Tuesday 12 March 2013

Recovery after Titanium Plate and Screw Removal Surgery


RECOVERY TITANIUM PLATE REMOVAL (pt.2)


Past the 2nd week mark I had an itchy top lip and nose and I hoped this would be the return of my feeling in the rest of my face. I went food shopping for the first time and was absolutely knackered by half way around the shop and just wanted to go home. My sleep pattern was up and down and I was finding it hard to sleep again. I think the emotional stress and pressure I was putting on myself did not help. I have not worked since April 2012 and I was really starting to panic about finances and being able to pay my bills. I have worked since I was 17 and had always been able to manage even whilst I undertook my degree. At one point in my life I had 3 jobs and was studying full time. I felt I had lost myself in the process of orthognathic surgery. I had hoped by the 2012 Christmas I would have been fully recovered and in a stable job but that was not to be.



On the 24th December I had my check up at King’s. My stiches had started to fall out and dissolve and the wounds were still clean but tender. A member of the surgical team checked me over and ensured that both the upper and lower jaw were secure. The swelling and pain I was experiencing was normal. Christmas day did not really feel like Christmas day this year. I was unable to eat the usual Christmas dinner but had the mash, Yorkshire pudding and vegetables. I was still on full pain relief and my hair was still falling out in excess. My pain levels seem to increase after over use of my muscles and greatly increased after walking or driving. Not exactly ideal. In terms of psychology as humans we always try to avoid pain or painful situations we have experienced in the past. So I have found myself becoming more reclusive and avoidant of driving or going out anywhere I will have to walk for any length of time. I had undertaken a couple of cbt psychological sessions with my psychologist before the operation and was not due to speak to her again until the January. I will be writing a blog on this soon :-)



Up to 8 weeks post operation I was still continuing with full pain relief, salt rinses, heat packs, massages, baby spoons and baby tooth brushes. I applied to have physiotherapy and was waiting for my first appointment. I saw Mr Matthews on 14th January 2013 and he was happy with the healing. He did broach the subject of another operation but said we will review it at my next appointment. He asked me how my Christmas had been and I mentioned that I had been writing a blog and self-help guides. He was really interested and said he would give it a read. I showed him some of the articles on my phone and we discussed some opportunities for research and the research proposal that TMD and TN could be linked to the way you are born. For example delivery by forceps. He was enthusiastic about the blog and suggested that I could do some mentoring through the hospital once I was feeling fit enough. He also invited me to be a guest speaker at this year’s maxillofacial surgeon conference. I am a little nervous but I have spoken in public to a big crowd before at university so I am sure I can do it again.

Me 4 weeks post surgery



In terms of recovery from the plate removal surgery, I am 12 weeks post-surgery now and still using a small baby spoon some of the time and on varying levels of pain relief. I have my physiotherapy appointment coming up on the 4th March and am waiting to see another psychologist. I have booked myself onto a couple of short courses in massage and reflexology. I hope to develop my new websites and create a business which will specialise in alternative pain management and counselling. As always, I will keep you posted about my progress and thank you again for all the support and feedback.

Me 10 weeks post operation still having swelling on and off



If you are interested in contributing your photos or ideas, please feel free to drop me an email on gs839@live.com or Twitter www.twitter.com/jawandface and Facebook www.facebook.com/steffiesstuff



Me 4 months post plate removal.... swelling nearly gone..... at last!


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8 comments:

  1. Alejandroe8421 March 2013 at 17:26

    Hi there,

    I just wanted to say I was pleased to read about your journey with orthognathic surgery - even with the ups and downs. I too myself will eventually have this procedure, but first I will be getting my braces this coming May.

    I was just curious, I was looking throughout your blog, and I could not find one article on COST, even the slightest cost for extra amenities and such. I was just curious to know, as I would like to get an idea of what I may be getting myself into.

    Financially, it may not be plausible for myself, but you never know.

    Thanks again for your blog, and I hope to hear from you soon, or an update on your blog in regards to cost for the procedure.

    Cheers,

    A Canadian Cunuck,

    Alejandro

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    1. Stefanie Grant25 March 2013 at 07:47

      Hi Alejandro as i live in the UK and my original orthognathic procedure was required and noticed from a young age, i was very lucky i did not have to pay for my surgeries. I am not aware of anyone who had to pay for their surgeries as most people are covered by insurance. Sorry i could not be of most help :(

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  2. Unknown22 March 2013 at 07:29

    That is some great material written here. I appreciate your wonderful information.

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  3. Anonymous26 March 2013 at 15:47

    Hey Steph! My name is Kevin i had both upper and lower surgery about 9 weeks ago, i am happy to have had the surgery but now the fact that i have all this metal in me is really making me question this whole thing. I currently have a real bad sinus infection that i think i might of had this whole entire time, the antibiotics took down the swelling a lil but the pressure is still there, my sinuses just dont wnat to drain and lately iv been very like disoriented and my head just seems so heavy and foggy, my GP seems to think its just a bad sinus infection. I have had many sinus infections and bad allergies in the past, so i dont know WTF i was thinking goin in and putting these plates over my sinuses, i just wanted this jaw problem to go away, but now i am second guessing and questioning this whole thing, and its really tearing me up inside. AT this point im regretting the surgery a bit i just really want this metal out of me, and i also dont want the possibility of something happening later on in life,something i guess i didnt think about before surgery, if i woulda reasearched this surgery beforehand i never would have done it, i feel so stupid. My surgeon is completely against any removal unless theres a real problem. Since iv had many sinus issues in the past im sure this will not be an influence to him to remove them. Also im in the US does insurance even cover plate removal, if its optional or only necessary? Also what exactly are all the risks involed of the removal. If you can get back to me and let me know what you think i would really appreciate it!!
    Thanks

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    Replies
    1. Stefanie Grant31 March 2013 at 07:40

      Hi Kevin. My surgeon does not like to remove plates either. It took over a year for mine to be removed. I told him i wanted all of them out so i would not have anymore problems. When i spoke with another surgeon in the pre op, they told me "oh people who have allergies and sinus issues have really thin sinuses and tissue so the screws and plates can really aggravate their problems". well thanks for telling me before the operation i thought!!! I think it is wise to keep the plates in for over a year so the bones set and the face settles into its new position. I had to see a ENT specialist first who advised my surgeon to remove the plates. If not i would still be having horrible sinus infections too. I am still having the pressure around the eyes and cheeks. However, it is greatly improved the infections since plate removal and i do not have the blood clots or discharge from the nose or throat. With the dizziness you were speaking about, i have that on and off still now but it was very bad after the original surgery. I think where they open up your face and put a lot of pressure on your joints it does not help at all with dizziness and full ear feeling. i think you will be in a worst position as the surgeon wont want to blame your sinus infections on his surgery and will say you had them before. i had never had any sinus infections pre surgery so i could tell my surgeon there was direct correlation between the surgery and the start of my problems. I really hope things settle down for you. I would say see a ENT specialist and have a CT scan on your sinuses. If your ENT specialist advises plate removal you will have some medical back up for your reasons to remove the plates. And just say beings as you have to do surgery to remove the top plates can you remove all of them and save me having problems in the future. I think you will have to wait a minimum of 6 months though for the original surgery to settle down. Good luck and let me know how you get on. Sending healing thoughts. www.facebook.com/steffiesstuff

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  4. Anonymous28 March 2013 at 10:46

    broken jaw approximately 20 years ago some screws have made there way out..and now having mouth pain and not sure if the plate itself could be making its way out????

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    Replies
    1. Stefanie Grant31 March 2013 at 07:25

      I have read about a few cases where bone has grown over the site where the screws are. I am not sure they would reject after 20 years. My physiotherapist said when you have something in your body that is not suppose to be there the body can start to go into protection mode and either tighten around the plates or start to push them out. I would defiantly see my surgeon if i felt anything happening to the jaw or plates.

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