Good news for lower jaw onlies

[Guest guest]

I hope this will encourage those of you contemplating surgery. I am

16 days post op, lower jaw only (8mm). I am doing unbelievably well

and thought you might like to hear from someone who has had a very

uneventful (thankfully!) experience. I had a typical first week post

op, lots of swelling and bruising and some yucky days, but very

little pain due to the meds. I just got photos back documenting each

day up to day 10. I encourage you to do that! I looked far worse in

the pics than I felt at the time, and it's fascinating to see the

progress. By day 11, I was pretty much back to my normal routine and

I think 95% of the swelling was gone by about 14. I can take my

bands off to eat and open my mouth enough to slip a spoon or fork

in. So, even food is back in my life! Last night I actually went out

to a Mexican restaurant and had a wonderful meal (beans, enchilada)--

just no chips. It wasn't pretty for my family to watch me make a

mess eating, but I was in heaven. I count myself very lucky, and am

not sure how typical my recovery has been (I'd be interested to

compare notes with other lower jaw onlies), but I wanted to let you

know that it is possible to get through this fairly easily. I posted

a note last week called " Recovery Tips " with some things that

helped, if you're interested. I took a month off work to be safe,

but honestly (don't tell my boss) I could have returned at least

part time after 1 1/2- -2 weeks. My ortho told me that's how long it

would take, but I thought he was plain nuts until about day 9 when I

reluctantly had to admit that my pampered days were quickly coming

to an end, because I really felt fine. I just get tired easily, but

otherwise I am basically back to my regular routine. Be encouraged!

It's already worth it for me. Bonnie

[Guest guest]

Recovery from the lower only is definitely easier. BUT -

unfortunately - it is plagued by the permanent numbness complication.

Upper is harder to recover, but once it heals, but seems to heal

with virtually no permanent problems (if no relapse).

Val

> I hope this will encourage those of you contemplating surgery. I am

> 16 days post op, lower jaw only (8mm). I am doing unbelievably well

> and thought you might like to hear from someone who has had a very

> uneventful (thankfully!) experience. I had a typical first week

post

> op, lots of swelling and bruising and some yucky days, but very

> little pain due to the meds. I just got photos back documenting

each

> day up to day 10. I encourage you to do that! I looked far worse in

> the pics than I felt at the time, and it's fascinating to see the

> progress. By day 11, I was pretty much back to my normal routine

and

> I think 95% of the swelling was gone by about 14. I can take my

> bands off to eat and open my mouth enough to slip a spoon or fork

> in. So, even food is back in my life! Last night I actually went

out

> to a Mexican restaurant and had a wonderful meal (beans, enchilada)-

-

> just no chips. It wasn't pretty for my family to watch me make a

> mess eating, but I was in heaven. I count myself very lucky, and am

> not sure how typical my recovery has been (I'd be interested to

> compare notes with other lower jaw onlies), but I wanted to let you

> know that it is possible to get through this fairly easily. I

posted

> a note last week called " Recovery Tips " with some things that

> helped, if you're interested. I took a month off work to be safe,

> but honestly (don't tell my boss) I could have returned at least

> part time after 1 1/2- -2 weeks. My ortho told me that's how long

it

> would take, but I thought he was plain nuts until about day 9 when

I

> reluctantly had to admit that my pampered days were quickly coming

> to an end, because I really felt fine. I just get tired easily, but

> otherwise I am basically back to my regular routine. Be

encouraged!

> It's already worth it for me. Bonnie

[Guest guest]

Hey-ooh.. I have no stats. but my lower was not plagued even by temp

numbness.

I know, I was most fortunate, and am grateful. And I hope the same

for all others. But it does not have to happen, at least with my

bones and nerves and a 5 mm, and 3mm side movement.

Cammie

> Recovery from the lower only is definitely easier. BUT -

> unfortunately - it is plagued by the permanent numbness

complication.

> Upper is harder to recover, but once it heals, but seems to heal

> with virtually no permanent problems (if no relapse).

>

>

> Val

>

>