Best wishes Brandy!

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#61 Post by **kate0310** » Sat Jun 02, 2007 8:26 pm

Brandy- from my experience...

I never asked about straws, but I started using them once my wounds were securly closed up...so about 3.5 weeks...but im not sure the actual rule. I LOVE using straws, no mess all over my face!

Sleeping: I slept on my back for 5 weeks, and then started to go on my side. My surgeon said the upright thing is a personal choice depending on how I feel my swelling is.. I certainly still swell more the flatter I am- but its my choice. I am more sore after sleeping on my side, but I do get a better sleep.

My stitches came out in the second week. And yes, I still have trouble tightly closing my mouth on the back molars- I was told thats all just the swelling getting in the way.

Im sure this is different for everyone, but hope that helps

#62 Post by **Brandyleigh35** » Sat Jun 02, 2007 9:51 pm

Thanks Ladies!

I have sorta been sleeping on my side, I have a tempur-pedic pillow and things feel pretty ok, if I put my rice bag underneath the jaw part to support it. It is just so hard for me to sleep on my back, I hate it! Don't think I can do 5 weeks of it that is for sure!

I recall that I'm not supposed to use a straw, and truthfully I can drink out of a cup pretty well anyways, but sometimes a straw is nice, like if I'm drinking a frappacino. Oh well....I will suffer til my next post op appointment on the 13th and see what my doctor says then.

Glad to hear Kate that closing my mouth completely is not just and issue for me. I can open to about 25mm now, so I guess I'm progressing quite well for only being 9 days post surgery. I'm going to wait a few more days and then attempt to start bike riding again.

Brandy

#63 Post by **anabel** » Sun Jun 03, 2007 9:20 am

I remember my stitches coming out fairly soon; seemed like every time I brushed after the first week or so there would be a stitch in the sink. I also remember not being able to close my teeth all the way for a long time. In fact it's only been in the last few months that my teeth have met the way they are supposed to. The OS overcorrected my open bite (on purpose) and it took a while for everything to settle. My ortho says the back molars aren't quite touching and that's the way he wants it.'

Speaking of, anyone else have a similar treatment? Where they left you very slightly overcorrected?

#64 Post by **Delag** » Sun Jun 03, 2007 2:51 pm

Brandy - I just have to say that you look amazing. Your face looks so much more balanced now. Have you noticed how much bigger your eyes look?

#65 Post by **Brandyleigh35** » Sun Jun 03, 2007 7:17 pm

Thanks Delag,
And you know what? I think you are right. I have really been looking at the changes a lot. Of course I'm rather focused on my swelling, especially through my sinuses, but when you said that I went back and looked again and your right. My eyes seem huge! You can actually see them now, as opposed to them sorta hiding! That is kindof cool! I've been thinking that I look a bit different but couldn't really pinpoint what exactly the change was, other then a short looking nose, and a chin. The assymetry does look better though and makes my eyes look so much clearer. Thanks for noticing that! So far, I'm thrilled with my results. If the ortho works goes as well as the surgery then it will have been a phenomenal success for me.

Hey I have a question for all of you. I seem to have noticed a wicked little pop in my jaw joint on the right side. It doesn't hurt, but if I push on it, it feels like it pops. Has this happened to anyone else?

Brandy

Sun Jun 03, 2007 7:37 pm

Yes, Brandy's eyes now look large and luminous--but I'm not sure why. What, precisely, has changed in her facial bone architecture that renders that particular optical effect?

Also, Brandy, is there any particular reason you haven't asked your Doc for a prescription for a more long-lasting painkiller that can help you sleep thru the night? I assume there's something out there that's good for 7 hours.

You look good--the only way I know there is still significant swelling is because you say there is--otherwise you look pretty 'good to go' to me.

#67 Post by **Brandyleigh35** » Sun Jun 03, 2007 7:50 pm

Hey Beauty,
What I think is that that short distance the Maxilla was moved out has opened my eyes up. I think with the chin it has changed the focal point and shadowing a bit. Making my nose look smaller, and my eyes look bigger. That is my take on it anyway.

AS for meds, I have Roxicet I could take, but Narcotic pain relievers don't work for me. They make me tired for about an hour then I wake up and can't sleep at all. They also don't make the pain go away, and make me groggy and hungover for the whole next day so I prefer not to take them. I'm going talk to my os tomorrow about banding my teeth shut at night. I'm just about positive that my pain is strictly muscle pain from overuse. I'm probably talking way too much, and eating could be making my mouth more tired too. Hopefully the doctor will have some suggestions.

This is probably going to sound crazy, but the whole thought of banding my teeth together sorta freaks me out. I mean I know most people have this done, but it just seems like it would put more pressure on my already fragile jaw bones. I know....I'm weird!

#68 Post by **kate0310** » Sun Jun 03, 2007 7:59 pm

Brandy, I totally sympathise with what you wrote about pain! Its EXACTLY how I felt...nothing excrutiating but just the constant ache that you cant escape. You describe it perfectly.

For me, Torodol worked MUCH better than advil. Might be work a try, just taking one before bed to catch up on some sleep.

Your going to suddenly have a day without pain and be like wowww so this is what its like to not be in pain!

#69 Post by **Brandyleigh35** » Sun Jun 03, 2007 8:55 pm

Ahhhh Kate,
That makes me feel so much better. Actually today may have been that better day you describe, after I posted my dying post!

I went most of the day without any medicine today. I took 3 Advil around 5 and things have felt pretty ok today. I got out and took a walk today and that helped me feel so much better!

Hopefully tomorrow will be so mcuh better! Is toradal perscription? or OTC? I will definitely check it out! Thanks!

#70 Post by **kate0310** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 6:08 am

Oh glad to hear!!!

Torodol is a prescription- and its basically a "super advil". The only thing with it that I found, is you MUST take it with a meal or it will likely be hard on your stomach. Otherwise, its just like taking advil but better. I hate taking things for sleeping that make you groggy the next day, so that's why this was my thing of choice if I needed to get a better nights sleep.

#71 Post by **iheartmypanda** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 6:13 am

Hey Brandy!

I remember being at your stage... not fun! I'm 5 weeks post op and although it's not too far (like I can't chew for instance) it's far enough that it's all feeling like a distant memory!

The rule is no chewing and that's really not as restrictive as it sounds! You seem to be healing really well and probably don't need to blend your meat up anymore. At around the time that you are at I got SICK of liquids and started eating normal food cut up into small pieces I could mush with my tounge a bit and swallow whole. So I eat lots and lots of pasta, chicken, rice, hamburgers. All soft stuff. Boost has juce boxes of 3 differnt juice flavours (juice- not milkshakey stuff- actual liquid non milky juice!). I honestly think this is the best invention since sliced bread as the stuff tastes good!

What I did is ate whatever the heck I wanted (again, lots of pasta!! whee!) and drank boost juices for nutrition. They're little juiceboxes and awesome for on the go! I think I'll always keep some around in case I don't have time for breakfast!

As for the sleeping and such, your jaw is screwed (ha ha ha ha!). Seriously though, it is screwed and it's not going anywhere! Bands are for dealing with the muscles not the bones.

So go ahead and sleep how you like and use a straw if you want (the rule I was told was to wait 2 weeks- you have to leave the incsions some time to heal).
Basically do whatever you want as long as you're not in danger of hitting your jaw (ooowwww). It significantly helps recovery to get back into the swing of things when you feel ready. For me this was 4 weeks.

The one thing to consider is discomfort! Swelling will last longer if your sleep low on your side. It was the sacrifice I had to make to finally get some sleep!
Meds work terribly on me! (lucky you! at least advil gave you some relief!)
Since you're way before week 3 I really suggest asking your doc for some coedine. It was the only thing that worked! Basically I took two at night before going to bed (11pm or latest 12am) and pretty soon I was asleep!
It helped me to sleep upright the first two weeks (cannot do it unless I'm drugged!!) and I would go zzzz until as late as 2pm the next day!
Which would put me in a struggle to get all my nutrition in but it was soooo worth it because all that sleep after surgery felt sooooo gooood!

I really wish they would have given me another prescription after week 2! Sleeping upright is hard! And the pain is still bad!

Since you're only 11 days post op I do recommend sleeping upright if you can (again, ask for coedine!) because it really helps with the discomfort and swelling.
Something that should help if you don't have it is a neck pillow (like they use in airplanes). With all the swelling and screws your head will feel heavy and a neck pillow gives support wherever you are and keeps your head upright. It makes a huge difference! I could only sleep upright with my neck pillow. Then my head could tilt to the side if it needed to.

Ok so I wrote a book! I'm gonna go but I hope something I said hepled you! (I also got "the works" done)

Have a great day! It gets better from here. It always does.

Mariana

#72 Post by **Brandyleigh35** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 1:31 pm

Thanks Mariana,
Yes that was helpful. I sent an email to my OS asking him many of these same questions today also, so I will see what he says.

As for eating, my muscles are too sore and tired right now to do much chewing. Even moving my tongue around too much makes me achey. Swelling is really coming down though, and last night, I relented and slept on my side. Got some sleep but still not a ton. I'm going to try the neck pillow you suggested tonight. Perhaps that will make a difference.

Thanks again for your detailed reply!

Brandy

Mon Jun 04, 2007 3:38 pm

Are the jaw muscles tired from being pried open for the several hours of surgery? Or from being pulled forward as, and when, your upper and lower jaws were brought forward?

Wondering if mandibular setback leaves the lower jaw muscle less sore than mandibular advancement--unless the soreness is from the jaw being propped open for the surgery.

#74 Post by **Brandyleigh35** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 12:29 am

I don't know either, but I do know my lower was only advanced 4mm and my jaw muscles are SORE! I'm sure it mostly due to the fact that they were stretched so far, but man it is really annoying. The only thing that really makes things feel better is exercise, If I walk for 20 minutes I'm good to go on no pain for over an hour. Any kind of movement really helps me a Lot. It's strange but it works.

#75 Post by **Brandyleigh35** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 1:13 pm

Yeah, I'm sure that has got to be a big part of it. Its like I know but, but I think it is just really incomprehensible to me that my jaw was held open to the extreme for 6 freaking hours! I understand, but don't really get it...know what I mean?

Anyway....I gave in and took a Vicoden last night. Got 6 glorious hours of sleep. Woke up, took 3 advil, and got 6 more hours. I can't believe how much better I feel today! Man I was so tired! I don't feel hung over either so that is a big plus. Not being a drinker, or someone that ever even takes pain relievers, I have zero tolerance for the after effects of drugs. I would almost rather suffer with the pain, then deal with that groggy hung over feeling (I know I'm weird that way) Anyway....I feel great today and the pain does seem to be settling down a bit. My recovery seems like it is running about 2-3 days ahead of everyone else. Most people said by day 14 they were starting to notice a big difference so I figured mine must be coming soon. Today is day 12 and things feel substancially better so that is really great! I was so ready for it!

Brandy