Jaw surgery- Help me plan D:

JaydedMiss
JaydedMiss Posts: 4,286 Member
edited November 22 in Health and Weight Loss
Probably not the place to post it but im not really sure where and im always here so...

Im a bulk eater I eat alot and love chewing and different textures is how i feel satisfied so it will be hard. Anything else you can think i can prepare for ahead of time (doesnt need to involve food) let me know! Not something i have happen im not sure how to plan but planning helps the anxiety >.<

Their removing my 3 back teeth on one side + part of my jaw they let get infected by ignoring my complaints. (im a bit salty wont lie lol) Followed by a few weeks healing and another surgery to place in fake bone and a few weeks more healing.

Im scared. I know it will be atleast a few weeks before I can work food back in and a good portion ill be drugged up and asleep. Id like to maintain as much of my healthy macros and nutrition as I can- I know obviously they wont be as good unless i want to like...blend up all my meals and smoothie them -ew lol

I need ideas on what I can eat. I know about smoothies and like pudding and icecream- Not ideal but sill most likely be my go to- Any nutrient dense foods you can think to add in a way ill be able to eat them? Id like to try and get as many calories as i can, I assume eating to much wont be the issue

Im eating maintenance up until the surgery to give myself the best running headstart i can for the healing process. And help with the overall stress level i have over the thought. Its so cringy and scary to me thinking of having part of my jaw cut out >.< Id just like to be as prepared as i can, In every way i can plan. Plans help.


Replies

  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    I had major jaw surgery when I was 18 (also had part of my jaw removed, but on both sides) and my teeth were wired shut for about 5-6 weeks.

    I don't know if I will be very helpful because I wasn't that focused on nutrition, but I had a lot of meal replacement shakes (like Boost) and root beer floats. I don't remember feeling very hungry. I think it helped that I got enough protein though the meal replacement shakes.

    Is your jaw going to be wired or will you just have to avoid chewing?
  • phwdjones
    phwdjones Posts: 37 Member
    I'm actually going to be getting jaw surgery hopefully next year - its for aesthetic reasons though and will involve a BSSO and lefort1 (breaking both jaws and sliding them forwards). In most cases of jaw surgery you are unable to eat solid foods for a good month at the minimum (so I've heard from various surgeons).

    Up until then you will have to get by on smoothies, shakes etc - but in your case it doesnt sound like you are getting full on orthognathic surgery, just a piece of one jaw is being cut? I've never heard of that before.

    If its only a section of the lower jaw being removed then you will likely be able to eat softer foods quicker, i.e. pasta, mince etc. Do a google of 'jaw surgery diet' and you can get an idea - lots of tips there.
  • JaydedMiss
    JaydedMiss Posts: 4,286 Member
    edited October 2017
    I had major jaw surgery when I was 18 (also had part of my jaw removed, but on both sides) and my teeth were wired shut for about 5-6 weeks.

    I don't know if I will be very helpful because I wasn't that focused on nutrition, but I had a lot of meal replacement shakes (like Boost) and root beer floats. I don't remember feeling very hungry. I think it helped that I got enough protein though the meal replacement shakes.

    Is your jaw going to be wired or will you just have to avoid chewing?

    honestly never even considered meal replacement shakes. im in healthy weight loss mode they never cross my mind since i like to chew lol ty.

    Also i havent had a rootbeer float in YEARS now im craving it hah. Such interesting things.

    All he told me was I wont be able to eat solids for weeks after the second surgery and in between the two. Honestly id tell myself to get a new surgeon but since hes the specialist surgeon...

    He makes me very uncomfortable XD Whole other topic though. Point being he didnt give me much info at all.
    phwdjones wrote: »
    I'm actually going to be getting jaw surgery hopefully next year - its for aesthetic reasons though and will involve a BSSO and lefort1 (breaking both jaws and sliding them forwards). In most cases of jaw surgery you are unable to eat solid foods for a good month at the minimum (so I've heard from various surgeons).

    Up until then you will have to get by on smoothies, shakes etc - but in your case it doesnt sound like you are getting full on orthognathic surgery, just a piece of one jaw is being cut? I've never heard of that before.

    If its only a section of the lower jaw being removed then you will likely be able to eat softer foods quicker, i.e. pasta, mince etc. Do a google of 'jaw surgery diet' and you can get an idea - lots of tips there.

    Sounds horrible D: And yes my molar grew in and my dentist wouldnt listen to me because it hadnt poked through and xrays showed it was there but not moving. Wasnt moving because it was pushing against my other teeth...causing them to pinch and grind together caused the pain i felt- and an infection which spread through my jaw before anyone would listen. They have to cut out the right third of my jaw out and replace the bone to avoid it spreading more. Told ya, Im salty no one listened to me this was super avoidable and its not as scary sounding as yours but im terrified. So creepy. Never thought to google jaw surgery diet- Didnt even occur to me its a common enough procedure for much to pop up. I dont think my brains working very well im all stressed i will go do that now :D
  • This content has been removed.
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    JaydedMiss wrote: »
    I had major jaw surgery when I was 18 (also had part of my jaw removed, but on both sides) and my teeth were wired shut for about 5-6 weeks.

    I don't know if I will be very helpful because I wasn't that focused on nutrition, but I had a lot of meal replacement shakes (like Boost) and root beer floats. I don't remember feeling very hungry. I think it helped that I got enough protein though the meal replacement shakes.

    Is your jaw going to be wired or will you just have to avoid chewing?

    honestly never even considered meal replacement shakes. im in healthy weight loss mode they never cross my mind since i like to chew lol ty.

    Also i havent had a rootbeer float in YEARS now im craving it hah. Such interesting things.

    All he told me was I wont be able to eat solids for weeks after the second surgery and in between the two. Honestly id tell myself to get a new surgeon but since hes the specialist surgeon...

    He makes me very uncomfortable XD Whole other topic though. Point being he didnt give me much info at all.
    phwdjones wrote: »
    I'm actually going to be getting jaw surgery hopefully next year - its for aesthetic reasons though and will involve a BSSO and lefort1 (breaking both jaws and sliding them forwards). In most cases of jaw surgery you are unable to eat solid foods for a good month at the minimum (so I've heard from various surgeons).

    Up until then you will have to get by on smoothies, shakes etc - but in your case it doesnt sound like you are getting full on orthognathic surgery, just a piece of one jaw is being cut? I've never heard of that before.

    If its only a section of the lower jaw being removed then you will likely be able to eat softer foods quicker, i.e. pasta, mince etc. Do a google of 'jaw surgery diet' and you can get an idea - lots of tips there.

    Sounds horrible D: And yes my molar grew in and my dentist wouldnt listen to me because it hadnt poked through and xrays showed it was there but not moving. Wasnt moving because it was pushing against my other teeth...causign them to pinch and grind together caused an infection which spread through my jaw before anyone would listen. They have to cut it out and replace the bone to avoid it spreading more. Told ya, Im salty no one listened to me this was super avoidable and its not as scary sounding as yours but im terrified. So creepy. Never thought to google jaw surgery diet- Didnt even occure to me its a common enough procedure for much to pop up. I dont think my brains working very well im all stressed i will go do that now :D

    Yeah, the meal replacement shakes are great (IMO) for situations like this because they're specifically designed to replace meals -- they typically have a good amount of protein and fat and lots of added vitamins. At least, that's how I remember it, I haven't had one in twenty years! Back when I had them, Boost had a mocha flavor that I really liked.

  • JaydedMiss
    JaydedMiss Posts: 4,286 Member
    Lol because I'm ridiculous.. id be making milkshakes to just to get a nice bulk of my maintenance calories out of the way incase drinking is still a tad painful
    .

    I do half survive off nice-cream to begin with so thats a benefit haha. Love that *kitten* xD Got me out of the habit of makign smoothies i should get back into them beforehand. Nice cream just has a texture i like. Im going to miss textures :(
  • This content has been removed.
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    JaydedMiss wrote: »
    Lol because I'm ridiculous.. id be making milkshakes to just to get a nice bulk of my maintenance calories out of the way incase drinking is still a tad painful
    .

    I do half survive off nice-cream to begin with so thats a benefit haha. Love that *kitten* xD Got me out of the habit of makign smoothies i should get back into them beforehand. Nice cream just has a texture i like. Im going to miss textures :(

    It was the worst part for me. I never really felt hungry, I just missed chewing and the variety of different types of foods.
  • JaydedMiss
    JaydedMiss Posts: 4,286 Member
    JaydedMiss wrote: »
    I had major jaw surgery when I was 18 (also had part of my jaw removed, but on both sides) and my teeth were wired shut for about 5-6 weeks.

    I don't know if I will be very helpful because I wasn't that focused on nutrition, but I had a lot of meal replacement shakes (like Boost) and root beer floats. I don't remember feeling very hungry. I think it helped that I got enough protein though the meal replacement shakes.

    Is your jaw going to be wired or will you just have to avoid chewing?

    honestly never even considered meal replacement shakes. im in healthy weight loss mode they never cross my mind since i like to chew lol ty.

    Also i havent had a rootbeer float in YEARS now im craving it hah. Such interesting things.

    All he told me was I wont be able to eat solids for weeks after the second surgery and in between the two. Honestly id tell myself to get a new surgeon but since hes the specialist surgeon...

    He makes me very uncomfortable XD Whole other topic though. Point being he didnt give me much info at all.
    phwdjones wrote: »
    I'm actually going to be getting jaw surgery hopefully next year - its for aesthetic reasons though and will involve a BSSO and lefort1 (breaking both jaws and sliding them forwards). In most cases of jaw surgery you are unable to eat solid foods for a good month at the minimum (so I've heard from various surgeons).

    Up until then you will have to get by on smoothies, shakes etc - but in your case it doesnt sound like you are getting full on orthognathic surgery, just a piece of one jaw is being cut? I've never heard of that before.

    If its only a section of the lower jaw being removed then you will likely be able to eat softer foods quicker, i.e. pasta, mince etc. Do a google of 'jaw surgery diet' and you can get an idea - lots of tips there.

    Sounds horrible D: And yes my molar grew in and my dentist wouldnt listen to me because it hadnt poked through and xrays showed it was there but not moving. Wasnt moving because it was pushing against my other teeth...causign them to pinch and grind together caused an infection which spread through my jaw before anyone would listen. They have to cut it out and replace the bone to avoid it spreading more. Told ya, Im salty no one listened to me this was super avoidable and its not as scary sounding as yours but im terrified. So creepy. Never thought to google jaw surgery diet- Didnt even occure to me its a common enough procedure for much to pop up. I dont think my brains working very well im all stressed i will go do that now :D

    Yeah, the meal replacement shakes are great (IMO) for situations like this because they're specifically designed to replace meals -- they typically have a good amount of protein and fat and lots of added vitamins. At least, that's how I remember it, I haven't had one in twenty years! Back when I had them, Boost had a mocha flavor that I really liked.

    Ill definatly look into the different shakes! I honestly feel stupid for not even thinking of them, They are something i generally try to tell people here they dont need its so engrained in my brain now it never occured to me lol. This would be the exact type of thing theyd be a good choice for. Theres just so many bad choices surrounding them my brain switched off lol
  • nikkit321
    nikkit321 Posts: 1,485 Member
    Yogurt, cottage cheese, oatmeal, ice cream, protein/meal replacement shakes. My husband had jaw surgery and was wired shut but it was before I met him so I'm not much help. Good luck!
  • JaydedMiss
    JaydedMiss Posts: 4,286 Member
    Also.. mac and cheese if it's creamy enough I used to not even chew that cause I could just swallow it whole lol

    Sounds like a great excuse to make extra creamy mac n cheese...maybe this wont be so bad LOL -for real though im so scared >.< lol
  • ccrdragon
    ccrdragon Posts: 3,374 Member
    I had orthognathic surgery when I was 37 (both jaws moved/spread). I was not allowed to eat solids for 3 1/2 months afterwards. Soup is very good and filling, eggs and pasta can usually be consumed w/o chewing, shakes are great because you can blend pretty much anything (veggies, fruit, protein powder, etc) to create the shake. I also found that ground meat as long as it is cooked loose can be swallowed with a little practice.
  • Unknown
    edited October 2017
    This content has been removed.
  • mitch16
    mitch16 Posts: 2,113 Member
    When I had wisdom tooth surgery I ended up eating a lot of yogurt, applesauce, and cottage cheese. I love food, too, but to be honest, the thought of trying to eat real food during that time stressed me out even more. I lost 8 pounds and my surgery wasn't even complicated. Boost/Pediasure type shakes and smoothies with all types of fruits/veggies would help you get your micronutrients. I still don't know the best way to eat actual meat--soups maybe? They certainly wouldn't make an appetizing shake... My mom tried to feed me baby food meats and I just couldn't do it--I fed those to the cat. I did find myself desperate enough for a salty snack that I was licking the salty/cheesy goodness off of Doritos and then throwing the chips away.
  • JaydedMiss
    JaydedMiss Posts: 4,286 Member
    ccrdragon wrote: »
    I had orthognathic surgery when I was 37 (both jaws moved/spread). I was not allowed to eat solids for 3 1/2 months afterwards. Soup is very good and filling, eggs and pasta can usually be consumed w/o chewing, shakes are great because you can blend pretty much anything (veggies, fruit, protein powder, etc) to create the shake. I also found that ground meat as long as it is cooked loose can be swallowed with a little practice.

    My grampa lived for 5 months with no teeth and he lived off donuts. But im going to assume having no dentures and just gums is different thn a very likely easily infected open wound in my mouth and i should avoid some things xD Some of this stuff is great even if its just for texture. Im definatly a texture and chew person i cant eat a meal without 3-5 different textures or im starving.
  • This content has been removed.
  • JaydedMiss
    JaydedMiss Posts: 4,286 Member
    mitch16 wrote: »
    When I had wisdom tooth surgery I ended up eating a lot of yogurt, applesauce, and cottage cheese. I love food, too, but to be honest, the thought of trying to eat real food during that time stressed me out even more. I lost 8 pounds and my surgery wasn't even complicated. Boost/Pediasure type shakes and smoothies with all types of fruits/veggies would help you get your micronutrients. I still don't know the best way to eat actual meat--soups maybe? They certainly wouldn't make an appetizing shake... My mom tried to feed me baby food meats and I just couldn't do it--I fed those to the cat. I did find myself desperate enough for a salty snack that I was licking the salty/cheesy goodness off of Doritos and then throwing the chips away.


    I cant help but laugh at the thought of you all puffy cheeked licking doritoes. Its kind of sad LOL. In a good/cute way lol. No offence :p Cottage cheese is another good one im hearing if i can get a friend to bring me groceries..my fridge isnt very good for dairy. maybe ill pre freeze some cottage cheese portions. This is why i feel beter planning!
  • LiveLoveFitFab
    LiveLoveFitFab Posts: 302 Member
    I had my jaw broken a few years back. By a dentist, nothing bad. I went 4 months without solid food as a result.

    Those ketchup bottles you buy for picnics were my absolute best friend. You can literally just make anything into a smoothie and squirt it in, without making a mess or causing issues. Have one or two for savory foods, and another for sweet foods. Don't mix them.

    Some more hints for you-

    Soup in the blender for those salty cravings. I made a bunch of really good soups beforehand and froze them for easy eating. Almost any soup can be blended or you can use a grater on the veggies if you want to eat the soup with a spoon without having to chew.

    Meat blended up tastes awful, so make sure you get some high quality protein powder. I used a vegan powder and a whey casein blend. Your body needs protein to heal. And lots of calcium for bone growth.

    Avocados, for extra calories, can be added to any smoothie. Use fruits without tiny seeds if you have stitches, you don't want those getting in the cuts and causing issues. Get lots of different frozen fruits for a variety.

    Make sure you are eating regularly. I ate every 3 hours, even at night to get enough calories for healing. I still lost 20lbs over 4 months though.

    Get up and moving regularly, but don't worry about exercise until you are good and healthy.

    Good luck! Let me know if you have any questions.
  • JaydedMiss
    JaydedMiss Posts: 4,286 Member
    you guys are so great thanks so much for all the feedback! It helps knowing im not alone in the experience lol
  • Graelwyn75
    Graelwyn75 Posts: 4,404 Member
    Soups, ice cream, full fat Greek yoghurt with banana or other fruit mashed in, shakes, smoothies, hummus, scrambled eggs, root vegetable mash or mashed potato, protein shakes, chocolate/banana milk, jello, certain desserts are soft like tiramisu and creamed rice pudding. Just going to take a bit of imagination and looking round the shops. Also cereal if it is the kind that sort of goes mushy with milk poured over it.
  • hydechildcare
    hydechildcare Posts: 142 Member
    JaydedMiss wrote: »
    Probably not the place to post it but im not really sure where and im always here so...

    Im a bulk eater I eat alot and love chewing and different textures is how i feel satisfied so it will be hard. Anything else you can think i can prepare for ahead of time (doesnt need to involve food) let me know! Not something i have happen im not sure how to plan but planning helps the anxiety >.<

    Their removing my 3 back teeth on one side + part of my jaw they let get infected by ignoring my complaints. (im a bit salty wont lie lol) Followed by a few weeks healing and another surgery to place in fake bone and a few weeks more healing.

    Im scared. I know it will be atleast a few weeks before I can work food back in and a good portion ill be drugged up and asleep. Id like to maintain as much of my healthy macros and nutrition as I can- I know obviously they wont be as good unless i want to like...blend up all my meals and smoothie them -ew lol

    I need ideas on what I can eat. I know about smoothies and like pudding and icecream- Not ideal but sill most likely be my go to- Any nutrient dense foods you can think to add in a way ill be able to eat them? Id like to try and get as many calories as i can, I assume eating to much wont be the issue

    Im eating maintenance up until the surgery to give myself the best running headstart i can for the healing process. And help with the overall stress level i have over the thought. Its so cringy and scary to me thinking of having part of my jaw cut out >.< Id just like to be as prepared as i can, In every way i can plan. Plans help.


    I use to work in a nursing home. Most of your normal meals can be made into a puree. With gravy is best but that is a lot of extra calories.
  • jayemes
    jayemes Posts: 865 Member
    One tip from someone who works in dentistry - make sure to ditch the straws for the milkshakes and floats in the beginning. It's a really bad idea to suck on a straw when you're healing from oral surgery. Just use a small spoon instead.
  • JaydedMiss
    JaydedMiss Posts: 4,286 Member
    jayemes wrote: »
    One tip from someone who works in dentistry - make sure to ditch the straws for the milkshakes and floats in the beginning. It's a really bad idea to suck on a straw when you're healing from oral surgery. Just use a small spoon instead.

    Thats a great point i totally forgot about that from my first wisdom tooth something about blood clots and pressure. ill be sure to use spoon!
  • ritzvin
    ritzvin Posts: 2,860 Member
    baby food, jello, applesauce.
  • ritzvin
    ritzvin Posts: 2,860 Member
    yogurt, cottage cheese
  • ritzvin
    ritzvin Posts: 2,860 Member
    mitch16 wrote: »
    When I had wisdom tooth surgery I ended up eating a lot of yogurt, applesauce, and cottage cheese. I love food, too, but to be honest, the thought of trying to eat real food during that time stressed me out even more. I lost 8 pounds and my surgery wasn't even complicated. Boost/Pediasure type shakes and smoothies with all types of fruits/veggies would help you get your micronutrients. I still don't know the best way to eat actual meat--soups maybe? They certainly wouldn't make an appetizing shake... My mom tried to feed me baby food meats and I just couldn't do it--I fed those to the cat. I did find myself desperate enough for a salty snack that I was licking the salty/cheesy goodness off of Doritos and then throwing the chips away.

    Cheetos might work without having to chew. or that fake puffcorn stuff.
  • ahrengirl
    ahrengirl Posts: 34 Member
    About 10 yessras ago I went through upper and lower jaw surgery. Here is what I can share from my experience.

    The first several days I didn’t want to eat anything but chicken broth. My throat was sore from the anesthesia. I then upgraded to milk chocolate Slim Fast to get more calories. I couldn’t think of eating anything rich the first week.

    I loved the Slim Fast. Then I discovered Campbell’s made a product called “Soup at Hand” which was a container of soup that you could microwave and drink. Look for these. The Slim Fast and Campbell’s got me through the first couple of weeks. I wasn’t feeling hungry.

    At two weeks, they loosened my bands to be able to open my mouth about a 1/2”. I could now eat soft foods. Apple sauce and mashed potatoes were now my favorite. Thanksgiving that year was mashed potatoes and gravy.

    Don’t worry about the food. You will find your way based on how you feel and what you can stomach. Only a small amount of items will even sound appetizing.

    Definitely no straws. You don’t want to produce any suction with the stitches in your mouth.

    I didn’t blend a thing but I wasn’t into smoothies at the time. I only wanted to eat foods in the format they were intended. I think if I went through it today, I would live on a bunch of homemade smoothies with vegan protein, fruits and veggies.

    To this day, I don’t eat a lot of hard foods like apples or corn on the cob. I also don’t eat ice cream much because my mouth was so sensitive to the cold when I was healing. I think I lost 15 pounds during the recovery which came back quickly after I healed.
  • newheavensearth
    newheavensearth Posts: 870 Member
    Can you have foods that dissolve like Cheerios, puffed wheat, or puffed rice (if you can resist the urge to chew)?

    I had all four wisdom teeth removed in one shot (talk about getting it over with) and everything was soup, applesauce, yogurt, chopped ramen with saltines soaked in, and soggy cereal.
  • ys6108
    ys6108 Posts: 425 Member
    Congee made with brown rice & chicken broth was my go-to meal when I had a rough time after having wisdom teeth removed. I made it in the crock pot and it was lovely warm comfort food. As I could handle more I added soft cooked veggies and finely diced chicken to it.
  • Mkneedtogetfit
    Mkneedtogetfit Posts: 93 Member
    Here are some options (I have a 9 month old baby with only incisors. She loves these)
    1. Giant cous cous with mushrooms, onions, peppers in tomato basil sauce. Just make it to a consistency that suits you.
    2. Pilaf rice with cucumber yogurt
    3. Parfait - oats, yogurt, berries, protein powder
    4. Lentil soup with veggies
    5. Spaghetti in red or white sauce
    6. Any soup just pack it with veg or even egg drop soup
    7. Oats either sweet or savory

    Hope these help.

This discussion has been closed.