Re: I got my splint out .... yipeeee

October 27, 2004

,

I am so happy for you. I bet it was a great relief to have the

splint out. I was going to tell you another really good soft meal.

That I have had twice since going on a soft diet. Olive garden's

fettucinni alfredo. Just cut up really good and you don't have to

chew that much. I was also able to do the breadsticks with alfredo

sauce. I would just tear off really small pieces and dip in the

sauce. It was heaven. Good luck with the rest of your recovery. I

also started taking 2g of vitamin c. It's suppose to help in the

bone healing process. Since I started I notice less aching in my

face.

>

> Hi everyone .... I haven't been that vocal but today was a huge

> turning point for me. I am two weeks postop ... upper only

(LeFort

> I). My upper jaw was moved forward and tipped really far down in

the

> front to close an open bite. The first three days after surgery

were

> the hardest. I was splinted and banded. Not being able to breath

> through my nose and the combination of all the meds they had

pumped

> into me kept me awake for about 30 hrs straight. That was an

> interesting experience to say the least. (I also have Generalized

> Anxiety Disorder and did have to come off my meds for the

> surgery ... I am now slowly returning to them which has helped me

> tremendously as well) Took my hubby, mom, and dad to finally get

me

> to calm down enough and finally got some rest and then it was all

> uphill from there for me. I haven't been on pain meds other than

> ibuprofen since 6 days postop. My swelling really began to go down

a

> little over a week postop. I did have some bruising but it wasn't

> severe. I'm still numb from my lower eyelids through my upperlip

but

> am getting the crawlies and some hot sensations especially in my

> upperlip. I know that will take time to come back but the signs

are

> there that it will.

>

> I had my 2 week postop appt with my OS this morning and he says

I'm

> doing so well that he took my splint out. I didn't realize how

much

> space it took up till it was out. And oh man did I have something

> trying to grow on the back of my upper teeth lol. It felt so good

to

> get my little baby toothbrush in there and get my mouth all

clean. I

> am banded in front (a square) just so my teeth continue to know

where

> to go. I can remove the band to eat and brush.

>

> I got the ok to go to soft foods ... I took a can of chefboyardee

> mini ravioli with mini meatballs ... heated it up and mashed it up

> with a fork really well and went to town. It tasted sooooo good.

I

> am still using ensure to help supplement because I just haven't

been

> that hungry and want to slowly get my digestive system used to

more

> solid food.

>

> Would I do this again even this early in my recovery ... YES!

This

> has been one of the toughest and rewarding things that has

happened

> to me. I found strength in myself and my family that I had

forgotten

> was there and this is turning out to be a very positive move

forward

> towards me being pain free.

>

> Thank you to all the other pre and post oppers for all your post.

I

> have found such great comfort going through this and knowing I

wasn't

> alone. Being on the other side is such a blessing ... and all the

> hard work to get up to that point has been worth it as well.

>

> Have a great day everyone ...

October 27, 2004