Hi,
I had SARPE last October and am still wearing the expander and now braces also.
It was a bit daunting when they fitted it in my mouth, lots of saliva and it covers much of the roof of your mouth. 3 days and my mouth and saliva got used to it.
The surgery was fine, my nose area was the sorest (I couldn't feel where they cut). Its more a swelling discomfort then a pain. Like when someone hurts you in the face and how if feels about 2 minutes later....you know its happened but its the pressure you feel afterwards. I swelled most in the nose region/mid cheeks.
I felt very tied, wanted to sleep a lot in the 3 days post op. Swelling peaked, uncomfortable. Then it stated to go down. Smile is week, and I had a big long stitch under my nose to control the widening of nostrils. This pulled a little if I tried to laugh, its takes 2 months to dissolve. Surgeon said to me "no comedy shows for a while". Again its not super painful, its just there and you can feel it. It takes a few weeks to get your full smile back, but rest assured it all comes back fully.
Turning the expander does not hurt...sometimes felt tight but no pain. Your brain expects pain but there is none. My husband turned mine...no way I could do it. I think a still have a small lisp sound when I speak (with expander in) but no one else notices it. Slow down your speaking, it will come out clearer...especially at the start!! First night I hated the expander...but you adapt very quickly. The Saliva will calm down, just give it time.
Post op - can take 6 months for full feeling in gums to return. I can feel my teeth but my gums are still numb. This is a good thing also, you don't necessarily want to feel straight away! The expander stays in so no relapse...6-9 months (most are 6 max).
When the feeling is returning in your skin (around the areas close to nose, cheeks) it can feel like its raining inside your face (like it appears on a window when its running down) I just iced for this. Ice block in a towel or ice pack, it relieved the funny feeling in my face. The first few days, Ice ...sometimes before I was due to take some Endone, the ice helped very much for any uncomfortable feeling and gave me relief to allow time for next batch of drugs. I have a new found respect for Ice
If you want any more info or advise just reply and I will answer what I can. Try not to let it worry you too much, always easier after the fact, but it just make you feel way worse...keep getting advise like you are and remember you will feel pressure on your face when you wake up and there are drugs available to keep you comfortable.
I'm having double jaw surgery next and I actually feel more relaxed about it since having the SARPE procedure. I think its because the pain can be handled. It is a big procedure, don't get me wrong, but follow doctors orders and you should be right.
) in particular the recipe section as I love my food and I'm worried how I will cope on a liquid diet, I can easily feel faint while teaching if I don't eat, it's very demanding. I'm 9 and a half stone so am happy to lose the half! But not too much more. Have a load of running kit like you Jaime and my intention is to get fit before/throughout this process. My friend has just been diagnosed with very invasive breast cancer and has her surgery in two weeks to remove breast, then chemo AND radiotherapy, so I could join a 'Race for Cancer' run somewhere in the country if only I didn't live so far in the sticks. I'm from Northern Ireland but my husband is a forester and we're in the beautiful west of Scotland where there are more trees.