After 2 Surgeries Braces Are Now Off!!!

[chillin-in-grilz]

Holy freaken cow!!!! That surgery must of killed!!! Wow on the swelling pics. I couldn't recognize you. Amazing results to my eyes. Are you happy? Was 2 surgeries worth it?

[Brandyleigh35]

Kate,
I would tell you Orthodontist how you are feeling. I read a study, and my ortho also supported it, saying that research has shown that after having orthognathic surgery, that people who are in braces for longer then 6 months afterwards can become very depressed. He said that it is pretty much standard practice to try and get people out of them within that 6 month window. You have been through a lot, and I think you should communicate with him your frustration and expasperation with the ongoing adustments. Let him know you are about at your breaking point. Perhaps he can do something to speed things along.


Brandy

[katemm06]

Hey There,

So sorry to respond back so late but thanks for all the positive comments and support . Things have been crazy busy for me!

The latest update is that I went to the Ortho yesterday and I asked him for a time frame for when the braces could come off. I told him that it has become a tiring experience for me to deal with all of this. Having two surgeries, elastics, and braces for over 2 years is a lot. What he told me is that if I promised to wear the elastics all the time for the next 6 weeks he would take the braces off!!!!!!! We shook hands on it. I admitted to him that I was not wearing the elastics during the day b/c I was feeling self-conscious. So what he did was push the two elastics further back in my mouth using different hooks so now no one can see them (why couldn't he have done this from the start??) At night he also wants me to wear an additional elastic that goes across from the left to the right side in the front of my mouth and is somewhat uncomfortable. He said my midline is still off slightly but it's not horrible. I don't think it could be completely perfect anyway, nothing ever is.

So the appointment was made for the 2 hour braces removal for June 26, which would be just under 6 months from my January surgery. I don't know if he would have been as willing to take them off if I had not said anything but at this point I need things to come to an end. I honestly cannot deal with braces and elastics anymore. It never totally becomes a routine thing. I do plan on wearing the elastics for the next 6 weeks as best that I can b/c I still would like to see the midline be corrected as best that it can be. I was also scheduled an appointment for two weeks after that for my retainer which will be the removable kind.

It is so nice to know that there is an end in sight
I also saw my oral surgeon a week ago and he said that everything looks great. He advised me to stay in braces till the end of August so that I don't have a chance of relapse but I'm not telling my ortho this. A whole summer in braces and elastics is not doable to me. I guess I'm willing to take my chances!!
I was also quoted a possible 4 years before the occasional drooling totally stops for good. I hope it's sooner than that!!!

That's it for now! Sorry to make it so long!

[katemm06]

I do understand your concern. The thing about my ortho is that he is a very capable doctor, a man of few words but extremely talented. He has worked with my os on numerous occasions and they both think highly of each other. My OS always makes these kinds of statements when I see him and then when my ortho calls him about it he reverses himself. I think he gets nervous and just wants the best outcome for me (he's also a little hyper). I do not think my ortho would do anything to jeopardize my treatment. I've seen how meticulous he has been with me in the past. He has worked on my family too with great success too. So I will see how it goes in June at the debracing appt. If my ortho feels strongly that I should keep them on I will definitely consider what he is saying. But until then I plan on getting these off for good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[katemm06]

So on Monday I had a ton of difficulty getting the elastic in on the one side of my mouth. I had to keep stretching really wide the corner of my mouth. Later that day it became irritated. Now it looks like I have a cold sore!!! It's all dry and cracked and it hurts. Can you get this just from stretching your mouth open??????

It looks so bad. I started using Abreva last night but I'm not sure if it's helping. Any tips??? Please!

It hurts everytime I put the darn elastic in b/c I have to stretch so wide too. This stinks!

[katemm06]

Hey Kiwi,

Actually the sore/blister is on the outside, right at the corner of my lip. Taking the elastic in and out is the problem b/c the plastic tool I use keeps rubbing against it. I wish I could just speed up the healing! The other side is fine.

I guess Abreva is the only thing I can use at this point.

[katemm06]

I am soooo excited and happy
My braces came off today!!!!!!!

My orthodontist felt that I was as ready as I ever will be. The midline is slightly off but he said that it is something that only me and him will notice and he didn't feel that anything more could be done about it.

I absolutely cannot believe how great I look. I keep looking in the mirror thinking it is someone else. I can't believe these are my natural teeth! No veneers or anything..Wow! He said he is going to use my case in an upcoming dentist conference to demonstrate the drastic changes.
Two and a half years of waiting for this day to come. Both he and my oral surgeon did a phenomenal job.

I get my retainer in two weeks. This journey has finally come to an end! There is still some numbness/drooling but it was definitely worth the two surgeries to get results like this. I will post pics soon! Thank you to everyone for the positive support. This has been such a great and informative site

[Miss Smiley]

COngratulations on coming to the end of that journey!

[katemm06]

Thank you Miss Smiley. Best wishes with your braces too!

I posted the updated pics on my link below. Hope you like!