hello

[Guest guest]

Oh Gail, I completely understand how tired you must be.. It is hard for me

to keep up and I don't work. It's just good to hear from you. You know you

and Cyrus are always in my thoughts and prayers too.

I'm doing really well right now and don't have any complaints. (Or any new

ones at least)LOL

Please take care and get some rest..

Know I'm sending lots of hugs

[Guest guest]

, so good to hear from you again and soooo glad you are doing well.

Have a safe trip and let us know how it goes.

Hope you have a wonderful 4th!!

hugs

[Guest guest]

,

So good to see a post from you! Glad you stopped in between trips!LOL I am actually doing great! With all the stress in my life right now the RP is being good to me! Hope and pray it stays that way. Take care and know you are missed and needed here at the group!

Lots of Love

Glenda

Hello

I just want to say hello to everyone. I have been in and out of town so much i really havent been able to keep up with the posts. Heidi and C, i hope everything is going good for you. I am going back to UCSD to see my doctor. I will be gone for a week. I am doing just fine. Glenda how have you been? I hope everyone has a great weekend.

love

---Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).Version: 6.0.262 / Virus Database: 132 - Release Date: 6/12/2001

[Guest guest]

Welcome ,

You have come to a great place for info. Just ask any questions you may have and someone here will try and help you.

Hope to hear from you again soon.

Sandy

----- Original Message ----- Greetings everyone, My name is . Someone I care for very much has recently been diagnosed with RP. I am trying to gather as much information about this condition. Thanks in advance for your help...DISCLAIMER!!WE ARE NOT MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, THEREFORE ANY INFORMATION THAT IS RECEIVED HERE IS FROM EXPERIENCE ONLY. PLEASE CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE TRYING ANYTHING THAT IS SUGGESTED. WE ARE NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR YOUR PHYSICIAN AND ARE NOT TRYING TO BE. REMEMBER EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT AND TREATMENT MAYBE DIFFERENT FOR MANY OF US. THANK YOU

[Guest guest]

Debbie,

I am glad you found this group and the info provided. Good luck to

you, your mom and the family. Many illnesses are so closely related

and I have found it confusing. So sorry your mom has declined so

rapidly. If it helps at all to know she may just bounce right back

up. Sometimes with the right medications, therapy, and symptom

management things turn around and aren't as tough. This group

embrasses and helps so much with suport and information. No matter

what your mom is finally told her diagnosis is, I can tell she has a

very caring daughter. Keep reading and educating yourself most good

doctors appreciate reference materials. Rose

[Guest guest]

Debbie,

Welcome to the list. Dementia is not usually a part of MSA, but is a part of

similar brain disorders. In MSA dementia is often a sign of the patient having

an infection - often a urinary tract infection. Dehydration is also a sign of

infection, so ask your doctor immediately about checking for all types of

infection.

Take care, Bill Werre

============================================

>

>

> Date: 2002/08/03 Sat AM 10:40:32 CDT

> To: shydrager

> Subject: Hello

>

> Hi,

>

> My name is Debbie and my Mom may have MSA. There is no definite

> diagnosis for her yet. About 3 years ago her health started to

> decline. She had terrible pains in her legs, seemed to be " slipping "

> mentally, and had trouble walking. For a while the Dr told us it was

> Fibromyalgia but also thought she might have PD too. He prescribed

> Sinemet and it seemed to help her pains somewhat. Relatively

> recently she was hospitalized for dehydration, but while in rehab it

> was the nurses there that told us she really seemed like a PD

> patient to them (nothing definitive had ever come from her Dr). Upon

> researching PD, I see lots of similarities: the stooped posture,

> rigity, small shuffling steps, facial mask...she doesn't have

> tremor. Now the Dr is saying she has an " atypical Parkinsons " so I'm

> researching further and she seems to have many of the symptoms of

> MSA.

>

> I'm not sure what really defines " difficulty with urination " but one

> minute she's fine, then she suddenly has to urinate (with urgency)

> then she'll find she can't relieve herself unless the sink water is

> running. She certainly has urination frequency at night, also the

> orthostatic hypotension, it's hard to say if Sinemet really helps

> her much now or not. She's also got dementia...I haven't seen that

> mentioned in conjunction with MSA.

>

> anyway, I just wanted to introduce myself, I've printed out some

> articles on MSA that I want to show to her Dr. She's currently back

> in the hospital undergoing more tests...and now has trouble with her

> heart (atrial fibrilation). It's pretty upsetting how quickly she's

> gone downhill in the past two months....she was always such an

> active woman and now she has no quality of life at all.

>

> thanks for reading this

>

> Debbie

>

>

> If you do not wish to belong to shydrager, you may

> unsubscribe by sending a blank email to

>

> shydrager-unsubscribe

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Rose,

Sorry to hear you are still having so much trouble. I miss your hugs at the

support group meetings ) Hope things go well this week.

Take care, Bill Werre

[Guest guest]

Debbie,

My heart goes out to you as does my prayers. The hospital can be a cold

place to try to get answers to hard problems. Ask in the hospital if they

have the name of a Parkinson's Group and a Dysautonimai group and an ataxia

group. If they have names and numbers, call and see if you cannot get

support in your area.

Also, if you would tell the list where you are located, maybe one of us is

close enough to be there for you. Above everything else, answers or not,

you are not alone.

I'm sure of the more medically minded on the list will have plenty to say

so I bow out to their wisdom.

For now, I'll leave you and your mom with my prayers,

Hugs,

Deborah

Reply-To: shydrager

To: shydrager

Subject: Hello

Date: Sat, 03 Aug 2002 15:40:32 -0000

Hi,

My name is Debbie and my Mom may have MSA. There is no definite

diagnosis for her yet. About 3 years ago her health started to

decline. She had terrible pains in her legs, seemed to be " slipping "

mentally, and had trouble walking. For a while the Dr told us it was

Fibromyalgia but also thought she might have PD too. He prescribed

Sinemet and it seemed to help her pains somewhat. Relatively

recently she was hospitalized for dehydration, but while in rehab it

was the nurses there that told us she really seemed like a PD

patient to them (nothing definitive had ever come from her Dr). Upon

researching PD, I see lots of similarities: the stooped posture,

rigity, small shuffling steps, facial mask...she doesn't have

tremor. Now the Dr is saying she has an " atypical Parkinsons " so I'm

researching further and she seems to have many of the symptoms of

MSA.

I'm not sure what really defines " difficulty with urination " but one

minute she's fine, then she suddenly has to urinate (with urgency)

then she'll find she can't relieve herself unless the sink water is

running. She certainly has urination frequency at night, also the

orthostatic hypotension, it's hard to say if Sinemet really helps

her much now or not. She's also got dementia...I haven't seen that

mentioned in conjunction with MSA.

anyway, I just wanted to introduce myself, I've printed out some

articles on MSA that I want to show to her Dr. She's currently back

in the hospital undergoing more tests...and now has trouble with her

heart (atrial fibrilation). It's pretty upsetting how quickly she's

gone downhill in the past two months....she was always such an

active woman and now she has no quality of life at all.

thanks for reading this

Debbie

If you do not wish to belong to shydrager, you may

unsubscribe by sending a blank email to

shydrager-unsubscribe

[Guest guest]

Debbie,

So sorry to hear of your mom's difficulties. We on the List (both patients and caregivers) certainly know what both of you are experiencing. You will find everyone more than willing to relate their experiences both good and bad to you.

You will find out as you read these posts, this disease progresses more speedily in some than others and no two cases are the same. You may bring up any subject and receive input.

I am a 69 year old female dx'd 3 years ago with PD, a very common occurrence before MSA is even given consideration. Finding a very knowledgeable neurologist in the autonomic nervous system/movement disorder field would seem to be a priority.

It took me a while to learn enough about what I was dealing with to know where to look. I ended up at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN. I have been fortunate to find a neuro close by whom I see every 3 months for symptom management.

You and your mother will be remembered in our prayers.

Barbara Pond

Blacksburg VA

[Guest guest]

Welcome Margie from another Marjie. I am also 5'1 " down from 296 to 155 -

160 lbs. I also lead a local support group. Some long term post ops but

mostly newbies. Good to meet you!

Marjie

[Guest guest]

I don't think there is any single answer as to when you can return to work.

It is all very individual. I could not have returned to the kind of work

you do in that amount of time. But the pain and recovery was worse and

slower for me than for most people. You need to ask your Dr. and see what

he says. My doctor did not want me doing anything strenuous around my

stomach for like 10 weeks. I was told no lifting and no weights for 10

weeks. Now I do lift small things but we are talking under 10 pounds. I

had my surgery done LAP and I believe the recovery time for open is a bit

longer.

The menu is dependent upon what stage you are at in the process. First it's

clear liquids then you move on to full liquids. You will then move from

pureed foods to soft solids to regular diet. What you eat is up to you but

you mainly eat proteins and vegs and very few carbs. I was at regular diet

at about 6 weeks.

As to Gatorade I was specifically told not to drink it because it has so

much sugar and it can cause the dumping syndrome. So check with your Dr.

about that as well.

According to my doctor you pouch is the size of a golfball after surgery. I

had self controlled pain meds (morphine) after surgery. But the day after

surgery I made them take me off of it and give me something else because I

could hardly hold my head up and I absolutely could not walk. They wouldn't

even let me try because I couldn't really sit up I was so out of it from the

morphine.

Length of stay is about 4 days I think for open. For Lap the average is 2

days.

I hope that helps.

Candi

HELLO

Hello My name is cori. I am about 2 weeks PRE-OP... A bit scared.. I was

wondering if anyone can tell me about how long it will take to return to

work.. I

am a Paramedic /Firefighter so I do alot of lifting and pulling... I am on

vacation till Dec 20 will this be enough time to recoup? I am having the

Open

RNY..... Another question is can someone give me an idea of what a normal

days

menu would be after the procedure???How long before going back to normal

food? Also does anyone know how gatorade will affect the new stomach? In

my field

we are given gatorade at every fire and expected to drink it to replenish

some

electrolytes....

I have been told that i should have dr make my pouch a bit bigger

since i dont eat at any regular cycle... And because I burn so many more

calories

in my field... ( I think thats kinda dumb cause if i was burning so many

more

calories I wouldnt be needing this procedure)... What is pouch size after

procedure if anyone knows...... MY Dr has been kinda hard to get with

cause of

vacation to ask these questions.... Last question How many people had self

controlled pain meds via IV pump after procedure????? And what was length

of stay in

hospital.....

Thanks and sorry for all the questions...................Cori

PRE-OP

[Guest guest]

I had lap, so I'm not sure about recovery. My diet includes liquids for 6

weeks. Gatorade is my primary source of calories and the potassium I need to

keep from cramping when I have to walk my 15 minutes in the morning and evening.

The pain meds after surgery did NOT include an IV drip, I had to ask for each

and every pain shot, which I did. I came out of surgery in pain and didn't want

to feel that again. I had my LAP RNY on the 10/31/03, came home on 11/2/03 and

took one oral dose of pain meds, but have not had to take anymore and today is

11/5/03, but remember I had Lap and you are having open. Good luck!

Carol Matar

--------------------------

Sent from my wireless handheld

HELLO

Hello My name is cori. I am about 2 weeks PRE-OP... A bit scared.. I was

wondering if anyone can tell me about how long it will take to return to work..

I

am a Paramedic /Firefighter so I do alot of lifting and pulling... I am on

vacation till Dec 20 will this be enough time to recoup? I am having the Open

RNY..... Another question is can someone give me an idea of what a normal days

menu would be after the procedure???How long before going back to normal

food? Also does anyone know how gatorade will affect the new stomach? In my

field

we are given gatorade at every fire and expected to drink it to replenish some

electrolytes....

I have been told that i should have dr make my pouch a bit bigger

since i dont eat at any regular cycle... And because I burn so many more

calories

in my field... ( I think thats kinda dumb cause if i was burning so many more

calories I wouldnt be needing this procedure)... What is pouch size after

procedure if anyone knows...... MY Dr has been kinda hard to get with cause of

vacation to ask these questions.... Last question How many people had self

controlled pain meds via IV pump after procedure????? And what was length of

stay in

hospital.....

Thanks and sorry for all the questions...................Cori

PRE-OP

[Guest guest]

Congradulations on getting your surgery approved Cori!

I am a nurse in a busy urban community health center in Miami. I had a RNY LAP

almost 4 months ago. I was off for only 6 weeks. If you do not have any

complications from your surgery your time off should be at least that much maybe

up to 8 weeks, if you do not have any complications. I filed for short term

disability with my employer, as I didn't have that much sick time or vacation.

Getting back to regular food in your diet varies with your doctor. I was on

clear liquids the first post-op day and advanced to full liquids the next and

was on full for two weeks, purred for two weeks and then soft before I advanced

to a regular diet. As for the gatorade, it also has sugar. Your new pouch

will not be able to digest it and you may experience 'dumping syndrome' Best to

ask for or bring a sugar free sports drink.

As for the pouch size, I don't think you will need a bigger one. The idea is to

eat foods hi in protien, no carbs and a 4 oz serving will fill you up. My

typical diet is a protien shake with water and coffee in the morning, a regular

lunch, a hi protien snack in the afternon of cheese or a protien bar and then

dinner. I eat the same foods as my family, only much less.

Hope this helps.

As for the PCA pump. The hospital I went to did away with them, so I had to

wait for the nurse to give me mine. I would have rather had the PCA for

the first couple days....

Sharon

RNY LAP 7-17-03

South Miami Hospital

315/239/150

HELLO

Hello My name is cori. I am about 2 weeks PRE-OP... A bit scared.. I was

wondering if anyone can tell me about how long it will take to return to

work.. I

am a Paramedic /Firefighter so I do alot of lifting and pulling... I am on

vacation till Dec 20 will this be enough time to recoup? I am having the Open

RNY..... Another question is can someone give me an idea of what a normal

days

menu would be after the procedure???How long before going back to normal

food? Also does anyone know how gatorade will affect the new stomach? In my

field

we are given gatorade at every fire and expected to drink it to replenish some

electrolytes....

I have been told that i should have dr make my pouch a bit bigger

since i dont eat at any regular cycle... And because I burn so many more

calories

in my field... ( I think thats kinda dumb cause if i was burning so many more

calories I wouldnt be needing this procedure)... What is pouch size after

procedure if anyone knows...... MY Dr has been kinda hard to get with cause of

vacation to ask these questions.... Last question How many people had self

controlled pain meds via IV pump after procedure????? And what was length of

stay in

hospital.....

Thanks and sorry for all the questions...................Cori

PRE-OP

[Guest guest]

Hi Cori,

I am 5 1/2 weeks post-op...as for the Gatorade, I think certain

people can tolerate it...I can't...there is a water made by Gatorade,

it is called " Propel-Fitness Water " comes in different flavors, lemon

is the best...very low sugar(but there is a little bit)...it does not

affect me though...and it tastes great, I drink about half of one

when I get done exercising...yummy! I was in the hopital for four

days...four long boring days...and a self controlled morphine pump,

but had a bad reaction to the morphine...so i quit using it the

second day...the pain is very tolerable...and i have a pretty low

threshold for pain(i am a big wussy). By the time I left the hospital

I was off pain meds and when I got home, sent my hubby to fill my

prescription and found out it was a derivative of codeine(which I am

allergic to)...so I have been med free since day three after

surgery...the more you walk, the better you feel. I am starting at 5

1/2 weeks to incorporate more foods into my diet just to see what is

tolerable and so far, I have been lucky(knock on wood), I have had no

problems...eggs, potatoes, bacon, crackers, chicken, raviolis, bite

of spaghetti, all kinds of soups, fat-free milk, juices(except

orange)...well good luck in your journey...

Hannah

> Hello My name is cori. I am about 2 weeks PRE-OP... A bit scared..

I was

> wondering if anyone can tell me about how long it will take to

return to work.. I

> am a Paramedic /Firefighter so I do alot of lifting and pulling...

I am on

> vacation till Dec 20 will this be enough time to recoup? I am

having the Open

> RNY..... Another question is can someone give me an idea of what a

normal days

> menu would be after the procedure???How long before going back to

normal

> food? Also does anyone know how gatorade will affect the new

stomach? In my field

> we are given gatorade at every fire and expected to drink it to

replenish some

> electrolytes....

> I have been told that i should have dr make my pouch a bit

bigger

> since i dont eat at any regular cycle... And because I burn so many

more calories

> in my field... ( I think thats kinda dumb cause if i was burning so

many more

> calories I wouldnt be needing this procedure)... What is pouch size

after

> procedure if anyone knows...... MY Dr has been kinda hard to get

with cause of

> vacation to ask these questions.... Last question How many people

had self

> controlled pain meds via IV pump after procedure????? And what was

length of stay in

> hospital.....

> Thanks and sorry for all the questions...................Cori

>

> PRE-OP

[Guest guest]

SOME ON HERE BEFORE SURGERY ATE LIQUIDS DIETS UNTIL SURGERY AND SOME HAD

LIGHTER THAN USUAL DIETS BEFORE SURGERY. I MYSELF ATE LIKE A PIG UNTIL THE NIGHT

BEFORE SURGERY, I FELT I HAD TO EAT EVERYTHING I COULD BEFORE SURGERY BECASUE I

COULD NOT AFTER, WELL I WAS WRONG, I CAN EAT ALMOST ANYTHING I WANT TO NOW

TOO JUST DON'T NEED TOO ANYMORE I THINK THEY JUST DON'T WANT YOU PIGGY OUT

AND I AM SURE THEY DON'T WANT NOTHING IN YOUR SYSTEM AFTER MIDNIGHT THE NIGHT

BEFORE, NOT EVEN WATER... ASK YOUR DOCS OFFICE TO BE SURE THOUGH, NEVER CAN

BE TOO CAREFUL.. GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR SURGERY AND HAVE A SPEEDY RECOVERY. GOD

BLESS,

ROBIN, NEW YORK

AGE-41

OPEN RNY

OCT. 18TH, 2002

DR. EDWARD HIXSON

SARANAC LAKE, NY

378/246/170???

132 LBS GONE FOREVER : )

What a GREAT feeling : )

[Guest guest]

,

I wasn't on any special diet before surgery. Some people were. You need

to talk to your surgeon...he's the one that will tell you what you need

to do. I just had nothing by mouth after midnight the night before.

T.

Lap RNY 6/20/03

432/315/170

Houston, Dr. Adam Naaman

[Guest guest]

This is my dr. version of a lite diet. HOpe it helps.

breakfast

decaf coffee/tea

1-8ounce glass of water

1/2 cup pulp free orange juice

1 slice of bread

1 cup of cereal

1 fat such as butter(1 tsp)

LUnch

decaf coffee/tea

1-8 ounce glass of water

2 ounces of meat, such as sliced turkey breast

2 breads, such as 2 slices of bread

1cup of skim milk

1 fat,such as miricle whip of butter

Dinner

decaf coffee/tea

8 ounces of water

3 ounces of meat

2 starches, such as 1-3 ounce baked potato and 1 medium dinner roll

1 fat

2 vegtables, such as 1 cup cooked mixed vegtables

1 fruit, such as 1/2 banana

Also remember to drink lots of fluid through out the day, so you are

not dehydrated the next am. Just make sure you stop drinking at

midnight. If you are dehydrated it can make it difficult to get an

IV started. Best of luck.

Jill H.

276/252/140

10/20/03

> I HAVE A QUESTION IM HAVING SURGERY ON FRIDAY 21 AT

> 630 AM AND I WAS TOLD AT PRE OP THAT I SHOULD EAT A

> LITE DIET ... DOES ANYONE ELSE KNOW ABOUT A DIET AND

> WHAT IS EXATLY ON IT

>

>

> THANK YOU GINA

[Guest guest]

welcome aboard. try go to wls support groups, a lot of hospital that perform

surg have meetings. try obesityhelp, asbs.org, medical

journals @ your local library...

lori h.

> Hi everyone I'm New to the group and need your oppinions.

> I am 5'10 and a little over 400lbs. I am considering gastic bypass

> surgury. The problem is I don't know where to begin. There is so

> much information on the web about RNY and lap Band; I have

> information overload. There is a pill that I read about that suppose

> to be a substitute the the Gastric Bypass surgury. Has anyone heard

> about? Does it work? Where can I get information to be able to make

> the best decision about if I should go for the surgury or not?

> I would appreaciate any help this group could provide.

>

> msecooke

[Guest guest]

whenever i hear about this pill i think to myself " how many other miracle

pills have i taken through out my life? " ...i can only imagine what all of the

pills that i have taken to lose weight have put into my body...now i know that i

will NOT ever take another " miracle weight loss " pill and put God only knows

what kind of chemicals into my body..just my honest opinion

10-21-03

332-280-150

LapRNY

[Guest guest]

I have heard that there is a pill that is supposed to be coming out but I

did not know it had been released as yet.

Candi

Hello

Hi everyone I'm New to the group and need your oppinions.

I am 5'10 and a little over 400lbs. I am considering gastic bypass

surgury. The problem is I don't know where to begin. There is so

much information on the web about RNY and lap Band; I have

information overload. There is a pill that I read about that suppose

to be a substitute the the Gastric Bypass surgury. Has anyone heard

about? Does it work? Where can I get information to be able to make

the best decision about if I should go for the surgury or not?

I would appreaciate any help this group could provide.

msecooke

[Guest guest]

, WELCOME!!!!! Jump in anytime. We all need the feedback.

Joan

LAP RNY 11/18/03

Dr. Higa, Fresno, CA

282/246/140

[Guest guest]

I am wondering if anyone out here has had upper and lower jaw surgery

due to an underbite. Initally the 1st surgeon in the state that I

came from wanted to do just the lower jaw surgery. This new surgeon

who seems much more knowledgable wants to put my lower jaw back

alittle and move my upper jaw foward alittle. This way I won't end

up with a reccessed chin. Also because my upper jaw is deficient

that it isn't that I have this horrible underbite (it's not as bad a

Sammy Jr...but I have always been aware of it) but from a

medical standpoint I guess he is saying it isn't that bad, it's more

of my upper jaw being deficient. I am just wondering has anyone had

this same problem or any similarities? I am nervous about looking so

different or just a mistake happening.

We are talking about surgery in early May, so things are really

happening fast. Which on one hand is wonderful I have been in braces

almost two years already so I am wanting an end to this...any

comments much appreciated.

Thanks

[Guest guest]

Hi,

My doctor came up with the exact diagnosis, after seeing various oral

surgeons over the years he was the first one to say that, I was

always uncomfortable with the thought of having my jaw moved back

that much since I didn't realy feel it stuck out a lot and most

people could not even tell I had an underbite until I mentioned it.

I am going to have my upper advanced 5mm and the lower back 3mm.

I have been in braces for 10 months and I am finally in the last

agonizing steps before setting a date. I saw my ortho Monday and he

said that May is still very much a possibility for me, I should know

in about 2 weeks. I beleive there are other people who have had

similar cases in the group. I've been reading all of the past posts

since march of '02 and I have come across a few. What state are you

in?

Marsha

> I am wondering if anyone out here has had upper and lower jaw

surgery

> due to an underbite. Initally the 1st surgeon in the state that I

> came from wanted to do just the lower jaw surgery. This new

surgeon

> who seems much more knowledgable wants to put my lower jaw back

> alittle and move my upper jaw foward alittle. This way I won't end

> up with a reccessed chin. Also because my upper jaw is deficient

> that it isn't that I have this horrible underbite (it's not as bad

a

> Sammy Jr...but I have always been aware of it) but from a

> medical standpoint I guess he is saying it isn't that bad, it's

more

> of my upper jaw being deficient. I am just wondering has anyone

had

> this same problem or any similarities? I am nervous about looking

so

> different or just a mistake happening.

>

> We are talking about surgery in early May, so things are really

> happening fast. Which on one hand is wonderful I have been in

braces

> almost two years already so I am wanting an end to this...any

> comments much appreciated.

>

> Thanks

[Guest guest]

Hello, Lillies,

Yes. It's scary. But it's a lot more scary than it usually needs be.

i was terrified, right along with everybody else. But it was a lot

easier than I ever dreamed it could be.

I do think it's important to go with a doc you can relate well with.

Pain is not usually a big problem. I'm not saying you won't have any -

- but often the drugs help woozy you up through the worst of it, and

often there's temporary numbness that dulls it, as well.

Sounds like you're worried about those incisions through the cheek.

I had them, so that my surgeon could put the screws in my jawbone at

the proper angle. They were tiny. Three little stitches on each side,

that came out at my first post=op appointment. Nothing at all, and

you could not see a slight hint of them today. Nor on the other

friends I have seen whose work was done by the same doc. No pain

there, no bruising there, nothing left. I have way worse scars from

kitchen burns and cuts, all of these on my hands and forearms. The

through-the-cheek incisions aren't anything to worry about at all, so

long as you take care of them as instructed.

Cammie

[Guest guest]

Thanks Cammie, that helps alot. It wasn't so much as the scars being

there (the doctor did say they were very little, it was more that

when I first asked and researched online no one said they had them

done. So I was just scared he was using some unusual method.

When was your surgery done? We are hoping for early May. In fact

today my ortho dropped off my molds to my Os, and he will see me

tomorrow and let me know if he can proceed. Our lives are in limbo

(we might be moving...again..out of state) so I am wanting to get

this done, but of course I don't want to rush it. It's been such

along ordeal with the braces and trying to get ready for this to

happen. Hard to believe we might actually be close!!

anywho! Thanks for the advice and your experience. Everyone has

been soooo great on this site, I am so glad I found it! I'm sure

everyone feels the same way:-)

> Hello, Lillies,

>

> Yes. It's scary. But it's a lot more scary than it usually needs

be.

> i was terrified, right along with everybody else. But it was a lot

> easier than I ever dreamed it could be.

>

> I do think it's important to go with a doc you can relate well with.

>

> Pain is not usually a big problem. I'm not saying you won't have

any -

> - but often the drugs help woozy you up through the worst of it,

and

> often there's temporary numbness that dulls it, as well.

>

> Sounds like you're worried about those incisions through the cheek.

>

> I had them, so that my surgeon could put the screws in my jawbone

at

> the proper angle. They were tiny. Three little stitches on each

side,

> that came out at my first post=op appointment. Nothing at all, and

> you could not see a slight hint of them today. Nor on the other

> friends I have seen whose work was done by the same doc. No pain

> there, no bruising there, nothing left. I have way worse scars from

> kitchen burns and cuts, all of these on my hands and forearms. The

> through-the-cheek incisions aren't anything to worry about at all,

so

> long as you take care of them as instructed.

>

>

> Cammie