- Please tell me your understanding of what the operation was:
The entire top gum “where my teeth used to be” would be cut and stitched. Bone from my left hip to be injected into the upper sinus area thereabouts. So I’d have more bone available for titanium implants. The operation was about 3hrs long with a fairly quick recovery.
- What was your experience with the hospital?
Better than 5* accommodation. Every need met, most difficult thing was removing necklaces, rings and bangles pre-op. Absolutely the best Doctor, Dentist, Nurse care. You won’t want to go home!!!
- How did your mouth feel after the operation?
Numb, no pain, excellent hand mouth co-ordination pre-opt meant skilled straw sucking and food slurping post-opt. Small mirror helped with spoon direction. Diet, salt mouthwashes 5-6 times day for 2-3 weeks. Vigilant mouth hygiene certainly aided mouth comfort.
- How did the hip site feel after the operation?
Hardly knew it was there. Had bit of a lump for couple of weeks. Wearing flat shoes far better than high ones. Did lots of walking.
- Were you able to wear your existing denture after the operation and did you have any problems with it?
Did not wear it for a week. When I did put it in took an hour or so for it to feel more comfortable. While at home I left it out, to aid healing and was more comfortable to leave it out, when possible.
- How long did you need off your usual activities?
One week/ Operation 3rd December, by 13th December I walked 26km (for a day’s walk) but still had slight ache in mouth. Some facial bruising evident for a week or two.
- What pain killers did you need to take?
Secret was to keep pain free. Paracetamol & Codeine tabs, for pain. Diclofenac Sodium 75mg slow release tabs for pain. Augmentin tabs to prevent infection. After 2 days also Tramadol HCI 100mg slow release tabs for pain.
- Would you have any concerns about recommending the operation to future patients?
None whatsoever. The secret is having skilled Oral Surgeons, as I have had with David Chrisp and John Bridgman.
P.S. I was very conscious of my diet, and geared it toward bone growth and those minerals needed. Chewable foods are out of your diet for a bit so care needs to be taken on diet. Mine consisted most days of carrot celery beetroot juices, lots of seafood and fish, egg, yoghurts, soy milk, whey protein shakes, avocados by the ton, mashed potato gravy, crust free bread with healthy fillings, natural sugar used always like “light muscovado” full of minerals.