NUTRITION IN ORTHOGNATHIC SURGERY

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The first concept that needs to be clarified is that the recently operated patient must eat without lowering the usual nutrient intake, this translates into maintaining the amount of calories and other nutrients, especially proteins, liquids and carbohydrates.

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It is essential to keep in mind that the type of food or consistency changes depending on local elements such as the type of surgery and fundamentally depending on the number of days that have passed since the intervention.

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In order to achieve the above, understanding that the eating process is much slower, we must maintain a constant intake of small portions. It is not advisable to keep regular meal times.

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Considering the above, we will divide the type of diet into weeks after surgery.

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WEEK 1

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This week is the most complex, mainly because the patient has a lot of inflammation on his face, possibly has cracked lips and feels very stuffy in his nose.​

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Simultaneously it happens that this stage requires maintaining a significant intake of calories, otherwise you will feel weak or dizzy.

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The mouth is very inflamed, possibly the lips are swollen and sensitive. Also the wounds are located just inside the mouth at the bottom of the oral vestibule.

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In this first week the food should be mainly of a liquefied consistency. It is essential to maintain the usual caloric load and maintain a constant protein intake without neglecting hydration with plenty of fluids.

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The professional will indicate a food supplement which must be constantly incorporated into the initial diet.

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Feeding can be done with syringes, ideally a large syringe. The 60 ml syringes have a wide nozzle that facilitates the passage of the food.

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Continuous feeding is recommended, not separating food intervals beyond three hours, remember that the syringe feeding system is slow, so the amount incorporated per meal will possibly be less. Between 5 and six meals a day are recommended.

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Regarding the temperature in the first 24 hours, cold foods are recommended and then the temperature is rather lukewarm. Remember that since the sensitivity is decreased by the surgical procedure, a hot food could burn it and it is not perceived especially on the lower lip.

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Avoid feeding  with lots of seasonings and strong flavors, especially dressings. Your stomach will be especially sensitive due to the medications that the surgeon has prescribed.

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Non-liquid foods should be processed and blended and then strained.

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It is advisable to constantly vary the type of food.

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All of the above without suspending the indicated supplementary food. 

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PROTEIN CONCENTRATES SIMILAR TO THOSE USED IN GYMS ARE NOT RECOMMENDED. MAY OVERLOAD KIDNEY FUNCTION

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WEEK 2

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Already at this time, although it will still be inflamed, the discomfort begins to be less. The lips ya are recovering and the wounds inside his mouth are largely closed on most occasions.

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As there is more comfort in case of finding few elastics, you can introduce a small spoon and the opening of your mouth will slowly increase.

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At this stage you will find your kinesiological treatment focused on managing inflammation and prepare to recover jaw mobility.

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Remember that the surgery consists of accommodating the bones of your face by means of cuts, so they are in an initial phase and there is no bone consolidation, they have not yet welded and this will occur after the 30th day, so you are not prepared to chew and crush, but if you can start to increase the consistency of food.

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Possibly the surgeon will tell you to remove your elastics at the time of oral hygiene and feeding.

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Food with porridge should not have splinters or fibers that can sting when swallowed. It can be fed with mashed potatoes, squash and others by combining it with shredded chicken meat.

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For no reason try to swallow food that should require chewing.

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WEEK 3 forward

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Now is the time to start restoring eating habits. We can begin to re-introduce foods with greater consistency such as cooked potatoes, purees, soft fish, well-cooked legumes and without coverings and gradually, with tolerance, expand the range of diet until by the sixth week he could eat almost normally.

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Each evolution is particular and must be guided by your professional or responsible nutritionist. 

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You should always consult your Doctor and each surgery is different in certain aspects.

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We hope that your recovery will be a process without major discomfort. For this we recommend having a 50 or 60 ml syringe with a thick nozzle, they are used to wash catheters. Always keep the lips lubricated with bleastik and constant toilets with water.

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Dr Antonio Marino

Maxillofacial surgeon

www.maxillofacial.cl 

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