In final wires but thinking of quitting early

[bmueller]

I've been in braces for one year. I had jaw surgery at the 10 month mark where I had my mouth banded with a splint for 3 weeks and then just lightly banded afterwards. I just started eating real food this week. I only weight 100 lbs normally and after the surgery have dropped below that (talking skin and bones here). Went to the Ortho for my first post surgery appointment this week and she put elastics on my teeth so strong that I can't open my mouth at ALL again. I can only take them off to eat, but I'm a snacker and now can't do that because I'd have them off so much they wouldn't work. I'm stuck not being able to open my mouth during the day, not being able to talk to people (which is a big part of my job) and I'm worried I'm going to lose more weight again. I'm very unhappy and spend most of every day crying or trying to hold back the tears.

I'm thinking of telling her to forget the rest of treatment and just take everything off so I can eat and talk and live normally again.

Everyone tells me the worst is over, but this is worse than the recovery from surgery.

Thoughts anybody? Pictures attached.

[xanidu2012]

How long is/was your brace treatment plan? Since you are in elastics I would think you are near the end. I know how you feel about the weight loss. I've been braced for 8 months. Im 5'9" and normal weight for me was 190. Im down to 157 and clothes size went from 16 to size 12. When I can't eat due to adjustments I drink Smoothies or ensures to supplement my missed meals so weight loss has actually stopped. If you are down to the finish line try to hang in there and know when its all said and done you can get back to eating and your weight will come back along with a beautiful smile.

[katsface]

Talk to your ortho about getting lighter elastics put on as soon as possible, or ask if there is an alternative treatment.

I would probably make an additional appointment with her just to talk about these concerns. I wouldn't try to fit it into a regular adjustment, as it will be distracting for both of you.

I wouldn't quit. You've been through a ton, and if your bite is still bad, your teeth may just go back to where they were. You certainly don't want to look back and think that you did all of this work, went through all of this discomfort, and spent so much money, and didn't get a good result in the end.

As for eating, can you fit a straw in your mouth? Is it possible to make some protein shakes so you can keep some weight on and feel a little fuller?

This may sound stupid, but when you're not eating properly, your blood sugar is probably getting whacked out. And if it is, it's likely contributing to your mood. I know I get seriously depressed (absolutely worthless and unmotivated) when I've been eating the wrong stuff (too many carbs), or not enough food. Keep your tummy full of protein, and I'm sure you'll feel at least a little better. Your problems will still be there, and I know they are real problems. Not trying to discount that. But you may feel better able to handle them when your body is fueled properly.

I hope that doesn't sound too silly. And I hope it helps at least a little

[bmueller]

First, thank you both for the supportive comments. It makes me feel a bit better

I called my ortho this morning to tell her that the elastics are so strong I can't open my mouth and that I was unsure if this is normal or not. She said I need this strong of elastics in order to move my teeth and that's just the way it is.

After 6 weeks of eating liquid/blended diet following the surgery, I can't stand the idea of eating any more protein shakes or just shakes in general.

It just feels really defeating that I was finally able to eat some real food this week (and my jaws still aren't strong enough to eat steak or pizza or crackers even) but it takes me twice as long to try to eat/chew soft foods anyways, and now I have to try to eat faster and larger quantities to get my elastics back on. And yes, I do tend to get cranky/moody when I don't get to eat enough and I sometimes feel better about the situation when I do get to eat. But sometimes I'm just sad that I can't really talk to people especially at work, where people aren't always patient to listen. I also deal with many foreign people who have a difficult time understanding English even when I can talk like a normal person.

I don't know if I want to call the Dr. again. I feel like the Dr. might just say I'm not giving it time to adjust and tell me to wait it out. I know I've spent a lot of time and money ($10k braces + $35k surgery) and I do want it fixed right this time (childhood ortho did the wrong thing and made the situation worse). I also feel the surgeon would be disappointed in me if I give up now.

Guess I'll just keep trying to adjust, re-evaluate and see how I feel in a week or so.

[xanidu2012]

Bmueller please keep us posted on your progress. Remember you have friends here at the forum who will listen to you and support you through as we do for all.

[OldBikerBag]

Wow! That's a huge amount of money to throw away when you're almost done.

I know it's frustrating, not getting to eat what you want to...or how you want to. I get a feeling that once this hardware comes out of my mouth and my teeth settle into where they'll be.... stop feeling weird, I will gain a bunch of weight.

Then I'll have a whole 'nother set of issues to gripe about. Heh...

[kreyFL]

I cannot imagine the frustration you must feel everytime your stomach gurgles from hunger, I am so sorry.

However, you know what you have to do -

$45k, 1 year, surgery, and you are talking about throwing in the towel????? This is just your anger and frustration talking, not your brain and heart - TRUST ME!

I would most definitely call your ortho back and say a compromise must be had. You, of all people, understand the self sacrifices caused by braces. But the moment it affects our emotional health, our jobs/income, and over all feelings of ourselves - SOMETHING has to change and that DOES NOT mean stopping your treatment.

I would suggest you speak with your ortho. Maybe a less thick elastic, or a different configuration. Relay that you understand this may delay treatment, but your quality of life shouldn't be suffering this much NOW.

I can think back of my worst moments (weeks) in braces and can only offer my sympathy to what your worst moments are like.

You know its worth it - no one needs to reiterate that. However, a compromise must be had because last I checked the definition of orthodontics braces was not "to suffer".

Oh - big hugs to you!

[Kipepeo]

Krey, and everybody else, very well said. B you don't need to suffer. Heed the advice written here. Best of luck to you.

[bmueller]

I was not given a definitive timeframe about how long my total treatment would be. I was given the generic 18-24 months. I also don't know how long I will have to wear elastics or especially these terrible triangle ones. When I was at the surgeon's two weeks ago, he made it sound like my Ortho was ready for the homestretch. All I was told is that I'm in my final wires and they are "completely engaged" whatever that means.

Tried to call the Ortho to discuss my concerns today, but it must be her day off. Will try again tomorrow.

My husband suggested getting a second opinon from another orthodontist, but I'm not sure if anybody would even want to just jump into the middle of another doctor's treatment.

I'm not a wimpy person either, I've gone through nasal surgery where I had plastic splints jammed in my nose for half a week, had 3 permanent teeth pulled without painkillers, two gum grafts with only novacaine plus eating with the open sore on the roof of my mouth for a week, and now jaw surgery. I never complained or had to call the doctor ONCE for any of these!

I just can't imagine being like this for at least 5 more weeks, possibly months. And I can't take them off to talk to people at work otherwise I'd never be wearing them.

I'll keep everyone posted!

PS. When I'm all done I plan to pig out on all the foods I can't eat now. I'm planning a forbidden foods party

[kennyandrew85]

$45k? I hope you got a mortgage with that? Just kidding stick with it or uou will regret it. Not lomg to go now it will all be worth it in the end.

[bmueller]

Talked to my Orthodontist and it looks like I will need the elastics for a "few" months. I guess I can put up with that. I'm going to be really good at wearing them hoping that will make the time less.

Thanks for the support, I will keep everyone updated. I'm hoping for an awesome result if I'm in it for the long haul.

I will try to focus on positive things to help make time pass.

[OldBikerBag]

I've always taken the elastics out to eat, then clean up and put new ones in.

I can't say for sure, but I think letting the teeth "rest" for an hour twice a day has made them move faster. Each time I go in since I've been using them (two months and now I've been told to only use them 6-8 hours/day) the ortho is surprised and happy with the speed my teeth have moved.

[bmueller]

I had a request to post pictures of my "before" smile. Thought this was the most logical place to put it vs. the current smile with elastics. Please remember I had upper jaw surgery in addition to the elastics to correct the bite. This was also not my first time with braces. As a kid, the orthodontist extracted 3 premolars and giving me the "before" picture you see here.

[Kipepeo]

Hi B. I was reading through your posts, and I don't see a story or blog for you. Anyway, I see that you've previously posted up about these elastics and not being able to open your mouth to snack.

Your ortho keeps telling you it's necessary to be tight/strong, but you feel you're not able to eat enough, because you typically snack.

Maybe you should change your eating habits. Eat more frequent, larger meals instead of grazing on snacks throughout the day. Since we have to keep braces clean after eating, every time you eat you now have to spend time cleaning. I know your jaw is still sore, but instead of having to resort to shakes, you can ease yourself back into solid foods, get the nutrition you need, AND regain some control over the situation. This should help you not feel so helpless, hungry, and ready to quit.

You have invested a lot in this, and the time to outcome is one thing we can't really control. Don't give up. Easy for me to say, but come back here often for support if needed. Also, I'm in Maryland...Frederick area, if you need support.

[bmueller]

Hi Kipepeo,
Thanks for the advice and the offer of support. We are quite close. I've gotten a bit better at eating. I've decided to try more calorie rich foods like peanut butter and lots of breads/carbs. It's been going OK. At least I haven't lost any more weight. It's a tough transition to go straight from liquid diet to stuffing my face 3 times a day with real food. My stomach hasn't been too happy but I think it will settle eventually.

Doctor says probably another 5 weeks of rubber bands. I continue to wear them religiously in hopes that's true.

Don't have a blog yet. I'm the kind of person who doesn't make a commitment until I know I've completed the task, so I plan to write it all together once I'm done. That way I don't leave people hanging without a final report.

Got a question from mouth01 asking for pre pictures so I added those here.