What Can I Eat After Jaw Surgery?
Corrective jaw surgery, also known as orthognathic surgery, is usually performed by either an oral surgeon or a maxillofacial surgeon. If you have had trouble chewing, speaking or breathing, you may be a candidate for orthognathic surgery. Recovery from orthognathic surgery can take from two to six weeks, depending on the operation and the patient's body. After surgery, it can be very difficult to eat regular foods. Your doctor will give you a regimen to follow that will look similar to the steps below.
Instructions
1. Take it slow. After you get out of surgery, you will probably not feel like eating anything for the rest of the night. Do not rush eating if you don't feel up to it, but start drinking water as soon as possible. Your body needs to remain hydrated and your recovery time will take a lot longer if you don't start drinking water as soon as possible.
2. The first day after surgery drink mostly liquids. Do not eat foods that are very hot or cold, as it may be too sensitive for your mouth. If you've had any teeth removed in the surgery, do not drink your liquids with a straw, as the sucking pressure may rip out or loosen the stitches in your mouth. Drink liquids like Ensure, which contain proteins and vitamins, and blend frozen fruit like bananas and blueberries to make smoothies.
3. Try soft foods the rest of the week. If you are still not feeling well enough, don't rush it and continue drinking vitamin drinks like Ensure. However, if you are craving some more sustenance, try cottage cheese, plain yogurt, vanilla ice cream and mashed potatoes.
4. The following weeks after your surgery, slowly introduce harder foods if they are not bothering your mouth, like steamed vegetables, pasta, and cereal like Rice Krispies. Do not rush your recovery, or your mouth may cause you more pain and your healing process will take longer.
5. Realize your recovery time will take up to six weeks. If you are still unable to eat crunchy foods like crackers, or tough foods like meats after six weeks, do not be alarmed. See your doctor if you are concerned about your healing process.
