Guest guest Posted December 4, 2004 Report Share Posted December 4, 2004 I'm glad it was helpful. Yesterday (Friday, Day 10), I went back to the OS. He removed the only two external stitches and the elastics (temporarily). I was surprised how little I could open my mouth! And it is painful in the joint on the left side. He assures me that the pain is normal and will go away. I was able to brush my inside teeth for the first time. It felt great. So, now I can remove the bands myself to eat, brush, and exercise the jaw. He told me I could eat anything I wanted----well, sure, but, presently, I can't get my mouth open, so that's not much. At least now the stuff doesn't have to be so runny for me to eat it! For lunch, I ate split pea soup that was pureed, but not runny. For dinner, I ate mashed potatoes with cheese and sour cream with applesauce for dessert. Later I had a thick shake and thick tomato basil soup with some lumps. These elastics seem looser, and even with them on, I can now drink from a cup. I am a little discouraged at the pain in my left joint (I NEVER had joint pain prior to surgery), but have faith it will go away and am committed to exercising it. He said moist heat will help. By the way, I've been reading posts re. age. I'm 47. I'm sure I don't heal as quickly as 20 year olds, but I'm going to work at it. > > Kathleen- > After reading your post, I'm more ready than ever. Surgery is > Wednesday and I have plenty of help the first week after. You sound > like you are doing great! That's wonderful. Keep us posted > Casey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 4, 2004 Report Share Posted December 4, 2004 I'm glad it was helpful. Yesterday (Friday, Day 10), I went back to the OS. He removed the only two external stitches and the elastics (temporarily). I was surprised how little I could open my mouth! And it is painful in the joint on the left side. He assures me that the pain is normal and will go away. I was able to brush my inside teeth for the first time. It felt great. So, now I can remove the bands myself to eat, brush, and exercise the jaw. He told me I could eat anything I wanted----well, sure, but, presently, I can't get my mouth open, so that's not much. At least now the stuff doesn't have to be so runny for me to eat it! For lunch, I ate split pea soup that was pureed, but not runny. For dinner, I ate mashed potatoes with cheese and sour cream with applesauce for dessert. Later I had a thick shake and thick tomato basil soup with some lumps. These elastics seem looser, and even with them on, I can now drink from a cup. I am a little discouraged at the pain in my left joint (I NEVER had joint pain prior to surgery), but have faith it will go away and am committed to exercising it. He said moist heat will help. By the way, I've been reading posts re. age. I'm 47. I'm sure I don't heal as quickly as 20 year olds, but I'm going to work at it. > > Kathleen- > After reading your post, I'm more ready than ever. Surgery is > Wednesday and I have plenty of help the first week after. You sound > like you are doing great! That's wonderful. Keep us posted > Casey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 6, 2004 Report Share Posted December 6, 2004 The pain in the joint doesn't sound fun. I've never had pain in my joints either. But, good for you with the " improved " diet. Two days left and I'm eating all my favorites, except potato soup. I figure I'll get plenty of soup in the weeks to come. Do the exercises for your mouth hurt much? Casey > > > > Kathleen- > > After reading your post, I'm more ready than ever. Surgery is > > Wednesday and I have plenty of help the first week after. You > sound > > like you are doing great! That's wonderful. Keep us posted > > Casey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 6, 2004 Report Share Posted December 6, 2004 The pain in the joint doesn't sound fun. I've never had pain in my joints either. But, good for you with the " improved " diet. Two days left and I'm eating all my favorites, except potato soup. I figure I'll get plenty of soup in the weeks to come. Do the exercises for your mouth hurt much? Casey > > > > Kathleen- > > After reading your post, I'm more ready than ever. Surgery is > > Wednesday and I have plenty of help the first week after. You > sound > > like you are doing great! That's wonderful. Keep us posted > > Casey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 6, 2004 Report Share Posted December 6, 2004 The pain is already much better. I have been taking ibuprofen. I am almost entirely weaned off the Lortab--just sometimes at the end of the day. The exercises, right now, at least, are just repeatedly opening as far as possible (both when the bands are on and when they are off), talking, eating, and brushing. The eating is weird, because I can't get open very far, but it's improving every day. Just slow. Saw the doctor today and everything seems good. He promises the ordeal will be over soon. Somehow I think it will be a little more gradual than that. ---Kathleen > > > > > > Kathleen- > > > After reading your post, I'm more ready than ever. Surgery is > > > Wednesday and I have plenty of help the first week after. You > > sound > > > like you are doing great! That's wonderful. Keep us posted > > > Casey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 6, 2004 Report Share Posted December 6, 2004 The pain is already much better. I have been taking ibuprofen. I am almost entirely weaned off the Lortab--just sometimes at the end of the day. The exercises, right now, at least, are just repeatedly opening as far as possible (both when the bands are on and when they are off), talking, eating, and brushing. The eating is weird, because I can't get open very far, but it's improving every day. Just slow. Saw the doctor today and everything seems good. He promises the ordeal will be over soon. Somehow I think it will be a little more gradual than that. ---Kathleen > > > > > > Kathleen- > > > After reading your post, I'm more ready than ever. Surgery is > > > Wednesday and I have plenty of help the first week after. You > > sound > > > like you are doing great! That's wonderful. Keep us posted > > > Casey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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