June/July 2015 Surgery Buddies

[snapdresser]

Jaime - phew! Relieved to hear you can't bite down either. My surgeon seemed to be pressing me to but I think she was kind of jumping the gun. Made a 6-hour round trip to see her today and her office's a/c was out. So that was no fun lol. Looking forward to a quiet weekend in bed in front of the a/c finally got some chicken broth in me. It tasted real good surgeon said I should try having an ensure tonight. Every time I get up I'm a little lightheaded. Dunno if it's from medication or lack of food, but hopefully not dehydration. Surgeon said worst swelling is 48-72 hours after surgery so after tonight it should start getting easier ))

Nozzlenut - Congrats!!! Yeah, hopefully it's not segmented. But I can't imagine the healing is much worse. Keep us posted!

[jaime]

My surgeon was definitely manhandling my jaw today trying to get me to bite down but I can't feel anything. He also wants me to practice biting properly and brushing my teeth. It all seems like too much too soon, ugh.

I had chicken broth today too. Tastes darn good, doesn't it? Hubby has people over right now and they ordered pizza.

[Nozzelnut]

Jaime sorry you have to be a witness to a pizza party. Hope the guests aren't looking at you all that odd.

When you guys are saying you can't bite down; are the muscles physically not moving or is your bite just not lining up right?

[jaime]

The muscles move, just everything is stiff. I also can't feel my teeth or cheeks, so I can't really tell what I'm doing in there, haha. I am worried I'll bite down on my cheeks.

Second night done, I was in surgery 48 hours ago. Probably going to wear my cool jaw wrap for today and then switch to heat tomorrow. Swelling seems to have leveled off. Soooooooo glad I bought a jaw wrap. The ice bags at the hospital are useless. I'm also glad I got Breathe Right strips, helps me breathe through the congestion. So far I'm really glad I brought everything I did, except for the large syringe. Haven't used that at all. The sports squeeze bottle has come in very handy, too. Easier than the turkey baster at this point.

Getting close for you now, KaylaChristine!! Hopefully you haven't run away after reading posts from me and Snap.

Energy feeling good so far today so I'll probably make a video and/or write a long blog post.

[snapdresser]

Jaime - Yeah, those surgeons seem to be a bit rough on us. Jesus, don't they know we're like 2 days post-op?? Lol

Anyways, taking medicine and eating has gotten... Faster? Cleaner? I'm not sure I'd say "easier", but definitely more efficient. Brushed my teeth for the first time today (up and down only, according to my surgeon's recommendation). It went fine. Wasn't painful or anything. Last night I took a bath cuz my hair was all nasty and stuff. It was real nice, if a bit hot. Unfortunately, when I stood up afterwards I got REALLY lightheaded. Had to wait about 20 mins before I felt well enough to try again. Was a bit nauseous too, so that wasn't good. Aaaanyways, I'm trying to slow down and just relax. Not push things too fast. Just take my medicine and bide my time for the swelling to go down

[jaime]

Yes, when my surgeon was kind of pushing me around yesterday (mentally and physically), I wanted to be like "Do you actually understand what this is like?!" I'm more concerned with relaxing and getting enough food in me right now, not trying to bite down on numb teeth.

Ooh I brushed my teeth today, too.

You are giving me hope that eating and drinking will be easier tomorrow. I'm still choking on everything or it dribbles down my chin instead (which I can't feel until it hits my neck).

How has sleeping new for you, snapdresser? It's better than I thought it would be but it's so uncomfortable sleeping upright so it's hard to stay asleep for long.

(PS I wrote a blog post and did a video today too. Then I conked out for a nap, haha.)

[lalcharlie]

You look great in your video Jaime. Obviously swollen but not as bad as you could have been. Will be exciting to see your new face shape emerge from the swelling over the next days and weeks. You can already see the difference.

[snapdresser]

Jaime - Yeah, my doc was just a bit rough when examining me 2 days after, but that was it. The post-surgical residents were also a liiiittle insensitive, but not bad, and they meant well. And they gave me critical instructions in the middle of the night when I was all doped up on morphine Yeah, the eating gets so you choke less frequently (tho I still do from time to time. Maybe once today?) and you dribble a bit less, but I still dribble but I've got my routine down better now to mop it up. I use a couple wedge pillows on top of each other and a "regular" pillow for my head. Pretty comfortable, just kinda tricky to breathe sometimes cuz of the nasal congestion. Can you post a link to your video??

[snapdresser]

Jaime - Ok, saw the video on your blog. Your lower lip looks way better than mine! Mine is super swollen and sticking out like a cartoon lol. The upper is about the same as mine. Sounds like your congestion is somewhat worse, but your results aren't nearly as bad looking as mine lol

[jaime]

Thanks lalcharlie! I agree I look alright all things considered. Still no bruising which is weird, especially since I'm the type of person who would bruise if you sneezed on me, haha.

Funny how different people's swelling can be, snap. I am jealous of your lesser congestion. I can't breathe through my nose at all. Decongestants do nothing, and the Brathe Right strips only help a bit before they fall off because my nose is so oily. I am definitely an oily sweller!

That's stupid they gave you instructions while you were doped up. Worst possible timing.

Second day done. Good energy today. Oh I forgot to mention I stepped on the scale and I gained 7lbs!!! I'm assuming it's from the IV and/or swelling.

[snapdresser]

Jaime - You know, I don't have any bruising either. At least not right now. I expected SOME. How's your nose looking? They said it wouldn't change at all with the surgery, right? Or was that kaylachristine they said that to? Also, is your nose numb? Lol sounds weird but the bridge and tip of mine are pretty numb lol. And it's started bleeding three time today, seemingly at random. Yeah, my swelling is pretty bad (but not out of line with other cases I've seen IIRC, but I agree the congestion is pretty brutal. I think you'll see it get a little better tomorrow. Fingers crossed! Good job keeping that weight up! It's a struggle for me to eat enough, just cuz it's so damn tedious lol. Another day down, another day towards the final results. Get that rest, you deserve it after a long day of healing!

[jaime]

Gosh it's so nice to have other people to go through this with!!

My nose is VERY swollen but I can feel it. It's a different shape right now, it tips upwards. I don't hate it but I am hoping it goes back to its pre-surgery shape. It was me who asked my surgeon about it and he said they do a bunch of stuff to keep it from changing.

My nostrils are full of dried blood but I haven't bled from them. I tried to clean them out with a Q-tip today but I think it would've taken the entire package of Q-tips.

Funny we both haven't had bruising. I hope your swelling goes down tomorrow. Are you using heat now to help that?

[jaime]

One day left for KaylaChristine! Eat everything you want today and try to get a good night's sleep (which I know is hard to do). We're all rooting for you!!!

[snapdresser]

I I haven't used heat for the swelling. Actually today the bruising is showing up too... Most of my neck and part of my left forearm are turning a nice yellowish green color lol. Good stuff! The congestion continues...

[snapdresser]

WOOOOOO KaylaChristine!!!! Get iiiitttt!!! We're waiting for you on the other side! As a note of encouragement, today is Day 4 post-op and at this point it's mostly just boring lol. I'm walking around the apartment but sitting here watching TV all day is just kinda lame lol. JOINNNN UUUUS!!!