Expander question..help!

[Jen1983]

Hi guys!

I got a rapid palatal expander last Wednesday and had SAME surgery on Thursday. I am still having trouble speaking. In particular, I can't say any word with an "ee" sound in it - like "speak" or "any". It comes out more like "spayke" or "anay". Ooo it's so frustrating!!! Did anyone have this particular problem? If so, did it go away - how long before it went away?

Thanks!!!

[Sandpiper]

I had a quad helix for 9 weeks (temporary Christmas reprieve!) and there were lots of things I couldn't say properly, especially ish endings, and sh / th sounds. In fact I had problems with the letter H in most words! It did get much better, to the extent it was virtually unnoticeable, but I knew my diction wasn't crisp. For me it was about 10 - 14 days to get over the worst of it. Best of luck!

[BracketRacket]

It'll get better in time -- your tongue learns to adapt!
If you're four days post-op (did you have a modified lefort?) and that's the biggest issue you're dealing with, I'm amazed -- good for you! I was still so swollen at the point that most of my speech was unintelligible!

[Jen1983]

Hmm, I don't know.... the surgeon cut in through the top of my mouth under my top lip and split my top palate because otherwise I would be too old for RPE.

Is that le fort?

I tried to go to work this morning but freaked out and couldn't do it!! I can't bear to talk to my colleagues! I'm actually REALLY glad I got this done right before the holidays so that I can go into hiding until my speech comes back!!!