That's good news to hear I'm sure. (the whole no lower jaw thing) since it'll be an easier recovery. And talk about waking up earrrly. Less than 2 days now.
Lots of luck dearie!
Surgery in September
Moderator: bbsadmin
Hello,
I'm home from the hospital now, and am recovering without any complications.
I ended having the lower jaw done as well as the upper, the genio, and the removal of my wisdom teeth. The surgeon didn't think he would have to do the lower jaw, but I suprised him when my jaw fell back furthur than he anticipated once I was under the anathetic and completely relaxed. The other surgery he did that day was the same as mine, but the decision was made during her surgery to not do her lower jaw. It was a little strange going into surgery not knowing for sure what will be done, but I'm glad he left the decision until the last minute, so he could make the right choice for me, and only do the lower if it was necessary.
I'm really swollen right now, and feeling a lot of pressure, but I'm not really in pain. Breathing through my nose is much easier than I ever thought it would be, although it took me a couple of days to adjust to it. It also took me a few days to get used to eating and swallowing. For the first 2 days, I drooled more than I ate, but now, I rarely drool, even though it feels like I am. I don't really have numbness. For me, it is more of a tingling sensation. I can feel everything everywhere, but it's not a regular sensations. I'm not quite sure how else to explain it.
I am banded shut, so I am on a completely liquid diet. They gave me ice cream in the hospital, which was kind of funny, because it's too thick for me to eat. My dad ate that.
I had surgery Tuesday morning, and my surgeon was ready to let me go on Thursday afternoon, but because of the 4 and 1/2 hour drive home, he and my dad decided it would be best if I spent the extra night. We left early on Friday morning. I was feeling a bit nauseated in the car for the first hour, but that went away. I think that was due to the pain meds they gave me right before I left the hospital. They gave me a full dose of liquid tylenol with codeine. Most times, I was only taking half a dose of painkiller as needed.
I think I am going to send my dad out to get some children's liquid tylenol for me. The codeine in the stuff they gave me makes me drowsy, and I really need that strong of a painkiller all the time. It is nice at night though, because sleeping is kind of awkward, so anything to help me sleep is nice. During the day, the pain feels like it is mostly in my muscles, as they are being pulled in ways they aren't used to.
That's my update as of now. If anybody reading as questions, please let me know. I will do my best to answer them.
peanut
I'm home from the hospital now, and am recovering without any complications.
I ended having the lower jaw done as well as the upper, the genio, and the removal of my wisdom teeth. The surgeon didn't think he would have to do the lower jaw, but I suprised him when my jaw fell back furthur than he anticipated once I was under the anathetic and completely relaxed. The other surgery he did that day was the same as mine, but the decision was made during her surgery to not do her lower jaw. It was a little strange going into surgery not knowing for sure what will be done, but I'm glad he left the decision until the last minute, so he could make the right choice for me, and only do the lower if it was necessary.
I'm really swollen right now, and feeling a lot of pressure, but I'm not really in pain. Breathing through my nose is much easier than I ever thought it would be, although it took me a couple of days to adjust to it. It also took me a few days to get used to eating and swallowing. For the first 2 days, I drooled more than I ate, but now, I rarely drool, even though it feels like I am. I don't really have numbness. For me, it is more of a tingling sensation. I can feel everything everywhere, but it's not a regular sensations. I'm not quite sure how else to explain it.
I am banded shut, so I am on a completely liquid diet. They gave me ice cream in the hospital, which was kind of funny, because it's too thick for me to eat. My dad ate that.
I had surgery Tuesday morning, and my surgeon was ready to let me go on Thursday afternoon, but because of the 4 and 1/2 hour drive home, he and my dad decided it would be best if I spent the extra night. We left early on Friday morning. I was feeling a bit nauseated in the car for the first hour, but that went away. I think that was due to the pain meds they gave me right before I left the hospital. They gave me a full dose of liquid tylenol with codeine. Most times, I was only taking half a dose of painkiller as needed.
I think I am going to send my dad out to get some children's liquid tylenol for me. The codeine in the stuff they gave me makes me drowsy, and I really need that strong of a painkiller all the time. It is nice at night though, because sleeping is kind of awkward, so anything to help me sleep is nice. During the day, the pain feels like it is mostly in my muscles, as they are being pulled in ways they aren't used to.
That's my update as of now. If anybody reading as questions, please let me know. I will do my best to answer them.
peanut
Braced: September 23, 2004
Surgery: September 13, 2005
Surgery: September 13, 2005
Hello,
I'm not sure how long the actual operation was. I'll have to ask my dad. But I know they started mine around 8, and had another one scheduled for 10:45, so they were anticipating a couple of hours, at least.
I do have to sleep upright. I'm getting used to it though. It's not that bad. And since my face hurts a bit anyway, I have no desire to try to sleep any other way. Sleeping flat and on my side would hurt my face just way too much!!! Staying upright also helps the swelling. There is a nice difference between my face yesterday, and my face today.
It's time for another can of Ensure...
Have a great day!
peanut
I'm not sure how long the actual operation was. I'll have to ask my dad. But I know they started mine around 8, and had another one scheduled for 10:45, so they were anticipating a couple of hours, at least.
I do have to sleep upright. I'm getting used to it though. It's not that bad. And since my face hurts a bit anyway, I have no desire to try to sleep any other way. Sleeping flat and on my side would hurt my face just way too much!!! Staying upright also helps the swelling. There is a nice difference between my face yesterday, and my face today.
It's time for another can of Ensure...
Have a great day!
peanut
Braced: September 23, 2004
Surgery: September 13, 2005
Surgery: September 13, 2005
I just checked with my Dad, and he's not sure of the exact time. He was let into recovery to see me for a few minutes at 11:15, because they didn't have a room ready for me right away.
I will have to ask my surgeon when I see him again next week.
So yeah... the surgery was pretty short, all things considered. I think mine was a straightforward surgery, without any complications. There were 2 surgeons in the room as well, so maybe that got some things done a bit faster. I don't know...
If you have any other questions, ask away... I have lots of time to answer them over the next few weeks.
take care,
peanut
I will have to ask my surgeon when I see him again next week.
So yeah... the surgery was pretty short, all things considered. I think mine was a straightforward surgery, without any complications. There were 2 surgeons in the room as well, so maybe that got some things done a bit faster. I don't know...
If you have any other questions, ask away... I have lots of time to answer them over the next few weeks.
take care,
peanut
Braced: September 23, 2004
Surgery: September 13, 2005
Surgery: September 13, 2005
Hello,
I'm not sleeping completely upright, but I am propped up on pillows. The two biggest reasons for that are to help make breathing easier, and to help the swelling. My swelling has gone down considerably. It's still obvious that I am swollen, but nothing like it was. I went out in public today, so it is better enough that I felt comfortable doing that.
The food I am drinking the most of is Ensure. I've never been a big juice drinker. Usually, I just drank coffee, water and diet coke, which I've almost completely cut out of diet now, except for the water, of course. Since I don't drink much juice, I get my calories from the Ensure. I tried Boost, but I didn't like it as much. Ensure has a Butter Pecan flavour that tastes like Butterscotch pudding. It's great! I'm also eating a lot of cream soups, and drinking V8 juice from time to time. Also, I'm drinking shakes from time to time. I have made a couple of milkshakes with milk, ice cream and fruits, but I am a bit lactose intolerant, and have to limit my intake. I've also made "soyshakes" using non-flavoured soy milk and fruit. Those are quite good, and quite filling and nutritious, as soy is a good protein source.
I saw my orthodontist today. He was going to change my top wire from a three piece back to a continuous wire, but decided not to, as I have so much feeling in my mouth and jaw. He wasn't happy with the amount of pressure and pain I am feeling, so he gave me a liquid anti-inflammatory to take everyday. Also, he told me to talk less which is kind of hard to do, because I'm not talking very much at all. We'll see what happens... I go to see him again next Tuesday, and my surgeon on Wednesday.
peanut
I'm not sleeping completely upright, but I am propped up on pillows. The two biggest reasons for that are to help make breathing easier, and to help the swelling. My swelling has gone down considerably. It's still obvious that I am swollen, but nothing like it was. I went out in public today, so it is better enough that I felt comfortable doing that.
The food I am drinking the most of is Ensure. I've never been a big juice drinker. Usually, I just drank coffee, water and diet coke, which I've almost completely cut out of diet now, except for the water, of course. Since I don't drink much juice, I get my calories from the Ensure. I tried Boost, but I didn't like it as much. Ensure has a Butter Pecan flavour that tastes like Butterscotch pudding. It's great! I'm also eating a lot of cream soups, and drinking V8 juice from time to time. Also, I'm drinking shakes from time to time. I have made a couple of milkshakes with milk, ice cream and fruits, but I am a bit lactose intolerant, and have to limit my intake. I've also made "soyshakes" using non-flavoured soy milk and fruit. Those are quite good, and quite filling and nutritious, as soy is a good protein source.
I saw my orthodontist today. He was going to change my top wire from a three piece back to a continuous wire, but decided not to, as I have so much feeling in my mouth and jaw. He wasn't happy with the amount of pressure and pain I am feeling, so he gave me a liquid anti-inflammatory to take everyday. Also, he told me to talk less which is kind of hard to do, because I'm not talking very much at all. We'll see what happens... I go to see him again next Tuesday, and my surgeon on Wednesday.
peanut
Braced: September 23, 2004
Surgery: September 13, 2005
Surgery: September 13, 2005
Surgery in September
Hi Peanut,
Thanks so much for offering to answer any questions anyone might have. I've been a silent reader for a long time, and it's only now that I am posting
When I saw my ortho last month, he said that he would be taking impressions of my mouth at the next appointment i.e. Sept 28. I am scheduled to have surgery in Oct; that's a year from the time I first put on my braces.
What I would like to ask is how long you expect to be away from work, if you are working. From what I've read, people's experiences differ, and some go back to work in the 2nd week, while others take 3-4 weeks off. I think I can manage being away from work for 2 whole weeks, but anything more than that might be a big problem. But I don't want to have to be back in the office when I am still swollen ...
I have clear braces, but my ortho says he will need to change them to the metal ones once we're at the surgical stage (and hopefully he'll let me change back to clear ones after the surgery). What about you? Do you have clear braces, and if so, did you have to change to metal ones for surgery?
Thanks so much for offering to answer any questions anyone might have. I've been a silent reader for a long time, and it's only now that I am posting
When I saw my ortho last month, he said that he would be taking impressions of my mouth at the next appointment i.e. Sept 28. I am scheduled to have surgery in Oct; that's a year from the time I first put on my braces.
What I would like to ask is how long you expect to be away from work, if you are working. From what I've read, people's experiences differ, and some go back to work in the 2nd week, while others take 3-4 weeks off. I think I can manage being away from work for 2 whole weeks, but anything more than that might be a big problem. But I don't want to have to be back in the office when I am still swollen ...
I have clear braces, but my ortho says he will need to change them to the metal ones once we're at the surgical stage (and hopefully he'll let me change back to clear ones after the surgery). What about you? Do you have clear braces, and if so, did you have to change to metal ones for surgery?
Braces: Oct 20, 2004
Surgery: Oct 2005 (Expected)
Actual Surgery Done: Dec 16, 2005
Surgery: Oct 2005 (Expected)
Actual Surgery Done: Dec 16, 2005
Hi Sirena,
Welcome to ArchWired!
I have metal braces, and have had them from the start. My orthodontist charges extra for the clear braces, and I didn't want to pay extra. Also, I don't mind having the metal ones anyway.
I'm a week and 2 days post-surgery right now. I still have a bit of swelling, and am talking pretty clearly, but not perfectly. I've been told by my orthodontist not to talk so much (even though I haven't been talking a lot), so for that reason alone, I don't think I could go back to work after 2 weeks. I'm not even sure that's very realistic, but I suppose it could be done if you had to. My surgeon wrote me a note to put me off work for 4 weeks, and will add to that if he needs to.
I notice that location said Asia. Are you having your surgery done in Asia, or will you be travelling elsewhere to have it done? I know in the US, and in Canada (where I am), there are laws about taking time off for medical leave. Are there such laws in Asia, so that you can get the time off that you need to properly recover? Depending on what procedures you are having done though, that could affect recovery time. I had both my upper and lower jaw broken, a genioplasty, and had my wisdom teeth removed.
I hope I've answered your questions. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask them. I enjoy talking with people here, and answering questions, and even asking my own questions.
peanut
Welcome to ArchWired!
I have metal braces, and have had them from the start. My orthodontist charges extra for the clear braces, and I didn't want to pay extra. Also, I don't mind having the metal ones anyway.
I'm a week and 2 days post-surgery right now. I still have a bit of swelling, and am talking pretty clearly, but not perfectly. I've been told by my orthodontist not to talk so much (even though I haven't been talking a lot), so for that reason alone, I don't think I could go back to work after 2 weeks. I'm not even sure that's very realistic, but I suppose it could be done if you had to. My surgeon wrote me a note to put me off work for 4 weeks, and will add to that if he needs to.
I notice that location said Asia. Are you having your surgery done in Asia, or will you be travelling elsewhere to have it done? I know in the US, and in Canada (where I am), there are laws about taking time off for medical leave. Are there such laws in Asia, so that you can get the time off that you need to properly recover? Depending on what procedures you are having done though, that could affect recovery time. I had both my upper and lower jaw broken, a genioplasty, and had my wisdom teeth removed.
I hope I've answered your questions. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask them. I enjoy talking with people here, and answering questions, and even asking my own questions.
peanut
Braced: September 23, 2004
Surgery: September 13, 2005
Surgery: September 13, 2005
Hey peanut - you mentioned the laws here in Canada regarding time off for medical leave. I'm contimplating oral surgery, and although I'm not anticipaiting problems with my employer, you never know, and it doesn't hurt to be informed. You wouldn't have a link regarding what the laws are, do you? I'm googling, with no luck...
Waiting for life to settle down a bit before committing to 3 years of braces, lower jaw surgery, crowns and some whitening.
Surgery in September
Hi Peanut!!
I live in Asia
Now that you mention, I recall that my firm's policy says "14 medical days a year"; here medical days means outpatient sick leave that you don't necessarily spend in the hospital. I was thinking of a combination of the balance of my vacation leave and medical leave for the rest of 2005. But the problem is I'm the only person working for my boss. He has his own firm. I run the office, answer the phone, meet clients who visit, and work on the computer. Now answering the phone and meeting people will the be worst of all after the surgery ...
From what I've heard, I'll be having upper and lower jaw surgery. I have a very deep overbite.
I've sounded my boss out on my having to take leave sometime in October. In the past, I had been away from work for 8-10 days for wisdom teeth surgery. I was hoping I could get by with 2-3 weeks away from work. I was more concerned about the swelling than anything else. I remember my swelling from a surgery that I had 3 wisdom teeth removed, was almost all gone at the end of 10 days ... I do know this jaw surgery is major stuff ...
My ortho tells me that some of his patients have actually gone back to work after 2 weeks post-op, so I'm confused...
I live in Asia
Now that you mention, I recall that my firm's policy says "14 medical days a year"; here medical days means outpatient sick leave that you don't necessarily spend in the hospital. I was thinking of a combination of the balance of my vacation leave and medical leave for the rest of 2005. But the problem is I'm the only person working for my boss. He has his own firm. I run the office, answer the phone, meet clients who visit, and work on the computer. Now answering the phone and meeting people will the be worst of all after the surgery ...
From what I've heard, I'll be having upper and lower jaw surgery. I have a very deep overbite.
I've sounded my boss out on my having to take leave sometime in October. In the past, I had been away from work for 8-10 days for wisdom teeth surgery. I was hoping I could get by with 2-3 weeks away from work. I was more concerned about the swelling than anything else. I remember my swelling from a surgery that I had 3 wisdom teeth removed, was almost all gone at the end of 10 days ... I do know this jaw surgery is major stuff ...
My ortho tells me that some of his patients have actually gone back to work after 2 weeks post-op, so I'm confused...
Braces: Oct 20, 2004
Surgery: Oct 2005 (Expected)
Actual Surgery Done: Dec 16, 2005
Surgery: Oct 2005 (Expected)
Actual Surgery Done: Dec 16, 2005
Hello,
I was told the information by my human resources department at work, but it can be found on the internet under "Employment and labour laws canada". Here is the link to one website I found that had a bunch of information on it.
I would speak to the human resources deptartment where you work, to find out what the requirements are for applying for the sick leave. For mine, because I knew about it in advance, I gave them notice well in advance, because I had to train somebody to replace me while I'm off. Your workplace may require a certain amount of notice, because it is something that you know about, and won't be happening under emergency circumstances.
Another place to look for information would be on your province's government web pages.
Good luck!
peanut
I was told the information by my human resources department at work, but it can be found on the internet under "Employment and labour laws canada". Here is the link to one website I found that had a bunch of information on it.
I would speak to the human resources deptartment where you work, to find out what the requirements are for applying for the sick leave. For mine, because I knew about it in advance, I gave them notice well in advance, because I had to train somebody to replace me while I'm off. Your workplace may require a certain amount of notice, because it is something that you know about, and won't be happening under emergency circumstances.
Another place to look for information would be on your province's government web pages.
Good luck!
peanut
Braced: September 23, 2004
Surgery: September 13, 2005
Surgery: September 13, 2005
Hi Sirena,
I couldn't imagine going back to work after 2 weeks when some of your duties include answering phones and greeting clients. You will have a lot of elastics in your mouth, so it will be obvious that you will have had orthodontic work done, and the clients will probably not think twice about seeing a bit of swelling, but all that talking... I just can't imagine having to do a lot of talking so soon after surgery.
I work in a call centre, and although my duties no longer involve answering calls, I still help out on the phones when things get busy. I am very thankful to not be back at work, because right now, a week and 2 days after surgery, my jaw is very tired after just a short conversation.
Does 14 medical days a year include weekends, or does that give you almost 3 weeks off work? That wouldn't be so bad.
Good luck as you figure all this out. I hope you get your surgery date soon, so you are able to make the necessary arrangements to get the time you need off work.
take care,
peanut
I couldn't imagine going back to work after 2 weeks when some of your duties include answering phones and greeting clients. You will have a lot of elastics in your mouth, so it will be obvious that you will have had orthodontic work done, and the clients will probably not think twice about seeing a bit of swelling, but all that talking... I just can't imagine having to do a lot of talking so soon after surgery.
I work in a call centre, and although my duties no longer involve answering calls, I still help out on the phones when things get busy. I am very thankful to not be back at work, because right now, a week and 2 days after surgery, my jaw is very tired after just a short conversation.
Does 14 medical days a year include weekends, or does that give you almost 3 weeks off work? That wouldn't be so bad.
Good luck as you figure all this out. I hope you get your surgery date soon, so you are able to make the necessary arrangements to get the time you need off work.
take care,
peanut
Braced: September 23, 2004
Surgery: September 13, 2005
Surgery: September 13, 2005
How's recovery going? Getting the feeling back in your mouth yet? Did you have lots of bruising? Any lethargy? Have you lost any weight? Does your nose look wider? I've read that on the Yahoo board about some people who felt their noses changed due to upper jaw sugery.. Any before/after pics?
Many questions I know.. =)
Hope all's well.
Many questions I know.. =)
Hope all's well.