Jaw Surgery and equalization

[melissabeads]

Hi!

I broke my lower jaw this past October. I had surgery and had a titanium plate put in. I have healed well and we have a trip planned next month to Bonaire. I have had a few sinus issues since surgery and I am concerned that I may have a hard time equalizing. Has anyone had any similar situations?

We chose Bonaire for our first trip because we can go at our own speed in case I have issues. Its been 2 years since we have been underwater and I can't wait.

 

[Angelo Farina]

20 years ago I did break my right cheekbone (the one containing the jaw sinus). I also was worried about equalization of the sinus, but in reality there was no problem at all.
The titanium plaque and three screws are still in my cheek...

 

[melissabeads]

Thank you! That is reassuring!

 

[Angelo Farina]

But remember it is just one single case. Statistically irrelevant...
If I was you, before flying to a remote holiday location, I would make a test diving locally.
Perhaps just inside a deep pool, if you do not like diving in cold water (as me). Here we have that nice Y-40 pool, which allow to test your equalization at significant depth.

Y-40 The Deep Joy – La piscina con acqua termale più profonda del mondo

www.y-40.com

But usually you get problems in the first meters, so a pool with just 10m depth should be enough for being sure that your sinus equalizes properly.
You do not even need to carry a tank in the pool, you can easily free dive down to 10 meters.

 

[melissabeads]

I've considered hoping in a pool.. Probably a wise idea! . With the current Covid spread in Bonaire, we might postpone our trip anyhow.

 

[broncobowsher]

Upper jaw, 4 plates, 10 screws. No long term issues. Surgery done before I was diving. Not sure how it will go so soon after surgery.

I would do a pool dive before making the vacation. If nothing else a refresher you know what you are still doing, the gear you have is still working right, and if everything in your head is right as well.

 

[inquis]

Can you clear right now (on land)? Clearing underwater is the same for me AS LONG AS I do it early & often (even before 3 ft).

 

[Doctorfish]

Fractured lower jaw ( mandible ) should have no affect on ability to equalize in future.