I am finally getting my expander ---today!

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#1 Post by **badbite** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 6:32 am

After six very long months of waiting, I am finally getting my expander -in three hours.

I can't wait to get these spacers out. Ihave had them for three weeks and they still ache all the time. I am scared, excited, worried, nervous, anxious, happy, and sad about getting the expander today.

Need support.

Oh, and I have a sore throat and I have lost my voice (about half way). Do you all think they would cancel surgery because of a cold? Surgery is scheduled for Friday.

#2 Post by **sauerkraut** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 7:45 am

All the very best, badbite, hope it goes well.

Make sure you get over that cold quickly: I can imagine they might hesitate to operate if it's really bad. After all, you want to be able to breathe after your op!! But I could be completely wrong. Let's hope so!

Have fun getting used to the expander and being free of those spacers.

#3 Post by **badbite** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 10:03 am

Such a relief to have those painful spacers out. The expander is intrusive, but I am feeling better than when the spacers were in. Lots of saliva, and haven't tried to eat yet.

Wondering what have I got myself into........

#4 Post by **crazybeautiful** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 10:57 am

I had it in just 1 day before my surgery so I was ok, but the drooling is definately annoying. At first you'll find eating difficult and annoying, and I'd say also that you will probably feel this way for about a week post op with all the swelling making it difficult to eat even more so, but you'll get over it

On the SARPE thread you'll see most of my posts are to complain about the expander, but finally I've moved on and dealt with it

If you just have a sore throat you should be fine. I was just recovering from a cold and had a nasty cough but thankfully it went the day before surgery.

How much estimated expansion do you need?

#5 Post by **badbite** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 11:12 am

I don't know how much expansion I'll need. I was going to ask the ortho that today, but he was really busy. He worked on me for quite a while, however I couldn't speak of course and didn't get to ask him that. The assistants were clueless. I asked the assistants if I start expanding right away (after surgery), and they didn't know that either. I think the Ortho told me in consult, but I don't remember. He explained so much that day.

Does the OS usually tell you when to start expanding or the ortho?

I honestly do not want to eat any solid food.

I do daycare in my home and all the kids are scared of me now. I just had a dad stop in for a second (he has no idea what is going on in my mouth). He probably thinks I am drunk or something.

My throat seems to be doing a little better than yesterday. I am coughing and congested, but the surgery is still four days away, so hopefully i'll get better and not worse.

#6 Post by **badbite** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 3:43 pm

Hey, I just looked at my expander key. It says 11 mm expansion on the little bag. I am assuming that means a maximum of 11mm -hopefully I won't have to expand that much.

#7 Post by **Brandyleigh35** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 4:03 pm

Yep that's what it means! Mine was the same, I expanded 9mm.

Brandy

#8 Post by **crazybeautiful** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 5:51 am

Looks like you're getting the same expansion as me (my gap wasn't that big though!

). I was supposed to start turning 3 days after the op, but we had a few problems- ie, no one could turn the expander

so I had to instead start turning at 5 days post-op. During surgery your surgeon will probably turn it a few times to activate it, and then you continue a few days later. They'll inform you though, so don't worry about that

#9 Post by **badbite** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 6:22 am

It is hard to belive the next week my jaw will be wider.

Okay this thing is hurting my tooth. The front one it is attached to. I don't know all the names of the teeth. I am hoping the expander is not pinching my gum or something. Only that one spot hurts today. I hope that is normal. It was the tightest spot and hard for them to even get the spacers out. Would that make it more likely to get pinched?

Also, I can't floss around this stupid thing.

#10 Post by **DotCat** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 10:02 am

Congratulations on getting the horse bit... errr.... expander on. Now, the surprising part - they will never remove it anymore! It's not possible. Not even with a hammer and drill... trust me, I tried it.

No, just joking (I hope, since mine is still on, lol).

#11 Post by **Twinjoy** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 12:30 am

I have a question about the expander. I had my molar bands put in and next visit he is supposed to put this metal wire thing across the roof of my mouth. Is that an expander?

#12 Post by **badbite** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 9:43 am

Just a wire is not the same thing. It may be put there to expand your palate/arch a little though. I don't know. Somemone else with more experience will be able to answer better than me.

The expander is an appliance that helps widen a narrow upper jaw. You have surgery and have a key that you turn in the exapander everyday to widen your palate.

#13 Post by **PastorHeather** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 11:15 am

Hey there - I am going in tomorrow for an expander and full braces. As you may guess from my name, I am a pastor and I need to be able to preach by Sunday. Has anyone had trouble talking with all the gear in your mouth?

#14 Post by **phil** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 12:11 pm

Heather,

I'm a professional singer, and all I can say is God be with you!

Can you find someone to fill in for you this Sunday? You are going to find it difficult to talk at first.

I (a grown man) sat in the chair and nearly cried after that thing went in my mouth. I learned to speak pretty well after a while, but I worked at it pretty hard! Also, I had my SARPE surgery the day after my expander was put in, and was recovering for a couple of weeks anyway.

When are you having your SARPE done?

#15 Post by **PastorHeather** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 12:40 pm

Phil - I am having my surgery next Tuesday the 19th and then I have two weeks off. Somehow I need to make it through this Sunday - though I may be able to get someone else to read the sermon. We shall see - needless to say I am worried about it!

Metal Mouth Message Board

I am finally getting my expander ---today!

I am finally getting my expander ---today!

Will I be able to talk?

Trouble Talking