michelle,
i went to the bar for a meal and to hang out with friends...the bouncer takes the ID, looks at it forever, stares back at me, scans it...surprise! it scans, its REAL...then goes back to staring and then in a rude tone says, "so this is you?"...i smiled realllll big with my gappy smile and said yes, but with a broken jaw, took my ID from his hand and walked into the bar...i think im gonna need a new pic when this is done, not only do i have a babyface in my ID, which i do now, but not as much, but also, the bottom half of my face is going to look somewhat different and I'd have to keep mine until 2012 too! dont worry youre not alone!
Ill let you know how the OD goes tomorrow AM!!! i want braces ASAP!!!! i cant wait, thats how dorky i am...
lisa
SARPE Surgery
Moderator: bbsadmin
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chipmunkcheeks
- Posts: 206
- Joined: Wed Jul 11, 2007 3:59 pm
- Location: Long Island, NY
brace day=soon!!!!
hey michelle and ward,
well i went to the ortho to check everything out and he said i was ready to begin braces!!! yay for me! i will start on the bottom, get braced and then have my left lateral incisor removed. when my top jaw is more stable, he will put on the top braces, i venture that will be a few weeks later, probably after my friends wedding, which im in...though, the OD seems to believe that most of the gap should be closed by then on its own as it is doing a pretty good job on its own. so i went to make an appt at the front desk for seps and then braces and they were like well we can do the spacers now...and i was like SWEEET!! that means braces sooner than later. so bottom brace day will be the first day of school...sept 4 with tops going on at the end of sept i think...woohooo!!! i feel like i am getting somewhere with spacers in at least...i will have clear braces top and bottom, by the way...anyways, they went to tell me how to care for the spacers and i was like, i already had them, PLUS, hello, jaw surgery...i still cant eat anything good and i have to cut everything up, she laughed and let me go, i didnt need the speech...anyways, im so happy to get somewhere with all this!! i cant believe that im saying this...i cant wait for braces!!! (we will see how im doing on sept 5, though...
)
hope all is well...lisa
well i went to the ortho to check everything out and he said i was ready to begin braces!!! yay for me! i will start on the bottom, get braced and then have my left lateral incisor removed. when my top jaw is more stable, he will put on the top braces, i venture that will be a few weeks later, probably after my friends wedding, which im in...though, the OD seems to believe that most of the gap should be closed by then on its own as it is doing a pretty good job on its own. so i went to make an appt at the front desk for seps and then braces and they were like well we can do the spacers now...and i was like SWEEET!! that means braces sooner than later. so bottom brace day will be the first day of school...sept 4 with tops going on at the end of sept i think...woohooo!!! i feel like i am getting somewhere with spacers in at least...i will have clear braces top and bottom, by the way...anyways, they went to tell me how to care for the spacers and i was like, i already had them, PLUS, hello, jaw surgery...i still cant eat anything good and i have to cut everything up, she laughed and let me go, i didnt need the speech...anyways, im so happy to get somewhere with all this!! i cant believe that im saying this...i cant wait for braces!!! (we will see how im doing on sept 5, though...
)hope all is well...lisa
Lisa,
That's so exciting about the braces, congrats!! I find that each little step makes me feel so much better. So I know exactly how you are feeling. I found the braces to be a little tough the first week, the inside of my mouth was pretty sore the next morning when I woke up. It's amazing what your body can adapt to. I still use wax on the back right side but other than that, things are good. I still can't wait to get this expander out. Yesterday (friday) was my half way point. 3 more months to go!!
Ward,
How are you doing??
Michelle
That's so exciting about the braces, congrats!! I find that each little step makes me feel so much better. So I know exactly how you are feeling. I found the braces to be a little tough the first week, the inside of my mouth was pretty sore the next morning when I woke up. It's amazing what your body can adapt to. I still use wax on the back right side but other than that, things are good. I still can't wait to get this expander out. Yesterday (friday) was my half way point. 3 more months to go!!
Ward,
How are you doing??
Michelle
Ward and Lisa,
Just wanted to show you and updated pic of the "gap". It's closing slow but sure. It just amazes me how fast my other teeth are moving.
I hope all is well with both of you.
Take care
Michelle
[img=http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/3739 ... wd0.th.jpg]
Just wanted to show you and updated pic of the "gap". It's closing slow but sure. It just amazes me how fast my other teeth are moving.
I hope all is well with both of you.
Take care
Michelle
[img=http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/3739 ... wd0.th.jpg]
![[img=http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/3739 ... wd0.th.jpg]](http://img166.imageshack.us/my.php?image=august26pic21wd0.jpg){kind=link}
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wardenclyffe
- Posts: 45
- Joined: Tue May 29, 2007 9:34 pm
Hello All,
Glad to hear things are going well for everyone. Things continue the same for me. I've got an ortho appt. on Sept. 6. Still have a gap. It may still be closing, but if it is, it's slooooowwww.
My eye teeth have started colliding when I chew, so I have to be careful, but I guess it's a good sign that things are moving.
Michelle, has your ortho told you that it will definitely be 6 months in the expander? You said you were halfway there. I'm hoping mine will come out this month. I can tell I'm not quite ready and I doubt I will be ready by the 6th, but maybe.
That's all I got,
Ward
Glad to hear things are going well for everyone. Things continue the same for me. I've got an ortho appt. on Sept. 6. Still have a gap. It may still be closing, but if it is, it's slooooowwww.
My eye teeth have started colliding when I chew, so I have to be careful, but I guess it's a good sign that things are moving.
Michelle, has your ortho told you that it will definitely be 6 months in the expander? You said you were halfway there. I'm hoping mine will come out this month. I can tell I'm not quite ready and I doubt I will be ready by the 6th, but maybe.
That's all I got,
Ward
Hi Ward,
When I had the expander placed back on May 24, my Ortho told me 6 months. He hasn't said anything differentl yet, so I'm really hoping it won't be any longer than that. I'm actually hoping to have it out for Thanksgiving. Only time will tell, I guess.
My next appt. is on Sept. 11th. It seems like we're pretty much on the same schedule.
Hope to talk to you soon.
Michelle
Hey Lisa,
How are you?
When I had the expander placed back on May 24, my Ortho told me 6 months. He hasn't said anything differentl yet, so I'm really hoping it won't be any longer than that. I'm actually hoping to have it out for Thanksgiving. Only time will tell, I guess.
My next appt. is on Sept. 11th. It seems like we're pretty much on the same schedule.
Hope to talk to you soon.
Michelle
Hey Lisa,
How are you?
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chipmunkcheeks
- Posts: 206
- Joined: Wed Jul 11, 2007 3:59 pm
- Location: Long Island, NY
hi
hey michelle and ward,
im doing well, im pretty much on your schedule as well...ortho on sept 4th for bottom braces...gap is getting much smaller on its own actually, it was 7 mm and now it is only about 3.5 mm, bigger at the gums than the tooth b/c one of my front teeth is crooked..how big are both of your gaps now?? i like to compare for the fact that i havent had braces and you two have, its only been about a month post turning though too, i think im getting lucky with the gap closing so much on its own...i will post some braces pics when i get them...talk to you all soon!
lisa
im doing well, im pretty much on your schedule as well...ortho on sept 4th for bottom braces...gap is getting much smaller on its own actually, it was 7 mm and now it is only about 3.5 mm, bigger at the gums than the tooth b/c one of my front teeth is crooked..how big are both of your gaps now?? i like to compare for the fact that i havent had braces and you two have, its only been about a month post turning though too, i think im getting lucky with the gap closing so much on its own...i will post some braces pics when i get them...talk to you all soon!
lisa
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sauerkraut
- Posts: 573
- Joined: Tue Sep 04, 2007 2:57 pm
- Location: Germany
I came across this site the other day and have spent all evening reading the 44 pages on this topic! I've never met a single adult undergoing corrective dentistry (I'm being treated by my children's orthodontist) so I'm really grateful to all those who've related their personal experiences on here. It's given me a real insight into what I've got to come.
Briefly, I'm a 43-year-old Brit living in Germany, just starting out on palate expansion. The expander is being tried for size next week (I have spacers in at the moment) but will not actually be fixed in my mouth until during the operation, which is on Sept. 27th.
After years of prevaricating I'm glad things are underway at last, but I can't help feeling just a bit apprehensive about the op and recovery afterwards....
Briefly, I'm a 43-year-old Brit living in Germany, just starting out on palate expansion. The expander is being tried for size next week (I have spacers in at the moment) but will not actually be fixed in my mouth until during the operation, which is on Sept. 27th.
After years of prevaricating I'm glad things are underway at last, but I can't help feeling just a bit apprehensive about the op and recovery afterwards....
Welcome Sauerkraut,
I did the same thing when I started out here a few months ago, I read the whole SARPE thread and then some. I have found everyone here so helpful.
I had my SARPE on June 1st. I remember feeling very apprehensive about the whole thing. I second guessed my decision right up until they wheeled me into the O.R.
I have to say, for me, the first 3 or 4 days were tough and the eating was difficult but, I would do it all again in a heartbeat!! Just make sure you have plenty of drinks (water worked best for me) and lots of soft food on hand. I ate alot of cream of wheat (hot cereal) and I tried to drink alot of Boost.
My maxilla didn't end up staying where the O.S. wanted it so I actually had mine wired in for a few weeks so eating was a little tougher for me. I ended up losing 11 lbs. total.
I also see my kids Ortho. My youngest actually still has her braces on so we are kind of going through some things together.
Do you have any other surgeries planned for your future?
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
Take care.
Michelle
I did the same thing when I started out here a few months ago, I read the whole SARPE thread and then some. I have found everyone here so helpful.
I had my SARPE on June 1st. I remember feeling very apprehensive about the whole thing. I second guessed my decision right up until they wheeled me into the O.R.
I have to say, for me, the first 3 or 4 days were tough and the eating was difficult but, I would do it all again in a heartbeat!! Just make sure you have plenty of drinks (water worked best for me) and lots of soft food on hand. I ate alot of cream of wheat (hot cereal) and I tried to drink alot of Boost.
My maxilla didn't end up staying where the O.S. wanted it so I actually had mine wired in for a few weeks so eating was a little tougher for me. I ended up losing 11 lbs. total.
I also see my kids Ortho. My youngest actually still has her braces on so we are kind of going through some things together.
Do you have any other surgeries planned for your future?
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
Take care.
Michelle
Hi Lisa and Ward,
How are you both?
Lisa, did you have your appt. to be braced yesterday? I'm anxious to hear how it went.
Ward, you're going tomorrow, right? Let us know.
How are the gaps?? I've noticed with my powerchain that my gap is getting smaller but, it's making other gaps between the front teeth and the next one over. Don't you just love my teeth identification. I guess I need to look those names up.
So I feel like I have little gaps all over. I go for my next appt. on Tuesday the 1th. I wonder what he'll do next...
How are you both?
Lisa, did you have your appt. to be braced yesterday? I'm anxious to hear how it went.
Ward, you're going tomorrow, right? Let us know.
How are the gaps?? I've noticed with my powerchain that my gap is getting smaller but, it's making other gaps between the front teeth and the next one over. Don't you just love my teeth identification. I guess I need to look those names up.
So I feel like I have little gaps all over. I go for my next appt. on Tuesday the 1th. I wonder what he'll do next...
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sauerkraut
- Posts: 573
- Joined: Tue Sep 04, 2007 2:57 pm
- Location: Germany
Thanks for the welcome, Michelle, and for the food & drink advice. I see you've had your expander in a while now - are you able to eat & talk quite normally now? Hope you're rid of it soon, anyway.
My younger daughter also had an expander and coped remarkably well, so I'm sure she'll be more than willing to give me plenty of tips when the time comes.
Both my daughters are still in braces, so we're going through things together too!
The jury is still out on whether I shall also need surgery on my lower jaw later. I'm hoping to avoid it but will have to wait and see.
Hope all goes well for you on the 11th. I loved the comment "I wonder what he'll do next..." because that's how I always feel, and I haven't even started out properly yet!!
My younger daughter also had an expander and coped remarkably well, so I'm sure she'll be more than willing to give me plenty of tips when the time comes.
Both my daughters are still in braces, so we're going through things together too!The jury is still out on whether I shall also need surgery on my lower jaw later. I'm hoping to avoid it but will have to wait and see.
Hope all goes well for you on the 11th. I loved the comment "I wonder what he'll do next..." because that's how I always feel, and I haven't even started out properly yet!!
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wardenclyffe
- Posts: 45
- Joined: Tue May 29, 2007 9:34 pm
Welcome sauerkraut,
Good luck with your upcoming procedure. I was hoping that I could get my expander installed at the same time as my surgery, but they put it in a few days early. Now I'm glad they did it that way. It gave me a few days to get used to the new "normal" before the surgery. My fear is that if I had the expander put in at the same time as the surgery, then I would wake up after surgery and freak out that so much was happening at the same time. I wouldn't know what feelings were coming from the expander and what was coming from the surgery. It probably doesn't really matter, but as much as I wanted (at the time) to have it done your way, I'm glad I had it done the other way. The expander is really hard to get accustomed to and combining that with surgery sounds overwhelming to me.
Food for thought (and that's the only food you are going to feel like putting in your mouth after the expander goes in),
Ward
Good luck with your upcoming procedure. I was hoping that I could get my expander installed at the same time as my surgery, but they put it in a few days early. Now I'm glad they did it that way. It gave me a few days to get used to the new "normal" before the surgery. My fear is that if I had the expander put in at the same time as the surgery, then I would wake up after surgery and freak out that so much was happening at the same time. I wouldn't know what feelings were coming from the expander and what was coming from the surgery. It probably doesn't really matter, but as much as I wanted (at the time) to have it done your way, I'm glad I had it done the other way. The expander is really hard to get accustomed to and combining that with surgery sounds overwhelming to me.
Food for thought (and that's the only food you are going to feel like putting in your mouth after the expander goes in),
Ward
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sauerkraut
- Posts: 573
- Joined: Tue Sep 04, 2007 2:57 pm
- Location: Germany
Yes, my orthodontist was expecting to cement the expander in before my operation, but then the surgeon said he prefers to put it in during surgery himself. Oh well, not sure I care too much either way as I'm expecting the first few days to be pretty grim anyway! I'll get a bit of a feel for what it's like when they try it for size next week I suppose, and then I expect I'll be glad of a few days' grace before I'm finally committed to the thing in my mouth for however many months!
I've got a trip back to England planned a month after the op, by the way. Would like to know the general opinion on whether I'll be up to it - especially as we were hoping to book a family meal in our favourite restaurant. I shall have to cover myself with plastic sheeting and slurp soup in a corner, by the sounds of it!
I've got a trip back to England planned a month after the op, by the way. Would like to know the general opinion on whether I'll be up to it - especially as we were hoping to book a family meal in our favourite restaurant. I shall have to cover myself with plastic sheeting and slurp soup in a corner, by the sounds of it!
Hi Sauerkraut,
I would have to agree with Ward. I had my expander placed 1 week before my sugery. If that hadn't been done, I think it would have been pretty tramatic. Maybe your Ortho could let you get used to it for a few days and then take it out right before surgery. Just don't cement it in.
Your question about eating and talking normally?? Absolutely not. Maybe it's me but, I still have a really hard time with both. The speech has gotten better but, I still have a really hard time pronouncing words correctly. When I talk alot my tongue gets really raw and sore. The eating it just a pain. I eat alot less than I used to. It's just more work, trying to get the food out from above the expander. I also feel like I can't get the swallowing rhythm down without being able to put my tongue to the roof of my mouth (which is what you would do normally while trying to swallow.)
I mean, you'll get used to it all. It's just a nuisance though! I have to keep telling myself it will all pay off in the end.
I think you'll be fine for your trip to England. Pace yourself. By that time, you'll know what your up to eating. Just order accordingly.
Talk soon.
Michelle
I would have to agree with Ward. I had my expander placed 1 week before my sugery. If that hadn't been done, I think it would have been pretty tramatic. Maybe your Ortho could let you get used to it for a few days and then take it out right before surgery. Just don't cement it in.
Your question about eating and talking normally?? Absolutely not. Maybe it's me but, I still have a really hard time with both. The speech has gotten better but, I still have a really hard time pronouncing words correctly. When I talk alot my tongue gets really raw and sore. The eating it just a pain. I eat alot less than I used to. It's just more work, trying to get the food out from above the expander. I also feel like I can't get the swallowing rhythm down without being able to put my tongue to the roof of my mouth (which is what you would do normally while trying to swallow.)
I mean, you'll get used to it all. It's just a nuisance though! I have to keep telling myself it will all pay off in the end.
I think you'll be fine for your trip to England. Pace yourself. By that time, you'll know what your up to eating. Just order accordingly.
Talk soon.
Michelle