Need hood recommendation after jaw surgery

[ManImCool]

In a couple of weeks, we’ll be diving in Cabo San Lucas. By that time, my girlfriend will be about 2 months removed from a relatively simple jaw surgery on one side.

Based on what we understand with water temps this time of year (upper 60s to mid-upper 70s), we think it’s best she gets a hood to go with her wetsuit. However, given the jaw surgery, any sort of firm pressure on that side of the face (near the jaw hinge/joint or whatever it’s called) is very uncomfortable at best, if not slightly painful.

I’m looking for recommendations for any particularly forgiving, soft, and/ or stretchy hoods that might help reduce any discomfort. Also, if there are any specific hoods that have particularly large face openings that could reduce pressure on the side of her face, that’d also be helpful.

It’s understood that there’d obviously be a trade off between thermal protection vs having loose/less skin coverage. Since it’s Cabo and this is the coldest we’ll likely ever dive, we don’t need anything beefy; I’m thinking something in the 2-5mm range. Bib or bibless, doesn’t matter.

 

[-JD-]

I have a Lavacore hood which is VERY stretchy. My only experience with it was for night dives in the high 70s. Due to the stretchyness, I would say it is only marginally effective. You might consider combining something like that with a "beanie" hood.

The other option might be to buy a heavier, cheap used hood and trim the jaw area out to eliminate pressure on sensitive areas.


I have to wonder if a bigger problem might be jaw fatigue from the reg. Might be reduced with a ComfoBite style mouthpiece that uses the upper palette\gumline to aid retention.

 

[Boarderguy]

A cheap & lightweight 2/3mm hood that you can modify would work great. Cut the jaw piece away to alleviate pressure. You could also go with a beanie style hood where there isn't any neck or face coverage. It all depends on her level of comfort in chilly- lukewarm water.

 

[lairdb]

Should be warmer than you think; mid-70s in the harbor and the corridor. A 3mm full is usually enough even for multi-day; add a vest or a shorty over the 3mm full for some extra and avoid the whole hood question.

If she’s especially cold-sensitive, bring a 5mm full.

I have to wonder if a bigger problem might be jaw fatigue from the reg. Might be reduced with a ComfoBite style mouthpiece that uses the upper palette\gumline to aid retention.

This. Figure this out before you leave.

 

[happy-diver]

I would imagine some hood jaw reg in mouth supporting pressure would be a good thing, so your wife is
not relying on jaw muscles with a nice velcro panel on the side for pressure adjustment and easy donning

 

[johndiver999]

I would suggest a very thin 2 mm hood that is not too tight and then add one of those ridiculous looking beanie caps on top, should be pretty warm and comfortable.

https://www.diversdirect.com/p/evo-dive-beanie/8351XXX-S-E?sku=8351XXX-S-E&srsltid=AfmBOooYJ_fzCzoldj9V21wMyDiXJ8Fui3c_uOUIqlmOfICdu3KfUmEDxUM

 

[broncobowsher]

Thinner, oversized. I am thinking this is a temperary piece of gear.
Different brands fit differently. I can think of it like trying on motorcycle helmets. There is the size, but that isn't the fit.

Having had jaw surgery in the past, I would just wait. Don't know what version of jaw surgery, but mine I would have had a very sore jaw trying to hold a mouthpiece for any time.

 

[ManImCool]

I have to wonder if a bigger problem might be jaw fatigue from the reg. Might be reduced with a ComfoBite style mouthpiece that uses the upper palette\gumline to aid retention.

This. Figure this out before you leave.

She'll be combining a Comfobite with either a 90° or 70° fixed angle swivel. She dives standard open water rec hose config, so we'll probably test both 90/70 first to see which is more comfortable. Considering also swapping in a miflex hose.

Having had jaw surgery in the past, I would just wait. Don't know what version of jaw surgery, but mine I would have had a very sore jaw trying to hold a mouthpiece for any time.

The major surgery happened almost 2 years ago; her recent procedure was fortunately just some minor cleanup of scar tissue so not invasive at all.

A cheap & lightweight 2/3mm hood that you can modify would work great. Cut the jaw piece away to alleviate pressure. You could also go with a beanie style hood where there isn't any neck or face coverage.

I would suggest a very thin 2 mm hood that is not too tight and then add one of those ridiculous looking beanie caps on top, should be pretty warm and comfortable.

Thinner, oversized. I am thinking this is a temperary piece of gear.

Due to the stretchyness, I would say it is only marginally effective. You might consider combining something like that with a "beanie" hood.

The other option might be to buy a heavier, cheap used hood and trim the jaw area out to eliminate pressure on sensitive areas.

I would imagine some hood jaw reg in mouth supporting pressure would be a good thing, so your wife is not relying on jaw muscles with a nice velcro panel on the side for pressure adjustment and easy donning

Should be warmer than you think; mid-70s in the harbor and the corridor. A 3mm full is usually enough even for multi-day; add a vest or a shorty over the 3mm full for some extra and avoid the whole hood question.

If she’s especially cold-sensitive, bring a 5mm full.

Some really great contributions in here from all, thank you. All things considered, I think the right move is a modified cheap hoodie and/or beanie. And perhaps even better, it will be warm enough that she will not need it at all.

 

[crabapple58]

In a couple of weeks, we’ll be diving in Cabo San Lucas. By that time, my girlfriend will be about 2 months removed from a relatively simple jaw surgery on one side.

Based on what we understand with water temps this time of year (upper 60s to mid-upper 70s), we think it’s best she gets a hood to go with her wetsuit. However, given the jaw surgery, any sort of firm pressure on that side of the face (near the jaw hinge/joint or whatever it’s called) is very uncomfortable at best, if not slightly painful.

I’m looking for recommendations for any particularly forgiving, soft, and/ or stretchy hoods that might help reduce any discomfort. Also, if there are any specific hoods that have particularly large face openings that could reduce pressure on the side of her face, that’d also be helpful.

It’s understood that there’d obviously be a trade off between thermal protection vs having loose/less skin coverage. Since it’s Cabo and this is the coldest we’ll likely ever dive, we don’t need anything beefy; I’m thinking something in the 2-5mm range. Bib or bibless, doesn’t matter.

Pbearcap.com, lajollaswimandsport makes a neoprene cap with or without strap , they can customize it for head size, long/short hair and they make them in the shop. I have a big head, lots of hair and can’t feel constricted, this is a reasonable priced option.
In a couple of weeks, we’ll be diving in Cabo San Lucas. By that time, my girlfriend will be about 2 months removed from a relatively simple jaw surgery on one side.

Based on what we understand with water temps this time of year (upper 60s to mid-upper 70s), we think it’s best she gets a hood to go with her wetsuit. However, given the jaw surgery, any sort of firm pressure on that side of the face (near the jaw hinge/joint or whatever it’s called) is very uncomfortable at best, if not slightly painful.

I’m looking for recommendations for any particularly forgiving, soft, and/ or stretchy hoods that might help reduce any discomfort. Also, if there are any specific hoods that have particularly large face openings that could reduce pressure on the side of her face, that’d also be helpful.

It’s understood that there’d obviously be a trade off between thermal protection vs having loose/less skin coverage. Since it’s Cabo and this is the coldest we’ll likely ever dive, we don’t need anything beefy; I’m thinking something in the 2-5mm range. Bib or bibless, doesn’t matter.

 

[crofrog]

I like some of the waterproof hoods that are like 3/5mm hybrids. That way it's thinner around the face and warmer where it can be.