Day 20: Tips and Tricks

Picture it, Bill Conti's "Gonna Fly Now" ( the Rocky theme) is blaring as I, ever so carefully as to not hurt my jaw, charge up a huge stairway. As I reach the tops of the steps I throw my fists in the air because... I made it to day twenty! Typing out the title of this post, I could hardly believe that day twenty had arrived. It seems like a huge number even though I still have a long way to go. However, in these first twenty days of recovery I have learned some things, and these tricks have helped a lot.

Sara's Tips and Tricks to Making Jaw Surgery Suck Less

Article I: Food Fixes:

The food struggle, it has been one of my major qualms with jaw surgery. It's not that you can't eat, you obviously have to for your jaw to repair itself, it's that your options are slim...or so I thought. Once I graduated to a no-chew diet, I was ecstatic. It really makes life much easier. Although, I didn't want to eat merely applesauce and yogurt. My stomach was set on more substantial food, so I bent the rules a little bit and found these more unconventional loopholes.

1. Cake - Cake is fantastic for a no chew diet because after a week of liquids, you will really want dessert. So mash up some cake with a fork and you instantly have a delicious, swallow-friendly, dessert. 

2. Angel Hair Pasta- You can't eat it in it's whole form, but if you cut it into very small bites (1cm or less) you can have virtually any pasta sauce you want from marinara to Kraft mac and cheese. 

3. Pie - Like cake, all you have to do is mash it up and you're set to go! Cream pie works the best, but fruit pies can be smashed as well.

4. Potatoes - Mashed potatoes are really versatile and easy to eat no-chew food. My favorite version is twice baked, yum!

5. Pork Ribs - I know what you're thinking, and no I didn't take too much medicine today. If you're a meat fan, shred up some ribs and add a little more sauce than you would regularly and you're set to go!

6. Chips - Once again, no I didn't overdo it on the meds. If you really want your favorite salty snack, you can crush any chip or cracker into a fine powder and then place it on your tongue. Also,this sounds silly, but sliced Cheetos melt in your mouth.

7. Chocolate - Chop a candy bar into tiny bits, add some peanut butter or caramel if you so choose, and then let it melt in your mouth. It's an easy way to cure a chocolate craving. 

Aside from these more unconventional options, you can always revert back to the blender to get some more healthy fruits and veggies or there are always the options of soups, applesauce, yogurt, baby food (there are some that aren't gross!), pudding, and basically anything else you can imagine. 

Article II: Calming the Cough:
My cough was due to congestion, but these tips may help with other coughs as well.

1. Cough Syrup - This is rather obvious, but when your bands are on it can be difficult to swallow thicker syrups, so water it down and put it in a shot glass.

2. Take a Shower - The steam is really helpful, and regardless if you've showered that day, standing there for 10 minutes can really help.

3.Humidifiers - My humidifier has saved my bum when it comes to sleeping. I leave it on all night and it's the only solution that keeps me from waking up coughing in the middle of the night. 

Please remember that I am not a doctor, and if you have a cough CALL YOUR DOCTOR for professional help first, I did. These are only tips, not a fool-proof cure all. 

Article III: Nasal Nuisances:

I left this tip for last because it honestly is a little gross. While recovering you aren't allowed to blow your nose because the pressure of blowing your nose can mess with the bone healing, and your sinuses have to heal as well. The prescribed decongestants don't always do the job. So, if you're all plugged up because of mucus, get a cotton swab and wet one end with a hydrogen peroxide/water mixture and gently swab out your nose without diving into your nasal cavity. Once again, not a doctor, talk to a professional first. 

That's it for my tips and tricks at the moment, new post-op appointment post this Thursday or Friday!