Unlike many other bimaxillary advancement surgeries, our treatment model allows the majority of patients to spend only one night in professional care and away from home. In addition, most of our patients are ready to return to work and many other activities just 7 to 10 days after their procedure. Full recovery, including a complete reduction in swelling, may take 8-12 weeks, while associated orthodontics may possibly continue for up to six months after the operation.
Below, we’ve shared some general information about bimaxillary advancement surgery postoperative care.
- Directly after your procedure. If your procedure is performed in our certified office-based ambulatory surgical facility, you will be cared for by the same professional staff you met during your preoperative consultation. At the conclusion of your procedure you will be transported to our recovery area where our nursing staff will provide minute-to-minute nursing care for the first 4 to 6 hours. After this time period you will be transported to an overnight care facility for further recovery and monitoring. If your procedure is performed in a hospital, the hospital staff will care for your needs during recovery.
- First postoperative night. After spending time in our recovery area, you will be transported to an overnight room for approximately 24 hours. You will be encouraged to ambulate and resume a full liquid diet, all with the help of a trained, professional staff. Most patients are able to return to a soft chewing diet within 3 to 5 days postop.
- The morning after your procedure. The next day your intravenous line will be discontinued and you may shower and shampoo. You should notice an immediate improvement in breathing and snoring even in the presence of the postoperative swelling. Assuming you are able to take the full liquid breakfast the morning after, you will be transported back to our facility for postop imaging and examination. Most patients are able to return home after this appointment. For those patients who have traveled from elsewhere by air, it is recommended that you arrange to stay for 5 to 7 days prior to air travel. We are happy to find you accommodations at local hotels or to offer you an extended stay at our facility.
- Pain Control. Most of the discomfort associated with your surgical procedure will occur within the first 4 to 6 hours after the operation. You will receive one-on-one nursing care in order to completely control the discomfort during this phase. After this initial timeframe, the discomfort tends to be mild in nature. The chief complaint most patients express in the first 36 hours after the operation is a sore throat from the breathing tube utilized during your procedure. You will be discharged with a liquid pain medication and liquid antibiotic. Our staff will assist you with all aspects of postoperative pain control and address any questions and concerns you may have.
- Swelling. Swelling peaks between 36 to 48 hours after your operation. Eighty percent of this swelling will disappear within the first 7 to 10 days. The remaining 20 percent of swelling, which is not very noticeable to others, resolves over the next 8 to 12 weeks. A light pressure dressing will be worn for the first 24 hours to help minimize swelling and ice is recommended for an additional 24 to 36 hours.
