If you must undergo jaw surgery, you may be worried about maintaining your weight while recovering. Consuming a balanced diet while your jaw is wired shut is certainly challenging, and it’s not uncommon for oral surgery patients to lose 10 or more pounds following the procedure. Fortunately, it’s entirely possible to keep your weight up—as long as you follow a few simple tips.

3 Tips for Keeping Your Weight Up After Jaw Surgery

1. Eat More Often 

Eating every two to three hours will make it a lot easier to consume enough calories to keep up your weight. Your meals are inevitably going to be smaller as long as your jaw is wired shut, so eating more of them over the course of the day will help make up for the deficit. 

2. Drink High-Calorie Liquids

Consuming high-calorie beverages like yogurt smoothies, milkshakes, and nutritional supplements will help your body get the energy it needs to recover following jaw surgery. And as long as it fits through a straw, cooked cereals like cream of wheat and oatmeal are also a fantastic option. 

3. Puree Solid Foods

At some point during recovery, you will undoubtedly become bored of smoothies and protein shakes. When this happens, get creative and start pureeing solid foods. For example, you can blend beef or chicken with broth or gravy. You can also puree fruits and steamed vegetables for added nutrition. 

If your dentist thinks you may need jaw surgery, turn to the skilled team at Oral Surgery Associates of Alaska. Located in Anchorage, Kenai, and Homer, this practice is led by two highly experienced surgeons who are board-certified in oral and maxillofacial surgery. From wisdom teeth removal to dental implant insertion, they perform a broad range of procedures to meet all their patients’ oral care needs. To schedule a surgical consultation, fill out the form on their website or call (907) 561-1430.