1st posting - 5 days post op

[Guest guest]

Hi all !

Sorry to have took so long to post. First, the surgery took double

the time it was initially planned. That is, 9 hours instead of 5. The

surgeon installed additional sets of plates and screws. So, as a restult,

I was wired with only 2 bands. But on Saturday, it became clear that

this " joyful " moment was coming to an end, so she put more bands.

I now have more bands that I thought I would have, but I can still

manage to open my mouth more than a finger tall (1.25, I'd say). I got out

of the hospital yesterday at 5 PM.

The only problem is, and that is what has kept far from here, I'm having

a rough time eliminating the aneasthesia. If I move my head to quickly,

I become very dizzy. Same thing when I wake up after a nap. Surgeon

said it'll eventually pass. Nothing to worry. Also, being alergic to pain

killers, I must take codein syrup... First, I have tasted better stuff in my

life

and second, I makes me want to sleep for about 3 hours after each dose.

So, I have a very limited " functioning time " in between two doses, if you

see what I mean...

My face is swollen beyond recognition. I look like a fat version of

Travolta. Friends and familly are so nice with me (they're are

lying about exactly the same thing, saying I look great, and my teeth are

gonna be great... lol !!). Seriously, they're a great help.

The bruises have spread to my upper chest. As the swollen area near

my eyes is returning to normal. I'm constantly cold. I mean it's Summer

and I have a shirt and a vest (whool). And if I could, I would crank up the

heating system. Surgeon said I lost a great deal of blood, not more than

usual, but that could explain why I'm always frozen. Blood testing done

after the surgery is ok, so are the vital signs.

And I quite smoking! Daty #5 without a cigarette!

That's it for now, my vision is spinning... meaning I'm tired and I need the

rest.

Take care and I'll report back tomorrow morning.

Ray

[Guest guest]

Hi Ray!

Welcome to the other side!

You should be thankful that you can sleep because, as dammit

mentionned, since you're sleeping through the worst part - you'll

think recovery is a breeze. The anesthesia wore off very quickly once

they removed my IV and I had trouble sleeping afterwards.

I can relate to being cold all the time right after surgery, but I

assumed it was just because it was winter (I had my surgery in

December) They are announcing very warm temperatures tomorrow

though, so maybe you'll be able to remove your wool vest

Good luck!

Johanne

> Hi all !

>

> Sorry to have took so long to post. First, the surgery took double

> the time it was initially planned. That is, 9 hours instead of 5.

The

> surgeon installed additional sets of plates and screws. So, as a

restult,

> I was wired with only 2 bands. But on Saturday, it became clear

that

> this " joyful " moment was coming to an end, so she put more bands.

> I now have more bands that I thought I would have, but I can still

> manage to open my mouth more than a finger tall (1.25, I'd say). I

got out

> of the hospital yesterday at 5 PM.

>

> The only problem is, and that is what has kept far from here, I'm

having

> a rough time eliminating the aneasthesia. If I move my head to

quickly,

> I become very dizzy. Same thing when I wake up after a nap.

Surgeon

> said it'll eventually pass. Nothing to worry. Also, being alergic

to pain

> killers, I must take codein syrup... First, I have tasted better

stuff in my life

> and second, I makes me want to sleep for about 3 hours after each

dose.

> So, I have a very limited " functioning time " in between two doses,

if you

> see what I mean...

>

> My face is swollen beyond recognition. I look like a fat version of

> Travolta. Friends and familly are so nice with me (they're are

> lying about exactly the same thing, saying I look great, and my

teeth are

> gonna be great... lol !!). Seriously, they're a great help.

>

> The bruises have spread to my upper chest. As the swollen area near

> my eyes is returning to normal. I'm constantly cold. I mean it's

Summer

> and I have a shirt and a vest (whool). And if I could, I would

crank up the

> heating system. Surgeon said I lost a great deal of blood, not more

than

> usual, but that could explain why I'm always frozen. Blood testing

done

> after the surgery is ok, so are the vital signs.

>

> And I quite smoking! Daty #5 without a cigarette!

>

> That's it for now, my vision is spinning... meaning I'm tired and I

need the rest.

>

> Take care and I'll report back tomorrow morning.

>

> Ray

[Guest guest]

>

> Hi Ray!

>

> Welcome to the other side!

>

> You should be thankful that you can sleep because, as dammit

> mentionned, since you're sleeping through the worst part - you'll

> think recovery is a breeze. The anesthesia wore off very quickly once

> they removed my IV and I had trouble sleeping afterwards.

>

> I can relate to being cold all the time right after surgery, but I

> assumed it was just because it was winter (I had my surgery in

> December) They are announcing very warm temperatures tomorrow

> though, so maybe you'll be able to remove your wool vest

>

> Good luck!

> Johanne

Hi Johanne!

I was especially thinkg of you and Marlaine. How are you girls doing ?

I hope all is good for the both of you.

I guess I won't be having a coffee any soon with you.. I'm still unable to taste

things to the point they're actually enjoyable (except grape Jell-O... go

figure,

it's the only thing that actually taste what it did before... chemicals..??

haha!)

The waiting was totally worth it. Dr Faucher is a very dedicated woman. She's

a fine surgeon and was more than willing to accomodate my needs. And,

eventhough the hospital I had the surgery wasn't on her way home, she visited me

twice a day, morning and evening. She stayed long enough to cover all

my questions, and she even discussed things with my friends (stuff I didn't

need to worry about at the moment).

Funny thing, the anaesthesist was aslo a woman, so were both nurses taking

care of me when I woke up in the ICU.

Ray

[Guest guest]

Hi Ray!

I haven't spoken to Marlaine recently, but I'm assuming she's doing

well. She's planning on running off to Quebec City this summer.

As for me, I'm doing okay. This might not be the best time to mention

this since you just had your surgery, but I'm having a little

relapse. My open bite is returning. I got some more of those cute

little elastics (they seem to get smaller and tighter every time)

which I had to wear after my surgery 6 months ago. I have to put them

in diagonally to try and pull my lower jaw forward and remind it to

get back into the postion I paid lots of money for it to be in

My case is very complex and I had a few teeth removed, so it's not

uncommon for an open bite to return (even under the best conditions)

My surgeon isn't worried. My ortho (the perfectionnist) can't stand

the idea of my open bite returning even slightly though. Still no

regrets though and still very happy with the results.

I'm glad you're recovering well (and not complaining too much)

At least you can eat Jell-O - I was so tightly banded - I couldn't

even get it into my mouth (it was funny to watch me try though)

My best Christmas present was getting my elastics removed on Dec 23rd

and having only 2 elastics which I could remove and attempt to eat

like a semi-normal person. I eat mashed potatoes with gravy (nothing

on Earth ever tasted that good)

Well, since you've probably already dozed off half way through my

post - I'll let you get back to recovering and eating your grape

Jell-O

Best of luck!

Johanne

>

> Hi Johanne!

>

> I was especially thinkg of you and Marlaine. How are you girls

doing ?

> I hope all is good for the both of you.

>

> I guess I won't be having a coffee any soon with you.. I'm still

unable to taste

> things to the point they're actually enjoyable (except grape Jell-

O... go figure,

> it's the only thing that actually taste what it did before...

chemicals..?? haha!)

>

> The waiting was totally worth it. Dr Faucher is a very dedicated

woman. She's

> a fine surgeon and was more than willing to accomodate my needs.

And,

> eventhough the hospital I had the surgery wasn't on her way home,

she visited me

> twice a day, morning and evening. She stayed long enough to cover

all

> my questions, and she even discussed things with my friends (stuff

I didn't

> need to worry about at the moment).

>

> Funny thing, the anaesthesist was aslo a woman, so were both nurses

taking

> care of me when I woke up in the ICU.

>

> Ray

[Guest guest]

>

> Hi Ray!

>

> I haven't spoken to Marlaine recently, but I'm assuming she's doing

> well. She's planning on running off to Quebec City this summer.

>

> As for me, I'm doing okay. This might not be the best time to mention

> this since you just had your surgery, but I'm having a little

> relapse. My open bite is returning. I got some more of those cute

> little elastics (they seem to get smaller and tighter every time)

> which I had to wear after my surgery 6 months ago. I have to put them

> in diagonally to try and pull my lower jaw forward and remind it to

> get back into the postion I paid lots of money for it to be in

> My case is very complex and I had a few teeth removed, so it's not

> uncommon for an open bite to return (even under the best conditions)

> My surgeon isn't worried. My ortho (the perfectionnist) can't stand

> the idea of my open bite returning even slightly though. Still no

> regrets though and still very happy with the results.

>

> I'm glad you're recovering well (and not complaining too much)

> At least you can eat Jell-O - I was so tightly banded - I couldn't

> even get it into my mouth (it was funny to watch me try though)

> My best Christmas present was getting my elastics removed on Dec 23rd

> and having only 2 elastics which I could remove and attempt to eat

> like a semi-normal person. I eat mashed potatoes with gravy (nothing

> on Earth ever tasted that good)

>

> Well, since you've probably already dozed off half way through my

> post - I'll let you get back to recovering and eating your grape

> Jell-O

>

> Best of luck!

> Johanne

>

Johanne,

Au contraire, reading about relapse isn't scaring. For a number of reasons,

the main being you've no need for additionnal surgery... That's the best

thing there is! If a few bands will help. then I'd say you have it easy,

in a way ;-)

And, I don't have an opened bite, I have an over bite (my lower jaw closed way

inside my upper jaw, I mean). And I need to learn to say " I had an over bite.. "

instead of " I have... " :-)

Perhaps are we sharing the same ortho by the way. He was in tears when

he realized I was having the surgery, last week. I visited him on the 1st,

then had the surgery on the 2nd. But, I'd say for all the times he got out of

his

office in tears (or almost) myself... that's a little joy to me (I'm mad, I

know!!). His,

however, were tears of joy and excitement. Another perfect little bite to put

a © sign on... (copyright) ;-)

Well... Jell-O calls. Today's flavour : Blueberry! And it's actually good!

Ray

[Guest guest]

Hi Ray!

Of course I'm glad nobody has mentionned the idea of a second surgery

on my jaw, but with everything I've gone through in the last 5 years

to be able to eat like a normal person, jaw surgery wasn't the

hardest to go through (I worried more than I needed to - the general

anesthesia worried me more than the surgery itself) My surgeon and

ortho actually didn't want to tell me how complex my surgery was

going to be (they down played it a lot), but I doubt it would have

changed anything since it wasn't the surgery that scared me - it

was 'going to sleep' and never waking up. Then again, after I woke up

and saw myself in the mirror for the first time - I wished I was

dead (Just kidding!)

Who's your orthodontist? Mine is Dr. Papa. My pario, ortho,

prostho and surgeon have all worked together many times, so I feel

confidant in their skills and the fact that they communicate with

each other. I've had many bad experiences with dentists before.

I've never had blueberry Jell-O.

I'll have to find some and try it.

Happy Healing!

Johanne

> >

> > Hi Ray!

> >

> > I haven't spoken to Marlaine recently, but I'm assuming she's

doing

> > well. She's planning on running off to Quebec City this summer.

> >

> > As for me, I'm doing okay. This might not be the best time to

mention

> > this since you just had your surgery, but I'm having a little

> > relapse. My open bite is returning. I got some more of those cute

> > little elastics (they seem to get smaller and tighter every time)

> > which I had to wear after my surgery 6 months ago. I have to put

them

> > in diagonally to try and pull my lower jaw forward and remind it

to

> > get back into the postion I paid lots of money for it to be in

> > My case is very complex and I had a few teeth removed, so it's

not

> > uncommon for an open bite to return (even under the best

conditions)

> > My surgeon isn't worried. My ortho (the perfectionnist) can't

stand

> > the idea of my open bite returning even slightly though. Still no

> > regrets though and still very happy with the results.

> >

> > I'm glad you're recovering well (and not complaining too much)

> > At least you can eat Jell-O - I was so tightly banded - I

couldn't

> > even get it into my mouth (it was funny to watch me try

though)

> > My best Christmas present was getting my elastics removed on Dec

23rd

> > and having only 2 elastics which I could remove and attempt to

eat

> > like a semi-normal person. I eat mashed potatoes with gravy

(nothing

> > on Earth ever tasted that good)

> >

> > Well, since you've probably already dozed off half way through my

> > post - I'll let you get back to recovering and eating your grape

> > Jell-O

> >

> > Best of luck!

> > Johanne

> >

>

> Johanne,

>

> Au contraire, reading about relapse isn't scaring. For a number of

reasons,

> the main being you've no need for additionnal surgery... That's the

best

> thing there is! If a few bands will help. then I'd say you have it

easy,

> in a way ;-)

>

> And, I don't have an opened bite, I have an over bite (my lower jaw

closed way

> inside my upper jaw, I mean). And I need to learn to say " I had an

over bite.. "

> instead of " I have... " :-)

>

> Perhaps are we sharing the same ortho by the way. He was in tears

when

> he realized I was having the surgery, last week. I visited him on

the 1st,

> then had the surgery on the 2nd. But, I'd say for all the times he

got out of his

> office in tears (or almost) myself... that's a little joy to me

(I'm mad, I know!!). His,

> however, were tears of joy and excitement. Another perfect little

bite to put

> a © sign on... (copyright) ;-)

>

> Well... Jell-O calls. Today's flavour : Blueberry! And it's

actually good!

>

> Ray

[Guest guest]

>

> Hi Ray!

>

> Of course I'm glad nobody has mentionned the idea of a second surgery

> on my jaw, but with everything I've gone through in the last 5 years

> to be able to eat like a normal person, jaw surgery wasn't the

> hardest to go through (I worried more than I needed to - the general

> anesthesia worried me more than the surgery itself) My surgeon and

> ortho actually didn't want to tell me how complex my surgery was

> going to be (they down played it a lot), but I doubt it would have

> changed anything since it wasn't the surgery that scared me - it

> was 'going to sleep' and never waking up. Then again, after I woke up

> and saw myself in the mirror for the first time - I wished I was

> dead (Just kidding!)

>

> Who's your orthodontist? Mine is Dr. Papa. My pario, ortho,

> prostho and surgeon have all worked together many times, so I feel

> confidant in their skills and the fact that they communicate with

> each other. I've had many bad experiences with dentists before.

>

> I've never had blueberry Jell-O.

> I'll have to find some and try it.

>

> Happy Healing!

> Johanne

Johanne,

I think a lot of people have a problem with being put asleep. One thing's =

for

sure, you are not alone, though it's not my case. My problem was more with=

" what to expect on the other side " ... will I sleep for days, will I wake up=

in

total panick?...

Nothing of the sort happened.

My ortho is Dr -René Chouinard. He usually works with Dr Garfield, but=

when he realized Garfield didn't want to operate on me (after me telling my=

ortho for months the feeling I had was that he didn't me as a customer, per=

iod),

he finally agreed to let me see another. He tried to have me contacted Dr =

Morin.

This one also refused to talk to me, being bounded with Dr Garfield. At th=

e end,

Garfield " autorized " Dr Faucher to operate on me. She's the third member o=

f her

trio. They have 3 offices and she's at the Repentigny office.

Well... I'm hungry... but there's no more Blueberry Jell-O, my friend ate t=

hem all!

Next flavor : Wild Cherries!

Ray

[Guest guest]

I actually saw Dr. Faucher a few months ago when I had an appointment

with Dr. Morin. I didn't make the connection between you and her

until now even though I'm sure you had mentionned her name before.

And I guess part of me assumed Dr. Faucher was a guy when I'd see the

name on the door of their office in Repentigny.

> >

> > Hi Ray!

> >

> > Of course I'm glad nobody has mentionned the idea of a second

surgery

> > on my jaw, but with everything I've gone through in the last 5

years

> > to be able to eat like a normal person, jaw surgery wasn't the

> > hardest to go through (I worried more than I needed to - the

general

> > anesthesia worried me more than the surgery itself) My surgeon

and

> > ortho actually didn't want to tell me how complex my surgery was

> > going to be (they down played it a lot), but I doubt it would

have

> > changed anything since it wasn't the surgery that scared me - it

> > was 'going to sleep' and never waking up. Then again, after I

woke up

> > and saw myself in the mirror for the first time - I wished I was

> > dead (Just kidding!)

> >

> > Who's your orthodontist? Mine is Dr. Papa. My pario,

ortho,

> > prostho and surgeon have all worked together many times, so I

feel

> > confidant in their skills and the fact that they communicate with

> > each other. I've had many bad experiences with dentists before.

> >

> > I've never had blueberry Jell-O.

> > I'll have to find some and try it.

> >

> > Happy Healing!

> > Johanne

>

> Johanne,

>

> I think a lot of people have a problem with being put asleep. One

thing's =

> for

> sure, you are not alone, though it's not my case. My problem was

more with=

>

> " what to expect on the other side " ... will I sleep for days, will I

wake up=

> in

> total panick?...

>

> Nothing of the sort happened.

>

> My ortho is Dr -René Chouinard. He usually works with Dr

Garfield, but=

>

> when he realized Garfield didn't want to operate on me (after me

telling my=

>

> ortho for months the feeling I had was that he didn't me as a

customer, per=

> iod),

> he finally agreed to let me see another. He tried to have me

contacted Dr =

> Morin.

> This one also refused to talk to me, being bounded with Dr

Garfield. At th=

> e end,

> Garfield " autorized " Dr Faucher to operate on me. She's the third

member o=

> f her

> trio. They have 3 offices and she's at the Repentigny office.

>

> Well... I'm hungry... but there's no more Blueberry Jell-O, my

friend ate t=

> hem all!

> Next flavor : Wild Cherries!

>

> Ray