Maxillectomy on Thursday home from hospital yesterday

Hi Joannie

Unfortunately I also had the blocked nose issue  after my maxillectomy and found that blowing my nose didn’t make any difference. I found mine slightly improved over time. I think it is something to do with the boney structure that was in place before the maxillectomy kept your sinuses raised up and unblocked. After the maxillectomy things sag a bit and consequently the nose becomes blocked on that side. (Maybe not quite anatomically correct but check with your surgeon). I found lifting the skin up by the side of the top of my nose helped a bit but you can’t go through life doing that. Now I have had a maxillectomy on both sides I find I have to mouth breathe a lot of the time although I can still get some air through my nose. My surgeon told me that after my reconstruction he could give me a small face lift which involves botox and that would help raise things up a bit. Have to see if that works.

I was able to breathe normally through the other side of my nose when the swelling went down after my first maxillectomy.

I wasn’t told about the possible breathing issue either before my maxillectomy, however I have learned to live with it over time.

Hope the rest of your recovery goes smoothly but ask any other questions as they arise.

Lyn

xx

Hi Joanie 

 I had a maxillectomy years ago and was temporarily fitted with a plate similar to yours. I  found my nose and all the functions affected by maxillectomy worked a little differently. Anything that worries you, and as you have only just recently had your op, I would contact your named point of contact with any concerns so they can explain what is likely happening regarding the nasal discharge and what they can advise.

when I had my maxillectomy I had to deal with the same sort of issues you are dealing with at the mo. What I found is when I drank it could come out of my nose, so I just learnt to keep my head slightly back and take a sip and give it time to go down my throat.  What could be happening is  when you are drinking the fluid is finding its  way through and out through the nasal passages and pushing this gunk out. I also found my nasal mucus became dry and not as runny so my nasal passage became blocked.  I found things do improve overtime, and I just worked my way through things. That said don't be afraid to give your specialist a call and if we can help with any questions we will. 

Best wishes 

Nicky

I had a right side matxillectomy in 2019 with a plate screwed in and also had a blocked nose.  It felt like concrete had been poured in my nostrils and left to set.   It does get better.  I found using the little breathe strips that hold your nostrils open helped and my house reeked of Olbas oil!  Now my right nostril sometimes gets blocked but it doesn't last long.  I also had the nose gunk, but do let your team know how bad it is for you.

Thank you for your replies. I appreciate the reassurance that's its not just me. Nose is still super gunky and discovered i can't drink out a straw anymore, who know no suction if no vacuum??? I do now. What I didn't realise is just how brutal these operations are. Yesterday I had had it enough was enough I wasn't carrying on with this take the plate out I am not playing this game anymore. Still 50% feeling that now but st least today I realise how ridiculous I was yesterday . Saw consultant and operation booked for next week again so fun times again. 

Also sorry another question as I am.mouth breathing all night in the morning my mouth is full off I can't describe how gross it is. I waken during yhe night and take tiny sips off water which Is a pain as I have to get up sit on the side off the bed lean back fir what??? A teaspoon full off water. Is there anything for stopping my mouth drying out so much that I gave to peel my tongue off thst bloody plate? 

Joanie xx

Hi Joanie

I cannot drink from a straw either I cannot get enough suction. A maxillectomy is tough but things do get better once your healing gets underway. You will function a little differently, and you will just learn to work your way around these things. I find water good for keeping the mouth moist,  even if I just let it sit in my mouth for a little bit and then spit it out.  I still use slimline glasses to drink out of as I find them more comfortable.  There are things out there for dry mouth ask your medical people if they can advise or prescribe something at this stage of your treatment.  The dry mouth at night is not nice and the tongue sticking I have had and still do occasionally.  Nowadays I just try to keep hydrated throughout the day and having some water last thing at night can help me. When I was more recovered after my operations I had a saliva spray which I was prescribed and kept  this at my bedside. Keeping  up the oral hygiene that you have been advised to do by your team will help enormously too. I know it's hard and can take it out of you and can make you feel overwhelmed with everything, we all feel like this but I find just taking one day at a time helps.

Wishing you the best

Nicky

Hi Joanie. At night you can try xyimelts available online I still have dry mouth mist night but no longer tongue sticking ones. Little sips of water can help 

AS saliva spray on prescription might help. 
hazel x

Thank you I will go.look that up and trust amazon next day delivery. I actually met a friend fir coffee today and found I have to constantly sip water or my mouth gets completely dried out lips sticking to front teeth tongue sticking to plate so maybe saliva spray fro DR a better in public solution. Thank you for the tips 

Thank you much appreciated 

Sipping water for me after my treatment was a constant. I still carry water eveey where don’t need it all the time. . As for xyimelts they take a bit of getting used ti just make sure your mouth is moist when you put it in  it sticks to gum I use upper gum. a sip of water will do to get started. 
Hazel