Re: Expecting too much when i eat?

[Guest guest]

-

Meant to mention, I still am wearing 8 elastics on one side and

three on the other and the maintanance of removing and getting back

on i think is part of that frustration. My bite is still not closed

on one side of my jaw. My OD is fanatical about making sure i get

those elastics back on AS SOON AS I FINISH EATING.

-- In orthognathicsurgerysupport , " albertiway "

<albertiway@y...> wrote:

> I am 8.5 weeks post surgery and i cannot believe how long it takes

> me to eat anything. I pretty much try anything, but stay away

from

> stuff that just hasn't worked. Let's talk about the stuff that

does

> work: tuna sandwiches, waffles, grilled cheese, baked dinners,

fish,

> etc. French fries are too hard, crust on bread (regular bread, not

> italian or french) is too hard, deli sandwiches, like turkey or

ham

> are too tough to chew, turkey alone, OK, even Cheerios soaked in

> milk take so long. i know i went 6 weeks without chewing, but

should

> it be this tough? i am not asking to chew steak right now, but i

am

> simply surprised.

>

> I suppose i cannot imagine what life will be like when i can eat

> normally and wash my face and scratch my chin without being

bothered

> by the sensation.

>

> I really am doing GREAT, just checking in on these two issues.

[Guest guest]

-

Meant to mention, I still am wearing 8 elastics on one side and

three on the other and the maintanance of removing and getting back

on i think is part of that frustration. My bite is still not closed

on one side of my jaw. My OD is fanatical about making sure i get

those elastics back on AS SOON AS I FINISH EATING.

-- In orthognathicsurgerysupport , " albertiway "

<albertiway@y...> wrote:

> I am 8.5 weeks post surgery and i cannot believe how long it takes

> me to eat anything. I pretty much try anything, but stay away

from

> stuff that just hasn't worked. Let's talk about the stuff that

does

> work: tuna sandwiches, waffles, grilled cheese, baked dinners,

fish,

> etc. French fries are too hard, crust on bread (regular bread, not

> italian or french) is too hard, deli sandwiches, like turkey or

ham

> are too tough to chew, turkey alone, OK, even Cheerios soaked in

> milk take so long. i know i went 6 weeks without chewing, but

should

> it be this tough? i am not asking to chew steak right now, but i

am

> simply surprised.

>

> I suppose i cannot imagine what life will be like when i can eat

> normally and wash my face and scratch my chin without being

bothered

> by the sensation.

>

> I really am doing GREAT, just checking in on these two issues.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I remember that! Yes, it takes awhile for your muscles to regain

strength when you're permitted to start eating again.

I'm not trying to discourage you, but there were some things that

even at a year post-op, I was afraid of doing (raw carrot sticks with

my front teeth, for example). I thought my teeth were still a bit

loose, and that they might fall out. Probably silly, but I am a

cautious person. Now, I am just to lazy to eat apples, I prefer them

peeled and baked in an apple crisp or a pie : ) I am able to eat raw

carrots again, broccoli, crusty bread (although I swear some of the

bread that is served in finer restaurants these days is pre-staled to

be trendy).

The best advice I can give you is to keep trying, don't be

frustrated. Eventually you will find the strength coming back, but

you won't know it if you don't try stuff. Every week, I tried to give

stuff a second chance.

I did french fries at 2 weeks post-op (non-chew, of course, but I

mushed them up against my upper palate for taste) by soaking them in

malt vinegar and mushing them with a fork and lots of ketchup. To me,

they are just as good schmooshed as crisp (better, even!).

I did find that things poked my upper palate a lot (pointy-cornered

crackers especially), that kind of hurt temporarily.

The chin washing will stop feeling funny eventually. I remember that

too, for about the first 6 weeks, I couldn't stand touching it as it

felt so weird! Now, it's no problem.

Glad to hear you are doing GREAT!!!

Almost 2 years post-op now (upper/lower/genio).

> I am 8.5 weeks post surgery and i cannot believe how long it takes

> me to eat anything. I pretty much try anything, but stay away from

> stuff that just hasn't worked. Let's talk about the stuff that does

> work: tuna sandwiches, waffles, grilled cheese, baked dinners,

fish,

> etc. French fries are too hard, crust on bread (regular bread, not

> italian or french) is too hard, deli sandwiches, like turkey or ham

> are too tough to chew, turkey alone, OK, even Cheerios soaked in

> milk take so long. i know i went 6 weeks without chewing, but

should

> it be this tough? i am not asking to chew steak right now, but i am

> simply surprised.

>

> I suppose i cannot imagine what life will be like when i can eat

> normally and wash my face and scratch my chin without being

bothered

> by the sensation.

>

> I really am doing GREAT, just checking in on these two issues.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I remember that! Yes, it takes awhile for your muscles to regain

strength when you're permitted to start eating again.

I'm not trying to discourage you, but there were some things that

even at a year post-op, I was afraid of doing (raw carrot sticks with

my front teeth, for example). I thought my teeth were still a bit

loose, and that they might fall out. Probably silly, but I am a

cautious person. Now, I am just to lazy to eat apples, I prefer them

peeled and baked in an apple crisp or a pie : ) I am able to eat raw

carrots again, broccoli, crusty bread (although I swear some of the

bread that is served in finer restaurants these days is pre-staled to

be trendy).

The best advice I can give you is to keep trying, don't be

frustrated. Eventually you will find the strength coming back, but

you won't know it if you don't try stuff. Every week, I tried to give

stuff a second chance.

I did french fries at 2 weeks post-op (non-chew, of course, but I

mushed them up against my upper palate for taste) by soaking them in

malt vinegar and mushing them with a fork and lots of ketchup. To me,

they are just as good schmooshed as crisp (better, even!).

I did find that things poked my upper palate a lot (pointy-cornered

crackers especially), that kind of hurt temporarily.

The chin washing will stop feeling funny eventually. I remember that

too, for about the first 6 weeks, I couldn't stand touching it as it

felt so weird! Now, it's no problem.

Glad to hear you are doing GREAT!!!

Almost 2 years post-op now (upper/lower/genio).

> I am 8.5 weeks post surgery and i cannot believe how long it takes

> me to eat anything. I pretty much try anything, but stay away from

> stuff that just hasn't worked. Let's talk about the stuff that does

> work: tuna sandwiches, waffles, grilled cheese, baked dinners,

fish,

> etc. French fries are too hard, crust on bread (regular bread, not

> italian or french) is too hard, deli sandwiches, like turkey or ham

> are too tough to chew, turkey alone, OK, even Cheerios soaked in

> milk take so long. i know i went 6 weeks without chewing, but

should

> it be this tough? i am not asking to chew steak right now, but i am

> simply surprised.

>

> I suppose i cannot imagine what life will be like when i can eat

> normally and wash my face and scratch my chin without being

bothered

> by the sensation.

>

> I really am doing GREAT, just checking in on these two issues.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

The fact that you are wearing elastics at this point could be partly

responsible for the weakness, although I think it's part of the

recovery at that point (it was for me anyway).

Can you imagine my husband giving me a steak (I think it was about 8

oz) at about 10 weeks, very tender, but expecting me to be able to

eat it all, and in the time it took him? I could chew it slowly, if I

cut it into very thin slices, but honestly, if I'd eaten the whole

thing, I would have been there at least an hour! He meant well, but

just wasn't being very practical at that point in time. I cut off

what I thought I could finish in a reasonable amount of time, and he

had the rest for his lunch the next day. He was a sweetheart in not

eating stuff like that while I was going through my recovery, so I

guess he was just a little overanxious for me to get back to normal

food so he could!

> > I am 8.5 weeks post surgery and i cannot believe how long it

takes

> > me to eat anything. I pretty much try anything, but stay away

> from

> > stuff that just hasn't worked. Let's talk about the stuff that

> does

> > work: tuna sandwiches, waffles, grilled cheese, baked dinners,

> fish,

> > etc. French fries are too hard, crust on bread (regular bread,

not

> > italian or french) is too hard, deli sandwiches, like turkey or

> ham

> > are too tough to chew, turkey alone, OK, even Cheerios soaked in

> > milk take so long. i know i went 6 weeks without chewing, but

> should

> > it be this tough? i am not asking to chew steak right now, but i

> am

> > simply surprised.

> >

> > I suppose i cannot imagine what life will be like when i can eat

> > normally and wash my face and scratch my chin without being

> bothered

> > by the sensation.

> >

> > I really am doing GREAT, just checking in on these two issues.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

The fact that you are wearing elastics at this point could be partly

responsible for the weakness, although I think it's part of the

recovery at that point (it was for me anyway).

Can you imagine my husband giving me a steak (I think it was about 8

oz) at about 10 weeks, very tender, but expecting me to be able to

eat it all, and in the time it took him? I could chew it slowly, if I

cut it into very thin slices, but honestly, if I'd eaten the whole

thing, I would have been there at least an hour! He meant well, but

just wasn't being very practical at that point in time. I cut off

what I thought I could finish in a reasonable amount of time, and he

had the rest for his lunch the next day. He was a sweetheart in not

eating stuff like that while I was going through my recovery, so I

guess he was just a little overanxious for me to get back to normal

food so he could!

> > I am 8.5 weeks post surgery and i cannot believe how long it

takes

> > me to eat anything. I pretty much try anything, but stay away

> from

> > stuff that just hasn't worked. Let's talk about the stuff that

> does

> > work: tuna sandwiches, waffles, grilled cheese, baked dinners,

> fish,

> > etc. French fries are too hard, crust on bread (regular bread,

not

> > italian or french) is too hard, deli sandwiches, like turkey or

> ham

> > are too tough to chew, turkey alone, OK, even Cheerios soaked in

> > milk take so long. i know i went 6 weeks without chewing, but

> should

> > it be this tough? i am not asking to chew steak right now, but i

> am

> > simply surprised.

> >

> > I suppose i cannot imagine what life will be like when i can eat

> > normally and wash my face and scratch my chin without being

> bothered

> > by the sensation.

> >

> > I really am doing GREAT, just checking in on these two issues.

>

[Guest guest]

, thank you so much for your encouragement. Yes, the chin

feeling thing is still so wierd, but i do find myself finally

wanting to put my hand under my chin and rest my head, as if you are

in a meeting at work and are very bored! But i have not done it

yet. I know i am solid now, but it's the FEELING. Like you said, it

will all start to feel " normal " , but it's still hard to imagine when

i have numbness and all.

Due to numbness in roof of mouth and tongue i bite my tongue A LOT,

not just now and again, but a LOT. Ouch. can't wait until that is

not an hourly occurance!

> > I am 8.5 weeks post surgery and i cannot believe how long it

takes

> > me to eat anything. I pretty much try anything, but stay away

from

> > stuff that just hasn't worked. Let's talk about the stuff that

does

> > work: tuna sandwiches, waffles, grilled cheese, baked dinners,

> fish,

> > etc. French fries are too hard, crust on bread (regular bread,

not

> > italian or french) is too hard, deli sandwiches, like turkey or

ham

> > are too tough to chew, turkey alone, OK, even Cheerios soaked in

> > milk take so long. i know i went 6 weeks without chewing, but

> should

> > it be this tough? i am not asking to chew steak right now, but i

am

> > simply surprised.

> >

> > I suppose i cannot imagine what life will be like when i can eat

> > normally and wash my face and scratch my chin without being

> bothered

> > by the sensation.

> >

> > I really am doing GREAT, just checking in on these two issues.

[Guest guest]

, thank you so much for your encouragement. Yes, the chin

feeling thing is still so wierd, but i do find myself finally

wanting to put my hand under my chin and rest my head, as if you are

in a meeting at work and are very bored! But i have not done it

yet. I know i am solid now, but it's the FEELING. Like you said, it

will all start to feel " normal " , but it's still hard to imagine when

i have numbness and all.

Due to numbness in roof of mouth and tongue i bite my tongue A LOT,

not just now and again, but a LOT. Ouch. can't wait until that is

not an hourly occurance!

> > I am 8.5 weeks post surgery and i cannot believe how long it

takes

> > me to eat anything. I pretty much try anything, but stay away

from

> > stuff that just hasn't worked. Let's talk about the stuff that

does

> > work: tuna sandwiches, waffles, grilled cheese, baked dinners,

> fish,

> > etc. French fries are too hard, crust on bread (regular bread,

not

> > italian or french) is too hard, deli sandwiches, like turkey or

ham

> > are too tough to chew, turkey alone, OK, even Cheerios soaked in

> > milk take so long. i know i went 6 weeks without chewing, but

> should

> > it be this tough? i am not asking to chew steak right now, but i

am

> > simply surprised.

> >

> > I suppose i cannot imagine what life will be like when i can eat

> > normally and wash my face and scratch my chin without being

> bothered

> > by the sensation.

> >

> > I really am doing GREAT, just checking in on these two issues.

[Guest guest]

, Ha, ha, ha, ha, on the steak! I too have been given very

tender steak and have tried to chew the thinnest, tenderest piece

and it would take over 3 minutes. This past weekend, big BBQ for my

dad's bday. I tried a pickle for the first time,the chip kind you

might put on a hamburger. i tried to chew that sucker for 2 minutes

and finally gave up and took it out. Can you believe it? A

PICKLE. this is what i mean. I DO agree with you and think that my

teeth may be more sensitive/tender due to the elastics. seems

familiar to the soreness i would get after and adjustment at the

OD. But i just want to make sure i am not doing any damage if i am

trying to eat a pickle at 8.5 weeks!

> > > I am 8.5 weeks post surgery and i cannot believe how long it

> takes

> > > me to eat anything. I pretty much try anything, but stay away

> > from

> > > stuff that just hasn't worked. Let's talk about the stuff that

> > does

> > > work: tuna sandwiches, waffles, grilled cheese, baked dinners,

> > fish,

> > > etc. French fries are too hard, crust on bread (regular bread,

> not

> > > italian or french) is too hard, deli sandwiches, like turkey

or

> > ham

> > > are too tough to chew, turkey alone, OK, even Cheerios soaked

in

> > > milk take so long. i know i went 6 weeks without chewing, but

> > should

> > > it be this tough? i am not asking to chew steak right now, but

i

> > am

> > > simply surprised.

> > >

> > > I suppose i cannot imagine what life will be like when i can

eat

> > > normally and wash my face and scratch my chin without being

> > bothered

> > > by the sensation.

> > >

> > > I really am doing GREAT, just checking in on these two issues.

> >

[Guest guest]

, Ha, ha, ha, ha, on the steak! I too have been given very

tender steak and have tried to chew the thinnest, tenderest piece

and it would take over 3 minutes. This past weekend, big BBQ for my

dad's bday. I tried a pickle for the first time,the chip kind you

might put on a hamburger. i tried to chew that sucker for 2 minutes

and finally gave up and took it out. Can you believe it? A

PICKLE. this is what i mean. I DO agree with you and think that my

teeth may be more sensitive/tender due to the elastics. seems

familiar to the soreness i would get after and adjustment at the

OD. But i just want to make sure i am not doing any damage if i am

trying to eat a pickle at 8.5 weeks!

> > > I am 8.5 weeks post surgery and i cannot believe how long it

> takes

> > > me to eat anything. I pretty much try anything, but stay away

> > from

> > > stuff that just hasn't worked. Let's talk about the stuff that

> > does

> > > work: tuna sandwiches, waffles, grilled cheese, baked dinners,

> > fish,

> > > etc. French fries are too hard, crust on bread (regular bread,

> not

> > > italian or french) is too hard, deli sandwiches, like turkey

or

> > ham

> > > are too tough to chew, turkey alone, OK, even Cheerios soaked

in

> > > milk take so long. i know i went 6 weeks without chewing, but

> > should

> > > it be this tough? i am not asking to chew steak right now, but

i

> > am

> > > simply surprised.

> > >

> > > I suppose i cannot imagine what life will be like when i can

eat

> > > normally and wash my face and scratch my chin without being

> > bothered

> > > by the sensation.

> > >

> > > I really am doing GREAT, just checking in on these two issues.

> >

[Guest guest]

, Ha, ha, ha, ha, on the steak! I too have been given very

tender steak and have tried to chew the thinnest, tenderest piece

and it would take over 3 minutes. This past weekend, big BBQ for my

dad's bday. I tried a pickle for the first time,the chip kind you

might put on a hamburger. i tried to chew that sucker for 2 minutes

and finally gave up and took it out. Can you believe it? A

PICKLE. this is what i mean. I DO agree with you and think that my

teeth may be more sensitive/tender due to the elastics. seems

familiar to the soreness i would get after and adjustment at the

OD. But i just want to make sure i am not doing any damage if i am

trying to eat a pickle at 8.5 weeks!

> > > I am 8.5 weeks post surgery and i cannot believe how long it

> takes

> > > me to eat anything. I pretty much try anything, but stay away

> > from

> > > stuff that just hasn't worked. Let's talk about the stuff that

> > does

> > > work: tuna sandwiches, waffles, grilled cheese, baked dinners,

> > fish,

> > > etc. French fries are too hard, crust on bread (regular bread,

> not

> > > italian or french) is too hard, deli sandwiches, like turkey

or

> > ham

> > > are too tough to chew, turkey alone, OK, even Cheerios soaked

in

> > > milk take so long. i know i went 6 weeks without chewing, but

> > should

> > > it be this tough? i am not asking to chew steak right now, but

i

> > am

> > > simply surprised.

> > >

> > > I suppose i cannot imagine what life will be like when i can

eat

> > > normally and wash my face and scratch my chin without being

> > bothered

> > > by the sensation.

> > >

> > > I really am doing GREAT, just checking in on these two issues.

> >

[Guest guest]

, Ha, ha, ha, ha, on the steak! I too have been given very

tender steak and have tried to chew the thinnest, tenderest piece

and it would take over 3 minutes. This past weekend, big BBQ for my

dad's bday. I tried a pickle for the first time,the chip kind you

might put on a hamburger. i tried to chew that sucker for 2 minutes

and finally gave up and took it out. Can you believe it? A

PICKLE. this is what i mean. I DO agree with you and think that my

teeth may be more sensitive/tender due to the elastics. seems

familiar to the soreness i would get after and adjustment at the

OD. But i just want to make sure i am not doing any damage if i am

trying to eat a pickle at 8.5 weeks!

> > > I am 8.5 weeks post surgery and i cannot believe how long it

> takes

> > > me to eat anything. I pretty much try anything, but stay away

> > from

> > > stuff that just hasn't worked. Let's talk about the stuff that

> > does

> > > work: tuna sandwiches, waffles, grilled cheese, baked dinners,

> > fish,

> > > etc. French fries are too hard, crust on bread (regular bread,

> not

> > > italian or french) is too hard, deli sandwiches, like turkey

or

> > ham

> > > are too tough to chew, turkey alone, OK, even Cheerios soaked

in

> > > milk take so long. i know i went 6 weeks without chewing, but

> > should

> > > it be this tough? i am not asking to chew steak right now, but

i

> > am

> > > simply surprised.

> > >

> > > I suppose i cannot imagine what life will be like when i can

eat

> > > normally and wash my face and scratch my chin without being

> > bothered

> > > by the sensation.

> > >

> > > I really am doing GREAT, just checking in on these two issues.

> >

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I bit my tongue, also bit my cheek and my lower lip. It goes away

eventually, but if you can think about what you did just prior to

biting them, it's possible in some cases to modify. For example, I

found that I typically bit my lower lip after taking a very large

bite of food, it would push my lower lip out and cause the top of the

lip to turn inwards where it was a candidate for being bit. Hard to

explain. I would push my cheek out carefully when biting down. Also I

would be careful not to bite down hard or quickly, so you have a

chance to notice whether you're biting down on yourself or not.

> , thank you so much for your encouragement. Yes, the chin

> feeling thing is still so wierd, but i do find myself finally

> wanting to put my hand under my chin and rest my head, as if you

are

> in a meeting at work and are very bored! But i have not done it

> yet. I know i am solid now, but it's the FEELING. Like you said,

it

> will all start to feel " normal " , but it's still hard to imagine

when

> i have numbness and all.

>

> Due to numbness in roof of mouth and tongue i bite my tongue A LOT,

> not just now and again, but a LOT. Ouch. can't wait until that is

> not an hourly occurance!

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I bit my tongue, also bit my cheek and my lower lip. It goes away

eventually, but if you can think about what you did just prior to

biting them, it's possible in some cases to modify. For example, I

found that I typically bit my lower lip after taking a very large

bite of food, it would push my lower lip out and cause the top of the

lip to turn inwards where it was a candidate for being bit. Hard to

explain. I would push my cheek out carefully when biting down. Also I

would be careful not to bite down hard or quickly, so you have a

chance to notice whether you're biting down on yourself or not.

> , thank you so much for your encouragement. Yes, the chin

> feeling thing is still so wierd, but i do find myself finally

> wanting to put my hand under my chin and rest my head, as if you

are

> in a meeting at work and are very bored! But i have not done it

> yet. I know i am solid now, but it's the FEELING. Like you said,

it

> will all start to feel " normal " , but it's still hard to imagine

when

> i have numbness and all.

>

> Due to numbness in roof of mouth and tongue i bite my tongue A LOT,

> not just now and again, but a LOT. Ouch. can't wait until that is

> not an hourly occurance!

[Guest guest]

Well, I don't think a pickle will do any damage other than to your

pride. Pickles are actually hard to eat, if they have the skin on.

Not only are they hard to bite into, but hard to chew. What about

bread & butter pickles? Less skin. Or new dills?

But most important at this point is what your surgeon said about

chewing. At eight weeks, I think, my surgeon said I could " eat

anything I thought I could manage " . Thinking you can manage, and

being able to manage are 2 different things! But I had the green

light to go ahead. Until you have that, you should follow your

surgeon's directions. It's short term frustration, but important for

proper healing, everyone's different in that respect.

> , Ha, ha, ha, ha, on the steak! I too have been given very

> tender steak and have tried to chew the thinnest, tenderest piece

> and it would take over 3 minutes. This past weekend, big BBQ for

my

> dad's bday. I tried a pickle for the first time,the chip kind you

> might put on a hamburger. i tried to chew that sucker for 2 minutes

> and finally gave up and took it out. Can you believe it? A

> PICKLE. this is what i mean. I DO agree with you and think that my

> teeth may be more sensitive/tender due to the elastics. seems

> familiar to the soreness i would get after and adjustment at the

> OD. But i just want to make sure i am not doing any damage if i am

> trying to eat a pickle at 8.5 weeks!

[Guest guest]

Well, I don't think a pickle will do any damage other than to your

pride. Pickles are actually hard to eat, if they have the skin on.

Not only are they hard to bite into, but hard to chew. What about

bread & butter pickles? Less skin. Or new dills?

But most important at this point is what your surgeon said about

chewing. At eight weeks, I think, my surgeon said I could " eat

anything I thought I could manage " . Thinking you can manage, and

being able to manage are 2 different things! But I had the green

light to go ahead. Until you have that, you should follow your

surgeon's directions. It's short term frustration, but important for

proper healing, everyone's different in that respect.

> , Ha, ha, ha, ha, on the steak! I too have been given very

> tender steak and have tried to chew the thinnest, tenderest piece

> and it would take over 3 minutes. This past weekend, big BBQ for

my

> dad's bday. I tried a pickle for the first time,the chip kind you

> might put on a hamburger. i tried to chew that sucker for 2 minutes

> and finally gave up and took it out. Can you believe it? A

> PICKLE. this is what i mean. I DO agree with you and think that my

> teeth may be more sensitive/tender due to the elastics. seems

> familiar to the soreness i would get after and adjustment at the

> OD. But i just want to make sure i am not doing any damage if i am

> trying to eat a pickle at 8.5 weeks!

[Guest guest]

,

I guess I'm about the same point you are in terms of post surgery

(almost two months, can you believe it???), but I am a bit farther

ahead than you in my chewing diet. My OS kept me on a no-chew for

2.5 weeks. Then I was on soft chew for another two weeks, and now,

I'm on anything I can manage. It is tough still, and it takes me

longer to eat than the rest of my family. The discouraging part

about that is we usually talk a lot at dinner, and I'm just working

at eating, and they're talking, laughing, eating, and still

finishing long before me.

But, it does get easier. It's been five weeks since I started a

soft chew diet and I can now eat most things, even pizza. I haven't

really tried hard crusts yet, or hard fruits or veggies. But, I can

do it if I take my time. But, my jaw is still sore at the end of

the meal and I'm picking stuff out of my braces and hooks and

getting elastics back on afterward.

Bottom line, I feel for ya, and you're doing great! Hang in there!

Dammit

> > , thank you so much for your encouragement. Yes, the chin

> > feeling thing is still so wierd, but i do find myself finally

> > wanting to put my hand under my chin and rest my head, as if you

> are

> > in a meeting at work and are very bored! But i have not done it

> > yet. I know i am solid now, but it's the FEELING. Like you

said,

> it

> > will all start to feel " normal " , but it's still hard to imagine

> when

> > i have numbness and all.

> >

> > Due to numbness in roof of mouth and tongue i bite my tongue A

LOT,

> > not just now and again, but a LOT. Ouch. can't wait until that

is

> > not an hourly occurance!

[Guest guest]

,

I guess I'm about the same point you are in terms of post surgery

(almost two months, can you believe it???), but I am a bit farther

ahead than you in my chewing diet. My OS kept me on a no-chew for

2.5 weeks. Then I was on soft chew for another two weeks, and now,

I'm on anything I can manage. It is tough still, and it takes me

longer to eat than the rest of my family. The discouraging part

about that is we usually talk a lot at dinner, and I'm just working

at eating, and they're talking, laughing, eating, and still

finishing long before me.

But, it does get easier. It's been five weeks since I started a

soft chew diet and I can now eat most things, even pizza. I haven't

really tried hard crusts yet, or hard fruits or veggies. But, I can

do it if I take my time. But, my jaw is still sore at the end of

the meal and I'm picking stuff out of my braces and hooks and

getting elastics back on afterward.

Bottom line, I feel for ya, and you're doing great! Hang in there!

Dammit

> > , thank you so much for your encouragement. Yes, the chin

> > feeling thing is still so wierd, but i do find myself finally

> > wanting to put my hand under my chin and rest my head, as if you

> are

> > in a meeting at work and are very bored! But i have not done it

> > yet. I know i am solid now, but it's the FEELING. Like you

said,

> it

> > will all start to feel " normal " , but it's still hard to imagine

> when

> > i have numbness and all.

> >

> > Due to numbness in roof of mouth and tongue i bite my tongue A

LOT,

> > not just now and again, but a LOT. Ouch. can't wait until that

is

> > not an hourly occurance!