January 2013 Buddies

[e77]

LOL! Not quite yet. I'm pretty recovered from the SARPE, still some slight swelling that I'm probably the only one that notices and some bruising left. Started turning on Friday and I have an appt with my ortho today to see how it's going. I hope the gap doesn't get too big, I got used to talking with the expander and now the gap is causing speech problems with some words. UGH. This is quite the process!

How are you feeling lueyfufu? Are you almost at the end of your journey?

[lueyfufu]

I think the speech impediment was my least favorite part of wearing an expander. It took a couple weeks for my gap to finally appear. I looked pretty scary, but it was exciting at the same time.

I'm not sure when the end of my journey will be. My ortho said his last surgical patient was in braces for only four months longer after surgery, but I'm not getting my hopes up. He has a reputation for taking longer than he says he will. (He's a perfectionist.) I'm okay with that, though. After four years, what's another few months?

bubbajade, I hope your surgery went well today! These next few days will be trying, but they'll be worth it!

[bubbajade]

Hey guys!! Sorry I haven't posted in awhile, things got really busy closer to surgery time with all the preparations. Surgery went amazingly well, I was out in 2.5 hours n the surgeon said it couldn't have gone more smoothly! One night in the hospital, came home yesterday n feelin ok. A little rough going right now but I'm so excited to have the big day behind me !

[lueyfufu]

That's great news! Hang in there - it only gets easier from here.

[bubbajade]

thanks lueyfufu! You are right it gets a ill easier each day, and each day has its own small challenges--it's all so worth it though! how are you feeling, and how's your swelling? I'm def still in the basketball face stage, haha.

e77- how are you doing? Hope all is going smoothly, n your expander is doing ok. I found as the gap got bigger it was harder to negotiate talking and had some occasion drooling, but it gets better as the swelling comes down and you can flex the muscles around your mouth again.

[e77]

I'm doing pretty good bubbajade - still cranking the expander... I'm on my second week and ortho said I'll have to do it for 3 expanding to 10 mm. The oral surgeon said he thinks I'll be done this week, so who knows! I have my appt set for braces on 2/14 and I can't wait.

I hate talking and I hate eating so I can not wait until this part is over! Hope you are recovering well!

[lueyfufu]

e77: I lost like 15 pounds when I had my expander! It took so darn long to eat that I could only eat about 1/3 as much on my lunch breaks. And it seemed like all the food would squish right through the expander and be trapped between it and the roof of my mouth. A WaterPik is good for clearing that out, by the way.

Bubbajade: I'm doing well! I posted photos on Facebook during the first week or two when the swelling was deflating more quickly, but I haven't posted one for a while. Ran into a friend at a restaurant tonight and he said I looked WAY better, so I guess I'm still deflating. It seems to me like the swelling comes and goes from day to day at this point. I didn't get any stares when I went out in public tonight, so it must not be too bad. I probably just look like someone with a round face. What kind of stuff are you eating (drinking) right now?

[bubbajade]

e77-I felt the exact same way with the expander, absolutely hated talking and eating but you are almost through! I had my expander in for about a month after I stopped turning to help my upper arch stay supported, and then the upper braces went on-it was frustrating at times but seemed to get easier as time went on. I lost about 10 lbs n got hooked on creamy delicious soups n fruit smoothis since they were so easy to eat n doesn't get stuck. It goes by quick, and I was even chewing tiny cut up pieces of pizza (no crust) within 2 months. You'll be eating your favorite foods again in no time!

lueyfufu-so glad to hear you are doing so well, and kudos on eating at the restaurant last night ! What did you have to eat? i am excited to go back out in public next week--not much bruising but my swelling around my jaw is still going down n have graduated to slightly chubby chipmunk phase. Keep up the great work and congrats on how far you've come in such a short time!

I'm living on chocolate almond milk mixed w/chocolate spirutein powder, adding a little coconut milk yogurt n water to make them thinner (pretty good n filling too) and also eating occasional chicken broth ( yum ) My first post op appt is Wednesday, (can't wait!) and will have my bands loosened a little then, am hoping to move in to blended chicken pot pie soup, roasted red pepper tomato or butternut squash soup (delicious!) and other products with dairy-pantry n fridge are stocked but have honestly been a bit scared of any dairy or cheese up to this point since it increases mucus production n it's feels a little intimidating being banded shut n having any drainage, or coughing. Would give anything to be able to eat what I was eating after SARPE last year but I know it will be over soon

[lueyfufu]

First day back at work! I've certainly missed the music on my office computer.

I don't have a scale at home, so I've been curious to see how much weight I've lost. There's a scale in the break room here at work for a Biggest Loser competition they're doing, so I weighed myself this morning. I've lost seven or eight pounds. Meh. Not enough to warrant a new wardrobe.

[foxparadox]

I'm a little late to join in on this. My surg date was 1/9, lower jaw only.
I am wired for 13 more days... Can't wait to be done!

I have been eating a ton of soups (curried pumpkin or lentil or roasted red pepper and tomato) as well as smoothies (protein powder and peanut or almond butter have quickly become my best friends. haha). My parents were nice enough to buy a Vitamix blender to help me along in recovery. It pretty much will turn anything into a smoothie and came with a ton of recipes (including an AWESOME one for hummus soup- which I thought would be absolutely disgusting... but turned out to be amazing) If you like green smoothies (fruit blended with water and greens like spinach or kale) those have been great. Definitely a great way to get in some extra nutrients!

Definitely agree with the diet after SARPE being easier than the diet has been while wired. I had SARPE in November '10. Even though I could eat a lot more things, post-op... the recovery was a lot rougher than the lower jaw has been- it took my muscles a lot longer to wake up and dealing with the gap in my teeth and the lisp was really difficult. I think part of that was due to my occupation though- I work as a clinical counselor... so... lots of talking/expressions involved with that. haha. My gap got really crazy though... I looked like a jack-o-lantern. Definitely was worth it though, in the end.

I did edit this post to add more information, after reading through the thread. Hopefully I won't get in trouble.

[lueyfufu]

Hiya foxparadox. That hummus soup sounds interesting. Do you mind sharing the recipe?