Well, I may have spoke too soon on the feelings of preparedness I had discussed. After researching more an more about nerve damage, I began to discover more and more things that I feel I need to discuss with my surgeon. I found a document online that was actually very helpful, but a very lengthy read. "NEUROSENSORY DISTURBANCE AFTER BILATERAL SAGITTAL SPLIT OSTEOTOMY" by LEENA YLIKONTIOLA, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery,Institute of Dentistry, University of Oulu. If anyone is interested, try googling that but if you can't find the pdf format (~80pgs), and if you would like it, I would gladly forward it to you. I would highly recommend reading it. It presented a lot of issues that I will be discussing with my surgeon. Another source of my obsession has returned: reading blogs. I believe I spent a total of 4 hours today doing just that. How pathetic? But they were helpful. I think before this week I had formed the idea that this wasn't going to be as bad as I thought. Well, I'm pretty sure this will be as bad as I thought. And the thing is, only the people going through this seem to understand. So I'm definitely glad I started this blog and have you all to vent to and share experiences with! I have gotten comments from other friends like "Well, we have all gotten wisdom teeth out before." That frustrated me beyond end, but I am too much of a people-pleaser and I just sat there with this "Well...." look on my face until they said, "I guess this might be worse." ..yeah! I had my wisdom teeth out, and having your jaw sawed in half and dealing with this troubling nerve damage issue is (for one), in my opinion is much worse.
I should really stop ranting because there are definitely worse things.
I hope everyone has this moments, and its not just me. I'm lucky that my parents are extremely supportive and they definitely understand the extent of this surgery. I'm sorry I'm having such a pitty party today-- I'm scared that after my surgery, I'll have little support from a group of friends just merely because they don't understand how hard it will be. Thats why I love my family.
I knew that this would pretty much consume my summer months, but not until tonight did it really sink in that this will pretty much involve the next year. From what I've read today, most people are dealing with issues from the surgery for that long.
I'm also wondering if I will really look that different after surgery. As far as I know, my mandible will be moved forward ~8mm. But I usually try to hold my jaw forward in social situations anyway, for proper speech and for aesthetic reasons. So will anyone else (besides family who I don't worry about seeing my "Marge Simpson" like jaw), really notice after this is all over with? One thing I will be happy about: When I eat in public, I always have my hand over my mouth because I have to let my jaw back to chew with my molars. I will be glad not to be self-conscious about that!
When I'm at home on the computer or studying, I find my self jutting my jaw forward, then having to make myself relax it. I'm somewhat worried about training myself NOT to jut forward after surgery. After so many years of trying to look "normal", its a conscious effort to allow my jaw relax.
I would love any feedback if any of your are experiencing the same emotions as I am... which I'm sure many of you are.
Have a great rest of the week!
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5 comments:
yeah i was freaked out too about the whole nerve damage thing. yeah i still have some dull spots on my gums and my chin (i had a genioplasty as well) is not back 100%. I think Erin describes it nice when she says it kinda feels like there is a wax beard on your chin! My bottom lip is not 100% either, but it has been about 9 months and everyone who i talked to that has had this done says it could be a slow process getting back to 100%. But even if it stayed like this, I'm so happy with the results that I wouldn't mind!
I'm actually looking into different yoga exercises that will help 'reactivate' these areas from my yoga professor at college.
But good luck and we will be watching and waiting with you!
I'm only having upper so, I don't think the nerve problems are as prevalent. Although, it still makes me wonder what I'm getting myself into. It is scary but, I'm sure we'll all be just fine. We just have to keep supporting each other.
Keep your chin up!!
Try not to stress too much about the nerve stuff. It just goes along with the territory and it's annoying, but it's worth it. I'm still going through it but my doctor said it could take even more than a year for the nerves to completely heal. (That probably doesn't help make you feel better huh?)
It's definitely an odd sensation.
I know what you mean about people saying "well I've had my wisdom teeth out!" when you tell them you're having jaw surgery. Um, NOT THE SAME! No comparison. The thought of jaw surgery--real jaw surgery--scares the crap out of people. I don't think they can really comprehend it.
Anyway, it's worth it. It really is. And it's fun to see what you look like after. It can be quite amazing.
I had my surgery 6 weeks ago. I notice a little more feeling every day. I'm a dental hygienist and the topic of my surgery comes up frequently. My patient's are always in shock to find out I can't feel a portion of my lower lip or chin. That is always encouraging, because even though it feels goofy, you don't notice it.
I had a lady tell me (6 days post op) she knew what I was going through because she just had a root canal. I wanted to smack her. :-)
Even though everyone's healing progress is unique to them, it does help to have a support system and read what others have gone or are going through.
May I add you as a link from my blog?
sure! I will add you on mine, as well. Thanks for the reply :)
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