January Buddies

[suzyscientist]

I'm a possible late entry to the January club!

Currently sat in hospital bed, waiting to find out if I can get a cancellation tomorrow.

This morning I just went to see orthodontist and surgeon to see how my teeth were looking. I knew surgery was close and I was prepared to say "please hurry", but there's a potential cancellation tomorrow and my surgeon offered it to me! So here I am!

Also was expecting to need bi-max with upper jaw forward and lower back, but the surgeon thinks BSSO alone will suit me better.

So, fingers crossed I might be in surgery tomorrow!

Hope everyone post-op is recovering well

Suzy

[suzyscientist]

Well it's done! I'm sporting a new profile and more feminine lower jaw. Not that you can see through the swelling.

Lots of drugs, but worst pain is from elastics right now!

Suzy

[I love my teeth]

Congrats Suzy! I am as well! Had my surgery Monday. Went home Tuesday morning. I felt pretty good Monday and Tuesday, but today I feel horrible...Doc saw me in the office today, said things looked great!

I am not banded or wired--nothing in my mouth!!But the swelling is killer and the numbness in my lower lip and chin---how long does that take to go away??
Christine

[suzyscientist]

Just found out they took my wisdom teeth also, so triple swelling!

I look awful this morning! Staying in hospital today, because I'm quite sore, but might go home tomorrow. To be honest I prefer being in the ward, they have all the good drugs here!

Have you got anyone to look after you at home? What's been the worst so far? We're only 2 days apart so we should share miseries:)

[suzyscientist]

Oh sorry Christine, forgot to say - not sure how long swelling & numbness will take to go. My surgeon said my chin would swell for longest because it had the most 'manipulation'. Wisdom teeth seem to be swelling most after chin, but it's hard to tell. Generally look like Frankenstein!!

Numbness will last a few weeks I think, which is a bit annoying. I'll take numbness over swelling tho, the pressure is quite uncomfortable. Have you tried ice packs? They're my new best friend!

Suzy

[I love my teeth]

Suzy-

I have been icing for 24-7 since I got out of sugery on Monday. He said to do that through last night. then I could let off a bit--then start moist heat on Friday. the kids said I looked better this morning...I don't think so. I am sleeping with my head at like 40degrees elevation for the first 10days to help with swelling too. Today is day 3 and I think I'm having a bit of a pity party, I feel like I am over feeling like this already, I want o feel a bit more normal!!

My mom is here until tomorrow to manage the kiddies--but tomorrow I have to get them to/from school and make their lunches...should be interesting!

Hoping to turn a corner over the weekend!

feel better
Christine

[I love my teeth]

Amandapanda-

Good luck with your surgery tomorrow!! Will be thinking about you!

Suzy-did you have just lower jaw like me, or both?? Had my first latte this morning--tastes funny, but maybe now my caffiene headache can go away! Going to try a protein smoothie and oatmeal for breakfast as well. Then try to shower and do my hair to make myself feel better! When are you going home from the hospital Suzy, where are you anyhow, England??? I am in Vancouver, BC, Canada, but had my surgery down in Seattle, Washington (3 hour drive)--have my next followup with the surgeon on Feb 2!!

[suzyscientist]

Ditto what Christine said - good luck Amanda!

How are you feeling now Christine? My nurse said I look better but I'm not convinced. Getting discharged tomorrow, excited to get home!

I had a shower today, it was heaven! Clean PJs, ugg boots and shower helped so much.

Caffeine headaches!! I get them so bad!! The painkillers help a bit but i cant wait for my first caramel macchiato!! I am going to try ice latte tomorrow, I can't manage hot things yet. Have you had any hot food? Or should I say hot mush?

I'm in Scotland! I live in Edinburgh but I had my surgery in a nearby town called Livingston. There's not much here except an outlet mall and this giant hospital!

I had lower jaw moved back and genioplasty. Genio was a last minute decision. The whole operation was last minute! I think I said in my first post, my appointment was just for a check up, but the surgeon is leaving in 4 weeks so he offered me a cancellation because I wanted him to do the op... So it's been completely rushed! I live alone too so I had no support going in, and there were a few tears on my way to theatre... But I'm so glad I did it, Frankenstein face or not! My mother has come up from Manchester, England to help me home tomorrow, and my lovely friends will be visiting once I feel less self conscious!

So - you have to drive all that way tomorrow? How is driving after a general anaesthetic? My next appointment is on 28th to get the stitches on the outside removed, get new X-rays etc, and I'll be driving then... It's about an hour so not nearly as long as yours!

What did you have done? Have you been wearing braces? You're lucky not to be banded or wired!

Suzy x

[I love my teeth]

Suzy-

Just checking on you to see if you went home today or not?? Day 4 for me, actually doing better in some ways! I felt like I ate a lot yesterday--protein shake, oatmeal, scrambled egg, lots of water, a latte, purred beef stew for dinner and a milkshake before bed (not huge portions!)--woke up at 2am starving!! I think my body is using so much fuel for healing...I am going to try to eat more today. I have lost 5pounds this week--I started at 115pounds--I really don't want to lose anything more!!

Kids say my face is getting to look more normal, I can feel some of the stitches now as the swelling goes down--it's the awful nerve pain in the left side and lower lip that is really annoying! Didn't sleep well either==still trying to sleep sitting up--had a hard time last night

I figure 7 more days from today, It has to get better, that will be day 11, I can sleep less upright after 10 days!! looking forward to an update from you!
Christine

[suzyscientist]

Hi Christine,

I made it home today, and I'm exhausted! I got back to the house at around 4, then slept on the sofa for a few hours then went to bed... I just got up to take my medication.

How are you doing with the tiredness? I feel like I could sleep for a month! And I miss my hospital bed... it was so comfortable.

You know I have no idea what I weigh... maybe I should find out?! I've not been that hungry today. I had porridge for breakfast, some mashed potato and some custard (not together!) at lunch and that's it... Have to say, I'm really feeling sorry for myself today! I can't be bothered eating Think it's my turn for a pity party!

Did you see your surgeon today? How did it go? How was the drive?

Suzy

[I love my teeth]

Glad you made it home OK! I don't see the surgeon until Feb 2....so I should be fine to drive by then. I saw him Wednesday before our 3 hour drive home (post op day 2)--that was a rough day.

Today is day 4, and swelling is better, my appitite is better than yesterday, I am trying to increase my calories and protein to satisfy my bodies desire for the food. I have more energy today. Took the kids to school, loaded the dishwasher and did a little kitchen clean up. Then at noon, I was dead and haven't moved off the couch all afternoon!

Check in soon and update your progress!

Christine

[suzyscientist]

Gosh, you know I think the general anaesthetic has ruined my brain... for some reason I saw 'February' and thought 'Friday'...

How's the numbness today? I have pins and needles just below my ears, and an ache in my tongue like I bit it really hard, but apart from that I don't have much feeling in my lower jaw. If I twitch my muscles I can feel a tingle, but I can't move anything. I have to use this mouthwash but I can't tell if I'm rinsing everywhere because I can't feel it in my mouth!

Very tired today, miss my hospital bed - with all its magical adjustable buttons

Suzy

[I love my teeth]

I think there is nothing new on the numbness front for me today. Lots of nerve sensations going on. The swelling in my inside cheeks must be going down, as I can feel the stitiches on the left side now......I think the right side must have broken easier or something---there is really minimal swelling on the right and my cheek doesn't touch my braces....but the left is still really swollen and my cheek is rubbing on the braces---so it hurts when I try to eat.

I brushed almost every tooth last night--except for the lower backs--I'm too afraid to even go there. I am rinsing with peroxide and mouthwash several times a day--each day is getting easier and I think I am doing a better job of rinsing too! It actually feels good to rinse as well!

I have laid off on the 24-7 icing as of yesterday and will try to start moist heat packs today. But, the best news is: I slept for 3 whole hours in a row last night! --however, when I woke up, I was no longer upright, my head had sank down, no wonder I was so comfortable

I am currently drinking my coffee without dribbling it everywhere, so there's an improvement for you!! Today is day 5 for me, was your surgery Monday or Tuesday-I can't remember?? I can say yesterday (Day 4) was the day with the most dramatic improvement for me! I am really liking talking this through with you, my husband and kids have had it with me overanalyzing every single sensation I am having

talk soon,
Christine

[suzyscientist]

My surgery was on Wednesday, so this is my Day 4. I'm hoping I start to feel a bit better soon because I'm getting bored of being a misery-guts!

I woke up this morning in pain, which was a first, so I guess that means that feeling is coming back? I can't feel my braces at all though, but I can feel the stitches on the outside of my cheeks - they're starting to itch. I haven't been able to brush particularly well... like you, I'm not going anywhere near my back teeth!! The front will have to do for now

Eating isn't really an issue for me yet as everything has to be through a straw! I think if I was moving my jaw more it would be more painful. What have you been managing to eat Christine?

Have you tried sleeping with a pillow under your knees? I've found that really helps with the sleeping upright! I also put extra pillows at my sides - stops me rolling over

It's really great to have you to talk to - I'm glad we have this forum! I'd be going crazy otherwise! What did people do before the internet?!

[I love my teeth]

I had a great day on my day 4, my day 5 was a little worse, but last night and now this morning---ugh--I hate day 6!! Yesterday, I noticed that my whole neck is yellow from bruising/swelling--nice. Today it's still that way, and my neck and throat are a bit uncomfortable. Still taking 800mg motrin every 5-6hours.

I have no bands or wires holding me closed--so I can "eat" anything I want really...he wants me doing soft foods asap. Yesterday I managed to swallow some pieces of buttered noodle-I could not chew them. Last night I baked and mashed a sweet potatoe with butter and brown sugar and ate about 1/2----again no real chewing, but at least it's solid food! Today I am going to try mac and cheese. I a so bored of smoothies already! Although I did do a chocolate ice cream, almond milk, almond butter smoothie the other day that was great, and a coconut milk, pineapple one yesterday (I missed the rum in that though!)

I am not allowed to do a straw for the first 10days. I can open my mouth about 1- 1 1/2 finger widths now. When do you follow up with the doc again?

Anticipating more activity with week, as hubby goes back to work, and I have to manage the kids--we'll see how that goes. How long are you off work for?

talk soon!