March 2010 surgery buddies

[bb]

Hope your surgeries went well!

[Columbo]

One week post-op and not doing too bad. I was allowed home the following day, which on reflection was too soon. I thought I was ok until I got in the car and began to feel pretty ropey. I've been in bed more or less ever since. I was naive and didnt realise how much an op of this size takes out of you. Probably cos I've never had one!
I'm still pretty numb around the nose, cheeks and top lip, but I'm getting a lot of tingling which I believe is the feelings coming back. As the numbness subsides I'm becoming more aware of, what I imagine must be the incision holes on the inside of my gums. Still pretty comfortable pain-wise however.
One thing I am a bit concerned about. On my bottom jaw, Either side of my chin, I have a half golf ball sized swelling. This is particularly odd, as I only had top jaw surgery, so I done really know why I would have swelling down there. Could it be poison gathering? Blood perhaps? I hope it goes because it looks a little bizarre.
Hows everyone else?

[Audra]

Welcome back Columbo. Sounds like you are doing well. Hopefully things get better each day for you. The swelling on your lower jaw does sound odd considering you only had upper jaw done. Have you called your OS?

[Columbo]

Yep, feeling better all the time. Obviously I still look like I've been hit in the face with a large cantaloupe, but in terms of energy, no probs.
The lumps either side of my bottom jaw seem to have gone down a bit this morning, but now one side has a largish yellow bruise. Why would I have a bruise down there I wonder? The lumps make me look like a non-threatening Godfather.
I'm actually seeing the ortho [and I believe, the surgeon] this afternoon. If they dont sort it out they'll be sleeping with the fishes!

[Audra]

You know, I think what you are experiencing is just a matter of fluid drainage - and gravity, which is why you have bruising lower down. I've seen pics of people who have had bruising right down to their chests. I guess it's gotta go somewhere.

I like the non-threatening godfather visual.

[Columbo]

You're absolutely spot on, that's exactly what it is.

Just got back from the ortho and she's delighted with the results, and my progress.
She says she may need to apply some loose bands at my next appointment, just to finish the job off. Other than that, everythings coolio!

[Audra]

Awesome!!! Glad to hear your ortho is happy with your progress.

And I feel pretty smart now

[bb]

Great to hear your recovering nicely!!

[rainingfordays]

Had my surgery on Tuesday! It went really well, and I'm feeling good under the circumstances. Hope everyone else is healing.

[Columbo]

Nice one. It's great to know it's over isnt it? Big phew!!

My biggest problem now is the numbness. They told me there was no nerve damage, so I suppose it's just a matter of time. It has got better but the roof of my mouth is still completely numb.

Oh, and while I've been laid up my legs appear to have turned into mashed potato. I walked to the toilet earlier like Elvis on crack!

[Davide]

I made it! I'm on the other side.
I had a couple of complications and my surgeon decided to keep me in the hospital a couple of extra days. I'm just returning home now, 3 days after surgery. I'm feeling rather yukky, but I still wanted to check in and say hi. I'll write more when I feel better. I hope Hadoudi is doing fine.

[Hadoudi]

welcome to the other side davide. the worst is behind us, only good things to come from now. my surgery was perfect as planned as the surgeon says, and i only had to stay at the hospital 2 days. I've been home for the last 3 and bored out of my mind. i know this is a patience game and to stay positive, i'm trying to do all i can to heal faster.

the patient in the other half of my semi-private room was badly beaten up, apparently they had to take some bone from his leg.. (scary) I thank God my surgery was smooth and uneventful.

[maloccluser]

you guys made it. congrats.

every day will be easier, i guarantee. time heals all wounds. i'll be three weeks post op on tuesday and i'm feeling great.

[DrBlur]

Either at the end of this month or beginning of next month I will be getting some minor surgery done. Can someone help me with what it's called? Basically, my orthodontist told me I don't have enough bone under my teeth (the way he showed me is that the tooth should sit in the middle of a "saddle" of bone, and my teeth are off to the side too much). So the surgeon is going to cut into my gums and shave off the outer bone so that it can be moved (by my expander, which I will get in afterwards).
Has anyone else had this done? How was it?

[Audra]

Congrats to everyone who has made it to the other side!

Davide - what complications did you have?

Hadoudi - looks like things went very smoothly for you. After having had a few surgeries in my life, I can totally relate to being bored silly while recovering. Hang in there. Time will fly.