January 2010 Buddies

[crazybeautiful]

Gah, reading blogs from after surgery is making me freak out about not being able to breathe with a splint in my mouth and my nose no doubt scabby and stuffed up

I'm not nervous about anything else but this

[enigma]

Has anyone else been for their pre-op appointment already? Mine is scheduled for christmas eve seems abit pre pre-op (surgery Jan25th) lol if you ask me but hey ho going with it....Im going to sign my consent form then too so its all getting pretty exciting xxx

[OhioM]

Has anyone else been for their pre-op appointment already? Mine is scheduled for christmas eve seems abit pre pre-op (surgery Jan25th) lol if you ask me but hey ho going with it....Im going to sign my consent form then too so its all getting pretty exciting xxx

I already had my final OS consult, where he explained the details of the big day and we signed consent forms. I still have to the hospital and have all the bloodwork, EKG, ect.... and I can go anytime in the last 20 days before surgery.

I am very excited, but my parents are here for Christmas and they are just not going to let me discuss this whole OS thing. They are ignoring it all, and even though I have brought it up in passing several times, they desperately change the subject. What's up with that? My guess is that they think this is ridiculous and just don't want to accidentally say something to offend me. I could use a little family support, ya know?

I am so thankful for this forum and feel so darn prepared for this whole process, despite the lack of family support. I am not looking forward to the first post -op week, but excited for the end result.

[lfwood]

I could use a little family support, ya know?

Most definately. I hope they come round for you. I guess sometimes it is hard for people to get their heads around the whole 'need' for surgery. My sister just had abdomnioplasty (tummy tuck) and my Dad wasn't very supportive cause he thought it was a bit elective cause she is a bit lazy. Dad seems to understand my surgery a bit more though and the need for it.

Remember - We are here to support you too (insert group hug Emotion)

I haven't had my final OS consult it is on the 5th of January. I am going my normal dentist on the 4th to get my teeth all cleaned up ready to go. I have had some of my surgical hooks on now for a few months and it is really hard to clean my bottom four teeth - well even harder than before.

[crazybeautiful]

I had my pre-op yesterday. Since I'm young and fit and all that (not so fit, but still, young! ) I didn't need the EKG etc. I just had my BMI checked, blood pressure and pulse taken, checked my lungs, etc, then went through my medical history. I was only there for 20 minutes. I then had to go and have some blood tests taken, which was also quite uneventful.
I was told that a dietician and hygienist will come and see me after my operation too, which I'm glad about.

I won't meet my surgeon again until the day of the operation, when I will sign the consent forms, etc. It's a bit different here in that your surgeon comes to you and works along with the orthodontist, rather than seeing them seperately. So I already met with him at my local hospital with my orthodontist last month to go through the procedure. I've had all my final measurements taken, and on the 6th I need to pop in to see my ortho and make sure my splint fits. Then it's ready for the 12th

I think I mentioned that I've been told numerous times my surgery date is likely to be cancelled. Anyway, I asked the nurse at the pre-op and he seemed quite surprised by this and said well it's all set for the 12th, and your surgeon doesn't really have many cancer patients to deal with anyway.
So I don't know if my ortho and surgeon are just trying to lessen my disappointment if it does get cancelled for whatever reason or what. But then it seems to be a case of making the situation worse by telling me this, when it doesn't really need telling. Do you know what I mean? I'm very confused by the whole thing. And very on edge because I can't just relax about it when I'm waiting for a cancellation call or letter all the time.....


OhioM- sorry your family aren't really behind you. I think in most cases it is through fear of the unknown, and they're more worried about it than blase. I suppose if you try and make it clear to them it is for health, and explain that side of it they might come around.
Certainly my family are supportive, but they don't really fully understand the whole thing. Nor do they know how much of a big deal it is for me to live with my jaw the way it is now. It has bred insecurities that they don't really know about.
So, this is why I'm here; this board is informative, and most of all we all understand what it's like, so we can help eachother out. Here's hoping your family comes around, and your surgery goes great

[chicago29]

Wow...I can't believe there are so many surgeries in January! Last week I visited my OS to get his opinion, and we took molds. I'm waiting to hear back from him, but my guess is I'll be ready very soon. In my mind I'm thinking March as I need a few weeks to get my life in order for surgery.

Anyway, I look forward to hearing everybody's stories on the other side. I wish all of you the absolute best, and here's to a quick and uneventful recovery for you all!!

Best Regards
Chicago29

[crazybeautiful]

Aah, I wish you were ready for the surgery in Jan too chicago, since we both had SARME too (and a bit extra in your case ). You're certainly going at a faster pace than the rest of us SARMIEs did, though.

Cheers anyway- I'm still just amazed I'm nearly having the surgery, but I've been ready most of my teenage life for it

[enigma]

Woo hoo it all went fine.
General health check some bloods taken and I signed consent forms and had some xrays which I was thrilled with the difference from braces!!!
Am really getting excited this time next month I will have a face like its gone 10 rounds!!!! but I dont care!!!
Hope everyone had a lovely christmas and stocked up on calories lol
Happy New Year to you all lets hope its a good start for us all xxx

[crazybeautiful]

Just thought I'd bump since we're officially in January now

If my surgery will get cancelled I'll be informed of it soon I think, so it's a critical period right now where I'm dreading the phone ringing! Ugh, it's horrible!

I haven't bought anything yet either (like a blender, etc); I don't feel like I can until I'm closer to the 12th and there's less chance of the cancellation going ahead

[lfwood]

Just thought I'd bump since we're officially in January now

Love this!!! Not long now.

Here is the order of everyone that has posted so far:

riotshield – 8th
crazybeautiful – 12th
ReneG – 12th
lfwood – 14th
ohioM – 20th
swinger04 – 21st
enigma – 25th

Not much else to say right now, have been having weird dreams about the surgery though......

[OhioM]

thanks for putting this together, Ifwood. This should help me keep everyone straight!

[OhioM]

I have one little tidbit to share. I went to the dentist for a cleaning last Wednesday, and with all my flossing I was expecting a stellar appt, but it turns out that THREE of my old fillings have gone bad and I need to get them replaced. So I get to add that to my list of FUN for next week.

Monday is my pre-op at the hospital. Does anyone know if you have to get in a gown for that? She said it would take 2 hours.

riotshield, how are you holding up? it's getting so close for you!

[crazybeautiful]

I have one little tidbit to share. I went to the dentist for a cleaning last Wednesday, and with all my flossing I was expecting a stellar appt, but it turns out that THREE of my old fillings have gone bad and I need to get them replaced. So I get to add that to my list of FUN for next week.

Monday is my pre-op at the hospital. Does anyone know if you have to get in a gown for that? She said it would take 2 hours.

riotshield, how are you holding up? it's getting so close for you!

In my letter it said 'you may be there 2-3 hours'- I ended up being there for 30 minutes, and then a bit longer for seperate blood tests.
The basics are; height/weight/medical history/heart rate/breathing

But you may perhaps have to have an EKG (depends on your age and your health, really), but nothing that you might have to change into a gown, etc. I just wore a thin t-shirt so they could take my blood, and measure my pulse, etc, without having to remove any items of clothing!
Also I seem to have read on here that some American women have to give a urine sample as a pregnancy test. Here in the UK I was simply asked if I was pregnant and about my period, so maybe you can get round it in a simple way too, but that's just an FYI anyway (unless of course you're a man in which case you shouldn't need to worry )

So really, not too bad. If you don't need anything other than the basics, you won't be there very long. I think they write these estimates to encompass everything they could do, but usually don't

Also sorry you have to have new fillings! I've been lucky to never need one, but I imagine as with anything like this, it's not exactly fun

lfwood- another thank you. The thread is great!

[enigma]

I could use a little family support, ya know?

Abit late but sending you some support Ifwood. I think it can be strange for families they love you for you and dont often dont see your imperfections bless them!!! My brother while supporting me through this is still baffled he thinks I look lovely without!
I think you just need to focus on you and be as kind to yourself as you can over the whole process you know why you want it done and remain focused on what you hope to achieve.
As someone on here has said nobody knows how these wonky jaws effect us and you must do whats right for yourself. Be strong and believe in yourself xxx

Lol and on a last note an Irish saying "Always Paddy last" and its true Im Irish so Im the paddy last to have surgery eek......its so great having this thread thank you to everyone of you for all your comments its cool xxx

[lfwood]

Abit late but sending you some support Ifwood

- Thanks enigma, but that was actually OhioM that didn't have the support of their family.

My family are on board. I hope my two little boys don't freak out when I get home. Hopefully I will get some quiet time from them......