“Can you sleep on your side after jaw surgery?”

Thank you for your question.

I am trying to guess why a 24-year-old would be having jaw surgery. The only thing I can imagine is surgery for orthodontic reasons. Usually, the jaw is secured in place after the surgery and you could select your preferred sleeping position. I encourage you to read the chapter on orthodontics in the book “GROWING A HEALTHY CHILD, SECRETS FROM A WISE OLD DOC.” It discusses concerns about the airway in detail.

Surgery that may reduce the space for the tongue is to be avoided! This could reduce the airway and contribute to significant long-term problems. Surgery that increases tongue room could be considered. If the surgery is to advance the lower jaw, consideration needs to be given to the position of the condyle in the fossa before surgery. The fossa space behind the condyles needs to be greater than the fossa space in front of the condyles before and after surgery. Be sure to read the chapter on orthodontics for a better understanding of these matters.
Best to you in your venture. If you are unsure about anything, seek additional advice.

You should not be asking anyone else about this issue because whatever one of us tells you, the oral surgeon may supersede that by telling you something completely different - do yourself a favor and ask whoever is going to do the jaw surgery.

Hi

There are no contraindications for sleeping on your side; however, you will probably be uncomfortable sleeping on the side where the surgery took place.

Yes you can