March 2010 surgery buddies

Message

#61 Post by **revolutionary** » Thu Apr 01, 2010 12:15 am

Davide, I'm glad that you're sounding a lot more optimistic and that you seem to be getting on a better track, and found a way to communicate your concerns to your OS in an assertive manner. I'm glad to hear that what he did is his standard procedure (with only one do-over) and not just an "experiment", or was, a quack doctor. I hope things continue to get better, and your doc has a good explanation for not going according to plan otherwise. Isn't it cool how you can see changes in your bite/teeth shifting SO quickly?

#62 Post by **revolutionary** » Thu Apr 01, 2010 12:18 am

I figured I would also post some pictures of my progress for you guys (I'm not too paranoid, nor am I remotely attractive enough for people to steal my pics, so I hope lol). I have double jaw surgery for my underbite; upper jaw went forward like 4mm, lower went back a good 10, and both jaws were out of alignment on the horizontal plane as well, so he rotated them.

SO. Big changes! Even though I know it takes 3-6 months at least for your final appearance to set it, I'm only 2 weeks post op and I am TOTALLY happy with this! It can only get better from here! Let me know what you think; I'd love to hear your opinions!

Here's the CGI predictions pre-surgery that the doctor made (the supposed "after" shot is on the left; my before any work is on the right):

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j41/a ... at1630.jpg

Here's me before surgery (I did the surgery without prior braces... I swear, this is just how my teeth grew in haha)

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j41/a ... oto119.jpg

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j41/a ... oto120.jpg

Here's me 12 days post op:

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j41/a ... at0059.jpg

And here's me 13 days post op!!:

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j41/a ... at0059.jpg

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j41/a ... at0252.jpg

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j41/a ... t02523.jpg

#63 Post by **revolutionary** » Thu Apr 01, 2010 12:23 am

[quote="revolutionary"]I figured I would also post some pictures of my progress for you guys (I'm not too paranoid, nor am I remotely attractive enough for people to steal my pics, so I hope lol). I have double jaw surgery for my underbite; upper jaw went forward like 4mm, lower went back a good 10, and both jaws were out of alignment on the horizontal plane as well, so he rotated them.

SO. Big changes! Even though I know it takes 3-6 months at least for your final appearance to set it, I'm only 2 weeks post op and I am TOTALLY happy with this! It can only get better from here! Let me know what you think; I'd love to hear your opinions!

http://s77.photobucket.com/albums/j41/a ... =slideshow

sliiiddeeeshooooowwww!

#64 Post by **Hadoudi** » Thu Apr 01, 2010 1:33 pm

3 weeks update-
I've been back to work since monday. I actually survived these 9 hour days fairly easily. Lunchtime is a pain, and my teeth ache even on soft foods. (similar feeling to the next day after a brace adjustment) I only have a finger gap between upper and lower jaws, and that is worrying me. I heard that at 4 weeks I should be able to fit 2 fingers in. Otherwise, my elastics were removed last week. I've been packing on some pounds trying to eat as much as possible. I even played limited minutes last night for my basketball team, I just couldn't help it, the team needed me. I made sure to stay out of the action though. My tank did run out after 4 minutes though, so I had to take a breather (no physical activity for a month does that to ya) I plan on starting light weightlifting today in order to get back in shape. I lost about 15 pounds throughout, and gained 7 back in the last 10 days. As for my bite, it looks straight and right on top of the bottom jaw, however a few teeth have moved and will require minor adjustments. I hope to be debraced in july, even though it usually requires 6 months post-op. I do look in every single mirror I pass, obsessing about the look. (which reminds me of a movie starring tom cruise, vanilla sky anyone?) Overall, I'm happy so far and can't wait a few months down the road to see the final look, naked teeth and all. I have minor numbness in the bottom lips down to the chin, and some swelling below the gumline where the cuts were made. These are the most uncomfortable right now, it limits my speech and pushes my lips forward.

#65 Post by **bitewonder** » Thu Apr 01, 2010 10:34 pm

Hadoudi wrote:3 weeks update-
I've been back to work since monday. I actually survived these 9 hour days fairly easily. Lunchtime is a pain, and my teeth ache even on soft foods. (similar feeling to the next day after a brace adjustment) I only have a finger gap between upper and lower jaws, and that is worrying me. I heard that at 4 weeks I should be able to fit 2 fingers in. Otherwise, my elastics were removed last week. I've been packing on some pounds trying to eat as much as possible. I even played limited minutes last night for my basketball team, I just couldn't help it, the team needed me. I made sure to stay out of the action though. My tank did run out after 4 minutes though, so I had to take a breather (no physical activity for a month does that to ya) I plan on starting light weightlifting today in order to get back in shape. I lost about 15 pounds throughout, and gained 7 back in the last 10 days. As for my bite, it looks straight and right on top of the bottom jaw, however a few teeth have moved and will require minor adjustments. I hope to be debraced in july, even though it usually requires 6 months post-op. I do look in every single mirror I pass, obsessing about the look. (which reminds me of a movie starring tom cruise, vanilla sky anyone?) Overall, I'm happy so far and can't wait a few months down the road to see the final look, naked teeth and all. I have minor numbness in the bottom lips down to the chin, and some swelling below the gumline where the cuts were made. These are the most uncomfortable right now, it limits my speech and pushes my lips forward.

So im over 2wks post Op now..I also got back to work this week.. but Im so glad for the Easter break.. and short work week. My coworkers are all so supportive. My swollen face has gone down I can actually see my cheekbone and feel my jaw bone!. Its funny the swelling went faster down on my left side than my right.

Still have elastics the surgeon gave me to take home in case it breaks...

Hadoudi
You are brave playing pickup basketball.. I dont have the energy.. I eat jello, mash potates, dribk V8, ensure.. I lost I think 9lbs now... Im gonna try and hit golf balls at the driving range and do some walking around the weather in cowtown suppose to be quite mild this weekend

#66 Post by **Davide** » Fri Apr 02, 2010 9:12 am

23 days post-op, and I'm starting to worry about the weight loss. As of this morning I lost 23 pounds since surgery day. I'm having 7 meals every day, but so far I haven't been able to stop losing weight. Starting from today I'll start counting exactly how many calories I'm taking in, and see if I can figure out how to put some weight back on.

Alison: Congratulations to your surgeon, he did an excellent job on your jaws. Your underbite is completely gone, and you are left with a perfect chin and a jawline that would make jalous even the most celebrated Hollywood stars. You should really be proud of your team of doctors. Also your results look far better than the computer prediction.

Hadoudi: It's amazing how much better than me you have been recovering so far. We had surgery on the same day, and we both had both jaws operated on, yet you are so much ahead of me with your recovery. You are already playing basketball, and the most I can do is a 1-mile walk at a moderate pace. Be careful not to get jabbed in your face though. I'm sure that wouldn't be good for your healing jaws. Also you are already putting some weight back on, and I still haven't been able to stop losing weight. Also you already got rid of your elastic bands, and I just got them on this past week. Glad to hear that you are pleased with the aesthetic results.

Bitewonder: I was given a bag of extra elastics too, but my surgeon told me to change them every night before going to sleep. That way they will always be strong and keep my jaws alligned better than old, worn out elastics do.

#67 Post by **Hadoudi** » Sat Apr 03, 2010 12:06 pm

Hey Davide, looks like you're turning it around after the first week of frustrations. Just be strong man. I may be healing faster, but that's because of my positive attitude and strong drive to get back to my daily routines. Take it slow, and start doing things u were normally doing.

Yesterday it seems like my gap has opened up a little more. I'm at about a finger and a bit. It's really helped as I can now fit bigger bites. I monitor my bite quite often and it seems to have set in place. I don't see it shifting despite not wearing any elastics. I have my 3rd OS visit next week and I'm anxious to see what the doc has to say. Also anxious for my
first ortho visit so he can start working out the minor tweaks.

#68 Post by **Hadoudi** » Sat Apr 03, 2010 12:13 pm

Bitewonder: it's nice to see you're noticing the changes. I too have faster healing on one side, the left side is a little more swollen. I would suggest u go out daily for walks or to the mall. Staying at home is counter productive. I actually started going out after a week, I remember I was still swollen and had no energy but I forced myself to go to the mall. I was there for a few hours, was so exhausted once I got home, but I think that has helped get me where I am today, back to normal.
I played some more basketball yesterday, it was nice and sunny and I couldn't pass that up. I noticed I have a lot more energy than when I started playing again last week. I agree there is a chance of getting
bumped, which is why I've been cautious in playing hard.

#69 Post by **revolutionary** » Sun Apr 04, 2010 4:32 pm

Davide: Thank you so much! I am really happy with my surgeon and glad I didn't go with the first one I consulted with. My OS is very positive, honest, and open.

I am also healing faster on my right side than my left... It is weird. But I think that's because I do tend to sleep on my left side - I really just *can't* fall asleep on my back - so it probably hasn't helped the swelling

But everyone's saying it's not really noticeable - probably because I've lost so much weight that it looks like my face is just naturally filling out that way

Hadoudi, I've made it a point to go out, too. Do you notice that you can feel the pressure of moving around on your feet on your healing jaw, too?

#70 Post by **revolutionary** » Mon Apr 05, 2010 2:48 pm

I had my 3rd post-op visit today. Everything is going awesomely, better than I could have hoped for. He changed my elastics (no more horizontal ones now, just vertical), cleaned out my mouth, and said my bite was gonna be perfect and my midline looks good.

I don't have to see my OS for 2 weeks now, upon which he will - dun dun dunnnnnnn - debrace me! april 19th, 2 days before my 22nd birthday! Then I start soft foods... I am counting down the HOURS.

One weird thing is that parts of my gums have grown... Some of them (that go in between the teeth) are almost as long as my teeth now! I don't know why, maybe it's the pressure that the archwires are putting on them? I asked my OS and he said they would go back to normal a little after I get debraced.

I'm so excited.... This is the best thing that's ever happened to me, and I'm so glad I went through with it. I REALLY lucked out with doing the surgery without prior braces/orthodontic work - my surgeon really knew what he was doing, and I guess I was "born" to have this surgery to correct my underbite (haha), because my bite came perfectly together after the surgery without any adjustment.

2 more weeks! AHHHHHHH!

#71 Post by **Davide** » Tue Apr 06, 2010 3:51 pm

23 days post-op, and yesterday I saw my surgeon for the 4th time after surgery. He told me to wear elastics just at night , and to focus more on increasing ROM and jaw mobility. He told me to do exercises constantly because I have just 2cm ROM, and I need to increase it to at least 3cm by the time I see him next in two weeks.
I'm again very confused about this elastics deal as it turns out that I ended up wearing them full time just about 10 days (while everybody else seems like wearing them for about a month or so), and the gaps between my arches are not closed yet. The OS said that the ortho will take care of the fine detailing, and that the gaps will close when I resume the orthodontic treatment.
I got to see the post-op x-rays yesterday, and it was kind of freaky to see my jaws with all that hardware plugged in. I have 4 plates and 16 screws in the top jaw, and 6 screws which look like pegs in my lower jaws. I was surprised that he didn't use any plate in my lower jaw, but he said that he didn't need them because after the advancement he still had a lot of bone on bone contact, and just putting the screws through was enough to hold my new jaw together. Does anybody else have just screws with no plates in their jaws?
With all the excitement (or freaking out) about seeing my metal jaws I forgot to ask my OS the exact measurements of the jaws advancement. I have to save that question for next time I see him.

Davide

#72 Post by **revolutionary** » Tue Apr 06, 2010 9:06 pm

Hey Davide - I'm also a little confused about your whole situation with the elastics, but hopefully your OS knows what he's doing. I am jealous that you're already at that stage, though!

And yeah, I also have screws - 16 - but no plates at all. It is super freaky to see the xrays and know that all that stuff is going to be part of my facial bone structure for life, most likely!

#73 Post by **revolutionary** » Wed Apr 07, 2010 1:25 am

20 days post op! Tomorrow is 3 weeks! The hospital and tubes and awful swelling and face like a basketball chipmunk feel like ages ago.

Here are a few more pictures of my progress:

smile - http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j41/a ... at0219.jpg

side view - no more underbite! - http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j41/a ... t02212.jpg

braces and bands, full on - http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j41/a ... t02203.jpg

banded smile - http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j41/a ... at0221.jpg

What do you guys think?

#74 Post by **revolutionary** » Sat Apr 10, 2010 11:28 pm

My crew seems to have fallen off the radar! How is everyone?

#75 Post by **bitewonder** » Tue Apr 13, 2010 4:06 pm

Im one month post-op.. and feeling good. I still wear elastics and splint.. I see my surgeon and ortho this week so I will get an adjustment. So far so good.. I am tempted to try soft chew foods... but I will hear what my surgeon says. Ido not have visible swelling in my face anymore, my gums are still swollen inside but not too bad.