Life post gum graft surgery – UGH!
^^ How I’ve spent most of the week.
Last Wednesday I had to get a gum graft for a receding lower gum line. They took gum from the roof of my mouth and stitched it to the lower gum line.
The actual procedure wasn’t that bad. I was expecting huge needles and lots of blood, but the needles were tiny and painless, and I never tasted blood! It wasn’t as bad as having a cavity drilled. (Lorazepam helped!)
I have what looks/feels like silly putty on the roof of my mouth protecting that area (which hasn’t bothered me one bit) but my lower right gums where the graft is has been AWFUL!
I’m on day 6 now, and not to be too dramatic, but I’m declaring this recovery worse then either of my births. If I get behind on ibuprofen, my whole jaw just starts to burn and throb. Between my foot surgery, wisdom teeth, and my two births, I never had this much consistent pain for this long, day and night. (I know it is good that I haven’t had other terrible procedures, I know). Sheesh!! Eating is getting easier though, and hopefully the worst is behind me. (Except that I’m supposed to have the other side done in the future – ugh! I might just not do it.)
The Ride Home
Obviously eating has been difficult, and I’ve been on a mushy food diet. I have another blog post coming about how I navigated nutrition during this time, so stay tuned for more details on that in the coming weeks. I’ve had lots of smoothies and ice cream.
Splendid Spoon smoothies are ready to drink, no prep, and they’re built with real protein instead of just being juice in a nice bottle. They are GOOD! There’s a one-time gift box of 10 smoothies with no subscription required — it’s a little hidden, so go to Discover, then Gift Shop to find it. I’ve sent these to new moms or those recovering a general surgery, too.
I also had this local juice grown on a small farm in Front Royal, Virginia. Great way to get greens if you can’t chew! If you’re looking for local greens this season, check out Robby D’s Lil Greens.
Been drinking this for healing!
The Last Suppers
But here’s everything I ate the week before when I could still eat everything: burgers, corn on the cob, crunchy bread, sandwiches, lots of granola!
Mazen made burgers for dinner, and I had one for lunch the next day.
Blue Apron Buffalo Cheesy Chicken + The World Cup!
Blue Apron Salmon + Smashed potatoes
Fancy Happy Hour at Aster
Hugh Jass Salads with Fishwife Salmon
(These salads were consumed before the cyclospora news was really peaking. I’m not really able to eat salads right now, so that timing worked out well.)
Yogurt Bowl Parade
It’s been a fresh + yogurt kinda summer! Or was…
I’ve been obsessing over nectarines!
Final breakfast on the way to the appointment:
Someone else had dental news this week
B lost his fifth tooth!
Final Soccer Game
I timed my surgery with the end of soccer season since I can’t exercise for a week 🙁 It was a heck of a season – summer is the best!
Hope you have a lovely week!
Elizabeth says
I had gum graft surgery a few years ago in 8 places. Recovery was slow but I was glad I did it all at one time. I knew I wouldn’t want to go in again if I did it in two phases. I ate normally after about 3 weeks although the roof of my mouth was tender for a while. Hang in there. Ice cream really helps!
Kath Younger says
I really wanted him to do both at once but he wouldn’t!!! But now having been through how awful just one side was, there is no way I could have done both at once. I wouldn’t have been able to chew anything. But then again, I would have just prepared for much worse and then never have to do it again.
Katie says
I feel your pain! I’ve had three separate gum grafts (recent one a year ago). I didn’t find the procedure to be bad either, but by the end of the two-week recovery, I was so over eating mushy foods. I’m prepping for a lifetime of gum grafts, though. Teeth grinder (I do wear a nightguard), thin gums, and a lifetime habit of brushing too hard despite all my efforts to take it easy. Hope the rest of your recovery goes well. I’m very interested in your nutrition post since I’ll likely need it in the near future!
Kath Younger says
Solidarity! I think I have all the same troubles :/
Sarah W says
Oh no! I have to get a small part of my gums grafted (only one tooth is acting up!) in a couple weeks…Hoping for a relatively quick recovery. 🙂
Kath Younger says
Lean into the pain meds! I should have taken more I think.
Alice says
Ugh, I need to get gum graft surgery at some point and I’m dreading it! Wishing you a speedy recovery, hopefully the worst is over!
Kath Younger says
Thank you, I hope so too! (Except I should do it again). Good luck with yours.
Kim says
I had graft surgery as well and I found the roof of the mouth worse than other areas. It felt like a massive pizza cheese burn! It does get better. Be sure you use an electric toothbrush with a soft brush and a rubber tipped gum stimulator daily.
Kath Younger says
The roof of my mouth is still covered and hasn’t hurt me once this whole week which I find so surprising! Maybe when this bandage thing falls off it will be worse, so I’m trying not to mess with it.