how to mentally prepare yourself?

Message

#31 Post by **LemnzestManatee** » Tue May 19, 2009 9:06 pm

What helped me get through my surgery was (I know this will sound a little bad) thinking about how much attention I'll be receiving. You'll be pretty helpless the first few days, so your family will probably be on your every beck and call. (my parents gave me xmas bells to ring if I needed something)
Not to mention when you return to work/school, people will be really nice to you because they'll feel sorry for what you had to go through. Especially if you're someone who kind of fades into the background like me, all the attention is nice. Unless you're someone who hates attention. Then you'll hate all of this. xD

#32 Post by **descantus** » Wed May 20, 2009 3:36 am

I think it's equally important not to forget to mentally prepare for the long recovery process aswell. Right now it's hard to see past the surgery and first night itself (obviously v important), but once that's done how are we going to deal with things on day 4? (when all the surgery adrenaline and meds wear off) as so many people seem to hit a big downer then, or day 8 if the swelling is still going strong and the endless soft foods and brooding on our own thoughts are driving us mad. Planning for these situations now should help us cope if/when we encounter them.

In summary, plan for the worst, but expect the best!

#33 Post by **changes09** » Wed May 20, 2009 5:09 am

All the attention! lol! I like that. Between kids, school,work and housework I definetly feel like I fade intot he background. So a little attention, and someone taking care of me will be nice.

I'm trying to prepare myself for the swelling, not being able to swollow well, and breathing out my mouth. I tried breathing out my mouth for practice, and it's so irritaiting! But I guess if you dont have a choice you get over that quickly.

I already hav emy list going for things I need. This payday I am going to buy the bulk of my things. Zip n squeez products, baby food (mostly banana lol!) ensure, boost, and a second blender becuase my first one is a cheap-o one and it will be getting a lot of work.

#34 Post by **Esoteric** » Wed May 20, 2009 9:52 am

That's the one thing I am looking forward to for surgery, buying protein shakes. Some people don't like the chalky taste but for some reason I love it

#35 Post by **changes09** » Wed May 20, 2009 10:18 am

I love the banana and vanilla flavor!

Wed May 20, 2009 7:12 pm

mmmm chocolate flavored, vanilla and strawberry flavoured!!! I lived off the choco and vanilla flavor for the first few days after my wisdom teeth extraction!

i'm def looking forward to all the attention. It will be nice:D a bit of TLC is always good for you especially if you just went through surgery:D

#37 Post by **LemnzestManatee** » Thu May 21, 2009 7:16 am

The protein shakes my dad got me were alright tasting. He just got me regular vanilla, but I'd mix it with whatever ice cream flavor I wanted, and created a 500-calorie milkshake. So if anyone here doesn't like the taste of their drink, try mixing it with ice cream to add more flavor to it.

#38 Post by **plate** » Thu May 21, 2009 9:03 pm

hi hi, i'm new around here and i'm going for genioplasty in less than a month! very unfamiliar with all the terms here since my orthodontist hasnt told me much (on top of me not wanting to know too much because i think i might get freaked out).

orthodontist told me recovery would be just 1 month, but seems like everybody around here has a far longer expected recovery time! what has your orthodontist told you about recovery?

now i'm starting to get nervous... ...

#39 Post by **iBorg** » Thu May 21, 2009 9:11 pm

Genioplasty is much less involved than orthognathic surgery. While the surgeon may be the same, modifying the chin is much less involved than jaw surgery. That is why your recovery would be quicker.

Mike

#40 Post by **plate** » Fri May 22, 2009 3:28 am

oops! wrong medical term. heck with confusing med terms! in anyway, i've got a protuding lower jaw.

Fri May 22, 2009 7:29 am

spam spam spam wrote:hi hi, i'm new around here and i'm going for genioplasty in less than a month! very unfamiliar with all the terms here since my orthodontist hasnt told me much (on top of me not wanting to know too much because i think i might get freaked out).

orthodontist told me recovery would be just 1 month, but seems like everybody around here has a far longer expected recovery time! what has your orthodontist told you about recovery?

now i'm starting to get nervous... ...

Welcome aboard!
I don't really know what geniplastry is so I don't wanna give a definite answer to your question but I'm assuming recovery would be shorter but it would also depend on the person, their health etc. Best of luck with your surgery! Try to think positive and take it one day at a time, that what I'm doing.

#42 Post by **Lingualita** » Thu May 28, 2009 1:14 pm

I love reading the replies on this thread. It makes me calm, and it's so relieving to have those "on the other side" to answer questions to us that are coming after you. You deserve

all of you

From what I've read here it seems like some are actually more concerned about the recovery than the actual surgery. For me, it's the complete opposite. I feel that as long as I've waken up, I can take a deep breath and know that it's finally done. I'm not having surgery in at least 6 months, maybe as much as a year, but I can just imagine how freaked out I must feel right before the surgery. Although this is something I've wanted for years and I know I'll probably love the result, I kinda freak when I think about the actual surgery. Anyone else feeling like I am?

#43 Post by PJ » Thu May 28, 2009 8:50 pm

Lingualita,

It's totally normal to feel freaked out before the surgery--I gave myself permission to completely freak out 2 days before, then I felt a lot calmer the night before, and I was even joking and being silly just before they wheeled me away. I think you'll feel best once you resign yourself to the fact that you know you are not going to run away, that it is going to happen, and that it will be over before you know it. I couldn't believe how quickly it happened and had to keep reminding myself that it was finally over, and that all of that stress was for nothing. Like you, I just wanted to wake up. I think I am glad I didn't spend a lot of time worrying about the recovery--otherwise I might have chickened out.

Seriously, it's not all that bad, but it won't be fun--just realize that in a few months you'll probably forget about all that stress and other uncomfortable stuff. [/b]

#44 Post by **Lingualita** » Fri May 29, 2009 11:41 am

Thanks PJ. Your reply made me calmer. I've saved what you wrote on my computer, so I can read it whenever I feel worried

#45 Post by PJ » Fri May 29, 2009 5:23 pm

Yay! Something I've said was useful.

You're very welcome, Lingualita!

Metal Mouth Message Board

how to mentally prepare yourself?

less than a month!

Re: less than a month!