Guest guest Posted July 22, 2004 Report Share Posted July 22, 2004 Hello, I met with my surgeon this afternoon. It was the last " regular " appointment as the next is gonna be in one month. I'm almost rubber band free. I don't have to wear them during day, only at night, and only for the next week. If my TMJ don't hurt, next week I will be able to remove them completely... !!! I can also, as of today, start to eat normally again. She suggested I start with softer food and work my way towards a normal diet. I've been cleared to start exercising again, weight lifting and everything (not that weight lifting was in my activities, though..!). Medium impact cardio activities for the next 4 weeks then regular strenght. I was given the go to blow my nose. I have to admit, I already had cheated this morning. For those tempted to, be adivsed, some " stuff " may exit your body through the eyes.. ;-) And there was " living " blood, unlike the dried blood found after the surgery. She said it's, again, normal. I can open my mouth 42mm at home, 37mm when asked to do it at her office (without first stretching the muscles). She said the average bite aperture is 45mm. Somehow, I find it strange... I tried to eat a home muffin last week, and it wouldn't fit. It was only 38mm. Again, I have to wait another month before we start bigger and tougher exercises. Finally, I regained feeling everywhere except between my nostrils. " Regained feeling " , in my case, this means I feel something when she touched me with this pin thing. It doesn't mean I can feel like before the surgery. Those were the good news. Now, the not so good news... I have residual swelling in my right cheek. It's going down, at the incredible rate of one millimeter per 10 years... (or so I feel..). She wants me to wait (one more time...). She said there's something to be done if the swelling doesn't go away. But she refused to tell me what it is. If someone has an idea... that would be appreciated. She said she'd tell me about it in a month, when I'll see her again. I also have some swelling in my chin, but it's barely noticeable as it's evenly distributed. My gums are still pretty swollen. She's unsure as to the nature of this swelling. She thinks it's a problem of being unable to clean my teeth and gums correctly because of the surgical hooks, as the interior of my teeth are all very well cleaned. Again, she wants me to wait for the ortho to remove the hooks... in a month! Finally, the left side of my tongue hasn't returned to normal. My diction is still full of " ch " sounds everywhere. She wants me to be patient and wait for the swelling to go down, as she's sure this problem is related to the residual swelling I have in my cheek and chin. I never was " a beauty queen " , but now with that big thing in my right cheek as soon as I talk or smile, I'm simply shy to speak to anyone. I have a big party in two weeks, and I'll have to cancel, as I don't want to appear all swollen in front of anyone.. (it feels good to vent this) I have learned to be more patient with my braces, and later my " several times " delayed surgery. But I just feel this wait-again-please thing is finallly getting me. I guess I'd be happy to hear about someone's speaking misery later getting better. Because for now, I'm really tired of speaking like someone with a speech disorder. I was asked " Are you happy with the results? " when I visited her. I couldn't answer. I still can't. Ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 23, 2004 Report Share Posted July 23, 2004 Tell me, do you have any incisions inside your mouth that have not fully closed, or is everything totally healed up inside? Anyway, I have an idea what she might do if your swelling doesn't subside. It's called " curettage " . It's a procedure that's done in the office under local anesthetic, where they go in and scrape the tissue from the affected areas, like the jaw bone and the surrounding areas. It invlolves creating an incision in the mouth, opening it up, and then cleaning up the tissue in the area. At the same time they check for other problems like a screw head perhaps causing irritation, or a portion of the bone that isn't healing properly. Maybe they'll grind off a screw head or two. Then they suture the incision. I know it doesn't sound like much fun and that may be why she won't tell you about it - she doesn't want you to worry about it for a month. Keep in mind I'm just guessing about what she might do, because you asked. Jay > Hello, > > I met with my surgeon this afternoon. It was the last " regular " > appointment as the next is gonna be in one month. > > I'm almost rubber band free. I don't have to wear them during day, > only at night, and only for the next week. If my TMJ don't hurt, next > week I will be able to remove them completely... !!! > > I can also, as of today, start to eat normally again. She suggested > I start with softer food and work my way towards a normal diet. > > I've been cleared to start exercising again, weight lifting and everything > (not that weight lifting was in my activities, though..!). Medium impact > cardio activities for the next 4 weeks then regular strenght. > > I was given the go to blow my nose. I have to admit, I already had > cheated this morning. For those tempted to, be adivsed, some " stuff " > may exit your body through the eyes.. ;-) And there was " living " blood, > unlike the dried blood found after the surgery. She said it's, again, > normal. > > I can open my mouth 42mm at home, 37mm when asked to do it at > her office (without first stretching the muscles). She said the average > bite aperture is 45mm. Somehow, I find it strange... I tried to eat a > home muffin last week, and it wouldn't fit. It was only 38mm. Again, > I have to wait another month before we start bigger and tougher > exercises. > > Finally, I regained feeling everywhere except between my nostrils. > " Regained feeling " , in my case, this means I feel something when > she touched me with this pin thing. It doesn't mean I can feel like > before the surgery. > > Those were the good news. > > Now, the not so good news... > > I have residual swelling in my right cheek. It's going down, at the > incredible rate of one millimeter per 10 years... (or so I feel..). She > wants me to wait (one more time...). She said there's something to > be done if the swelling doesn't go away. But she refused to tell me > what it is. If someone has an idea... that would be appreciated. > She said she'd tell me about it in a month, when I'll see her again. > I also have some swelling in my chin, but it's barely noticeable as > it's evenly distributed. > > My gums are still pretty swollen. She's unsure as to the nature of > this swelling. She thinks it's a problem of being unable to clean > my teeth and gums correctly because of the surgical hooks, as > the interior of my teeth are all very well cleaned. Again, she wants > me to wait for the ortho to remove the hooks... in a month! > > Finally, the left side of my tongue hasn't returned to normal. My > diction is still full of " ch " sounds everywhere. She wants me to be > patient and wait for the swelling to go down, as she's sure this > problem is related to the residual swelling I have in my cheek and > chin. > > I never was " a beauty queen " , but now with that big thing in my right > cheek as soon as I talk or smile, I'm simply shy to speak to anyone. I > have a big party in two weeks, and I'll have to cancel, as I don't want > to appear all swollen in front of anyone.. (it feels good to vent this) > > I have learned to be more patient with my braces, and later my > " several times " delayed surgery. But I just feel this wait-again- please > thing is finallly getting me. > > I guess I'd be happy to hear about someone's speaking misery > later getting better. Because for now, I'm really tired of speaking like > someone with a speech disorder. > > I was asked " Are you happy with the results? " when I visited her. I couldn't > answer. I still can't. > > Ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 23, 2004 Report Share Posted July 23, 2004 > Tell me, do you have any incisions inside your mouth that have not > fully closed, or is everything totally healed up inside? > > Anyway, I have an idea what she might do if your swelling doesn't > subside. It's called " curettage " . It's a procedure that's done in > the office under local anesthetic, where they go in and scrape the > tissue from the affected areas, like the jaw bone and the > surrounding areas. It invlolves creating an incision in the mouth, > opening it up, and then cleaning up the tissue in the area. At the > same time they check for other problems like a screw head perhaps > causing irritation, or a portion of the bone that isn't healing > properly. Maybe they'll grind off a screw head or two. Then they > suture the incision. > > I know it doesn't sound like much fun and that may be why she won't > tell you about it - she doesn't want you to worry about it for a > month. > > Keep in mind I'm just guessing about what she might do, because you > asked. > > Jay Thanks Jay! The procedure(s) don't scare me. The unknown does. I rather like to know what could happen than have to guess it myself. I was thinking of something similar: the removal of my plates and screws. And that could explain why she wants me to wait because the bones aren't very sturdy yet. Ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 23, 2004 Report Share Posted July 23, 2004 Ray, great post. I am a fifth grade teacher. i was advised by the speech pathologist in my school to make tapes for my baby daughter for the first few weeks post surgery. to be quite honest with you, i kind of wish i had. I understand your speaking concerns as i also have problems with " g's " . I keep waiting for this to improve. today i also found a neighbor of mine interpretting for me to her 70-ish mom who was visiting from South Carolina. THAT made me feel good! Not. I started this message hours ago so i too am looking to see some replies from folks who indicate improved speech. As i am a teacher and heading back to school in 4 weeks, there's nothing like thinking your little 10 year old rugrats will be mimicing you as you head them down the hall. I've gotten over the fact that i am in braces as are they! Let me read on. Be well. (Oh, by the way, do you HAVE to cancel out on the party? Two weeks may make a big difference. Don't do it if you are going to regret it!) > Hello, > > I met with my surgeon this afternoon. It was the last " regular " > appointment as the next is gonna be in one month. > > I'm almost rubber band free. I don't have to wear them during day, > only at night, and only for the next week. If my TMJ don't hurt, next > week I will be able to remove them completely... !!! > > I can also, as of today, start to eat normally again. She suggested > I start with softer food and work my way towards a normal diet. > > I've been cleared to start exercising again, weight lifting and everything > (not that weight lifting was in my activities, though..!). Medium impact > cardio activities for the next 4 weeks then regular strenght. > > I was given the go to blow my nose. I have to admit, I already had > cheated this morning. For those tempted to, be adivsed, some " stuff " > may exit your body through the eyes.. ;-) And there was " living " blood, > unlike the dried blood found after the surgery. She said it's, again, > normal. > > I can open my mouth 42mm at home, 37mm when asked to do it at > her office (without first stretching the muscles). She said the average > bite aperture is 45mm. Somehow, I find it strange... I tried to eat a > home muffin last week, and it wouldn't fit. It was only 38mm. Again, > I have to wait another month before we start bigger and tougher > exercises. > > Finally, I regained feeling everywhere except between my nostrils. > " Regained feeling " , in my case, this means I feel something when > she touched me with this pin thing. It doesn't mean I can feel like > before the surgery. > > Those were the good news. > > Now, the not so good news... > > I have residual swelling in my right cheek. It's going down, at the > incredible rate of one millimeter per 10 years... (or so I feel..). She > wants me to wait (one more time...). She said there's something to > be done if the swelling doesn't go away. But she refused to tell me > what it is. If someone has an idea... that would be appreciated. > She said she'd tell me about it in a month, when I'll see her again. > I also have some swelling in my chin, but it's barely noticeable as > it's evenly distributed. > > My gums are still pretty swollen. She's unsure as to the nature of > this swelling. She thinks it's a problem of being unable to clean > my teeth and gums correctly because of the surgical hooks, as > the interior of my teeth are all very well cleaned. Again, she wants > me to wait for the ortho to remove the hooks... in a month! > > Finally, the left side of my tongue hasn't returned to normal. My > diction is still full of " ch " sounds everywhere. She wants me to be > patient and wait for the swelling to go down, as she's sure this > problem is related to the residual swelling I have in my cheek and > chin. > > I never was " a beauty queen " , but now with that big thing in my right > cheek as soon as I talk or smile, I'm simply shy to speak to anyone. I > have a big party in two weeks, and I'll have to cancel, as I don't want > to appear all swollen in front of anyone.. (it feels good to vent this) > > I have learned to be more patient with my braces, and later my > " several times " delayed surgery. But I just feel this wait-again- please > thing is finallly getting me. > > I guess I'd be happy to hear about someone's speaking misery > later getting better. Because for now, I'm really tired of speaking like > someone with a speech disorder. > > I was asked " Are you happy with the results? " when I visited her. I couldn't > answer. I still can't. > > Ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 23, 2004 Report Share Posted July 23, 2004 > Ray, great post. I am a fifth grade teacher. i was advised by the > speech pathologist in my school to make tapes for my baby daughter > for the first few weeks post surgery. to be quite honest with you, i > kind of wish i had. I understand your speaking concerns as i also > have problems with " g's " . I keep waiting for this to improve. today > i also found a neighbor of mine interpretting for me to her 70-ish > mom who was visiting from South Carolina. THAT made me feel good! > Not. I started this message hours ago so i too am looking to see > some replies from folks who indicate improved speech. As i am a > teacher and heading back to school in 4 weeks, there's nothing like > thinking your little 10 year old rugrats will be mimicing you as you > head them down the hall. I've gotten over the fact that i am in > braces as are they! Let me read on. Be well. (Oh, by the way, > do you HAVE to cancel out on the party? Two weeks may make a big > difference. Don't do it if you are going to regret it!) > Well.. having to talk in front of children is worse than me... I'm sorry to hear that. I don't work with children, but I decided to go for the coloured holders for the wires in my mouth. It's more fun that way... And yes, I canceled that party. It's too late for my face to get normal, and knowing my speech will take several months to get better, I don't suppose a miracle is something I can expect ;-) Ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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