Q&As for Lydia/Lillies from Fran

[Guest guest]

Hi Lydia/Lillies:

I'm happy to help any way I can. BTW, I'm in Pa as well (Philly), if

that's useful to you.

I'll answer your questions one at a time:

Is it really painful?

Not for me. Part of it was the good drugs and the numbness, so I was

never in pain. I went off the meds after one week.

What has been the worse part?

The worst part was the first night and the third night. The first

night, I knew I'd be scared about breathing and throwing up. I

shared this with my doc the week before the surgery. To help, he

made sure they emptied my stomach before they woke me up and had the

anesthesiologist wake me up slower. He also gave me a valium-type

something so I wouldn't be panicked about being congested when I got

up. Night three was the worst swelling and congestion. I had someone

get me a humidifier because I felt so clogges.

Is your appearance worse than you thought?

Absolutely not and frankly, I'm a bit surprised by the question. I

have before and after shots I can send you. The swelling is now down

to 20 percent and unless someone knows to look for it, they can't

tell.

> How about eating? Are you losing weight, is that to be expected?

I probably lost about 7-10 lbs, but I was pretty slender to begin

with. I tried to keep the calories up (ensure isn't so bad when it's

through a tube!) and had fun for a month or so before the surgery

saying I was eating for two....months!

Now my weight is stabilized. It'll probably come back but it'd be

nice to keep it off.

I think my OS said that he wants to move the upper back 4mm and the

lower 3mm. But those are just estimates for now. I am getting the

molds on Friday then I guess I will have to wait two weeks till they

come in.

Mine were moved 3mm each -- the upper forward and the lower back.

The OS thinks I may have a upper jaw width problem which

would mean cutting between the incisior tooth, just sounds awful!

I didn't have that handled at surgery. I had had the surgical

expander in September 2002 that widened my mouth.

Anything you can tell me, will be MOST appreciated.

Definitely get the zip n squeeze bags...they were great. Also, take

off as much time as you can. I didn't take off enough and your body

really wants to heal.

The worst part was the anticipation. I was pretty neurotic by

surgery day and lost it when they were wheeling me in. But once you

make it through the first three - four days, you know it's all

uphill.

If there's anything else you need, just let me know.

Good Luck!

Fran