I had a cold before surgery so I wasn't surprised to have a lot of mucous and gunk in my throat. It seemed to be the worst in the morning. When I was allowed to incorporate warm liquids, it cleared it up for me pretty quick. It was day 8 or 9 that I actually managed to bring it up and flush it out of my mouth with my WaterPik.
My last suture came loose while I was drinking my dinner soup. That was annoying because they taste terrible and always seem to come loose on the inside of my teeth. Only part of it has broken away. The rest will probably fall out in my sleep or tomorrow.
I've been saving my favorite cheddar popcorn for when I get my braces off. My boyfriend decided he wanted a snack and asked if he could try it. So after I made him some (so he wouldn't burn it because burned popcorn is the worse smell ever) he spiced it up with some of my bacon salt and almost offered me some. As if smelling my favorite popcorn and watching him eat it wasn't torture enough. It was terribly cute though.
I've given up on the idea of blending normal foods down to get them through my feeding syringes. Turns out you can't blend a regular meal and expect it to taste normal. I had hoped this would be a chance to try new things but nothing seems to taste right and it's so frustrating when food won't go down like it should. They really weren't kidding when they said liquid diet.
November Surgery Buddies!
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sherrifrob
- Posts: 46
- Joined: Mon Nov 23, 2015 7:23 pm
Re: November Surgery Buddies!
I LOVE popcorn too. I'll need your cheddar popcorn recipe, it sounds amazing. Even with the nightmare it is with braces, I still love it.
The nurse told me that red meat does not blend down well so avoid it. So in other words it's chicken then, all the time. I've given up on tasting anything.
Luckily my room mate, who is THE most inconsiderate person in the world, doesn't eat anything other than cereal so I'm not cursed with smells. I live in the city centre though so when I go out it's nothing but aromas from restaurants & bakeries.
I'm going to make sweet potato soup, I was originally going to do mash but as I'll need to make it super thin I might as well just make soup. I like Vietnamese food so I might make a really thin but tasty soup, broth is the base for most Vietnamese dishes so it might be a good way to get the taste buds back in action.
You guys who have palate stuff happening must be hard core. My stitches are all on the outside of my teeth where my tongue can't get to them because it's in it's little elastic prison. You must be pretty zen.
The nurse told me that red meat does not blend down well so avoid it. So in other words it's chicken then, all the time. I've given up on tasting anything.
Luckily my room mate, who is THE most inconsiderate person in the world, doesn't eat anything other than cereal so I'm not cursed with smells. I live in the city centre though so when I go out it's nothing but aromas from restaurants & bakeries.
I'm going to make sweet potato soup, I was originally going to do mash but as I'll need to make it super thin I might as well just make soup. I like Vietnamese food so I might make a really thin but tasty soup, broth is the base for most Vietnamese dishes so it might be a good way to get the taste buds back in action.
You guys who have palate stuff happening must be hard core. My stitches are all on the outside of my teeth where my tongue can't get to them because it's in it's little elastic prison. You must be pretty zen.
Re: November Surgery Buddies!
My WaterPik has been a lifesaver through this ordeal. It's the only way I've been able to flush the suture remnants out of my mouth. Not to mention flossing, because that's impossible with these elastics.
My surgeon sent back my return to work form today. He released me to return on Dec 7, like I knew he would, so the absence management company is forced to extend my medical leave. We'll see what their email says tomorrow.
My cheddar popcorn is actually store bought, if you can believe that. The brand is Jolly Time and the variety is called The Big Cheez. You can probably buy it on Amazon, but I will admit I've never looked. Even though my job is in the tech field, I still haven't wrapped my head around ordering groceries online.
My surgeon sent back my return to work form today. He released me to return on Dec 7, like I knew he would, so the absence management company is forced to extend my medical leave. We'll see what their email says tomorrow.
My cheddar popcorn is actually store bought, if you can believe that. The brand is Jolly Time and the variety is called The Big Cheez. You can probably buy it on Amazon, but I will admit I've never looked. Even though my job is in the tech field, I still haven't wrapped my head around ordering groceries online.
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sherrifrob
- Posts: 46
- Joined: Mon Nov 23, 2015 7:23 pm
Re: November Surgery Buddies!
Waterpiks look amazing, I've been making progress so bit by bit I get to clean more & more. The stitches are still there but as of Friday it'll have been 2 weeks so hopefully they'll be on their way soon.
I ate loads today which is to say I had loads of really runny mustard mash potato. Also I'm starting to sleep better as in for more than an hour a time, it really makes the difference. I'm nearly sleeping without my wedge pillow.
Between eating, sleeping & a cleaner mouth I'm starting to feel a lot more human. Also my mutant face has gone down to reasonable proportions.
I've purchased some of this bacon salt you speak of. I might not be able to do much with it at the moment but by god I will make something amazing with it one day. I'll bring some to my sister in Berlin too, she's all about bacon & cheese on everything.
Online shopping is a gift, you do need to plan a little bit but when you're super busy or have a huge shop to do its great. It can also be done at work
. Its handy for things like cleaning products, you can browse all the specials which you don't normally do in store & save yourself some money & then not have to haul gallons of bleach & detergent all the way home. I'm moving at the end of the month & one of the things on the list is an online shop to the new address, that way you can clean before everything else arrives.
I'm due back on the 8th, we'll see how that goes. The talking is the main problem, I can talk but not well & not for long. A full day in the office is going to be hard.
I ate loads today which is to say I had loads of really runny mustard mash potato. Also I'm starting to sleep better as in for more than an hour a time, it really makes the difference. I'm nearly sleeping without my wedge pillow.
Between eating, sleeping & a cleaner mouth I'm starting to feel a lot more human. Also my mutant face has gone down to reasonable proportions.
I've purchased some of this bacon salt you speak of. I might not be able to do much with it at the moment but by god I will make something amazing with it one day. I'll bring some to my sister in Berlin too, she's all about bacon & cheese on everything.
Online shopping is a gift, you do need to plan a little bit but when you're super busy or have a huge shop to do its great. It can also be done at work
. Its handy for things like cleaning products, you can browse all the specials which you don't normally do in store & save yourself some money & then not have to haul gallons of bleach & detergent all the way home. I'm moving at the end of the month & one of the things on the list is an online shop to the new address, that way you can clean before everything else arrives. I'm due back on the 8th, we'll see how that goes. The talking is the main problem, I can talk but not well & not for long. A full day in the office is going to be hard.
Re: November Surgery Buddies!
Use bacon salt to season your eggs. Quite delicious.
I took a two hour drive to see my parents yesterday. And I went without my jail keeper because he had to work. It was really nice to have that independence. I didn't get tired like I thought I would, which is awesome. It was also the most talking I've done. By the time I got home, my face was pretty sore and some swelling came back but it was easily manageable. I think going back to work next week will be fine for me but I'm lucky enough to work from home so talking won't be an issue.
I took a two hour drive to see my parents yesterday. And I went without my jail keeper because he had to work. It was really nice to have that independence. I didn't get tired like I thought I would, which is awesome. It was also the most talking I've done. By the time I got home, my face was pretty sore and some swelling came back but it was easily manageable. I think going back to work next week will be fine for me but I'm lucky enough to work from home so talking won't be an issue.
Re: November Surgery Buddies!
My mom has asked me twice now if I regret my surgery and if I had to make the decision again if I would go the same route. Both times I told her I had no regrets and that I would do it again. While she has some minor issues with her teeth, her bite fares pretty well, so she has no idea what kind of things I've had to deal with.
When I told her I had no regrets, she said wow. That was during the major swelling phase. I have no words to describe how amazing it feels for my lips to close when my mouth is relaxed or how amazing it is for my teeth to touch and close the way they should. The liquid diet is depressing, the recovery is tough, but it's all been worth it and I'm so glad I did it.
When I told her I had no regrets, she said wow. That was during the major swelling phase. I have no words to describe how amazing it feels for my lips to close when my mouth is relaxed or how amazing it is for my teeth to touch and close the way they should. The liquid diet is depressing, the recovery is tough, but it's all been worth it and I'm so glad I did it.
Re: November Surgery Buddies!
Well...broke one of the rubber bands holding things in place. I was never given extras and my next appointment isn't until Tuesday. I still had elastics from the orthodontist that I know aren't the right size and strength, so I used one to get me through the night. Hopefully my surgery manager gets back to me quickly tomorrow to let me know if I need to pick up more. Meanwhile, I'm getting ready for bed and imagining all the terrible things that could go wrong while I'm asleep. I'm a little freaked out but I've done what I can for now.
Re: November Surgery Buddies!
Well the surgeon said my rubber bands are ok until Tuesday. Part of me hopes I don't lose any more but the other part of me wants them all to break loose so I can brush the back sides of my teeth. I was reading on some other OMS websites that the heavy bands are used for the first two weeks, then the next 3-5 are looser bands. I have my fingers crossed that things get changed up for me: looser elastics, different configurations, and the ability to change them out throughout the day.
I've started going back to sleeping flat and I've noticed increased swelling in the morning. Not like the day after surgery, but I definitely notice some puffiness in my cheeks when I wake up. I'm not sure if it's because I've been sleeping at less of an incline or if it's because I tend to sleep more on my side than on my back. I hope I'm not still grinding and clinching my jaws together when I sleep on my side.
I've started going back to sleeping flat and I've noticed increased swelling in the morning. Not like the day after surgery, but I definitely notice some puffiness in my cheeks when I wake up. I'm not sure if it's because I've been sleeping at less of an incline or if it's because I tend to sleep more on my side than on my back. I hope I'm not still grinding and clinching my jaws together when I sleep on my side.
Re: November Surgery Buddies!
So another elastic broke. Same place as the one last night. I know I can't go without these so I'm really upset they didn't give me extras. In an attempt to keep things closed, I have 3 fresh elastics from my leftover stash from the orthodontist. It seems to be working, I just hope the 4 remaining surgical elastics hold out til Tuesday. If they take them off, I'm going to claw my way to a sink to clean my tongue before any elastics go back on.
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sherrifrob
- Posts: 46
- Joined: Mon Nov 23, 2015 7:23 pm
Re: November Surgery Buddies!
I've had a rough few days too. I did exactly what you did when my first one broke, I used one of the blue bands I'd had for my braces. When they gave me the red ones so I could do it myself it was a relief. I've had them break a lot & I've gotten a bit brave about not fixing them straight away. Nothing has happened. I think by this point your muscles are trained. It doesn't take very long for old muscles to atrophy & new ones to build. If you weren't on the other side of the world I'd happily share my bands with you.
Being able to change the elastics helps so much with cleaning. It feels so good to go to bed with clean teeth, even if they aren't that 'crazy paranoid I have braces' impeccably clean.
I've been asked that too, do you regret it. After 2 years of braces I definitely don't. I actually feel sorry for people with terrible teeth who don't even realise they could function better. Mums do have a knack for hitting a nerve though.
My mum tells me I look tired all the time, usually when I've finished a night shift & flown to Ireland immediately after so fair comment but when she really wants to make a point she'll tell me I look like my great grandmother. I got that the other day, my bruising has gone but I have 'terrible dark circles' under my eyes. Thanks Mum, thats from the not sleeping. She wants to know what I'd like to eat for Christmas dinner, that's easily what I CAN eat for Christmas dinner is really the question.
I seem to have taken a couple of steps back. I'm waking up really sore & raw feeling. I've been using my wedge pillow so I don't know if its just that I move in my sleep. It's beginning to catch up with me. I've managed to break a blender & a light & possibly a hoover while sleepy & stupid. All of which are not mine, they belong to my room mate. Her & her girlfriend kept me up all night on Sunday when I had to get up at 7am Monday for an orthodontist visit so we'll call this even stevens.
My appointment next week I get the looser bands. When will you be allowed to try chewing again?
Being able to change the elastics helps so much with cleaning. It feels so good to go to bed with clean teeth, even if they aren't that 'crazy paranoid I have braces' impeccably clean.
I've been asked that too, do you regret it. After 2 years of braces I definitely don't. I actually feel sorry for people with terrible teeth who don't even realise they could function better. Mums do have a knack for hitting a nerve though.
My mum tells me I look tired all the time, usually when I've finished a night shift & flown to Ireland immediately after so fair comment but when she really wants to make a point she'll tell me I look like my great grandmother. I got that the other day, my bruising has gone but I have 'terrible dark circles' under my eyes. Thanks Mum, thats from the not sleeping. She wants to know what I'd like to eat for Christmas dinner, that's easily what I CAN eat for Christmas dinner is really the question. I seem to have taken a couple of steps back. I'm waking up really sore & raw feeling. I've been using my wedge pillow so I don't know if its just that I move in my sleep. It's beginning to catch up with me. I've managed to break a blender & a light & possibly a hoover while sleepy & stupid. All of which are not mine, they belong to my room mate. Her & her girlfriend kept me up all night on Sunday when I had to get up at 7am Monday for an orthodontist visit so we'll call this even stevens.
My appointment next week I get the looser bands. When will you be allowed to try chewing again?
Re: November Surgery Buddies!
I was told that I could go to soft chew after 6 weeks. That would put me at the week of Christmas. I'm hoping they don't push that back on me. My dad makes the best prime rib for Christmas dinner, always tender. I think I'll be able to handle it but I'm prepared to tell him if I can't.
My boyfriend has suggested I visit my orthodontist first thing on Monday after the broken rubber bands. Since they told me they would make the decisions for how they will be worn, it makes sense. I really hope I get the OK to start changing them because my tongue feels so disgusting right now.
My boyfriend has suggested I visit my orthodontist first thing on Monday after the broken rubber bands. Since they told me they would make the decisions for how they will be worn, it makes sense. I really hope I get the OK to start changing them because my tongue feels so disgusting right now.
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sherrifrob
- Posts: 46
- Joined: Mon Nov 23, 2015 7:23 pm
Re: November Surgery Buddies!
When I was at my appointment for the elastics she cleaned my gums with a cotton swab. I've been doing that myself to get in the back. I can't feel much but I imagine that the cotton swab can't do too much damage. I can just about get my mouth open enough to get my brush in there briefly. I found that my tongue started to feel better the more I cleaned even though I can't get anywhere near my tongue.
I use those tiny little interdental brushes (http://tinyurl.com/jmoo9el) to get under the brackets & between my teeth gently. You can also bend them over to get inside your teeth, again gently. It takes forever to ever so delicately get in & around all the places but overall my mouth feels better & my tongue feels less gross.
Even if you can't get to see your orthodontist maybe they can tell you the gauge of the bands & u can just pick some up & change that broken one. If you know where they need to go & you're going to be doing it yourself next week they might be ok with that. The more you take them on & off the less delicate & shakey it feels.
I am bored of soup & not sleeping. I've been keeping active but it is hard when you're not sleeping.
I use those tiny little interdental brushes (http://tinyurl.com/jmoo9el) to get under the brackets & between my teeth gently. You can also bend them over to get inside your teeth, again gently. It takes forever to ever so delicately get in & around all the places but overall my mouth feels better & my tongue feels less gross.
Even if you can't get to see your orthodontist maybe they can tell you the gauge of the bands & u can just pick some up & change that broken one. If you know where they need to go & you're going to be doing it yourself next week they might be ok with that. The more you take them on & off the less delicate & shakey it feels.
I am bored of soup & not sleeping. I've been keeping active but it is hard when you're not sleeping.
Re: November Surgery Buddies!
I am supposed to see my orthodontist the same day as my surgeon. I'm not too worried about it now because some of the June/July surgery folks said their elastics were larger than what I used to replace my broken ones. I'm more annoyed that my surgeon (who is married to my orthodontist) didn't think to give me any extras in case some wore out.
I've tried the interdental brushes...they do what they can but its just not enough for my personal preference. I'm sure this week will give me what I'm looking for: looser elastic configurations that I can change throughout the day. I don't expect to be able to open my mouth as widely as I could before, but I'm definitely going to make the effort to get in there with a sonicare and turbo scrub my tongue.
I definitely know how it feels being bored of soup. I went with my boyfriend to get sushi yesterday. I'm not a sushi person so I wasn't the least bit jealous or wanting, but I ordered a bowl of miso soup and asked them to strain it for me so it was just broth and it was amazing. I try my best to change up what soups I'm eating so that I don't get burned out on a flavor. It seems to work. I also limit myself to soup for dinner only. I have a Carnation instant breakfast thing in the morning and then a protein meal replacement shake for lunch. Seems to work for me.
I've tried the interdental brushes...they do what they can but its just not enough for my personal preference. I'm sure this week will give me what I'm looking for: looser elastic configurations that I can change throughout the day. I don't expect to be able to open my mouth as widely as I could before, but I'm definitely going to make the effort to get in there with a sonicare and turbo scrub my tongue.
I definitely know how it feels being bored of soup. I went with my boyfriend to get sushi yesterday. I'm not a sushi person so I wasn't the least bit jealous or wanting, but I ordered a bowl of miso soup and asked them to strain it for me so it was just broth and it was amazing. I try my best to change up what soups I'm eating so that I don't get burned out on a flavor. It seems to work. I also limit myself to soup for dinner only. I have a Carnation instant breakfast thing in the morning and then a protein meal replacement shake for lunch. Seems to work for me.
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sherrifrob
- Posts: 46
- Joined: Mon Nov 23, 2015 7:23 pm
Re: November Surgery Buddies!
I go for my looser bands tomorrow. I'm thinking frittata might be a good start. My stitches are starting to come out. I'm getting a bit tired of the tightness in my jaw. The archwire feels really tight with the bands pulling. Some relief for the tightness will be so nice.
I spent the day with my friends bulldog puppy, it's very relaxing. It should be a recognised treatment of being bored with a broken jaw.
I spent the day with my friends bulldog puppy, it's very relaxing. It should be a recognised treatment of being bored with a broken jaw.
Re: November Surgery Buddies!
I hope I get looser bands tomorrow. Or at least less bands and the allowance to change them. First thing I'm going for when I'm allowed to take them off is a full mouth brushing and intense cleaning. Then I'm going to have some poached eggs. No lies.