apneaThroughOrthognathic surgeryPost-operative care and recovery is a journey that requires careful attention. Adjustments to lifestyle habits and precautions after surgery often determine the durability of the therapeutic effect and improvement in quality of life.
This article Taipei sleep apnea recommended -Fenghua United ClinicWe need to explore in depth the common sequelae after surgery for apnea, the key points of recovery that need to be paid attention to in daily life, and how to cooperate with the doctor's advice to maximize the postoperative results.
What are the side effects of sleep apnea surgery (orthognathic surgery)?
Wound pain and swelling
Postoperative wounds may appearShort-term pain and swelling, which is part of the body's natural repair process.
Patients should take pain medication on time and apply ice and heat as recommended by their doctor to relieve discomfort.
Bleeding and infection risk
In the early postoperative period, there may beSlight bleeding (dark red)However, if it turns bright red and bleeding continues, seek medical attention immediately.
In addition, special attention should be paid to the risk of infection at the surgical site.Keep the wound clean and use antibiotics as directed by your doctor, which can effectively reduce the incidence of infection.
Paralysis and paresthesia
During surgery, if nerves are involved, it may cause local paralysis or paresthesia. This is usually temporary, but it may take longer to recover, so you need to maintain close communication with your doctor.
difficulty swallowing
Some patients may experience difficulty swallowing and feel uncomfortable in the early stages after surgery and need swallowing exercises.
Liquid food is the main food for the first week after surgery, avoid irritating or residue-containing foods, and avoid food residues in the mouth that may cause wound infection and inflammation.
Nasal airway obstruction
Local swelling or blood clots after surgery may cause temporary breathing difficulties. In the early postoperative period, you need to practice and adapt to mouth breathing. After the swelling disappears, your breathing will gradually become smoother and return to normal.
How long does it take to recover from sleep apnea surgery (orthognathic surgery)?
The recovery period after surgery varies depending on your individual situation and the type and extent of surgery. Generally speaking, the postoperative recovery period can be divided into the following stages:
-
Initial recovery period (1-2 weeks):
- The first 1 to 2 weeks after surgery is a critical period for wound healing.
- Patients may experience pain, swelling, or mild discomfort.
- You need to get enough rest and take care and medicine as prescribed by your doctor.
- Avoid strenuous activities or coughing or blowing your nose to prevent emphysema, bleeding, etc. that may cause poor wound healing.
-
Mid-term recovery period (after 2 weeks):
- After the initial 1 to 2 weeks, the symptoms will gradually ease.
- Swallowing function and pronunciation will improve.
- Patients can gradually resume their daily activities under the guidance of a physician.
- Avoid excessive exertion (such as clenching your teeth) or consumption of seafood, Chinese herbal supplements, or irritating foods such as alcohol or spicy foods.
-
Long-term recovery (more than 6 weeks):
- Six weeks after the operation, the swelling has subsided relatively significantly, and the postoperative effect has gradually stabilized.
- Adapt to new breathing patterns and bite conditions.
- For surgeries involving bone or nerve adjustments, full recovery may take at least 3 to 6 months.
Patients should follow up with regular visits and receive follow-up examinations from Fenghua United Clinic doctors and receive postoperative recovery plans, such as tooth bite adjustment (wearing braces or corrective rubber bands, depending on individual circumstances) to ensure the effectiveness of the surgery.
What should I pay attention to when recovering from sleep apnea surgery (orthognathic surgery)?
Diet after sleep apnea surgery
In the early stage after surgery, due to the swelling of the wound and difficulty swallowing, liquid food is mainly needed, such asSoup (needs to be cooled to room temperature), juice (no fruit particles or residues) or nutritional drinks, avoid seafood, Chinese medicine, irritating foods, foods containing caffeine, and overly hot foods.
As recovery progresses, you can gradually transition to semi-solid foods such as porridge and steamed eggs, and finally gradually return to a normal diet. The entire process should be followed up regularly by a doctor to adjust according to individual conditions. It is recommended to avoid scratching the wound with hard or sharp foods before it is fully recovered.
Cleaning after apnea surgery (orthognathic surgery)
It is very important to keep your mouth and wound clean after surgery to prevent infection.Avoid using mouthwashes containing alcoholYou can use a soft-bristled children's toothbrush to clean the tooth surface of the dentures, avoid the surgical wound, and handle with care.
Regular follow-up
After surgery, regular check-up visits are key to ensuring a smooth recovery. The doctor will check the wound healing status, evaluate the effectiveness of the surgery, and adjust the rehabilitation plan appropriately.
Especially if you feel abnormalities or your breathing does not improve significantly, you should contact your doctor as soon as possible to avoid delays in treatment of potential problems.
How to reduce the discomfort after sleep apnea surgery (orthognathic surgery)?
Drug treatment
Most of the discomfort after surgery can be relieved by medication. The doctor willPrescribe analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve pain and control inflammation.
Please take the medicine according to the dosage and avoid increasing or decreasing the dosage on your own.
In addition, if you experience other discomfort symptoms such as allergic reactions or gastrointestinal discomfort, you should contact the clinic in time.
Physical therapy
Ice compresses can be used to reduce swelling and pain for 48 hours after surgery.Each session lasts about 15 to 20 minutes, the outer layer needs to be covered with a towel to avoid direct contact with the skin to prevent frostbite.
After 48 hours, applying heat can help promote blood circulation and speed up wound healing.
The timing of using ice and hot compresses should be adjusted according to individual recovery conditions and should be done under the guidance of a physician.
Adjust your lifestyle
After surgery, developing good living habits is an important basis for recovery. Ensure adequate sleep and adopt a suitable sleeping position. It is recommended to sleep with a raised pillow in the early postoperative period.
Pay attention to a balanced diet, consume more foods rich in vitamins and proteins to promote tissue repair, and avoid seafood, stimulating drinks, tobacco and alcohol.
At the same time, moderate activity can improve the body's metabolism, but excessive fatigue should be avoided.
These methods can effectively reduce postoperative discomfort and help patients return to normal life faster.
FAQs about sleep apnea surgery (orthognathic surgery)
Q: Can sleep apnea (orthognathic surgery) be cured through surgery?
Surgery can effectively improve symptoms of sleep apnea, especially for people whose sleep apnea is caused by structural problems such as a retracted jaw, small chin, or narrow airway.
However, the effectiveness of surgery varies from person to person and is related to the patient's cause of illness, the extent of surgery, and postoperative cooperation. Most patients will experience significantly improved sleep quality after the recovery period, but may also require changes in lifestyle habits or other auxiliary treatments to achieve the best results (needs to be evaluated by a physician).
Q: How many days does one need to be hospitalized for sleep apnea (orthognathic surgery)?
Orthognathic surgery usually requires one night of hospitalization
The doctor will assess whether to extend the hospital stay based on the stability after surgery.
Q: Will apnea recur after surgery (orthognathic surgery)?
Recurrence after surgery is possible, especially if people do not change their lifestyle habits (such as being overweight, smoking, or drinking too much).
Also, as people age, airway tissue may become loose again, causing symptoms to recur. To reduce the risk of recurrence, patients should follow their doctor's advice, maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle, and regularly track and evaluate their sleep status.
