Guest guest Posted October 27, 2004 Report Share Posted October 27, 2004 Jane, Yes it is very hard, and once you start to feel like you can resume your normal life but are still swollen it is even harder. It will get better, the last of the swelling goes down very slowly. I am at alomst 4 months and I still have some swelling, some days it is worse than others and that is very depressing. But it is going away VERY slowly. Remember it can take up to a full year to get back to normal, but you will get back to normal. In the mean time concentrate on the improvements and remember, who you are on the inside is more important than the outside and your friends and family see the person inside not outside. Sorry I have nothing mere to offer but this, but it will get better. Marsha > > Hey Everyone, > > I'm 25 and I had upper/lower jaw surgery on August 19 to correct my > underbite. I'll be wearing braces for another 4-6 months and will be > getting dental implants at the end of that term..apparently my > canines were still baby teeth, so they were pulled during the surgery > and will need to be replaced. I admit I have definitely improved > over the past 2 months, feeling has finally come back to my upper > lip/cheeks, and I can almost eat as I usually do, and I've gained > back most of the weight I lost...I still lack sensitivity in my lower > lip/chin. The swelling has gone down a great deal, but still I feel > self-conscious, I still feel like my cheeks are bigger than normal. > I went out for the first time last weekend in 2 months, and even > though it was great to see some friends that haven't seen me since > before the surgery, I felt so out of place and so self-conscious. > Even though i'm ALOT better than I was even a month ago, every now > and then I get so depressed... I'll get phone calls from my parents > or friends I haven't seen in a while, and everyone will keep asking > me if I'm happy with it, if I can eat normally yet, and the truth > is...I look in the mirror sometimes, and i just don't feel like I > look right...I don't feel normal yet. My lips still feel partially > numb that I can't drink thru a straw, I can't close my mouth > naturally, I can't kiss my boyfriend, I still dribble if i don't > drink carefully from a glass, I'm still self-conscious that food is > hanging on my chin when I eat, and I hate that none of my > friends/family can understand... I do try to be positive around > everyone, and make fun of myself so as not to worry anyone, but deep > inside...I'm yearning to be done with this post-surgery crap.. Don't > get me wrong, I thank my doctors for their efforts, I thank my > family/friends for their support, and I thank God that the worst of > the recovery has past, but the reality is, I look funny and I eat > funny. People tell me I look great...how come I don't see it? I > guess it would be nice to hear some positive words from ppl that are > 5, 6, or 12 months post-surgery..that you're happy with it, that all > your numbness went away, that eventually, I'll be able to kiss the > ones I love... > > I'm trying not to be a downer for pre-op folks, but just keeping it > real.. > -Jane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 27, 2004 Report Share Posted October 27, 2004 Jane, Yes it is very hard, and once you start to feel like you can resume your normal life but are still swollen it is even harder. It will get better, the last of the swelling goes down very slowly. I am at alomst 4 months and I still have some swelling, some days it is worse than others and that is very depressing. But it is going away VERY slowly. Remember it can take up to a full year to get back to normal, but you will get back to normal. In the mean time concentrate on the improvements and remember, who you are on the inside is more important than the outside and your friends and family see the person inside not outside. Sorry I have nothing mere to offer but this, but it will get better. Marsha > > Hey Everyone, > > I'm 25 and I had upper/lower jaw surgery on August 19 to correct my > underbite. I'll be wearing braces for another 4-6 months and will be > getting dental implants at the end of that term..apparently my > canines were still baby teeth, so they were pulled during the surgery > and will need to be replaced. I admit I have definitely improved > over the past 2 months, feeling has finally come back to my upper > lip/cheeks, and I can almost eat as I usually do, and I've gained > back most of the weight I lost...I still lack sensitivity in my lower > lip/chin. The swelling has gone down a great deal, but still I feel > self-conscious, I still feel like my cheeks are bigger than normal. > I went out for the first time last weekend in 2 months, and even > though it was great to see some friends that haven't seen me since > before the surgery, I felt so out of place and so self-conscious. > Even though i'm ALOT better than I was even a month ago, every now > and then I get so depressed... I'll get phone calls from my parents > or friends I haven't seen in a while, and everyone will keep asking > me if I'm happy with it, if I can eat normally yet, and the truth > is...I look in the mirror sometimes, and i just don't feel like I > look right...I don't feel normal yet. My lips still feel partially > numb that I can't drink thru a straw, I can't close my mouth > naturally, I can't kiss my boyfriend, I still dribble if i don't > drink carefully from a glass, I'm still self-conscious that food is > hanging on my chin when I eat, and I hate that none of my > friends/family can understand... I do try to be positive around > everyone, and make fun of myself so as not to worry anyone, but deep > inside...I'm yearning to be done with this post-surgery crap.. Don't > get me wrong, I thank my doctors for their efforts, I thank my > family/friends for their support, and I thank God that the worst of > the recovery has past, but the reality is, I look funny and I eat > funny. People tell me I look great...how come I don't see it? I > guess it would be nice to hear some positive words from ppl that are > 5, 6, or 12 months post-surgery..that you're happy with it, that all > your numbness went away, that eventually, I'll be able to kiss the > ones I love... > > I'm trying not to be a downer for pre-op folks, but just keeping it > real.. > -Jane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 27, 2004 Report Share Posted October 27, 2004 Jane, I'd suggest that you print out your message and take it or mail it to your surgeon. He or she can help you with some of these feelings, I'll bet. It also may be time for a course of antidepressants... I dunno, but if I were you, I'd certainly ask him, or your regular physician or any counselor you may have. Things you can do for yourself to help: Are you getting sufficient exercise? I don't know what the weather is like where you are, but it's just on the cusp of feeling wonderful here, after a long, sticky, summer full of hurricanes. I'm trying to inspire myself to go out walking every day, the way I used to. It made me (or helped me) feel so much better! Realize that it is still relatively a short time after your surgery. You had a lot of changes made to your muscles and tissues. Carefully made, but it still takes time for your body to put itself back together. If you'd had, say, a hip replacement, I think you'd still be feeling the aftermath of the procedure, and the mouth is no different. Maybe more difficult, in fact, because it's involved in almost everything we do. If people tell you you're looking great, try listening to them! And as for the food-on-the-chin and dribble problems, invest in a small cosmetics bag and carry a purse mirror and some tissues with you wherever you go. Actually, I did that when I first had the appliances installed. It was convenient to carry a small toothbrush, Glide floss threaders, a small pocket perio brush, a little tube of toothpaste and a bit of mouthwash -- and that mirror, just to be sure that I wasn't putting my luncheon turnip greens on display to the world! I'll leave it up to you and your feller to work out the kissing problems -- but you can have fun while you're solving the difficulties! The swelling will go, and you'll probably lose much of the numbness, but it can take many months for these things to happen, and some folks never regain all their sensation, I am sorry to say. They are very few -- but that doesn't help if you're one of them. And one more thing: It's tacky old advice, but true. When you're feeling blue, or down on yourself, either learn something new, or find someone who needs your help. Either will give you a boost! Good wishes to you. Cammie > > Hey Everyone, > > I'm 25 and I had upper/lower jaw surgery on August 19 to correct my > underbite. I'll be wearing braces for another 4-6 months and will be > getting dental implants at the end of that term..apparently my > canines were still baby teeth, so they were pulled during the surgery > and will need to be replaced. I admit I have definitely improved > over the past 2 months, feeling has finally come back to my upper > lip/cheeks, and I can almost eat as I usually do, and I've gained > back most of the weight I lost...I still lack sensitivity in my lower > lip/chin. The swelling has gone down a great deal, but still I feel > self-conscious, I still feel like my cheeks are bigger than normal. > I went out for the first time last weekend in 2 months, and even > though it was great to see some friends that haven't seen me since > before the surgery, I felt so out of place and so self-conscious. > Even though i'm ALOT better than I was even a month ago, every now > and then I get so depressed... I'll get phone calls from my parents > or friends I haven't seen in a while, and everyone will keep asking > me if I'm happy with it, if I can eat normally yet, and the truth > is...I look in the mirror sometimes, and i just don't feel like I > look right...I don't feel normal yet. My lips still feel partially > numb that I can't drink thru a straw, I can't close my mouth > naturally, I can't kiss my boyfriend, I still dribble if i don't > drink carefully from a glass, I'm still self-conscious that food is > hanging on my chin when I eat, and I hate that none of my > friends/family can understand... I do try to be positive around > everyone, and make fun of myself so as not to worry anyone, but deep > inside...I'm yearning to be done with this post-surgery crap.. Don't > get me wrong, I thank my doctors for their efforts, I thank my > family/friends for their support, and I thank God that the worst of > the recovery has past, but the reality is, I look funny and I eat > funny. People tell me I look great...how come I don't see it? I > guess it would be nice to hear some positive words from ppl that are > 5, 6, or 12 months post-surgery..that you're happy with it, that all > your numbness went away, that eventually, I'll be able to kiss the > ones I love... > > I'm trying not to be a downer for pre-op folks, but just keeping it > real.. > -Jane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 27, 2004 Report Share Posted October 27, 2004 Jane, I'd suggest that you print out your message and take it or mail it to your surgeon. He or she can help you with some of these feelings, I'll bet. It also may be time for a course of antidepressants... I dunno, but if I were you, I'd certainly ask him, or your regular physician or any counselor you may have. Things you can do for yourself to help: Are you getting sufficient exercise? I don't know what the weather is like where you are, but it's just on the cusp of feeling wonderful here, after a long, sticky, summer full of hurricanes. I'm trying to inspire myself to go out walking every day, the way I used to. It made me (or helped me) feel so much better! Realize that it is still relatively a short time after your surgery. You had a lot of changes made to your muscles and tissues. Carefully made, but it still takes time for your body to put itself back together. If you'd had, say, a hip replacement, I think you'd still be feeling the aftermath of the procedure, and the mouth is no different. Maybe more difficult, in fact, because it's involved in almost everything we do. If people tell you you're looking great, try listening to them! And as for the food-on-the-chin and dribble problems, invest in a small cosmetics bag and carry a purse mirror and some tissues with you wherever you go. Actually, I did that when I first had the appliances installed. It was convenient to carry a small toothbrush, Glide floss threaders, a small pocket perio brush, a little tube of toothpaste and a bit of mouthwash -- and that mirror, just to be sure that I wasn't putting my luncheon turnip greens on display to the world! I'll leave it up to you and your feller to work out the kissing problems -- but you can have fun while you're solving the difficulties! The swelling will go, and you'll probably lose much of the numbness, but it can take many months for these things to happen, and some folks never regain all their sensation, I am sorry to say. They are very few -- but that doesn't help if you're one of them. And one more thing: It's tacky old advice, but true. When you're feeling blue, or down on yourself, either learn something new, or find someone who needs your help. Either will give you a boost! Good wishes to you. Cammie > > Hey Everyone, > > I'm 25 and I had upper/lower jaw surgery on August 19 to correct my > underbite. I'll be wearing braces for another 4-6 months and will be > getting dental implants at the end of that term..apparently my > canines were still baby teeth, so they were pulled during the surgery > and will need to be replaced. I admit I have definitely improved > over the past 2 months, feeling has finally come back to my upper > lip/cheeks, and I can almost eat as I usually do, and I've gained > back most of the weight I lost...I still lack sensitivity in my lower > lip/chin. The swelling has gone down a great deal, but still I feel > self-conscious, I still feel like my cheeks are bigger than normal. > I went out for the first time last weekend in 2 months, and even > though it was great to see some friends that haven't seen me since > before the surgery, I felt so out of place and so self-conscious. > Even though i'm ALOT better than I was even a month ago, every now > and then I get so depressed... I'll get phone calls from my parents > or friends I haven't seen in a while, and everyone will keep asking > me if I'm happy with it, if I can eat normally yet, and the truth > is...I look in the mirror sometimes, and i just don't feel like I > look right...I don't feel normal yet. My lips still feel partially > numb that I can't drink thru a straw, I can't close my mouth > naturally, I can't kiss my boyfriend, I still dribble if i don't > drink carefully from a glass, I'm still self-conscious that food is > hanging on my chin when I eat, and I hate that none of my > friends/family can understand... I do try to be positive around > everyone, and make fun of myself so as not to worry anyone, but deep > inside...I'm yearning to be done with this post-surgery crap.. Don't > get me wrong, I thank my doctors for their efforts, I thank my > family/friends for their support, and I thank God that the worst of > the recovery has past, but the reality is, I look funny and I eat > funny. People tell me I look great...how come I don't see it? I > guess it would be nice to hear some positive words from ppl that are > 5, 6, or 12 months post-surgery..that you're happy with it, that all > your numbness went away, that eventually, I'll be able to kiss the > ones I love... > > I'm trying not to be a downer for pre-op folks, but just keeping it > real.. > -Jane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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