I got my splint out .... yipeeee

October 27, 2004

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