Recovery timeline
Here are what I think are the important events in my recovery from my various injuries. All dates are in 2009.
Sunday, April 5, 10:45AM – I am transported to Alta Bates Summit Medical Center after falling off of my bicycle. I know that my front teeth are chipped, I’m bleeding everywhere, my jaw is sore on the left side, and I experience an intense pain when I try to tilt my head back.
Sunday, April 5, 3:00PM - I am released from the hospital, having learned that my jaw is broken, without any bandages (but some stitches) on the abrasions on my right shoulder, my elbows, my cheek, or my hands.
Monday, April 6, morning – I begin taking Vicodin twice per day.
Monday, April 6, morning and early afternoon - I see various doctors. At University Health Services, a doctor authorizes my visit to the oral surgeon and has a nurse examine and bandage my wounds. The oral surgeon tells me that he’ll need to wait until my face is less swollen (either later this week or early next week) to work on me. He sends me to my dentist, who temporarily seals my chipped teeth.
Wednesday, April 8, 10:15AM – The oral surgeon puts my bone in its proper place and wires my jaw shut.
Thursday, April 9, afternoon and early evening – I am scheduled to teach but have other people fill in for me because of my condition.
Friday, April 10, morning – A number of significant events:
- I return to class, but have trouble staying awake.
- I have my stitches removed at University Health Services. I’m told that I’ll only need the bandages on my face for another day or so.
- I take my last Vicodin.
Saturday, April 11, morning – I wake up to find myself able to talk. I conjecture that this is related to my having stopped taking Vicodin. Also, I no longer need bandages on my face, but I do bandage both of my elbows and my right shoulder.
Wednesday, April 15, 1:15PM – I have my one-week check-in with the oral surgeon. Everything seems to be going well. I make my appointment to have the wires removed.
Wednesday, April 15, early evening – I arrive at home to find my supply of Vega, which revolutionizes my diet.
Thursday, April 16, afternoon and early evening – I teach as regularly scheduled.
Thursday, April 23, evening – I am finally able to catch up on my school work.
Wednesday, April 29, 2:15PM – The oral surgeon removes my wires, but I’ll still have to wear rubber bands in my mouth when I’m not eating or brushing my teeth. I learn that I can’t chew for another three weeks, and I’m also not able to open my mouth very far.
Friday, May 1, ~12PM – I’m experiencing enough discomfort in my jaw that I call the oral surgeon to ask whether I should do something about it. I leave a message but don’t hear back by the end of the day.
Monday, May 4 - The oral surgeon returns my call and tells me that my discomfort is normal, but by this time it has gone away.
Wednesday, May 6 – I begin commuting by bicycle again.
Tuesday, May 12, 3:15PM – I have a check-in with the oral surgeon. He looks at my mouth briefly, but not much happens. I make an appointment to see him again next week.
Wednesday, May 20, 2:15PM – My oral surgeon authorizes me to chew all but “super hard” foods. He leaves the arch bars on my teeth, in case they should prove necessary for straightening my bite later on. I celebrate the occasion by getting a falafel sandwich, which I have trouble fitting in my mouth.
Friday, May 22, 9AM - My dentist repairs my two chipped teeth by composite bonding, but warns that this will probably eventually require a crown.
Monday, May 25, 7:30PM - I discover that one of the two bonded teeth has broken already.
Tuesday, May 26, 2:00PM – The dentist repairs my broken tooth again.
Friday, June 10, 9:00AM – I have my teeth cleaned. The hygienist does not find any cavities, which is no small matter given the various challenges to cleaning my teeth my treatment has presented.
Friday, June 10, 12:45PM – The oral surgeon is impressed with my mouth opening and removes the arch bars. He tells me that I’ll be able to eat the hardest foods around July 4. I am warned that my gums are likely to bleed a lot when I floss for the next two or three weeks.
Friday, June 17 – By now, my gums have stopped bleeding altogether, even when flossing.
Saturday, July 4, 12:05AM – I eat a whole apple for the first time since the accident.
Current status (as of Saturday, July 11, 11:30PM) – I can open my mouth a little bit further than when I got the arch bars off. I still have some numbness on the left side of my face. I’m hoping it’s just due to internal swelling around the nerve. I had something like that last year after getting my wisdom teeth out, but I have also read that mandibular fractures can be accompanied by nerve damage. I have occasional pain in my jaw, usually on the right side (opposite the fracture). I also have some scars on my hands and elbows.
Sept. 17, 09
I enjoyed reading your blog. My daughter broke her jaw in three places a week ago . Her surgery went well and she is wired shut for three to four weeks. She is only 11 so this has been difficult thus far for her. I have had a hard time finding things for her to eat or rather getting her to eat. I also am concerned about her returnng to school next week. Getting bumped and feeding herself is going to be a challenge. I have also been wondering what to expect after the wires are removed. Thank you for sharing your trip with us down this long road of recovery!
w myers
Hi Wendy,
Sorry I’ve been so slow to reply. Your daughter’s situation sounds really tough. I managed to stay pretty upbeat about my injury while I was recovering, but I know I wouldn’t have been able to do that when I was eleven years old. I hope her recovery goes smoothly. Also feel free to ask questions if you want to know about something that I haven’t written about. I can’t guarantee that I’ll have an answer that’s useful to you or that I’ll even remember anything, but I’ll do my best.
Adam
Hi. I enjoyed reading your blog. I just had mine wired shut but they said 6-8 weeks. How long did they tell you at the beginning. Im hoping i get them off sooner. Aslo was it easier to talk once you got the rubberbands in compared to it being completely shut?
Hi Michelle,
In my case, the oral surgeon told me I’d be wired for three weeks and that was how long I was wired. He never did any x-rays after the day of the surgery, so I don’t think there was really much room for a change of plans. However, if you’ve been given a range of times, clearly the decision on how long it will be is still to be made. You might try asking your oral surgeon what factors will go into making that decision (if you haven’t asked already).
Talking without the rubber bands was a lot easier than talking with my jaw wired shut. In fact, even with my jaw wired shut, it got easier as I grew accustomed to it. I had plenty of conversations with people who didn’t realize that they were talking to somebody whose jaw was wired shut. After I got the wires cut and had rubber bands in my mouth, I was able to talk pretty much normally. Of course, your results may vary, particularly because you’re expecting to have the wires on for longer than I did. Let’s hope for the best, though.
Best wishes for a full and speedy recovery.
Adam
i found your journey to very helpful, in a time where i needed to hear it the most, i recently had my mouth wired, and i am still going thru the experince as i type this reply, however my oral suregon told me that my mouth will be closed for 6weeks, what is the chances of the wires coming off before then, i am having a hard time finding things t eat… this is very uncomfortable, my lips are cracking and i get keep my mouth from stayin dry! smh, @ the wires in my jaw, i am so upset, loosing weight, like crazy, ( especially my butt)….. what should i do, all i really want to know is how do i take the wires out by myself?
Hi Ketta,
Hang in there! Have you looked at my guide to eating while wired? If you’re able to invest in a good blender, I’ve heard that can be very helpful (though I didn’t do so myself). You might also look at the blog Jaws Wired Shut, which focuses exclusively on food for people with wired jaws.
Good luck!
Adam
Adam,
Thank you for your very detailed log. I have been wired shut for 3 weeks so far (bike accident also). My wires are supposed to be cut tomorrow and I’m so disappointed to see on your timeline that I will not be able to chew for 3 more weeks. Soft foods like mashed potatoes, etc. will be better than this, but were you able to broaden your horizons a little if you cut things that require a little chewing very small (how about toast or cake?) Thanks. Leslie
Hi Leslie,
Something like toast or cake will probably be just fine if you cut them up into little pieces and then allow them to dissolve in your mouth instead of chewing them. Something like a carrot or an apple probably will have to wait longer because those things won’t dissolve in your mouth.
Of course, your oral surgeon’s plan for you may be entirely different. But the point remains that with a little creativity there are many things you can eat without chewing. I was initially discouraged when I found out I couldn’t chew for three weeks, but I ended up finding plenty to eat.
Best of luck tomorrow and on your continuing recovery.
Adam
Wow. This is a long recovery. I
I broke my jaw August 13th and now I have everything off and still chipped teeth. I can play all sports with no contact. Im due to comeback DEC 1 and i am counting the days down. Its really hard to cope. Im also a freshman so it doesnt help my mental strength but im ruggid an tough it out like you did.
This is an amzing recovery. I had broken my jaw august 13th and now im all fixed. Except for the fact i cant play sports. I see you coped well and i was looking for some help. Im also a freshman so it doesnt help me very much.
I fractured my jaw on May 29th. Because of my injury my mouth had to be wired shut on May 31st. My doctors advised me that I would be wired shut for 6-8 weeks. Of course I’m hoping that the wires are removed before then. My biggest challenge is eating. The shut is so tight to where there is hardly no room for even a liquid to enter. It is mentally exhausting. How long will my gums be sore? When sleeping, what position do you advise?
Sorry I’ve been slow to reply here.
For sleeping, I would suggest whatever is most comfortable to you. After my bike accident, I had so many bruises and scrapes, and so much swelling that every position was at least a little bit uncomfortable.
I doubt having wires in your mouth will ever be particularly comfortable, but you’ll at least get used to it before too long.
Best of luck with your recovery.
Adam
I broke my jaw on May 26th when a softball hit me, so I understand completely what you are talking about! I personally was sleeping in a recliner, because it was so sore to sleep in any other position, it felt as though my jaw would slide and cause intense pain. I was not comfortable enough to sleep on my side because I am a light sleeper and move alot during the night. Try different things out, it is tough, but it too will be over before you know it. The worst part for me has been the mental aspect, hunger, and plain feeling sorry for myself. I have good days and bad, my family has been very supportive. I don’t feel like going overboard on preparing meals for myself, I would just prefer to drink and be done. Carnation breakfast drinks have been very good, might keep that up once this is all over! Best of luck to you!
Just Me – Sorry about your situation. As far as sleeping, whatever feels good to you is fine. No limitations except those set by your own comfort level lying on the side of your face. My jaw was wired (as I assume most are) with my teeth completely shut. My molars were against each other. You will be surprised how liquids will just find its way around the spaces. I was also able to suck applesauce and and yogurt through a straw. Many people are much more interested in being creative about what food they can make and put in a blender. Not me…. I pretty much lived on protein shakes, yogurt, applesauce, McDonald’s milk shakes and berry smoothie, milk, Gatorade and tomato soup. I figured as long as I getting a pretty solid dose of protein in those bodybuilder protein shakes that I was getting enough nourishment to get through 6 weeks. There was no enjoyment to eating, just a job to get done. Fortunately I only lost 5 lbs which is great since I started at 122. I know it is mentally exhausting to contemplate this journey, but it will pass. You will get through it. Bear in mind that other folks get through much worse things. I think that is what kept me sane. I knew this would end. Some other people don’t get to be “done” with their ailment. Keep your chin up! You’ll get there. My jaw was broken last fall (Sept 2010) and is fine. My teeth are all fixed and I’m back on my bike.
this was so good to know — recently fractured my left jaw. I am now just waiting for an appointment with my oral surgeon.
my work involves talking on the phone alot — would you advise me to stay home during the time my jaw is wired?
My job also requires a lot of talking on the phone. I stayed home the first week because I had stitches in my face and was self-conscious about that. Once they were out, I went back to work. You very quickly get used to talking with your teeth clamped shut. Most people don’t even notice when you are on the phone. It’ll be better in about 3-4 weeks when they removed the wires. Once you have just the rubberbands, you will be able to move your teeth when you talk. This’ll pass……
I’d definitely defer to your oral surgeon on that question. I was able to talk with my mouth wired shut, even teaching a few classes, but I’ve heard from people who have been advised to avoid all talking.
Best of luck!
Thank you for this blog, especially your tips on keeping your mouth clean.
I currently have a titanium plate and my mouth wired shut for three fractures to my jaw. I fainted and fell on my face after giving blood.
I found the days after surgery very challenging. Though I was making good progress with the pain and psychologically for the first 10 days.
Yesterday however my follow up xray showed that the surgery wasn’t successful in aligning my right jaw joint and is sitting strangely. Why the doctor didn’t pick it up on the xray after the operation I have yet to find out. I have to see another specialist in the new year.
Despite all the pain and frustration I am so thankful that I live in a time where skilled people are able to fix me. And I am so glad that I live in a country that provides its people with free public health care (I’m not usually so patriotic, but having gone through this, I do love Australia more)
All the best with your recoveries
Cherie
Hi Cherie,
Sorry to hear about your injury, as well as your recent setback. I’m glad you a least have public health care. (Here in the US, we’ve at least taken a baby step in that direction since my accident, but we also have one party determined to repeal that change.)
I know I would have been very frustrated if I’d partway through the recovery that learned that my fracture hadn’t healed properly. (Curiously, though, my oral surgeon didn’t take any X-rays after the date of the surgery.) Anyway, I hope you get some answers when you have your next appointment.
Best wishes on your recovery.
Adam