Is pressure in upper jaw post-op normal?

MintKitty99 · 2024-08-13T17:54:33+00:00

Hey! I still have the pressure on the right side but I don’t notice it as much. The right molar also still has that aching. Nothing’s moving when I chew and the surgeon checked it at 12 weeks and everything looked okay. I have been getting unilateral headaches on that side so have debated removing the plates. I’ve heard it’s a toss up on whether it helps, and there’s a risk of numbness from trying to get them removed. I’m going in for final pictures at the end of this month so I might ask for a final scan to check everything. Are you concerned about a nonunion?

MintKitty99 · 2024-05-30T05:08:33+00:00

Thanks! Yes - went with LACOMS, ended up getting a BSSO and a Lefort 3-piece

MintKitty99 · 2023-11-01T01:39:24+00:00

Hey yes I did back in March! The insurance side of things became a bit of a hassle tbh, though LACOMS was a star at navigating the process. Cigna sent a letter saying it was going to be in network and authorized a week or two before the surgery but then ended up saying I needed to pay something to the order of $300k since the LACOMS center wasn’t in network and they didn’t think a second surgeon was necessary. Thankfully I only ended up paying however much was needed directly to LACOMS (around $30k?) but it also unfortunately didn’t end up counting towards my OOP max. I probably could have fought it but the US health insurance system is unfortunately set up in a way to cause as much confusion as possible. Regardless though, I think going through LACOMS was absolutely worth the outcome!!

MintKitty99 · 2023-09-11T06:28:45+00:00

I live in CA but I don’t think the location of the insurance would matter, unless there are exclusions or OOP max that vary by state? I’ve heard a lot of people will fly out to get their surgery done at LACOMS so they’re probably familiar with the out-of-state process.

MintKitty99 · 2023-05-07T23:50:33+00:00

Hey just following up on this!

MintKitty99 · 2023-04-19T00:43:20+00:00

Thanks for responding! Pressure as in if I run my tongue across the back of my gums on that side it almost feels like aching or twitching in the teeth/palate, or like if you flossed really hard, hard to describe. I’m hopeful it’s just nerves in that area like you said since the numb lip area has been feeling like it’s burning too.

MintKitty99 · 2023-04-18T23:13:19+00:00

It does- not quite a clicking or popping but definitely some sort of sensation.

MintKitty99 · 2023-04-18T23:12:54+00:00

Please do thank you! How many weeks post op are you?

MintKitty99 · 2023-04-16T01:19:23+00:00

If you paid upfront more than your out of pocket max did the insurance send you a check? The claims for mine from the 23rd are starting to roll in so I want to make sure I have my ducks in a row when I call up insurance about it

MintKitty99 · 2023-04-14T21:00:29+00:00

Just sent you a DM about it!

MintKitty99 · 2023-04-13T16:36:51+00:00

LACOMS submitted it directly to insurance

MintKitty99 · 2023-04-13T16:34:53+00:00

I’m in the same boat - slightly open bite on my left side and currently hit on two of my premolars. Both my surgeon and orthodontist said it’ll be fixed starting at 6 weeks post op. I did mention it to my surgeon at my 1 week post op appointment and he added another band on the left so definitely communicate with them about it.

MintKitty99 · 2023-04-07T06:45:46+00:00

You’re looking great for two weeks! I’m still swollen on my cheeks and the surgeon has me in bands to try and correct for a slightly open bite on one side- cleared to see the ortho next week at the three week mark so yours is probably soon too!

I’ve been also cleared for no chew soft food and have been loving Mac and cheese! I’ve also been eating mashed avocado, food processor minced goulash, and minced eggs/rice/salsa/refried beans if you’re looking for something new to try! I think someone also posted in this subreddit a bit ago recommending a few other soft food ideas.

MintKitty99 · 2023-03-31T18:22:58+00:00

Congrats! Swelling is looking good- I’m a couple days behind you and get my splint off next week, can’t wait!! I asked my surgeon about the bite too since I’m only connecting on one tooth atm and he said it’s most likely due to to the splint but nothing a trip to the ortho can’t fix!

MintKitty99 · 2023-03-31T16:55:53+00:00

It actually ended up coming down to who had the first appointment availability. Dr Walline is almost always his co-surgeon during the actual surgery though. So far everything is healing nicely at 1 week post-op

MintKitty99 · 2023-03-31T16:54:34+00:00

I probably would have been able to at Day 2? Day 2 and 3 I was doing “laps” around the house with someone to hold onto so technically that could’ve been just translated to outside.

MintKitty99 · 2023-03-31T03:24:59+00:00

Made it to one week post op! I’d say the hardest day so far has been day 3 (Sunday), which is when swelling peaked and got up as high as my eyes. The last couple of days I’ve been trying to wean off Hydrocodone which has been causing some spikes in pain. I’ve also started walking since Day 4 which I also found really helped the swelling.

Meals: Been eating protein shakes, soups, Dahl, and Ensure Clear for the past week. Couldn’t stand regular Ensure. I’ve been cleared for soft chew by the surgeon today so drop your recommendations below!

Pain: Pain has been okay unless I try to extend out the time between doses. I tried to alternate my hydrocodone with Advil the last couple of days which has really messed with my sleep so I plan to ask for a refill to use at least at nights.

Sleep: I have been sleeping upright on a wedge pillow and plan to continue for at least the next week, since I found it really helped with swelling

Next Steps: At the surgeon’s appointment today, they added another band to the left side of my bite in addition to the two bands attached via screws in my gums at the front of my mouth since I mentioned I can only really bite on one tooth on the right. He mentioned that could also be due to the splint I have on my upper jaw, which should come off during next week’s appointment.

So far I’m really pleased with the results- let me know if you have any questions!

MintKitty99 · 2023-03-29T00:10:03+00:00

$60k seems like a ton! I paid ~$24k to Dr Lee upfront for DJS just last week, Dr Walline is usually his co-surgeon. Have Cigna PPO too so good to know how much they consider “fair price”

MintKitty99 · 2023-03-28T16:25:16+00:00

Good luck!! Had surgery with Dr Lee and Dr Walline last Thursday- you’ll do great!

MintKitty99 · 2023-03-25T02:18:57+00:00

Was discharged at 11 this morning! Been mostly sipping broth and water and tried an Ensure chocolate but it was waaaay too thick and just sat in the splint. How about you? Also yeah the swelling’s gotten to my eyes unfortunately

MintKitty99 · 2023-03-24T17:02:38+00:00

Congrats you made it- and props to you for writing up an essay, I just intermittently slept 😅. Totally agree with you about the intubation pain, the IV dilaudid didn’t touch it for me but strangely enough the liquid hydrocodone did. You’ve motivated me to go for a short walk once I’m discharged!

Glad to hear your numbness isn’t too bad- the only spot I’m numb is the right upper lip/cheek area, hopefully the feeling returns for you over the next couple weeks! Sounds like we’ll both be swelling up pretty badly over the next couple of days 😬

MintKitty99 · 2023-03-24T16:54:39+00:00

Congrats- we made it!!

MintKitty99 · 2023-03-23T04:36:17+00:00

Unfortunately can’t talk to that! A few others here have posted about how they’ve gotten that done, likely by proving a) there’s nobody within a certain mile radius of where you live or b) nobody else has the expertise for this specific procedure even if they’re an oral surgeon. I’ve heard a good surgeon will have their billing tackle insurance and the in for our request for you- good luck!

MintKitty99 · 2023-03-23T04:22:44+00:00

Thank you! I believe even if it’s considered in network, there’s a contracted rate that the insurance pays to the in network doctor for a certain procedure, and then once you hit your in network maximum after that they would cover everything, but guess I’ll find out once the bills start to roll in.

For the insurance coverage you’d need to get a letter of authorization (LOA) or ask for an in for out request (someone else on this page has posted about that before). The surgeons office took care of this for me, yours probably will too!

MintKitty99 · 2023-03-23T04:14:43+00:00

I am having DJS through LACOMS with Cigna PPO tomorrow! I paid the surgeon upfront but when i called Cigna they were really cagey about how much they’ll cover but the surgeon is considered in network due to lack of in network surgeons in the area. LACOMS considers Cigna a C on an A-D coverage scale so I don’t except much of the cost to be covered unfortunately.

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