Jaw surgery for TMJ: did it actually help you?

My kid had jaw surgery for TMJ last year. I get where you’re coming from - she was in pain for months after, and honestly, her jaw still pops sometimes. The surgeon kept saying it’d get better, but progress was slow. Some days are fine, others not so much. I wouldn’t say it was a miracle fix, but she’s not in constant pain anymore. Guess it’s just a long road for some people.

That sounds a lot like what I’m worried about - my jaw’s been popping for years, and I keep hearing mixed things about surgery. Did your daughter have any trouble eating after? I’m nervous about the whole recovery thing dragging on...

Yeah, that's exactly what worries me too - the whole recovery dragging on and messing with eating. I’ve read stories where folks could barely handle soup for weeks, but then others say they were back to soft foods pretty quick. Did your insurance cover much of it? I keep seeing mixed stuff about what gets covered and what doesn’t... kinda makes me second guess even starting the process.

Insurance was a nightmare for me, honestly. They covered the basics but a lot of the stuff my surgeon recommended (like special splints and some of the PT) wasn’t included, so I ended up paying more than I expected. The whole “back to normal in a few weeks” thing didn’t happen either - I was on soft foods for way longer than I thought I’d be. Looking back, I wish I’d pushed harder for clear answers about what would and wouldn’t be covered before starting all this.

That sounds really frustrating, and honestly, you’re not alone in feeling blindsided by insurance stuff. I see a lot of people get caught off guard by what’s not covered - especially when it comes to things like custom splints or extended PT. It’s one of those things that’s hard to fully anticipate unless you’ve been through it before.

The recovery timeline can be all over the place, too. Those “few weeks” estimates often don’t match up with real life, especially with jaw surgery. I’ve seen folks need months before they’re back to their normal diet, and that’s totally normal even if it’s not what you expect going in.

If it helps at all, being your own advocate with insurance companies does make a difference - even if it feels like a hassle. Sometimes just asking for a detailed breakdown ahead of time can save a lot of headaches later. You did the best you could with the info you had, and that counts for a lot. It’s tough, but you’re definitely not the only one who’s had to deal with this kind of thing.

Insurance really is a wild card with this stuff. I remember thinking I was all set, then getting slapped with a bill for a splint that “wasn’t medically necessary” in their eyes... super confusing. As far as recovery, mine dragged out way longer than the surgeon predicted - I was still on smoothies two months in. It’s rough, but you’re definitely not alone. It does get better, even if it’s way slower than you hope.

As far as recovery, mine dragged out way longer than the surgeon predicted - I was still on smoothies two months in.

That’s wild - my timeline was almost identical. Surgeon said 4-6 weeks, but I couldn’t chew anything solid for at least 8. Did you notice any actual improvement with your TMJ symptoms after all that? I’m still getting some clicking and stiffness, which is frustrating considering how much effort (and money) went into this. Curious if anyone’s pain actually resolved or if it just shifted.

I’m still getting some clicking and stiffness, which is frustrating considering how much effort (and money) went into this.

Same here - my jaw still pops sometimes, and there’s this weird tightness I never had before. The pain isn’t as sharp as pre-surgery, but it’s like it traded places with this constant dull ache. My surgeon kept saying “give it time,” but honestly, I expected more relief by now. I’m starting to wonder if I should’ve tried more PT before going under the knife... anyone else regret not waiting longer?

I totally get where you're coming from. I had the same hopes going into surgery, and while some of the sharp pain is gone, I’m left with this weird pressure and occasional clicking that just won’t quit. Did your surgeon mention how long “giving it time” actually means? Mine was super vague about recovery timelines, which just added to my frustration. Sometimes I wonder if more PT or splint therapy would’ve been less drastic, but hindsight’s always 20/20...

Did your surgeon mention how long “giving it time” actually means? Mine was super vague about recovery timelines, which just added to my frustration.

Yeah, that’s been my biggest source of stress too. I kept asking for a clear timeframe and just got “everyone heals at their own pace” over and over, which honestly doesn’t help when you’re trying to plan your life. My surgeon finally said most people feel “significantly better” by 3-6 months, but that things like pressure or clicking can stick around even longer. It’s vague, but at least it’s something.

I also wondered about whether more PT or splints might’ve been enough. I did PT for months before surgery - lots of jaw stretches, massage, even acupuncture - but none of it really got rid of the stabbing pain. The surgery did help with that, but now there’s this weird tightness and sometimes a dull ache on one side. Not sure if it’s my body adjusting or if I’m just hyper-aware now.

I keep a daily log of symptoms (probably overkill), but it helps me notice patterns or improvements, even if they’re small. It’s tough not to second-guess the decision when recovery isn’t linear. But yeah...wish the surgeons were a bit more straightforward about what “normal” feels like at each stage.

It’s tough not to second-guess the decision when recovery isn’t linear. But yeah...wish the surgeons were a bit more straightforward about what “normal” feels like at each stage.

Honestly, this is exactly what’s driving me nuts. I keep thinking, did I jump into surgery too soon? My doc just kept saying “patience” but I’m like, how much patience are we talking? Three months? A year? I get that everyone’s different but it feels like we’re all just guessing. I’ve started tracking my own symptoms too - makes me feel slightly more in control, but also kind of obsessive. The clicking and weird aches make me question if this is just my new normal or if I’m still healing.

The clicking and weird aches make me question if this is just my new normal or if I’m still healing.

I totally get that. I’ve had moments where I’m like, is this as good as it gets now? Or am I just being impatient? The clicking drives me up the wall some days, and then other days it’s almost gone. It’s hard not to obsess over every little twinge, especially when you don’t know what’s “normal” at this stage.

I also started keeping a little log of my symptoms. It helps a bit, but yeah, sometimes it makes me hyper-aware of every ache. I wish the doctors would be a bit more specific about timelines - mine just kept saying everyone heals differently. That’s not super helpful when your brain is spiraling.

You’re not alone in second-guessing the decision. I’ve had the same thoughts, especially when progress feels slow. But from what I’ve read and heard from others, a lot of people do keep improving for months. Maybe the weird aches are just part of the process and not permanent? I try to remind myself that healing isn’t a straight line, even though it’s frustrating.

It’s hard not to obsess over every little twinge, especially when you don’t know what’s “normal” at this stage.

I hear you, and I’ve been there. For me, the clicking faded after about 8 months, but the random aches stuck around longer. What helped was tracking patterns - mine got worse with stress or if I chewed tough foods. It’s frustrating when doctors just say “everyone’s different,” but honestly, that was true in my case. Some days felt like setbacks, but overall things did improve, just slowly. If anything feels really off or gets worse, I’d check in with your surgeon - sometimes a second opinion brings peace of mind.

It’s frustrating when doctors just say “everyone’s different,” but honestly, that was true in my case.

I get that frustration. After my jaw surgery, I kept expecting a clear timeline for recovery, but it really did vary day to day. For me, the “normal” aches lingered almost a year, but the worst of the clicking and locking eased up after about six months. Stress and overdoing it with chewy foods set me back more than anything. I found that keeping a simple journal helped me spot patterns, which made it easier to talk specifics with my surgeon. If something feels off, trust your gut - sometimes it’s worth pushing for more answers, even if it feels like you’re being a bother.

That’s actually super helpful to hear. I keep reading “everyone heals differently,” but it’s hard not to want a checklist for what to expect. Did your surgeon give you any benchmarks, or was it mostly “wait and see”? I’m trying to figure out if the lingering soreness I have at 8 months is just par for the course or a red flag. Also, journaling is a good idea - I might try that, though mine will probably just be a list of foods I miss...

I keep reading “everyone heals differently,” but it’s hard not to want a checklist for what to expect.

Totally get this - my surgeon was mostly “wait and see” too, which honestly drove me nuts. I wanted a timeline, some kind of chart... anything. At 8 months, I still had soreness (especially in the mornings), and sometimes I’d panic thinking something was wrong. But my doc kept saying it’s normal for nerves and muscles to take their sweet time. Still, I’d sometimes overthink every ache. Also, your idea about journaling food is hilarious - I had a whole list of “things I will eat again” after soft foods for so long.

At 8 months, I still had soreness (especially in the mornings), and sometimes I’d panic thinking something was wrong. But my doc kept saying it’s normal for nerves and muscles to take their sweet time.

That “wait and see” approach really does mess with your head, right? I can’t help but wonder if we’re doing enough to help people manage those lingering aches - like, is there something missing from typical post-op care? I’ve seen patients who were told to just power through, but sometimes a bit more hands-on therapy (physio, gentle exercises) made a big difference, even months out.

I know everyone’s healing curve is different, but do you feel like your team gave you enough guidance on what to look out for vs. what’s just part of the process? The checklist thing bugs me too - seems like we could at least have a range of “normal” timelines for stuff like nerve tingling or stiffness. Or maybe that’s just wishful thinking...

Also, love the “things I will eat again” list - had a patient once who swore she’d never take pizza crust for granted again. I’m curious, did you notice any foods that actually helped with healing, or was it just about comfort?

I totally relate to the checklist frustration - mine felt like “you might have tingling for a week… or a year, who knows?” Not super reassuring. I did get some PT, but honestly, I wish they’d pushed it more. As for food, yogurt was my hero, but nothing magical healing-wise - just easy on the jaw and nerves. Pizza crust is still on my “someday” list...

That whole tingling thing is wild, right? I remember reading the aftercare packet and thinking, “Wait, so I could be drooling on myself for months… or maybe never?” Not exactly the confidence booster I was hoping for. My PT was kind of a mixed bag too - they gave me a few exercises but it felt more like a “do what you can” situation. Sometimes I wonder if being more aggressive with it would’ve helped my jaw get back to normal faster.

Food-wise, I basically lived on mashed potatoes and scrambled eggs for weeks. Yogurt was good, but I got so tired of it. The day I managed to eat a soft piece of bread felt like winning the lottery. Pizza crust is still a no-go for me too - honestly, anything chewy just feels risky. It’s weird how something as simple as chewing can become this big milestone after surgery.

I do think the surgery helped with my TMJ pain overall, but there’s definitely stuff they don’t warn you about. Like, nerves just do their own thing sometimes...