Jaw reconstruction /bite

Hi Lola. It does take a bit of work after jaw surgery to get back to eating. Over time I have had a mandibulectomy (removal of part of my right lower jaw) and 2 maxillectomies so no upper jaw and 2 lots of radiotherapy over time.  Not a candidate for upper jaw reconstruction so instead had a titanium bracket fixed to implants into my cheek bones with a denture attached.

Keep trying to eat different things as you don't know how things will progress. Start off with softer foods and then build on that. After my mandibulectomy I got back to fairly normal eating although the moister the food the better. You will get to know what you can manage over time. After my maxillectomies I tried different foods but for me have found that chewing is nearly non existent so unless pureed it goes around in my mouth and won't go down. However you are in a different place and over time will work out  what works for you. You might have to adapt to a different menu but I find that I still find food that is tasty and enjoyable.

Lyn

Thank you, Lyn!! I appreciate it. Wishing you continued healing.

Hi Lola, over three years since I had fibula free flap jaw surgery but did not have radiotherapy, I had seven teeth removed on surgery side. Eating is still not a doddle I must admit but I manage most foods, cutting up dryer food into small pieces and eating along with the softer consistencies on the plate. So yes, my jaw alignment and chewing action has definitely improved but as we mostly all say, there is definitely a ‘new normal’ to accept. You will get there, just takes time.  
June

Hi Lola. In relation to your limited menu. As my eating issues are long term I decided that I needed to make sure that I ate a healthy diet so I had the energy to do the things I love. I can highly recommend home made soups. I bought a book on soups and decided to work through most of them except the spicy ones as those I can't manage taste wise. You can thicken them up or water them down with more stock depending on how you are on the day. I also eat a lot of steamed veg mixed in with really soft meat such as the ones in Shepherd's pie and add in some natural yogurt for a bit of a zing. I find the bought ones are softer than those I tried to make myself so a bit of a cheat there although cooking for a long time in a stockpot can really soften meat.I also eat a lot of stewed fruit mixed in with weet bix or porridge and then add in yogurt or custard. Really soft boiled eggs work quite well and add in extra protein. Try and eat a bit of protein, a bit of fruit and veg daily and limit the sugar intake. I find that drinking 3 Fortisip a day helps me keep up the calories so I don't lose weight.

Hope some of these suggestions help.

Lyn

Thank you, June! May I ask what your diagnosis was? Did you have SCC in the jaw? I can’t go back in time but I wonder sometimes if I should have gone through with the radiation.

Thank you so much for the helpful hints!! I am in the US and wondering about the fortisip!

Hi Lola

yep, gum and jaw.  We all make our own decisions with regard to radiation, and all we can do, taking our individual situations into account, is hopefully make the right one. I am sure you made the right one for you, and well done.

see my profile. All best wishes.  June x

Hi Lola. Fortisip is a drink supplement recommended by my speech pathologist. It has all the nutrients in it that you need. If you drink enough of them you can live on them alone but not a very attractive thought. I'm sure that in the U.S. you have something similar but by a different name. I live in Australia and can also buy in the chemist a drink in powder form called Sustagen that is similar to Fortisip but the Fortisip here you have to get a recommendation for from your speech pathologist so can't buy over the counter. There are many other drink supplements available. Ask your speech pathologist what they recommend for you. 

Lyn