Re: Toddler mom needs surgery

[Guest guest]

Hi My name is mary and had upper and lower jaw surgery Nov the

4th. I do have a splint in my mouth which will be comming out in

about a week and a half. I also have a 21 month old at home.

Realistically, everybody recovers differantly. I know you would like

to know for sure, but your surgeon, may have specific guidlines for

you, and everybody recovers differantly. Ask your surgeon how long of

a recovery process you are looking at, and let him/her know that you

have a little one at home.

However For me.... I couldn't pick up my little one, for a week. So

my husband took that week off. I was taking some perscibed pain

medication for the first week, so it was a blessing that he was

there. The second week, since I had a lot of dizziness still,(only

taking extra strenght tylenol) and my stamina wasn't up to taking

care of a 21 month old, I had my mother, and in-laws help me at my

home, till my husband came home from work. The 3rd week, I was on my

own, and doing well. No problems at all.

Be aware that the first few days will be the toughest, as you will be

sore, and really find there screaming or " playing voices " , and energy

annoying.... well it was that way for me. I was there, but felt

guilty, I couldn't help. So if you can have someone, take care of

your little one for the first 2 nights that you are home might be

beneficial to you. I know it was for me:)

Hope this help. Good luck and let us know how things are going:)

> Hello all, can't tell you how glad I am to have found this site...

>

> Well, looks like I need to have surgery, for a malocclusion

problem.

> I had braces as a teenager, but never went through with the

surgery -

> I am now 40, and my bite is causing some major probs.

>

> That said, I am strongly considering surgery but I need some

advice.

> I have a very, VERY active 2yo toddler, and I'm wondering how long

I

> will be out of commission after having the surgery. I've been

> looking through some of the messages, and recovery seems to go from

a

> few days to a few months. So if anyone can give it to me straight

> up, I will truly appreciate it. Cosmetics aside (don't care how I

> look, heck, I'm 40, I'm too old to care!) given a normal recovery

> period, how long am I going to need extra help caring for my child -

> I'm talking running around the playground, going to birthday

parties,

> etc... When can I realistically give myself to " recover " enough to

> function as a mom?

>

> Any insight would be appreciated. I know I need the surgery,but

need

> to make some arrangements. Thanks for any advice!

>

>

[Guest guest]

, thank you so much for the quick reply. I do have to talk to my

surgeon - at the moment, I have only spoken to my dentist.... and he

can't really give me guidelines. Trouble is, I have no family in the

area, so it is really imporant that I get a realistic picture of when

I will be able to be functioning for my little guy. Thanks agaiin

for your support, I will keep you posted

Regards,

> > Hello all, can't tell you how glad I am to have found this

site...

> >

> > Well, looks like I need to have surgery, for a malocclusion

> problem.

> > I had braces as a teenager, but never went through with the

> surgery -

> > I am now 40, and my bite is causing some major probs.

> >

> > That said, I am strongly considering surgery but I need some

> advice.

> > I have a very, VERY active 2yo toddler, and I'm wondering how

long

> I

> > will be out of commission after having the surgery. I've been

> > looking through some of the messages, and recovery seems to go

from

> a

> > few days to a few months. So if anyone can give it to me

straight

> > up, I will truly appreciate it. Cosmetics aside (don't care how

I

> > look, heck, I'm 40, I'm too old to care!) given a normal recovery

> > period, how long am I going to need extra help caring for my

child -

>

> > I'm talking running around the playground, going to birthday

> parties,

> > etc... When can I realistically give myself to " recover " enough

to

> > function as a mom?

> >

> > Any insight would be appreciated. I know I need the surgery,but

> need

> > to make some arrangements. Thanks for any advice!

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

No problem. Glad to help. Just a quick note. If you don't have

friends, or family in the area, then maybe you can have someone come

and be with you and your child at least for the first week. I would

suggest 2 weeks. (have a family member or friend drive / fly up) That

is when you will need the help the most. I was able to drive after 3

weeks, due to the dizziness. So keep that in mind as well. How will

you get your groceries pain medication etc..., things you might want

to do ahead of time:) You could also hire someone to come and be with

you, especially during the summer...Like a student nurse, or health

care aid. Though I am not sure if your insurance will cover that. If

you plan on going that rout call the college or university and

directly talk with the nursing director, and tell them of your

situation. They will give you someone they know will take good care

of you:) I am a registered nurse, and I know that this kind of thing

is done. Here in Canada anyway:):) If there is anything that I can

help with don't hesitate to ask.

Just a thought. The surgery date I am sure is flexable, so re-arrange

a head of time:)

Just an after thought:)Good luck:)

> > > Hello all, can't tell you how glad I am to have found this

> site...

> > >

> > > Well, looks like I need to have surgery, for a malocclusion

> > problem.

> > > I had braces as a teenager, but never went through with the

> > surgery -

> > > I am now 40, and my bite is causing some major probs.

> > >

> > > That said, I am strongly considering surgery but I need some

> > advice.

> > > I have a very, VERY active 2yo toddler, and I'm wondering how

> long

> > I

> > > will be out of commission after having the surgery. I've been

> > > looking through some of the messages, and recovery seems to go

> from

> > a

> > > few days to a few months. So if anyone can give it to me

> straight

> > > up, I will truly appreciate it. Cosmetics aside (don't care

how

> I

> > > look, heck, I'm 40, I'm too old to care!) given a normal

recovery

> > > period, how long am I going to need extra help caring for my

> child -

> >

> > > I'm talking running around the playground, going to birthday

> > parties,

> > > etc... When can I realistically give myself to " recover " enough

> to

> > > function as a mom?

> > >

> > > Any insight would be appreciated. I know I need the

surgery,but

> > need

> > > to make some arrangements. Thanks for any advice!

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

, I am 42,-- recovering upper lower and genio..with an 19 mnth old....I

vote for 2 1/2 weeks minimum and than at least 3rd and 4th week some

help....this surgery was very tough for me..i am now 8 weeks and still dont feel

the

same...some of the younger ones recoop faster...good luck...this is a very tough

surgery....!! make sure you really need it... laurie

[Guest guest]

,

I think recovery does depend a lot on how physically fit you are prior to

surgery. Exercise, exercise, exercise...get into shape BEFORE going under and

make sure you take some kind of vitamins...my OS prescribed prenatal vitamins

for me. I believe it really does make a huge difference.

As it's been said many, many times here, everyone is different. I'm a

42-year-old grandmother with a VERY active 22-month-old granddaughter who's just

as cute as she can be. :-) My daughter (who lives 9 hours away) is a Marine and

had to go on manuevers or something so I had to keep " Babykins " from day 17

post-op through Thanksgiving by myself (my husband works out of town and is only

home on the weekends).

I was fine being with her alone; HOWEVER - watch the head butts! She got me

twice and it was NOT pretty. Other than that, I had no problems keeping up with

and taking care of her.

Take care...hope this helps.

Smooches

Toddler mom needs surgery

Hello all, can't tell you how glad I am to have found this site...

Well, looks like I need to have surgery, for a malocclusion problem.

I had braces as a teenager, but never went through with the surgery -

I am now 40, and my bite is causing some major probs.

That said, I am strongly considering surgery but I need some advice.

I have a very, VERY active 2yo toddler, and I'm wondering how long I

will be out of commission after having the surgery. I've been

looking through some of the messages, and recovery seems to go from a

few days to a few months. So if anyone can give it to me straight

up, I will truly appreciate it. Cosmetics aside (don't care how I

look, heck, I'm 40, I'm too old to care!) given a normal recovery

period, how long am I going to need extra help caring for my child -

I'm talking running around the playground, going to birthday parties,

etc... When can I realistically give myself to " recover " enough to

function as a mom?

Any insight would be appreciated. I know I need the surgery,but need

to make some arrangements. Thanks for any advice!

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I had upper, lower and genio as well as a little toddler at home.

I had two surgeries and he was 18 months and 2 years respectively.

I needed help for two weeks. I was fortunate to have my mom come to

make my liquid meals for me and my mom-in-law to care for my son. My

husband stayed home the first week, just to make sure we were all ok

(eg. no fighting ... just joking). I was hoping to only have my mom

for 1 week but I needed her for 2. I was instructed not to lift or

drive for 10 days. After the two weeks, I was on my own with my son

after 3:00 p.m. (I'm a working mom and my mother-in-law watches my

son until 3:00 p.m.). I didn't return to work until weeks 6 and 5

respectively but kept my mom-in-law on the job as if I were.

I'd say that after the second week, I was mentally ready to care for

my son, but you will have physical limits. You will tire very

easily.

Like others have said, watch out for the head butts. I got one on my

new chin and although it didn't hurt, I was so scared he dislodged

something (he didn't). Those toddlers love to swing those arms and

legs. Be careful! Oh! Also, I had a splint for the first surgery

for 3-4 weeks and that will also be a challenge for communicating

with your little one. It's amazing how after a couple weeks they

understand you. But be prepared for that challenge early on, too.

I think after your being in the hospital a couple of days, your child

will just be thrilled to have you home. Be prepared for a look of

shock and fear when they see your " new face " but remember that they

adapt very quickly. My son looked like he wanted to cry when he saw

me, but it didn't take more than a 1/2 hour for him to be just so

thrilled mom was home.

I hope this helped a bit!

Irish!

> Hello all, can't tell you how glad I am to have found this site...

>

> Well, looks like I need to have surgery, for a malocclusion

problem.

> I had braces as a teenager, but never went through with the

surgery -

> I am now 40, and my bite is causing some major probs.

>

> That said, I am strongly considering surgery but I need some

advice.

> I have a very, VERY active 2yo toddler, and I'm wondering how long

I

> will be out of commission after having the surgery. I've been

> looking through some of the messages, and recovery seems to go from

a

> few days to a few months. So if anyone can give it to me straight

> up, I will truly appreciate it. Cosmetics aside (don't care how I

> look, heck, I'm 40, I'm too old to care!) given a normal recovery

> period, how long am I going to need extra help caring for my child -

> I'm talking running around the playground, going to birthday

parties,

> etc... When can I realistically give myself to " recover " enough to

> function as a mom?

>

> Any insight would be appreciated. I know I need the surgery,but

need

> to make some arrangements. Thanks for any advice!

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Just to add to Irish!'s excellent post. We need some more info from

you in order to really give you specifics about recovery. Are you

having upper or lower or both jaws done? Are you to be wired or

banded shut? Splint?

If I missed a post which has all of these specifics in it I

apologize. I don't have the time to read each and every post anymore

but would like to help as I had two young children at the time of my

surgery.

Cheryl

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Just to add to Irish!'s excellent post. We need some more info from

you in order to really give you specifics about recovery. Are you

having upper or lower or both jaws done? Are you to be wired or

banded shut? Splint?

If I missed a post which has all of these specifics in it I

apologize. I don't have the time to read each and every post anymore

but would like to help as I had two young children at the time of my

surgery.

Cheryl