First Dental Cleaning

Yep... so last Thursday I had my first dental cleaning since surgery. It was difficult with the braces... but I felt good knowing that my teeth were getting some TLC! I can't wait to have another after my braces come off. I'm worried that the braces may not be coming off as soon as he said they would... how long does it take to close two slight spaces??

2 Months Post Op

Nothing much to report:

• eating pretty much everything now- only exceptions are very hard crunchy foods like tacos, whole apples, etc.
• numb spots remain unchanged but are not bothersome- right corner of mouth and same area of chin, as well as inside right side of mouth.
• other people do not notice my swelling but when I compare the left side to my right, the left still feels like there is a hard pocket of swelling along the jaw line. When will this go away?
• Next ortho appointment is in late August when he will be deciding when the braces come off. There is a space between my two front teeth which is difficult to see unless you look specifically for it because the surgical hook hides it.
• Next post-op appointment with surgeons is in mid-September.
  

I hope everyone is doing well!

Big News.... (~6 Weeks Post Op)

My orthodontist has informed me that these braces can come off in AUGUST!! I'll recap the appointment...

He sat down and looked at my bite and said it looked great and how good of a job the surgeon did. I told him that I was tender on my left side and had more swelling there. My tissue on my left side had started to grow over the last back bracket (which my surgeon saw at my last appointment, but just to make sure to clean well back there). My ortho removed that bracket and things already seem better. But, that tooth is in "cross-bite". He said that he doesn't want to put me through more than is necessary just so he can say that my teeth are technically perfect, so he said he would just let that tooth stay where it is. That sounded fine at the time, but I've been thinking... this is my 2nd time in braces and I went through that surgery and pain, etc for a reason... I want things to be perfect. I'm going to talk to him again and make sure that if that tooth is left the way it is, that I won't have issues with bite or pain. Since I started thinking about all of this... I've noticed a few more "imperfections" that he didn't specifically mention to me. I want to make sure all of these things are taken care of before the braces come off, depsite how much I want my teeth brace-free!

So, all that considered, I'm hoping by the end of September... you will see these teeth naked again!

You may think... "3 months post op and she gets her braces off?!" Well... its only been about 6 or so years since I had braces the first time, so there wasn't much work that had to be done even pre-surgery. I wasn't even expecting it to happen so soon, though. My ortho had always told me that 4-6 months post-op would be the time frame...

If you saw my last entry... I was really nervous about getting a new wire put on because of all the yanking. He didn't even want to change the wire afterall. He said that even changing a wire can move the teeth and he did not want to do that. I was relieved... but these surgical hooks are killing me and apparently can't be taken off unless a new wire is put on. He gave me some more rubberbands and said to only wear them at night instead of 24hrs.

Thats about all that happened... I drove there and back the same day (5 hrs each way), and since nothing was really done... I'm so glad he gave me such good news to make that long trip worth it.

I've graduated to soft-chew foods! Tonight I went to a local seafood restaurant. Enjoyed actually CHEWING (instead of tongue-ing) blackened amberjack, their famous cheese grits, and black-eyed peas (can you tell I'm in the South?). Its a weird feeling. I've gotten so use to using my tongue, its almost easier that way. I've also accomplished cheese, scrambled eggs, and a soft cookie.

I have not had any pain. Its so strange... I can only be thankful that either a) I was just lucky and nothing went wrong during the surgery, b) my surgeons were great at what they do, c) my age helped me recover quicker, or d) all of the above. I'm just thankful for whatever reason(s) it was.

Question for post-surgery friends: Were your teeth tender? I can tell it is not the type of pain from the actual surgery... but possibly just from the teeth contacting in such a new way. Anyone else?

Here are 6 weeks and 2 days post op pictures =)
You can still see more swelling on the my left side. The scar on my right side is also still there. Hopefully it will eventually get smaller.

Don't Touch My Jaw!!!

So tomorrow (actually... its midnight now so I guess I should be saying "today"), is my first post-op orthodontic appointment. I'm not too fond of the techs there, but I continue because I'm pretty sure the docs know what they're doing. There is always so much tugging and yanking... not a good image right now!

On a good note... I'll have the all clear for soft chewing on Friday! It sounds strange but, 6 weeks really flew by. During my 1st post op week, I couldn't believe it when others said how fast the time went... but, its true. Didn't mind the liquid/soft food one bit once I got past the things I could only eat through the Zip-n-squeeze (which is a great thing to have but doesn't make food too appetizing). Also didn't mind losing the extra weight from my early college years! =)

Holly, you are looking great! You had to go through so much during your surgery; its just amazing how fast you're recovering! I know you're thinking I'm crazy because it doesn't feel like any change (I know the feeling)... but its true!

I still have this pocket of swelling on my left side that's probably only noticeable if you look for it. My surgeon said that there is usually always one side that lags in recovery. I look pretty normal except for when I smile... pretty chubby cheeks still and shouldn't be considering the weight that I lost. Swelling is stubborn.

I'll have an update soon about my appointment and hopefully some pictures. Wish my jaw some luck with those techs!

29 Days Post Op

I apologize for how long it has been since my last post! Also, for the poor quality of the pictures... I couldn't find my camera so I used the webcam. I had been delaying taking pictures for so long and I couldn't let myself procrastinate any longer.

Anyway, I had my second post op appointment on the 9th. They were very pleased with how I am healing and with my bite. I'm still unclear as to why I have only TWO rubber bands (thats all I've ever had). I was always under the impression that my mouth would be full of them (not to mention in addition to a splint that I never had!) Oh well, I won't complain! They didn't do another X-ray, which surprised me. My next appointment is in two months. My first ortho appointment is in one week. I'm somewhat nervous about it... they always have to jerk my mouth around to get the wires in right, and often break a bracket in the process. My mouth is really small so it makes it difficult for them to place the wire in the back molar bracket. Ahh, I really don't want them messing around with my jaw this soon. I will be so glad to get these surgical hooks off. Will they come off this soon since I only have 2 rubber bands? The surgical hooks on my bottom front teeth have made what seem like permanent holes in my bottom lip. Not pleasant.

I'm on a no chew diet for about 2 more weeks. But I've been able to "tongue-chew" and swallow fish, lasagna, baked potato, and cheese cake to name a few. I actually really haven't minded being on a soup diet. I definitely suggest Matzo Ball Soup... the broth is great and the matzo just melts on your tongue. It might be too much to cook on your own while recouping.. so either cook them beforehand and freeze them, or ask your friend or family to help you :)

I seem to have a heightened sensitivity to sugar (my HR goes up), so I was happy to find the premade Carnation chocolate no sugar added breakfast shakes! (I believe they are made with splenda.) If anyone has the same problem look around for those.

I think most of my swelling as gone down. I can still tell where the swelling remains, but I don't think many others can. I can't see the incision on my left side, but the incision on my right is still slightly inflamed and noticeable.

I'm already counting the days until these braces come off and I can whiten my teeth! I use to have pretty healthy white looking teeth but... having multiple Starbucks locations on campus and off have had quite a toll! I couldn't stay awake through my morning physiology lecture without a latte. It will also be nice to look closer to my actual age when I am braces-free! I've always looked younger than I am (20yrs), but in the past year another college student told me she thought I was in middle school... and most adults assume I am in high school. Oh well, I figure I will enjoy looking young while I do, even if I DO look like a middle schooler :)

My weight has been going crazy. I've lost about 9 or 10 lbs... but it shifts every day! +1lb, - 2lbs, +2lbs. My body must still be storing everything I eat because its not like I am eating big enough meals to account for the daily weight change. I really want to stabilize; I needed to lose that weight anyway (the college pounds were starting to add up). Hopefully my metabolism will speed up once I start to be more active ("Body, I'm not starving... I promise!!")

I hope everyone is doing well! Especially Holly! By the way Holly, your boyfriend sounds absolutely wonderful! Hang on to him! Mine has not yet gotten to such a good caretaker stage haha. Of course, he was not with me directly after surgery... and if you don't see it first hand, you just can't understand.

Heather, I hope your recuperation is going well!

KP, if you have any questions... let me know. Good Luck!!

Hope everyone has a beautiful Father's Day!!

15 Days Post Op

Its been a few days since I have updated, so I'll recap:

First Post Op Appointment- They were pleased with how I looked (bite and incisions). For some reason it felt like I had 4 bands in my mouth, but there were actually only 2! Which she replaced and showed me how to in case I needed to before my next appointment (June 9th). I'm pretty confused as to why I only have 2 bands. All the people who I read about before surgery had a mouth full of rubber bands. I'm hoping this is OK. She also showed me my X-ray. She told me that if everything looks good at my next appointment, then she wouldn't see me for about 5 more months. If thats the case, I will request that a copy of my records me sent to me at that time so that I can put up that X-ray!

Since then, nothing has really changed. The swelling seemed to go down SLIGHTLY, but this morning its back again. I'm more swollen around my neck and chin today. I'm just hoping its because I haven't been sleeping as upright as I should be recently... and not an infection or problem like that.

Heather (or any other post-surgery friends), do you have what feels like a hard "pocket" of swelling near your jawline? Its been like that since the swelling was down enough for me to feel the area. I'm hoping its just normal swelling.

I haven't taken any pictures since my last post, but I will hopefully take some tonight and post later.

I've been able to open a little wider; its so weird to feel like you are opening to a normal extent, then look in the mirror and it only be a little wider than the width of a finger! Can anyone tell me why this is affected by surgery? I would think that since the joint isn't actually manipulated that after the swelling was down you would be able to open normally. Why does lengthening the bone affect how wide you can open for so long? Is it muscular?

My mom thinks maybe I've been doing too much lately (talking, errands)... but I feel like I've barely done anything. As a whole, I feel perfectly normal. So its difficult to tell myself that I'm NOT normal yet, even though I feel that way. I'm home for the summer to heal and just be at home for a while before I head back for Fall semester.

Heather was saying that she has been feeling those "waking up" sensations of the nerve; I have not been feeling any. Somewhat worrying... but even if my sensation doesn't come back at all, its not terrible. I've pretty much already gotten use to it anyway. The only thing is when I have a drop of food or drink on that area, I don't notice it.

Heather, were your stitches on your cheeks the dissolving kind, also? Are they still there? Mine are. I'm not really sure how long they are suppose to remain there. I haven't felt my incision stitches coming out yet like you have. I can't believe you are still having pain. Its so strange how different this surgery can be for people. I hope that your pain/discomfort quickly goes away!!! My surgeon never even mentioned physical therapy. I wasn't aware that it was an option for this type of recovery.

Oh, one more thing. Every since surgery, I have been coughing like crazy. At first I just thought it was because my throat felt so raw and beat up. My throat doesn't hurt anymore, but I'm still coughing and having to "clear" my throat all the time. Has anyone else experienced this? I was on antibiotics for a sinus infection before surgery, then antibiotics after surgery so hopefully that cleared up anything. And since I don't have any other symptoms, it shouldn't be a virus...

Guess thats all for now. I'll try to get those pictures up soon.

10 Days Post Op

First off, good luck to Holly tomorrow! You'll do great! We're all thinking of you!

Tomorrow is my first post-op appointment. I'm curious to see how many rubber bands they put on me. I only have 4 right now (2 on each side), and they aren't really noticeable at all... especially since I can't smile too wide yet. Will they do molds? Seems strange to not allow me to chew, but do molds that have to be ripped off and tugged like crazy. Maybe just X-rays? I'm also going home tomorrow (5 hour drive). I had the surgery where I'm in school because there is a "top" hospital here associated with the university and my orthodontist's office is just down the hall from the surgeons. Apparently this proximity allows them to communicate well (though I have not seen any evidence of that.) I really ended up liking my primary surgeon and the resident who was involved in my surgery (met about 3 before I met the one who would actually be doing the surgery). One thing I remember about surgery, my primary surgeon was there when I was brought to the "pre-surgical area." As soon as she saw me she, she asked if I was ready and gave me a hug. It was comforting.

Surprisingly enough, I feel practically like my old self. Granted, this was my first day out and about (did a little shopping and a few errands), but I really feel great (knock on wood). I
NEVER expected this. I was expecting the worst, so that if it wasn't that bad, I would be pleasantly surprised, and if it was, I would be prepared. I thought I would still be sleeping constantly, unable to speak, and in pain. I'm happy to report that that is not the case.

My swelling seems to be at a standstill, but it basically just looks like I've had my wisdom teeth out now. The bruising has gone down almost completely on my right side, but still remains on my left side and top of my neck. The numbness hasn't changed. I'm not sure when/if it will, but I feel lucky that its only a small part of my lip and an area of skin on my chin and cheek. I was so worried about my whole lip being numb.

I still feel like I have an overbite, but as long as my teeth are in a correct "bite", I don't really mind if I still have that look. Its definitely better than it was. Aesthetically, I might have benefited from a genioplasty, but thats just more healing that I would have had to do, so I'm ok with the surgeons' decision not to do it (Which is what I was hoping for in the first place-- not to do it.)

New foods: chili; yogurt with a spoon instead of through the zip-n-squeeze; ice cream in its true form, not melted or thinned with milk.

Hope everyone is having a great week! It was a beautiful day here :)

Day 10 Pictures










My eyes are still puffy too.