After having a surgical procedure to reposition your upper jaw, lower jaw, or both, care must be given to aspects of postoperative healing, in order to help make the recovery as quick and easy as possible.
Sleeping following jaw surgery is a challenge. While in the hospital, special pillows and electronic beds keep you comfortable so you can get that needed sleep. Upon returning home after surgery you must still sleep with your extra propping. This will keep your head elevated and limit the amount of fluid that is available for any swelling. If you do lie flat at night, you will find that the swelling will be increased when you awake. This will usually diminish as you assume an upright posture. But let’s get it right from the start…
Preparing for surgery doesn’t mean having to spring for a special chair or rent a bed, just some practical thinking before hand. When you return home elevating the head is a must and using hands free cold therapy will allow you to doze off without ending up with a lap full of ice. Here’s what you need:
1. Cool Jaw® wraps for the face utilizes a unique, patented pocket design that allows you to easily replace gel packs without compromising compression. The lightweight Cool Jaw system reduces post-operative swelling and discomfort, provides moderate compression and protects skin from direct contact with the gel pack. Furthermore, the hands-free design offers a more convenient alternative to other hot/cold therapy applications.
2. You’ll find yourself sleeping propped up for a month or so after surgery. Those Boyfriend/Husband pillows found in every dorm room in America are just the trick. Purchasing this “bed rest” pillow or wedge is inexpensive – in the range of $30 – and available on line or in department stores. It makes more sense than buying a special chair for just a few weeks. Plus, I’d rather sleep in my own bed than in a chair, wouldn’t you?
A great gift for anyone having surgery, (or just someone in need of a cuddle), and not as ugly is…The Arm Style Strong Boyfriend Pillow Bed Rest Pillow. I found it on EBay, but I see it is available elsewhere as well.
