Getting braces in a week! Advice?

[bluegirl]

I would rather that people look at me and think "she has braces" than look at me and think "she NEEDS braces!"

I love this!

Thanks for everyone's replies & support!! It sounds like it won't hurt too much to get them on but my mouth will be sore for a couple of days afterward. Do I stick to liquid type stuff for the first day or two? Then soft foods...

I have a graduate class 2 days after getting my braces on. Yikes. Little worried about that but I think it'll be okay?? Hmm anyone have ideas on what to bring for lunch? (It's an all day class.)

Feeling better Still anxious but ready to get this process going. Again, thanks for all of the positive words and helpful tips.

[sarahlynn]

Try and work your way up to chewing as soon as you are comfortable with it. I have read on this site that chewing stimulates blood flow, which is a good thing. I did lose about 8 pounds in the first two weeks from smaller portion size (it took me a long time to eat in the first few days), less snacking, and not eating exactly what I wanted. So I was desperately trying to get back into mostly normal eating habits because I wasn't trying to lose weight. I'd say that after 7 weeks I'm pretty much back to normal eating, except for biting directly into things (still can't do that, front teeth are very sore) and eating the really hard things (too scared to break a bracket).

When I brought my lunches to work in the days after being braced I did stick to softer and non-messy things - I was paranoid about getting stuff stuck in them during the work day. So I ate lots of yogurt But now I'm much less worried about getting food stuck since I have my clean up routines down better and am more comfortable with eating overall.

[mary.]

For your class, I would keep it simple and bring soup. When you first get braces, eating normal food is slow going until you get used to it. If you can't bring soup, try a soft sandwich like egg or tuna salad.

I was eating scrambled eggs and toast that evening. I did also have alot of smoothies and soup the first few days, just to make sure I was getting nutrients. Some of my favorite recipes are pureed soups so I didn't mind a bit. My favorites are Roasted red pepper soup and Sweet potato and pear soup - a google search will likely find both for you. Pasta's a good option too.

You'll be eating normal foods before you know it After a week or so, you'll be eating all your regular foods. You just have to cut things up into smaller pieces and you might be chewing a little slower for a while until you get used to things. The only food I don't eat now is popcorn. I'm eating pistashios as I write this, had almonds earlier today and may have chips later : )

Don't worry about things, all will be just fine. Nobody could be more nervous than I was, plus I have a tendency to pass out in medical offices. I found everything to be so smooth and I was on my way home before I knew it. (You'll be fine driving after too, which I think was an earlier question that you had.)