How To Feed A Patient Post Jaw Surgery?

Posted on Thu, 30 Jun 2016

Question: Can u give me suggestions on how to feed someone who will have jaw surgery and have the jaws wired shut?

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (46 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Liquid diet..

Detailed Answer:
Hi..
Welcome to HEALTHCARE MAGIC..

I have gone through your query and can understand your concerns..

As per your complain diet to be taken by the patient who has to undergo jaw surgery followed by jaw wired shut is exclusively liquid..
Initially you should start with watery liquids like fruit juices, broath, dilute soups.milk etc..
As the patient becomes used to taking liquid diet with jaws closed you can add Nutritional supplements like protein shakes, liquid vitamins and food supplement powders that can be dissolved in milk, but take after consulting a Nutritionist under calculated doses..
Grinding breads to paste and mixing in milk to ease in taking.

Along with it always gargle after meals so that you prevent accumulation of food particles on teeth and cause decay..

Some level of weight loss can however be seen in patients but proper Nutritional supplements will prevent malnutrition..

Any further questions are welcome..

Hope this information helps..

Thanks and regards.
Dr.Honey Nandwani Arora.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Honey Arora (29 hours later)

What happens if she vomits with jaws wired shut?

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (11 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It can be a medical emergency..

Detailed Answer:
Hi..
Welcome back..

As per your complain if a person who has got jaws wored shut then sudden thrust caused by vomit can lead to aspiration of vomitus into the respiratory passage leading to medical emergency..

Therefore you should immediately consult your treating Surgeon or Emergency Room..

Hope this helps..

Regards..

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad