Here i go again, plate removal surgery tomorrow morning :(

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#31 Post by **loulou123** » Wed May 28, 2008 1:01 pm

Hey

Seeing my surgeon tomorrow, so hopefully ill know more then. But things are so so at the moment. Pain wise im doing pretty well, swelling is still very noticable on left side. Im praying and crossing everything that its now just residue swelling from the old infection and having my gum cut open again.

Am managing to keep my mood abit more cheerful at the moment, so thats a good step from a mental point of view. (im planning a holiday and thats always cheering!

)

Meryaten-am hoping that the surgeon will say things are looking ok tomorrow, but if not i want a new plan, as this has dragged on long enough now.

Will update tomorrow with news.

#32 Post by **tazzle** » Wed May 28, 2008 3:40 pm

20 more fingers and toes crossed

#33 Post by **cmeyer115** » Wed May 28, 2008 6:56 pm

Got some more crossed for you in NC!!! Hope all goes well

#34 Post by **loulou123** » Thu May 29, 2008 9:31 am

Thanks for all the crossed fingers and toes

Well im back from seeing the surgeon and its good and bad news (isnt it always) at the moment, hes confident that there is no infection in the incision site (YIPEE

) and im managing to keep it all clean and nice. Which is obviously fantastic news. More absolutley brilliant news is that ive been given permission to chew, well try and chew. Tho only very very soft things as i still have stitiches in and its early days since plate removal.

Trouble is i dont know what to chew as my "1st thing". Hmmm. But sure ill find something.

On the bad news side, they are sending me for tests for diabetes etc, as app they think there might be an underlying medical reason for my bad luck, with the infection.

Also there is still something wrong with the left side of my jaw, and they are now trying me on topical steroid cream in my mouth to ry and reduce the swelling. They think that the left over swelling at the moment is a combination of scar tissue and where i am STILL chewing on my cheek. (the chewing has resulted in a thickening of the inside of my cheek,) and the only way he could suggest of stopping me chewing it, if the steroids dont work was to wire my mouth shut for 4 weeks until its healed, as its become a vicious circle. Am REALLY hoping this doesnt need to be done. Could also need another small operation if the scar tissue becomes a problem to remove it, as its near the muscle. (dont really understand that!)

So a mixed bag, some great news and some not so good news. Hsve to go back next week, as they want to keep a close eye on me now.

#35 Post by **loulou123** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 9:25 am

Quick update

Still no sigh of the infection returning

so actually beginning to believe that it might have gone. Tho at same time, cant quite believe it yet

It sounds a good idea about the barrier meryaten, i will ask the hospital about that on thursday, as ill try anything to stop it.

Am finding eating very very hard going, my jaw and teeth just dont seem to be in the "right" places anymore (which i guess to me there not) and its all abit frustarting. Guess thats all to be expected after over 3 months of not chewing tho.

#36 Post by **dubnobass** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 4:25 am

I found re-learning chewing quite difficult - everything moved, and it took ages to get used to, along with the jaw stiffness.

I still find chewing hard, 10 months down the line - I'm OK on the right-hand-side, but I manage to nip the inside of my mouth with the koyabashi (spc?) hooks every time I chew. I have to really concentrate - and 'make' myself use the left hand side of my mouth as my natural inclination is to chew on the right.

#37 Post by **JayC** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 3:46 pm

yea the new bite feels weird. i coudl chew properly... my jaw muscles were also very stiff. itll be A ok within a matter of weeks

#38 Post by **nullalux** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 4:55 pm

Just went to your other site and read your surgery story...oh dear! It seems things are on the mend now, though.

Thanks much for sharing. Hope you continue to heal well.

#39 Post by **loulou123** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 2:13 am

Thanks everyone for the support, meryaten and JayC.

Dubnobass-im doing the exact same, im only considering chewing on the left side (not on purpose) which is even weirder when you consider thats where my stitches are.

But the muscles on the right side are very very tight.

Nullalux-sorry if my storys scared you a few days before your op

although it sounds awful, it really wasnt all that bad at the time. And as im sure youve realised reading everyones stories on here, ive just been one of the unlucky ones and most people dont have half the issues i did.