Hello It has now been 3 weeks since I had double-jaw surgery and 2 types of facial contouring (square jaw + chin) at an oral and maxillofacial clinic on August 5! Since I was young, my side profile was always stressful whenever I took photos. It was not very noticeable from the front, but from the side, my chin looked long and stood out, so I felt like my overall impression looked different. Especially when I smiled or talked, I felt like my chin protruded even more, so it was a bit uncomfortable to make natural facial expressions in front of people. As these things bothered me more and more, my self-esteem would drop every time I took photos or had conversations. After carrying these concerns for several years, I finally made the decision!
Day 1 After the surgery, I was told I should not sleep right away because of the sleep-anesthesia gas, so I kept trying to stay awake. But I was so sleepy that I kept dozing off for a few seconds and waking up again. I had heard that pain after double-jaw surgery differs from person to person, but fortunately, I was not in severe pain. Rather than pain, it was more like constant discomfort? I felt nauseous and motion sick, and because of the gas, it was hard to breathe, which was the hardest part. Still, as time passed, the gas went down a little, and I got a bit better little by little while taking short naps. The nurses came to the hospital room often and took care of me, so thanks to that, I spent the time relatively comfortably.
Day 2 After the urinary catheter and blood drains were removed, I was told I could move around, so I went to the bathroom often. They said I needed to walk a lot to reduce swelling, so I kept walking around inside the hospital as if taking a stroll. After I came to my senses a bit, I looked in the mirror, and it was so fascinating that my long, protruding chin had gone right back in. I really felt that medical technology is amazing... My cheeks were puffy and my philtrum area was very swollen, but I felt good when I looked in the mirror.
Day 3 Finally discharged! I was given explanations about precautions and the medications I needed to take, and my mom came as my guardian, so we stopped by the pharmacy together to buy the medication and saline solution, then came home. Since I had to consume only liquids for the next 2 weeks, I ordered protein drinks in advance.
Day 4 As expected, they said days 3 to 4 are when swelling is the worst, and my face and philtrum area really swelled as if they were about to burst. My mouth felt uncomfortable, but since I could not brush my teeth, I cleaned my mouth with mouthwash, then slowly walked around the house while drinking protein drinks, repeating that routine.
Day 5 Compared to the day before, my nose felt a little more open, so I felt like I could live. Still, I felt stuffy and like my throat was blocked, so I kept a humidifier on in my room and drank warm water often. At night, I took a light walk for about 20 minutes and then repeatedly took short naps.
Day 6 My nose gradually started to clear, and because I was sleepy and hungry, it was a repetitive day of sleeping, drinking, sleeping, and drinking. I made sure to drink protein drinks regularly, and after taking medicine, I filled my stomach a little, walked around the house, and took light walks too.
Day 7 That day, my nose cleared a lot, so during the day I caught up on all the sleep I had not been able to get. When I woke up at night and looked in the mirror, I felt that the swelling had gone down slightly, and because the early-morning air was cool, I walked for about 40 minutes.
Day 8 I went to the hospital and received laser treatment and disinfection, and the director showed me my pre- and post-operative X-rays. They said I could start brushing my teeth with a children's toothbrush from now on.
Day 9 After a little more than a week had passed, I felt that the swelling had gone down compared to before. My cheeks and philtrum area were still very swollen, but compared with the photos I had taken earlier, it definitely felt like it had gone down a bit. To reduce the swelling further, I diligently did warm compresses and went for walks.
Days 10 to 13 Since I had not eaten anything, I had no energy, so I would sit and use my phone or walk around the house, then just keep sleeping. Still, once the stitches were removed soon, I would be able to eat something, so I tried to cheer myself up and went outside to a cafe. I also stopped by a convenience store and bought things like chocolate milk or strawberry milk to drink. . . .
Week 2 - Stitch Removal Day Finally, the day I had been waiting for, stitch removal day, arrived. I had seen many reviews saying it hurts a lot when the stitches are removed, so I was worried, but maybe because I had been so nervous, it hurt less than I expected. The director told me in advance that only the middle part of the upper lip would sting, and it really only hurt slightly in that area. And the wafer and rubber bands inside my mouth were removed too, and I became able to eat soft foods. At the hospital, they taught me how to put the rubber bands on and take them off, and I practiced it myself too. It was a bit difficult at first, but after practicing continuously at home, I got used to it quickly. After removing the wafer and rubber bands, I thoroughly brushed inside my mouth and the wafer, and it felt so refreshing. After brushing, I ate porridge and yogurt, brushed again, put the wafer and rubber bands back on, and rested well.
Week 3- Now I finally start orthodontic treatment next week. After the stitches were removed, I definitely feel like the swelling is going down a little faster, my stamina is improving a lot day by day, and my quality of life has changed. On humid days, maybe because I overdo it a little, my stamina gets briefly worse, but still, this is not a surgery issue but a weather issue, so I hope the weather gets cool quickly. People around me have only said good things, so I am satisfied while taking care of myself.
This review is a surgery review that pursues natural beauty.