Metal Mouth Message Board

I'm not trying to garnish sympathy from you or anything, but I will be essentially going at this recovery thing alone. I'm going to try to stock up as much as I can and I'll have someone to take me to the hospital and back home, but that's pretty much it.

Just wanted to see if anyone else was in this situation and what it was like for you. Thanks!

-George

I feel for you, I've not had surgery yet, and my usually ultra-supportive mother is dead against me having surgery, and has told me I am not to call her to help after the surgery, as she thinks I don't need it (various medical professionals, from orthodontists and dentists, to an ENT specialist and a neurologist have all said I do haha).

I will be coming here for a lot of support, hopefully you'll find it as welcoming a place as I have thus far, though it's early in my journey.

Good luck with everything!

funkyrhodes wrote:I'm not trying to garnish sympathy from you or anything, but I will be essentially going at this recovery thing alone. I'm going to try to stock up as much as I can and I'll have someone to take me to the hospital and back home, but that's pretty much it.

Just wanted to see if anyone else was in this situation and what it was like for you. Thanks!

-George

You'll be fine. In a way, that's an advantage because you won't have to worry about being presentable and no one will see you drooling tomato soup down your chin all over your shirt. As others have said, you're not in much pain, you're just numb, but you're still totally coherent.

Ha...KarlClay's always brings both truth and humor to the situation. And the humor part is something I bet everybody feels helped in their recovery.

I totally understand having the parents against you. At first mine were not supportive at all, but I finally had enough courage to talk to them about it and told them I **needed** their support. I've also done the same with a couple of close friends. It is amazing what may happen if you be honest and ask for people's support. I know it isn't fair, but many people are simply never going to understand this type of surgery, and especially those close to you because they simply don't recognize the issues you are dealing with. My advice is try to overlook that, because you're likely never going to change their preconceived notions. But regardless, if you tell them you need their support, my guess (and hope) will be that they'll be there for you.

If your support network is lacking, of course there is this message board which will help tremendously, but may I also suggest perhaps starting a blog? I started one and I personally have found it very therapeutic. Also if you are genuinely worried about the immediate post-op period, look at hiring a caretaker for 3 to 5 days during the really rough part. If you went that route, certainly please do your due diligence and check references, company reputation, etc...

Funny you should mention that, I already did:

http://adventuresinortho.blogspot.com/

I told my mother that I am getting this surgery, and that I need it, because it WILL cause health problems later, and already is starting to (migraines, TMJ problems, problems chewing, etc).

Luckily I have my boyfriend, and his family, who have all been really supportive...to the point that his sister bought us a Magic Bullet for Christmas haha. But I think my mom will come around once she realizes what I'm getting done.

In the end, support or no support, the whole works will be worth it in the end!

I already have TMJ, teeth worn out, pains in the neck, etc. Two years ago I chickened out when I heard I needed this surgery. And to think of doing that and recovering all by myself (I live abroad) was not a pretty thought.

Now 2+ years down the lane my fiancée gave me the guts to go for it. I am having the treatment abroad and will have the surgery there too (where I will immigrate). So I won't be alone and family will be around.

The problem is... lots of fun loving relatives that make me laugh I will have to tell them to stay out

So the answer is, no, I would not like to go through it all by myself and spending those gruesome recovery weeks all by myself.

emilio wrote:The problem is... lots of fun loving relatives that make me laugh I will have to tell them to stay out

Laughing will be painful the first few days, but rom what I've read, it doens't cause any long-term damage, and actually helps the muscles re-learn their purpose! So no need to go it alone!

I had my surgery right before Thanksgiving and while my mom and other family came and helped me for the first two days at home and my boyfriend came over for the next two, the rest of the week I was alone at my request (the bf went out of town for thanksgiving and mom went back home to her state). I just had everyone help me prepare so they went to the store and got me lots of supplies, my daughter went to her grandparents and took the dog so I wouldn't need to worry about walking him in the cold so it was just the cat and I and I was so relieved to just be able to sleep and make a mess of myself. I got loads and loads of text messages and a few people stopped by to make sure I was doing well, which I was except for the eating part. For the first week I was only eating about 300-400 calories a day so I was extremely weak and I fainted and almost hit my head in the shower. Being alone at that moment was pretty scary, but avoidable if you can make sure you eat well enough and get your zip n squeeze bags early (I just couldn't get food down with the syringe). Once mine came in the mail I was much better off and finally started consuming enough food and all was well.

To sum up that long paragraph - recovery can be done alone safely and enjoyably, just make sure you eat enough and have enough food and supplies so you don't need to run to the store at first and of course make sure you have a ride home from the hospital!

chicago29 wrote:Also if you are genuinely worried about the immediate post-op period, look at hiring a caretaker for 3 to 5 days during the really rough part. If you went that route, certainly please do your due diligence and check references, company reputation, etc...

I, too, will be going through the recovery process alone. Speaking of hiring a caretaker for 3 to 5 days, how can one go about doing that? I've been thinking about hiring a caretaker, but I just don't know how/where to start. Do I call up an agency? Do I post an ad online or something? Do I ask some body? No body I'm acquainted with or know of understands this kind of surgery. Anyone has any suggestion?