I have that same tight, stiff feeling Izzy. I don't know what the timeline for it going away is, but you aren't the only one wondering about it!
This is my last day off of work and school...I'm ready to go back, I've been so bored!
October buddies
Moderator: bbsadmin
Bill - Its such a weird feeling... kinda like Im hauling around 10 pounds of brick on my face.
I'm pretty bored too but can't say I miss work. I have a little over 2 more weeks off. I have a pretty stressful/demanding job with a lot of talking and the real risk of getting hit in the face by a too happy (or mad) large dog, so my surgeon is making me take it easy for a bit longer than typical. I have a little more energy so hopefully I can at least use that time to get some stuff done now! My cat thinks this is the best thing ever as he gets to cuddle on the couch for hours every day! He is going to be sad to see me go!
I'm pretty bored too but can't say I miss work. I have a little over 2 more weeks off. I have a pretty stressful/demanding job with a lot of talking and the real risk of getting hit in the face by a too happy (or mad) large dog, so my surgeon is making me take it easy for a bit longer than typical. I have a little more energy so hopefully I can at least use that time to get some stuff done now! My cat thinks this is the best thing ever as he gets to cuddle on the couch for hours every day! He is going to be sad to see me go!
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mamaneedsanewjaw
- Posts: 139
- Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2010 9:06 am
I know it's hard, but hang in there. Your "frozen face" feeling is 100% normal, and it seems like it is the last thing to go away. I know I still had it at 4 weeks post-op, and I think it went away mostly around 6 weeks.
In fact, this is probably the thing that kept me from going out. I simply couldn't make facial expressions without it hurting.
Even at almost 8 weeks I still have some of this feeling, but I can make all facial expressions at this point. Once in a while it feels like my upper lip just swells up, even though it doesn't look very swollen.
Just one more part of the process...I guess
-Chicago29
In fact, this is probably the thing that kept me from going out. I simply couldn't make facial expressions without it hurting.
Even at almost 8 weeks I still have some of this feeling, but I can make all facial expressions at this point. Once in a while it feels like my upper lip just swells up, even though it doesn't look very swollen.
Just one more part of the process...I guess
-Chicago29
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ColoradoGirl
- Posts: 150
- Joined: Sun Jan 17, 2010 12:01 am
- Location: Santa Barbara CA
So good to read all of this....makes me feel much less freakish.
But, one topic I haven't seen any complaint about: ELASTICS. Arrrrgggghhhh! It's not only that they hurt, but that they take up so much time to put in. I have 2 back-to-fronts on the 6th tooth; two six-to-six, and two triangles on the front, as well as a central screw-to-hook band. The front ones are fine, but the back ones are such a pain. It doesn't help that my poor gums bleed at more than a slight touch. Anybody else having this issue? Or am I just a total whimp?
But, one topic I haven't seen any complaint about: ELASTICS. Arrrrgggghhhh! It's not only that they hurt, but that they take up so much time to put in. I have 2 back-to-fronts on the 6th tooth; two six-to-six, and two triangles on the front, as well as a central screw-to-hook band. The front ones are fine, but the back ones are such a pain. It doesn't help that my poor gums bleed at more than a slight touch. Anybody else having this issue? Or am I just a total whimp?
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ColoradoGirl
- Posts: 150
- Joined: Sun Jan 17, 2010 12:01 am
- Location: Santa Barbara CA
ColoradoGirl...I don't know if you can chew yet, but one of the best things I did in the blender was a Marie Collander Chicken Pot Pie.
Bake the pot pie, put it in a blender with a tablespoon of butter or margarine, and thin it out with chicken broth. It is quite tasty and FULL of calories.
However, I know what you mean with the food commercials. I swear the 1st 2 weeks after surgery that seemed like it was the only thing on TV.
Bake the pot pie, put it in a blender with a tablespoon of butter or margarine, and thin it out with chicken broth. It is quite tasty and FULL of calories.
However, I know what you mean with the food commercials. I swear the 1st 2 weeks after surgery that seemed like it was the only thing on TV.
So was wondering if any of you guys had this happen:
I'm 3 weeks post op and had my recheck appointment yesterday and all seemed fine. Then last night my right lower jaw started hurting in one spot. It seems to be where the plate is. It doesn't hurt when I just sit there but if I turn my head a certain way it will throb, and the slightest touch to that area is very tender. It feels almost more like a bad bruise would it that makes sense, but I think maybe its a little more swollen that it was right there and I'm wondering if it warrants freaking out and calling the surgeon or giving it a couple days.
I did start sleeping on my sides a little and while I try not to put pressure on the jaw Im sure as I sleep I move and some goes on it, my surgeon told me it was fine to sleep on it so I can't imagine I hurt something doing that?
I'm 3 weeks post op and had my recheck appointment yesterday and all seemed fine. Then last night my right lower jaw started hurting in one spot. It seems to be where the plate is. It doesn't hurt when I just sit there but if I turn my head a certain way it will throb, and the slightest touch to that area is very tender. It feels almost more like a bad bruise would it that makes sense, but I think maybe its a little more swollen that it was right there and I'm wondering if it warrants freaking out and calling the surgeon or giving it a couple days.
I did start sleeping on my sides a little and while I try not to put pressure on the jaw Im sure as I sleep I move and some goes on it, my surgeon told me it was fine to sleep on it so I can't imagine I hurt something doing that?
Izzy,
I have something VERY similar. It doesn't "hurt" (I'd classify it as a very dull ache), but it also doesn't feel right. I only really notice it when I am chewing. I can do my jaw exercises and it doesn't act up at all.
I don't have any plates on my lower jaw, but I have screws and I'm not sure if this is exaclty where they are located. I don't see my OS again until the day after Turkey Day, so I was going to ask about it then.
If you find anything out I'd love to hear it.
Thanks
Chicago29
I have something VERY similar. It doesn't "hurt" (I'd classify it as a very dull ache), but it also doesn't feel right. I only really notice it when I am chewing. I can do my jaw exercises and it doesn't act up at all.
I don't have any plates on my lower jaw, but I have screws and I'm not sure if this is exaclty where they are located. I don't see my OS again until the day after Turkey Day, so I was going to ask about it then.
If you find anything out I'd love to hear it.
Thanks
Chicago29
So, since my bands came off last Thursday, I've been doing super well, and mostly feeling fine. The most annoying things are that my nerves in my upper lip and chin area are going nutso and it feels intermittently like the entire bottom of my face was shoved into freezing water. I'm hoping it's a good sign... Also, eating is the bane of my existence, even though I'm cleared for "pancake textured" foods. It takes forever, nothing tastes that great, and most of it gets stuck in the hooks on my braces, and then I spend at least 15 minutes clearing it out. I'm almost considering just going back to blended foods because the amount of cleaning is driving me nuts--any suggestions for delicious food that is soft and doesn't have a tendency to pile up on the outside of braces?
ennazusie - the bad taste of food lasted about 3 weeks for me, I'm starting to enjoy taste a little better
As far as easy stuff to eat - I made chili and mashed it with a potato masher and ate it with a baby spoon. It didn't even touch my teeth. Also made ground turkey mixed with cream of mushroom and that went ok. If you can fit a baby spoon in your mouth you can feed yourself pass your teeth therefore avoiding the stuff getting stuck for most part
As far as easy stuff to eat - I made chili and mashed it with a potato masher and ate it with a baby spoon. It didn't even touch my teeth. Also made ground turkey mixed with cream of mushroom and that went ok. If you can fit a baby spoon in your mouth you can feed yourself pass your teeth therefore avoiding the stuff getting stuck for most part
So October buddies, I think I am onto something as far as swelling/tingling..
I went to Bikram Yoga today. Now for those who don't know what that is, its 90min gentle yoga in a room heated up to 105F. The heat felt wonderful on my jaw and while I couldnt do all the poses (think head down and pressure on chin) I could do about 75% and I didn't really get dizzy (well no more than when I did it before surgery!). I felt a lot of tingling/nerve endings working during the whole thing which I take as nerves trying to do something. Nothing really hurt and as a bonus I got actual exercise in, it works your cardio without impact. I recommend it to all that can now take walks without getting dizzy!
I went to Bikram Yoga today. Now for those who don't know what that is, its 90min gentle yoga in a room heated up to 105F. The heat felt wonderful on my jaw and while I couldnt do all the poses (think head down and pressure on chin) I could do about 75% and I didn't really get dizzy (well no more than when I did it before surgery!). I felt a lot of tingling/nerve endings working during the whole thing which I take as nerves trying to do something. Nothing really hurt and as a bonus I got actual exercise in, it works your cardio without impact. I recommend it to all that can now take walks without getting dizzy!
I found a good pair of tweezers works way better than their stupid plastic thingy. I still have elastics at night, so I'm pretty fast after 7 months!ColoradoGirl wrote:So good to read all of this....makes me feel much less freakish.
But, one topic I haven't seen any complaint about: ELASTICS. Arrrrgggghhhh! It's not only that they hurt, but that they take up so much time to put in. I have 2 back-to-fronts on the 6th tooth; two six-to-six, and two triangles on the front, as well as a central screw-to-hook band. The front ones are fine, but the back ones are such a pain. It doesn't help that my poor gums bleed at more than a slight touch. Anybody else having this issue? Or am I just a total whimp?
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Broadway Bill
- Posts: 103
- Joined: Tue Sep 07, 2010 4:17 pm
Izzy, I've done "hot yoga" a few times, and I can actually see how it'd help!
Personally, I've been riding my bike a LOT. Not on the road, mind you, because I'm not about to risk hurting my costly face, but on a stationary trainer in my house. Getting my blood going really feels great, and I feel like it is helping get the remaining swelling down. I can't wait until I'm comfortable getting back on my bikes/motorcycles...it's what I miss the most! Well, that and food. I really miss food, but hopefully I'll be allowed soft food next week.
I'm back to 12-16 hour days now, 6 days a week. It's okay, and doable, but I do wish I had been able to take more time off to recover. But, alas, the law waits for no man, no matter how hungry.
Personally, I've been riding my bike a LOT. Not on the road, mind you, because I'm not about to risk hurting my costly face, but on a stationary trainer in my house. Getting my blood going really feels great, and I feel like it is helping get the remaining swelling down. I can't wait until I'm comfortable getting back on my bikes/motorcycles...it's what I miss the most! Well, that and food. I really miss food, but hopefully I'll be allowed soft food next week.
I'm back to 12-16 hour days now, 6 days a week. It's okay, and doable, but I do wish I had been able to take more time off to recover. But, alas, the law waits for no man, no matter how hungry.