won't get completely blocked up again.

Once I got it cleaned out I used Afrin the first few days to help

with the congestion. My doc also prescribed a liquid and pill form

of a decongestant.

I also tried the baby bulb syringe (tip with a bulb attached) and it

never worked for me. Once things have started to dry in there, the

only thing that could get it out was saline and QTips.

Sleeping at a 30 degree angle will also help keep mucus from welling

and clogging your nose.

Everyone is not the same.. but I was like you.. the first 3 days were

miserable. Day 4 onward I felt improved each day.

Hang in there - things can only get better from here on out

> I am now 72 hours post op ( a Lefort 1 osteotomy and lower jaw

> advancement) and am wishing I had never had this done. Maybe I've

hit

> the wall that everyone talks about. The worst part for me is not

> being able to breathe -- both my nostrils are so plugged up with

> blood etc (sorry for the gross graphics) that I can only breathe a

> bit through my mouth -- and that is trying to breathe through all

the

> saliva. My doctor told me NOT to try to blow my nose -- I guess it

> can affect the surgery. I am so hungry. My poor husband is trying

so

> hard to help me, but it seems that all I can get through those

little

> syringes is Boost or Ensure and juices. I tried to mash up baby

food

> and blenderize it, but it kept getting stuck and air got stuck and

> went into my stomach and caused gas cramps. SORRY to be so

negative,

> I've been trying to put a brave face (a puffed up brave face) here

at

> home, and you are the only guys who understand what I am going

> through. I think if I could just breathe through my nose I would be

> better. He gave me nasal saline spray, but it does nothing, it just

> runs right out because it hits a big blocked bit. Oh well, no going

> back now.