February!!!!

[Rebelda]

I finally got a date!!!!!!
Drumroll please: February 3rd!!!!!!
That's 2 weeks from now!!! Wooooooooooooooot!!!!!

Final procedure: 2-pc lefort and mandibular setback.

I cannot wait!!!!!

*yes, I am ecstatic*

btw, I already have hooks and my brackets are wired in!

[changes09]

I am so excited for you! I am also enlisted in the Navy. I have been in for about 4 years now. I am getting my surgery done in Rhode Island by DR. Monzon. Oh, and I am also getting a class three underbite fixed. But where you had crowding I had gapping.

[switchblades]

Congrats! February 3rd is pretty close, good luck!

[Beth85]

That's fab news!!! Good luck hope all goes well for you. My surgery is Feb 25th so won't be far behind you.

Beth xxx

[funkyrhodes]

Awesome! Mine's on the 27th. We should have a thread (maybe this one) so all the February patients can convene and cry on each other's shoulders!

[Esoteric]

Congrats, time will really fly by for you now. Make sure to post up some great pics . Good luck

[Rebelda]

Thanks people! Yes I was hoping that all of the February dates can use this thread to communicate. I have a friend who has already been through surgery about a month ago so I have her to give me some advice. I also know a coworker who is having his surgery on the 27th of this month. Granted, they don't have braces and their issues were more because of TMJ and crossbites, but they are pretty darn close to what I'll be going through. I have already been comparing their procedures to what my OS is doing. I still don't know exact numbers, but I'm sure I will find out on the 29th when I go in for my Pre-op. I am not nervous yet, but I'm sure come Monday that will change. The only thing that really concerns me about this whole deal is the sinus issue. Is there any advice anyone can give about preventing sinus trouble?

What other issues are you concerned about???

[chicago29]

Thought I'd throw my post in here. I'm scheduled for a SARPE and MSDO on 2/4/09. Yes, I'm nervous

I think everybody knows what a SARPE is, but an MSDO is basically a "SARPE" for the mandible. I was blessed with both a narrow UPPER AND LOWER jaw. So, I am going to have expansion devices on my upper and lower jaw. I get them put in on 2/2, so we'll see how that goes. Honestly, if it is completely unbearable I may change things up and say we're doing these expansions one at a time! I'm hopeful though that things will be OK and I'll adjust...just like everybody else has on here.

Anyway, glad to see all the other February troopers on here. Look forward to sharing experiences.

[Thathrill]

wow that is exciting. cgrats. pretty soon everything will be on its way.

[blindboarder2008]

congratz on getting surgery dates and good luck to all the feb people!!!! hope your surgeires go well and you heal nicely and don't have to many complications!!! i'll be the may crew of people who are having surgery!

[blindboarder2008]

congratz on getting surgery dates and good luck to all the feb people!!!! hope your surgeires go well and you heal nicely and don't have to many complications!!! i'll be the may crew of people who are having surgery!

[Rebelda]

No matter how much you think you are ready, there is no preparation for what this feels like. I am 2 days out of the hospital and man, am I swollen! I am wired shut with a splint in.....and...I had a lingual frenectomy. I have a lot of stuff going on--so many wires going in and out of my teeth and jaws. I have some feeling in my face, but very little. Drinking is a chore, but it is my only source of nutrition. The meds are overly sweet and gross. I am currently on Children’s Motrin and Amoxicillin for swelling. I am also taking Afrin twice a day and saline spray as needed. The schedule is slowly panning out, as it takes me forever to eat a meal and they all seem to run together. I am amazed at what I see in the mirror, I didn’t know my face could swell that much! I know that it gets better, but it’s hard to keep yourself in that mindset.
My boyfriend is being a sweetheart, telling me that I’m beautiful, even though I can’t stand to look at myself right now. I have basically been on my own since I left the hospital because everyone is working. I left the hospital the following day because I couldn’t stand being strapped in and out of that IV to go to the restroom. Anyway, I’m kind of all over the place, I know, but just wanted to give all of you an update. I am doing okay, just taking things day by day. That’s the best advice I can give: take things day by day.

[Skitters]

Rebelda - Congrats on getting through your surgery! I know exactly what you mean by not being prepared for what it's actually like afterwards. You're almost throught the worst of it. After the first week, everything got a little easier for me and I'm sure it will for you too. Hang in there!

[chicago29]

Rebelda - Congrats on being on the other side and rest easier knowing I am right there with you, and probably lots of others we don't even know about!

I couldn't agree with you more. I was super prepared (and am so glad I was), but preparing and experiencing are different things. At least I know what to expect for the next one...

Best wishes on a continued recovery and maybe we can have a race on the swelling. I am on warm heat now and let me tell you that helps and it feels good too! But you swell back up the minute you try and stay somewhat active...

[phil]

Rebelda,

There is a lot of wisdom in one sentence from your post:

"Take things day by day."

That is the thing to do. If you do that, you will be just fine.

I sure do remember the gross medications. EWWW. Yes, you have my empathy on that one!

Remember to get plenty of rest, stay hydrated, and move around a little when you can. Keep using that ice regularly for now as well, to help with your swelling.

Be well, and at peace,

Phil