When people have jaw surgery, their jaws are sometimes wired shut to help them heal. This makes eating normally impossible. Researchers in Iran studied 90 patients who had this type of surgery to see how different diets affected their recovery. They found that patients who drank special liquid nutrition drinks with added nutrients felt less pain, had better quality of life, and didn’t lose as much weight as patients who didn’t follow a planned diet. This suggests that working with a nutrition expert after jaw surgery is really important for a smoother recovery.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How different types of diets affect pain levels, weight loss, and quality of life in patients whose jaws are wired shut after surgery
  • Who participated: 90 patients between ages 20 and 50 who had jaw surgery requiring their jaws to be wired together. The study took place in Iran from 2020 to 2022
  • Key finding: Patients who followed a planned liquid diet with added nutrients experienced significantly less pain, better quality of life, and less weight loss compared to those without a planned diet
  • What it means for you: If you or someone you know needs jaw surgery with wiring, asking a nutrition specialist to create a meal plan with special liquid nutrition drinks may help you recover better and feel more comfortable. However, talk to your doctor about what’s best for your specific situation

The Research Details

Researchers followed 90 patients who had jaw surgery between February 2020 and November 2022 at two hospitals in Iran. They measured each patient’s weight before and after surgery. They also asked patients questions about their pain levels and how their eating difficulties affected their daily life and mood. Some patients received a planned nutrition program with special liquid drinks and added nutrients, while others did not receive this special plan. The researchers compared the results between these two groups to see which approach worked better.

The study used proven questionnaires (survey tools) that doctors use worldwide to measure pain and quality of life. This helped ensure the measurements were reliable and could be compared to other research. The researchers looked at three main things: how much weight patients lost, how much pain they experienced, and how much their eating problems affected their overall well-being.

When jaws are wired shut, patients can only drink liquids for weeks or months. Without proper planning, they may not get enough calories and nutrients, leading to weight loss, weakness, and poor healing. This study matters because it shows that a thoughtful nutrition plan can prevent these problems. Understanding which diet approach works best helps doctors and nutrition specialists take better care of jaw surgery patients during their recovery

This study is a clinical experiment, which is a solid research design. The researchers measured objective things like weight and used established questionnaires that are recognized worldwide for measuring pain and quality of life. The study included 90 patients, which is a reasonable number for this type of research. However, the study was conducted in Iran, so results may vary in other countries with different healthcare systems and food availability. The study didn’t mention if patients were randomly assigned to different diet groups, which would have made it stronger

What the Results Show

The study found clear differences between patients who followed a planned liquid diet with nutritional supplements and those who didn’t. Patients with the planned diet experienced significantly less pain in their face and jaw area. They also reported better quality of life related to eating and nutrition—meaning they felt less frustrated and anxious about their eating difficulties.

Weight loss was another important finding. Patients who followed the planned nutrition program lost less weight than patients without a plan. This is important because excessive weight loss during recovery can slow healing and make patients feel weaker. The differences between the two groups were statistically significant, meaning these weren’t just random differences but real effects of the diet plan.

All three measured outcomes—pain intensity, quality of life, and weight loss—improved together in patients who received the nutrition intervention. This suggests that proper nutrition supports overall recovery, not just one aspect of healing.

The study showed that the combination of a standard liquid diet plus nutritional supplements worked better than either approach alone. This suggests that patients need both adequate calories and proper nutrients to recover well. The research also highlighted that jaw surgery affects not just physical health but mental health too—patients with better nutrition felt less anxious and frustrated about their eating limitations

While this study is relatively recent (2020-2022), the general principle that nutrition matters for surgical recovery is well-established in medical science. This research adds specific evidence that jaw surgery patients benefit from planned nutrition intervention. It supports what nutrition specialists have recommended for years but provides new data showing exactly how much better patients do with a structured plan

The study was conducted only in Iran, so results might be different in other countries with different foods and healthcare systems. The researchers didn’t clearly explain how they decided which patients got the nutrition plan and which didn’t—ideally, this would be random to avoid bias. The study didn’t follow patients for a very long time after surgery, so we don’t know if the benefits lasted months or years later. Additionally, the study didn’t compare different types of liquid diets or different supplement combinations, so we don’t know if some options work better than others

The Bottom Line

If you need jaw surgery with wiring: (1) Ask your surgeon to refer you to a nutrition specialist before surgery, (2) Work with that specialist to create a liquid diet plan with added nutrients, (3) Follow the plan carefully during your recovery period. These recommendations are supported by this research with moderate confidence. Talk to your healthcare team about what’s right for your specific situation

This research is most relevant for people facing jaw surgery, their families, surgeons, and nutrition specialists. If you have jaw surgery scheduled, this information could help you prepare and recover better. Surgeons and nutrition specialists should consider using planned nutrition interventions for all jaw surgery patients. People with other types of surgery might also benefit from similar nutrition planning, though this study specifically looked at jaw surgery

Most jaw surgery patients have their jaws wired for 4-8 weeks. Based on this study, you should notice improvements in pain and quality of life within the first few weeks of following a planned nutrition program. Weight stabilization may take the full recovery period. Long-term benefits for overall healing may continue for several months after the wires are removed

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily liquid nutrition intake (calories and protein grams) and pain levels (0-10 scale) each morning and evening. Also note mood and eating-related frustration on a simple scale. This gives you concrete data to share with your nutrition specialist and shows whether the plan is working
  • Set phone reminders for each scheduled nutrition drink throughout the day. Log what you consumed and how you felt afterward. If pain increases or you’re not tolerating the drinks well, note this to discuss with your healthcare team. Use the app to track which drink flavors or supplements you tolerate best
  • Weekly check-ins: measure weight, review pain patterns, and assess quality of life using simple questions like ‘How frustrated do I feel about eating?’ and ‘How much does my jaw pain limit my activities?’ Share these trends with your nutrition specialist monthly to adjust the plan if needed

This research describes findings from a specific study of 90 patients in Iran and should not replace personalized medical advice from your healthcare team. Jaw surgery recovery is individual, and what works best depends on your specific surgery type, health conditions, and medical history. Always consult with your surgeon and a registered dietitian or nutrition specialist before, during, and after jaw surgery. This information is educational and not a substitute for professional medical care. If you experience severe pain, difficulty swallowing, signs of infection, or significant weight loss, contact your healthcare provider immediately