Been reading this thread as best I can (39 pages! ) and it seems that SARPE is really not that much a big deal. So they bring you in, frying pan to the head, chisel chisel, chop chop, stitch stich and away. (ok, slightly distorted view ) Apart from the obvious discomfort and swelling and problems with food, is it that bad? Do you actually need to be in the hospital long at all? I thought it would be a bigger deal- unless you are are just handling it extremely well
OK, so I started turning yesterday. Four times a day! So far, so good. No pain. A little tightness. A little popping and crunching when I'm turning. I'm doing four times a day for a week and then I see my orthodontist again. She said if I couldn't handle 4 times, that I could do it only twice, but like I said---so far so good.
I had my SARPE surgery on June 1st. My OS said I wasn't able to hold my jaw up after surgery so he ended up having to wire it. The first few weeks were tough but I'm feeling much better now. My wires were removed on the 15th and I definately feel like I can move my mouth a little better. I'm still having trouble chewing things. I do better on one side. I think I'm still a little nervous to put the pressure on my jaw. It has finally stopped clicking. After 20 turns, my ortho says I can stop turning. My gap feels HUGE and I feel like I am always putting my hand up to my mouth to cover it when I talk to anyone.
I'm still a little swollen and my stitches are still in. I get my upper braces on July 11th. I can't wait! I hope it closes the gap fast!!
I have read every page in this thread... thank you all for the info. and the hope!
I am supposed to have lower jaw surgery at some point but, I have already told my ortho. that I'm not sure I want it. Maybe I'll feel differently later on.
Has anyone noticed that one nostril is bigger than the other? I suppose it could be from the swelling still but things look a little crooked to me. I have an appt. with my OS on Thursday to have him check it out.
Hope to chat with you all soon! Take care!
I have read all of your posts...now I'm wondering how you are all doing? Brandy, Mia, Kate, Selims, D.M., Boriqua, Joplin, mic26. I know it's been a while since you began but, for people like me, I need to know the outcome was well worth the pain and aggravation I am going through now.
I hope some of you still check the site.
Her blog links to a number of other sites and blogs set up by some of the other members you want to hear from. You can read all about their progress there.
I had my surgery a few days before you. I have not had nearly the complications that you have. I finished my turning over a week ago. I turned 32 times. It only took a week and a day turning 4 times a day.
My stiches had clearly outlived their usefulness and they were annoying. Just the other day, I went in with tweezers and pulled out what was left of them.
My gap does not seem to have changed much in the week and a half since I stopped turning.
I go in tomorrow and start with the braces process. I don't know if I will get the whole deal, just my bottom teeth or what.
Hi Ward,
Thanks so much for your reply.
I was wondering how your eating is going? I'm still only able to eat soft foods. I try to chew but, it's almost like I'm hitting a nerve or something. I get pain in my front teeth and sometimes my mouth (jaw) shakes. Weird!!
I have some stiches hanging, I have an appt. tomorrow with my OS. I'm going to see if he will take them out.
I can't wait to hear how your braces go.
I stopped turning last Thursday and I don't think my gap has closed at all.
Talk soon
I'm still on soft foods. Mostly noodles and applesauce. I don't own a scale, but I've clearly lost weight (I could afford to drop a few).
I don't really have pain eating---and never did. It's just weird. It's like having a loose tooth, only it's a loose mouth.
I had a weird nerve thing in my right jaw for a little while after my surgery. Kind of like they implanted a funny bone in my jaw. It didn't last too long.
Another thing that keeps me on soft foods is that my bite has changed so much, I don't trust it anymore. It's like I'm eating with someone else's mouth.
You are clearly suffering from more temporary nerve damage that I had. But I do expect that it is temporary. All my quirky nerve things and numb areas seem to be clearing up. You have more that needs clearing up, but I expect it will.
All I got today were spacers and not braces. Hopefully, next week for those. So my mouth feels like it just ate prime rib. I only wish my stomach felt the same way. I think I'll have some more apple sauce.
Hi Ward
I'm sorry to hear about just getting the spacers, I hope your not too disappointed. It does always feel like a hurry up and wait game.
I saw my OS today, they clipped some hanging stitches (which actually hurt quite a bit, she kept hitting a nerve and now my right ear is killing me.) Aside from that, he said things are looking good and I don't need to see him for another month. They tell me it's normal that I'm having trouble eating still.
I did manage to eat some small pieces of a cut up hot dog tonight and some baked beans. I'm getting pretty good at swallowing things whole.
Well, my family and I are headed to Maine for the weekend. Should be interesting eating out all weekend. I haven't ventured out to try that yet.
I sure do wish I could have a nice prime rib like the one you spoke about. Mmmm. Hopefully soon. On a positive note, I've had more guilt free ice cream than I've ever eaten. I guess losing 10 lbs has it's benefits.
Well, keep me posted on how you are doing. Enjoy the applesauce!
Just checking in to see how you are doing? Our weekend was wonderful. I did pretty well with the eating. Lots of chowder and a nice broiled haddock meal. Everything went down okay.
How was your weekend? When is your next Ortho appt?
I'm doing fine. I might be able to see my ortho this week, but probably not until the 11th.
I'm still pretty much on pasta, applesauce and oreos saturated with milk. It's possible to eat other things, but these are less of a pain and I don't have to deal with the aftermath of trying to dig the aftermath out of my expander.
Hi Ward,
Any luck getting in to see your Ortho. this week? My appt. for my upper braces is on the 11th so, we may be going on the same day. Did you say you have lower braces already?
Well tomorrow is 5 weeks post op and I still feel like my jaw isn't mine. I find it really hard to explain to people. I don't think they understand why I'm still having trouble chewing. It gets discouraging watching people eat.
These horrible stitches are still hanging on, UGH! The OS told me that the stitches he uses when operating at the hospital tend to stay in a while.
Hi Ward,
I haven't heard from you in a while, I hope all is well. The BIG ortho. appt. is Wednesday morning. I'm anxious to get the braces, hopefully I'll feel the same way after the appt.
Hopefully I'll here from you soon.
Take care.
) and it seems that SARPE is really not that much a big deal. So they bring you in, frying pan to the head, chisel chisel, chop chop, stitch stich and away. (ok, slightly distorted view 
) Apart from the obvious discomfort and swelling and problems with food, is it that bad? Do you actually need to be in the hospital long at all? I thought it would be a bigger deal- unless you are are just handling it extremely well 
Is this an American thing?