My Jaw Surgery: Recovery Begins (Day 1)

After a restless night at the hospital, morning finally arrived. My face was swollen, my throat was sore, and my ability to communicate was still pretty limited. Despite the discomfort, I was relieved that the worst was over—or so I thought.

Nasal Congestion Worsens

On top of everything else, the nasal congestion that started the night before was becoming unbearable. I wasn't allowed to blow my nose, making it even more difficult to breathe. I tried different positions to alleviate the pressure, but nothing seemed to work. When a new nurse came in the morning, I told her that everything (including the pain) was manageable, but I was really worried about nasal congestion affecting my sleep again. She was kind enough to ask the surgeon if they could give me anything to help, and the surgeon approved the use of Afrin. I had never heard of Afrin before, and boy, had I been missing out on one of the greatest inventions ever! (Okay, I’m exaggerating.) It gave me the much-needed relief I was desperate for, though I had to be mindful not to use it for more than three days in a row. After doing more research on the active ingredients (https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Oxymetazoline-Hydrochloride), I've since ordered a few for future use, you can get them from your local pharmacy or here: https://amzn.to/41wiAGd

Discharge and the Ride Home

Just after lunch, my wife arrived to pick me up and drive me home. Getting discharged felt like a huge milestone, but I knew there was a long road to recovery and rehab ahead of me.

Managing the Pain and Swelling

Once home, I settled into what would be my recovery zone for the next several weeks. My face had already started to swell significantly, and by evening, I looked almost unrecognizable. (I joked that my lips looked like a duckbill.) Ice packs became my best friend, helping to numb the pain and reduce the swelling. I set alarms to stay on top of my pain medication schedule, alternating between high doses of ibuprofen and acetaminophen. I had the option of taking hydrocodone, but I never needed it.

Swelling typically peaks around the third or fourth day post-surgery and can be minimized by keeping a cooling pad in place for the first 1–2 days. Elevating your head with 2–3 pillows or using a recliner can also help reduce swelling.

More on post-surgery swelling and recovery

Eating (or rather, attempting to consume nutrients) was another challenge. Liquids were the only option, and even sipping through a syringe was a slow, frustrating process. I managed to get some juice and an avocado milkshake down, but it took a lot of patience. I made a mess of myself and the bathroom, as I had to look in the mirror to figure out how to insert the feeding tube into the tiny opening my jaw could tolerate in those first few days.

Liquid diet tips for post-surgery recovery

Communication Struggles

Talking was still nearly impossible, so I relied on my phone and a small whiteboard to communicate with my wife. Thankfully, she was incredibly patient, helping me get comfortable and making sure I had everything I needed.

Looking Ahead

Day 1 was all about survival—pain management, staying hydrated, and getting as much rest as possible. I knew the swelling would get worse before it got better, but I was hopeful that each day would bring small improvements.

Coming up on Day 2: signs of improvements but also frustrations with new challenges.