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Re: Dr NP in May!

Posted by seattlebill on April 18, 2005 at 08:55:04:

In Reply to: Dr NP in May! posted by westernjoe on April 14, 2005 at 18:08:46:

WJ,

I'm just about to post my 3 month follow-up from MMA/GA (3months today actually) from Dr. P's partner in Stanford.

I've got lots of info about that program, hospital, places to stay afterward, etc...

All I can say is be cautious about surgical optimism in estimating duration of post-op recovery.

The work-up is usually done in one day. Surgeon will review your pertinent data, +/- do caphalometric xrays & a naso-scopic exam of your airway, and do a surgical history & physical to evaluate needs for other testing (EKG, cardiac stress tests, etc... based on your risk profile).
The actual MMA surgery does take 3-4 hours, plus 1-2 hour check-in & pre-induction room prep (IVs, alines & all). You'll spend one night in CCU for airway observation, and the average LOS is 2-4 days in the hospital.

I believe you will have your jaws tightly banded shut for at least 2-3 weeks (lighter banding after that). That will limit your oral intake to liquids via a large syringe with rubber catheter between your cheek and gums. This got very old for me...but doable. There will be a ton of swelling initially; and some , but not a lot of pain.

I stayed 10 days at a Residence Inn to wait for my out-patient follow-ups. That or a similar facility was good for in-room fridge (cold ensure/boost drinks/ice cubes for ice pack) and for a microwave & stove (to heat up soups). Communication in the first week was difficult due to the bands and swelling (besides pen & paper), so hopefully someone will be there to help you.

Afterward, plan for 3-4 weeks of fatigue, daily doldrums and recovery. Life gets better when arch bars and bands are removed (4-6 weeks). Recovery and really feeling better happens around 6-8 weeks.

As usual, your mileage may vary. I was impressed with my surgeon, anethesiologist, hospital facilities, nursing staffing ratio (1 to 4 on the ENT floor), etc...Everything first rate from my perspective.

I do wonder, why is your situation unusual ?

Good luck, Bill

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