The First 30 Days After Jaw Surgery: What You Need to Know

For patients undergoing orthognathic surgery, the recovery process is as important as the surgery. There are many points to be considered during the first 30 days. In this process, issues such as swelling, pain, diet and daily activities are important. Here is what awaits you in the first month after jaw surgery and what you need to do.

First 24 hours: First Postoperative Day

-Hospitalisation: Most patients stay in the hospital overnight after surgery. During this period, doctors monitor your general condition and provide pain management.

-Effects of Anaesthesia: Nausea and dizziness may occur after general anaesthesia. Drinking plenty of water and resting can help.

-Swelling and bruising: In the first days, there is a significant swelling in the chin and face area. This swelling usually reaches the highest level within 48-72 hours.

💡 Recommendations for the first day:

✔️ Lie down with your head supported by a high pillow.

✔️ Apply an ice compress to reduce swelling (20 minutes ice, 20 minutes break).

✔️ Consume liquid food and avoid jaw movements.

First Week Swelling, Pain and First Daily Routine

1. Swelling and Bruising

-Swelling peaks on the 3-4th day after the operation. This is normal and should not worry you.

-Bruising may occur on the face, but usually disappears within 7-10 days.

-Application of ice and anti-inflammatory medicines recommended by the doctor help to control swelling.

2. Pain Management

-Mild to moderate pain may be felt in the first few days.

-You should take painkillers prescribed by your doctor regularly.

-Pain usually starts to decrease at the end of the first week.

3. Nutrition and Fluid Consumption

-Only liquid foods should be consumed. Solid foods can put pressure on the jaw and prolong the healing process.

-Recommended foods:

Smoothies, yoghurt, milk, protein drinks

✅ Soup (must be warm, not hot)

✅ Freshly squeezed fruit/vegetable juices

-Drinking plenty of water accelerates recovery.

4. Speaking and Daily Activities

-Speaking can be a bit difficult, so try to speak short and slowly.

-Avoid strenuous activities, focus on getting plenty of rest in the first week.

💡 Recommendations for the first week:

✔️ Continue ice application for the first 5 days.

✔️ Take painkillers and antibiotics regularly.

✔️ Continue to keep your head up while sleeping.

Week Two You Start to Relax!

1. The swelling starts to decrease

-Within 7-10 days the swelling is greatly reduced, but it may take several weeks to fully subside.

-Slight bruises begin to disappear completely.

2. Nutrition: Transition to Pureed Foods

-You can switch to soft, crushed food to reduce the pressure on the jaw.

-Recommended foods:

✅ Pureed vegetables

✅ Soft fruits such as bananas, avocados

✅ Soups with thick consistency

✅ Boiled and mashed potatoes

3. Return to Daily Life

-Taking light walks improves blood circulation and promotes healing.

-You can do light housework, but you should still avoid heavy lifting.

💡 Suggestions for the second week:

✔️ Start to diversify your diet, but avoid solid foods.

✔️ Avoid heavy activities even if swelling and pain have decreased.

Week Three and Four: Normalisation Begins

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-Speaking becomes more comfortable, but some words may still be difficult to say.

-Continue feeding with soft foods.

-You can make more jaw movements, but avoid biting hard food.

💡 Recommendations during this period:

✔️ You can gently increase your jaw movements.

✔️ Continue to brush your teeth gently, but avoid hard movements.

✔️ If your doctor permits, you can start light sports activities.

General Recommendations for Accelerating Recovery after Jaw Surgery

✅ Eat a balanced diet

Consuming foods rich in protein and vitamins accelerates your healing process.

✅ Sleep Regularly

Sleep plays a big role in the body's repair process. Try to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep every night.

✅ Do not smoke and drink alcohol

Smoking and alcohol slow healing and increase the risk of infection. Therefore, they should be avoided for at least 1 month after surgery.

✅ Do not neglect regular check-ups

Go regularly to the appointments given by your doctor and have your healing process checked.

Conclusion What to Expect After the First 30 Days?

✔️ The swelling is greatly reduced, but it may take several months for it to fully settle.

✔️ The ability to speak and chew gradually improves.

✔️ Gradually, a return to normal life begins.

✔️ More jaw movements can be made, but hard food should be avoided.

It is very important to be patient in the postoperative period. In the first 30 days, your body works to accelerate the healing process. During this period, you can have a more comfortable recovery process by following your doctor's recommendations.

If you are planning orthognathic surgery or have recently undergone surgery, you can take our suggestions into consideration to make this process comfortable. You can contact us for more information! 😊