Guest guest Posted November 2, 2004 Report Share Posted November 2, 2004 Dear , Hi and Happy Tuesday. I don't know if all surgeons use the splint between the bite while wired, but mine did. I had a High Lefort upper and a BSSO bottom back. I was also advised they might do nasal & cheek implants as well as genio on the chin. When I awoke, no implants or genio. Dr. Poor in Kaiser had me come to Oakland (from Sacramento) yesterday and they looked at my shifted splint and decided I am progressing well(one week today) and removed the splint and the wires! Woo Whoo! I am unwired and only banded with elastic bands now. What they did advise to me is to talk and talk and talk! So I have. It's still robotic like speech because emotional conversation takes much more lip and mouth range. I am still swollen, but doing well. I was pleased that today I was able to swallow my meds for my Lupus and autoimmune illnesses. The pill crusher works fine, and adding apple juice was helpful, but the pills were still bitter. The trip yesterday was a long one -- but I am blessed with my husband taking such good care of me. I was 3 years in the process of this surgery. My TMJ was so horrific it would wake me in the middle of the night -- and I use 30mg of Flexeril and another med at sleep time for my chronic pain and illness! It takes an earthquake and a tornado to normally wake me. For months I laid with a heating pad on my face. I ate only soft foods, no chocolate, no caffiene -- nothing to stress my jaws. I wore a dental splint 24/7 for 13 months before getting braces. What I offer you is to prepare and investigate and ask questions. Make notes, buy what you'll need before hand. Humidifier is a must. Nice qtips Small Dixie Cups Afrin Dimetapp Elixir (helps with the swelling in the nasal cavity 20ml syrings (your pharmacy can supply them) pill crusher if there are meds you take daily that do not come in liquid form Zip n Squeeze bags Head and jaw wrap hydrocortisone or another lip balm type product baby toothbrushes There is a book offered through Zip n Squeeze, order it too, will give you a lot of info I'm here if you need any more advice. I think for me this recovery has been a challenge. When I lost my health in 1995 -- my career ended, my life ended. So I had to rebuild. Living with chronic illness gives you a different insight. I just knew one thing going into the surgery. I Would Survive! I have so many things to do and this is only a small chapter in my Book of Life. My Dr. commented on the rough time I had in recovery -- my last supper did not digest and all came back up. But the one thought was " lean forward and let graity help " ... and because of this group and all the investigation-- it was my first thought upon consciousness... I survived... messy, but I survived it. I turned 50 years old in October... but today I only feel 38:) Hugs and regards, Connie [Orthognathic Surgery Support ] If you are > >nervous ...... > > > >Date: Sat, 30 Oct 2004 17:52:02 -0000 > > > > > > > > > > > >I know the feeling alot of you crawling around this site have. " Oh > > > >Boy...what am I doing " Trust me I looked at enough of the pictures > >on > > > >this site to give me convulsions prior to my Oct 21st upper and > >lower > > > >surgery. I realize that everyone is different but from my > > > >perspective it really is not that bad. I prepared for my surgery > >for > > > >nearly 3 years. Between, the orthodontics, insurance issues, and > >my > > > >Oral Surgeon not being local it took that long to get ready. I > >will > > > >highlight my experience briefly and hopefully it will put some of > >you > > > >pre-opers at ease as others made me feel. > > > > > > > >First of all I will start off that NONE of the post-op uncomforts > >out > > > >weigh the feeling of relief that the surgery is over, trust me on > > > >this. the instant you wake up you will be thankful you are on the > > > >other side. The worst for me was in the OR prior to going to > >sleep. > > > >I was watching 8 people in masks prepare to tear me apart, soon I > >was > > > >in la la land and barely remember the recovery room. In recovery > >my > > > >only thought was that I know I should be in pain, but I am not and > >I > > > >can even open my mouth....what is goin going on?? Soon i realized > > > >that the pain medication was allowing me to not feel anything which > > > >is why I could open so much, after the drip was off opening was not > > > >so easy. I can honestly say that I was not in any pain and had the > > > >drip turned off just a few hours after surgery (I never pushed the > > > >button even once) I stayed in the hospital for 1 day after surgery > > > >and the swelling was intense (no pain). It really was not bad. Yes > > > >you will have some uncomforts such as; > > > > > > > >1. Difficult to breathe as easy > > > >2. Swelling will make you feel like you have a strethed face > > > >3. numbness > > > >4. Drinking out of a syringe is a bit humbling > > > >5. Sleeping was not easy for a couple of days > > > > > > > >9 days post op and the swelling is 80% gone, I am drinking out of a > > > >cup and/or straw and activity is increasing. The liquid diet is > > > >really not that bad (ice cream, ensure, carnation, STARBUCKS > >Blended > > > >Mochas, and lots of soups) No pain medication. I am actually going > > > >back to work on Monday (11 days post op). I don't want to ramble > >on, > > > >if you have additional questions you can email me directly at > > > >jangevine_2000@y... > > > > > > > >Don't be nervous. Get yourself some company, a TV guide (difficult > > > >to focus on reading for a day or so), plenty of ice and you will be > > > >fine! As someone else said this is improvement surgery, not life > > > >threatning. Every hour gets better! GOOD LUCK!!! > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > _________________________________________________________________ > > > Is your PC infected? Get a FREE online computer virus scan from > >McAfee® > > > Security. http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963 > > > > > > > >_________________________________________________________________ >Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today - it's FREE! >hthttp://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/ > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 2, 2004 Report Share Posted November 2, 2004 Dear , Hi and Happy Tuesday. I don't know if all surgeons use the splint between the bite while wired, but mine did. I had a High Lefort upper and a BSSO bottom back. I was also advised they might do nasal & cheek implants as well as genio on the chin. When I awoke, no implants or genio. Dr. Poor in Kaiser had me come to Oakland (from Sacramento) yesterday and they looked at my shifted splint and decided I am progressing well(one week today) and removed the splint and the wires! Woo Whoo! I am unwired and only banded with elastic bands now. What they did advise to me is to talk and talk and talk! So I have. It's still robotic like speech because emotional conversation takes much more lip and mouth range. I am still swollen, but doing well. I was pleased that today I was able to swallow my meds for my Lupus and autoimmune illnesses. The pill crusher works fine, and adding apple juice was helpful, but the pills were still bitter. The trip yesterday was a long one -- but I am blessed with my husband taking such good care of me. I was 3 years in the process of this surgery. My TMJ was so horrific it would wake me in the middle of the night -- and I use 30mg of Flexeril and another med at sleep time for my chronic pain and illness! It takes an earthquake and a tornado to normally wake me. For months I laid with a heating pad on my face. I ate only soft foods, no chocolate, no caffiene -- nothing to stress my jaws. I wore a dental splint 24/7 for 13 months before getting braces. What I offer you is to prepare and investigate and ask questions. Make notes, buy what you'll need before hand. Humidifier is a must. Nice qtips Small Dixie Cups Afrin Dimetapp Elixir (helps with the swelling in the nasal cavity 20ml syrings (your pharmacy can supply them) pill crusher if there are meds you take daily that do not come in liquid form Zip n Squeeze bags Head and jaw wrap hydrocortisone or another lip balm type product baby toothbrushes There is a book offered through Zip n Squeeze, order it too, will give you a lot of info I'm here if you need any more advice. I think for me this recovery has been a challenge. When I lost my health in 1995 -- my career ended, my life ended. So I had to rebuild. Living with chronic illness gives you a different insight. I just knew one thing going into the surgery. I Would Survive! I have so many things to do and this is only a small chapter in my Book of Life. My Dr. commented on the rough time I had in recovery -- my last supper did not digest and all came back up. But the one thought was " lean forward and let graity help " ... and because of this group and all the investigation-- it was my first thought upon consciousness... I survived... messy, but I survived it. I turned 50 years old in October... but today I only feel 38:) Hugs and regards, Connie [Orthognathic Surgery Support ] If you are > >nervous ...... > > > >Date: Sat, 30 Oct 2004 17:52:02 -0000 > > > > > > > > > > > >I know the feeling alot of you crawling around this site have. " Oh > > > >Boy...what am I doing " Trust me I looked at enough of the pictures > >on > > > >this site to give me convulsions prior to my Oct 21st upper and > >lower > > > >surgery. I realize that everyone is different but from my > > > >perspective it really is not that bad. I prepared for my surgery > >for > > > >nearly 3 years. Between, the orthodontics, insurance issues, and > >my > > > >Oral Surgeon not being local it took that long to get ready. I > >will > > > >highlight my experience briefly and hopefully it will put some of > >you > > > >pre-opers at ease as others made me feel. > > > > > > > >First of all I will start off that NONE of the post-op uncomforts > >out > > > >weigh the feeling of relief that the surgery is over, trust me on > > > >this. the instant you wake up you will be thankful you are on the > > > >other side. The worst for me was in the OR prior to going to > >sleep. > > > >I was watching 8 people in masks prepare to tear me apart, soon I > >was > > > >in la la land and barely remember the recovery room. In recovery > >my > > > >only thought was that I know I should be in pain, but I am not and > >I > > > >can even open my mouth....what is goin going on?? Soon i realized > > > >that the pain medication was allowing me to not feel anything which > > > >is why I could open so much, after the drip was off opening was not > > > >so easy. I can honestly say that I was not in any pain and had the > > > >drip turned off just a few hours after surgery (I never pushed the > > > >button even once) I stayed in the hospital for 1 day after surgery > > > >and the swelling was intense (no pain). It really was not bad. Yes > > > >you will have some uncomforts such as; > > > > > > > >1. Difficult to breathe as easy > > > >2. Swelling will make you feel like you have a strethed face > > > >3. numbness > > > >4. Drinking out of a syringe is a bit humbling > > > >5. Sleeping was not easy for a couple of days > > > > > > > >9 days post op and the swelling is 80% gone, I am drinking out of a > > > >cup and/or straw and activity is increasing. The liquid diet is > > > >really not that bad (ice cream, ensure, carnation, STARBUCKS > >Blended > > > >Mochas, and lots of soups) No pain medication. I am actually going > > > >back to work on Monday (11 days post op). I don't want to ramble > >on, > > > >if you have additional questions you can email me directly at > > > >jangevine_2000@y... > > > > > > > >Don't be nervous. Get yourself some company, a TV guide (difficult > > > >to focus on reading for a day or so), plenty of ice and you will be > > > >fine! As someone else said this is improvement surgery, not life > > > >threatning. Every hour gets better! GOOD LUCK!!! > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > _________________________________________________________________ > > > Is your PC infected? Get a FREE online computer virus scan from > >McAfee® > > > Security. http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963 > > > > > > > >_________________________________________________________________ >Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today - it's FREE! >hthttp://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/ > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 3, 2004 Report Share Posted November 3, 2004 thank you so much for the information connie. i take paxil, daily, and i get horribley dizzy and nauseated if i don't take it so i'm kind of worried about not being able to put anything in my stomach for how ever many hours before surgery. also, my sister has an autoimmune disease and no one can figure out what it is. she's 24 and it started while she was living in russia. she had to come home in a wheel chair. now, she is out of the wheel chair but she has to fly to The Cleveland Clinic, in ohio, to get injections in her wrist and legs. i can see where the bone has deteriorated on her wrist. the skin sinks in and it's discolored. she gets sick all the time and i'm so worried. they wanted to treat her with sulfa (sp?) drugs but she's allergic. well, thanks for all the info. again. alex > >Reply-To: orthognathicsurgerysupport >To: <orthognathicsurgerysupport > >Subject: [Orthognathic Surgery Support ] Splint and post surgery >Date: Tue, 2 Nov 2004 10:14:42 -0800 > >Dear , >Hi and Happy Tuesday. >I don't know if all surgeons use the splint between the bite while wired, >but mine did. I had a High Lefort upper and a BSSO bottom back. >I was also advised they might do nasal & cheek implants as well as genio on >the chin. When I awoke, no implants or genio. > >Dr. Poor in Kaiser had me come to Oakland (from Sacramento) yesterday and >they looked at my shifted splint and decided I am progressing well(one week >today) and removed the splint and the wires! Woo Whoo! I am unwired and >only banded with elastic bands now. > >What they did advise to me is to talk and talk and talk! >So I have. It's still robotic like speech because emotional conversation >takes much more lip and mouth range. I am still swollen, but doing well. > >I was pleased that today I was able to swallow my meds for my Lupus and >autoimmune illnesses. The pill crusher works fine, and adding apple juice >was helpful, but the pills were still bitter. >The trip yesterday was a long one -- but I am blessed with my husband >taking >such good care of me. > >I was 3 years in the process of this surgery. My TMJ was so horrific it >would wake me in the middle of the night -- and I use 30mg of Flexeril and >another med at sleep time for my chronic pain and illness! It takes an >earthquake and a tornado to normally wake me. >For months I laid with a heating pad on my face. I ate only soft foods, no >chocolate, no caffiene -- nothing to stress my jaws. >I wore a dental splint 24/7 for 13 months before getting braces. > >What I offer you is to prepare and investigate and ask questions. >Make notes, buy what you'll need before hand. >Humidifier is a must. >Nice qtips >Small Dixie Cups >Afrin >Dimetapp Elixir (helps with the swelling in the nasal cavity >20ml syrings (your pharmacy can supply them) >pill crusher if there are meds you take daily that do not come in liquid >form >Zip n Squeeze bags >Head and jaw wrap >hydrocortisone or another lip balm type product >baby toothbrushes >There is a book offered through Zip n Squeeze, order it too, will give you >a >lot of info > >I'm here if you need any more advice. >I think for me this recovery has been a challenge. When I lost my health >in >1995 -- my career ended, my life ended. So I had to rebuild. >Living with chronic illness gives you a different insight. >I just knew one thing going into the surgery. I Would Survive! >I have so many things to do and this is only a small chapter in my Book of >Life. > >My Dr. commented on the rough time I had in recovery -- my last supper did >not digest and all came back up. But the one thought was " lean forward and >let graity help " ... and because of this group and all the investigation-- >it >was my first thought upon consciousness... I survived... messy, but I >survived it. >I turned 50 years old in October... but today I only feel 38:) >Hugs and regards, >Connie > > [Orthognathic Surgery Support ] If you are > > >nervous ...... > > > > >Date: Sat, 30 Oct 2004 17:52:02 -0000 > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >I know the feeling alot of you crawling around this site have. " Oh > > > > >Boy...what am I doing " Trust me I looked at enough of the pictures > > >on > > > > >this site to give me convulsions prior to my Oct 21st upper and > > >lower > > > > >surgery. I realize that everyone is different but from my > > > > >perspective it really is not that bad. I prepared for my surgery > > >for > > > > >nearly 3 years. Between, the orthodontics, insurance issues, and > > >my > > > > >Oral Surgeon not being local it took that long to get ready. I > > >will > > > > >highlight my experience briefly and hopefully it will put some of > > >you > > > > >pre-opers at ease as others made me feel. > > > > > > > > > >First of all I will start off that NONE of the post-op uncomforts > > >out > > > > >weigh the feeling of relief that the surgery is over, trust me on > > > > >this. the instant you wake up you will be thankful you are on the > > > > >other side. The worst for me was in the OR prior to going to > > >sleep. > > > > >I was watching 8 people in masks prepare to tear me apart, soon I > > >was > > > > >in la la land and barely remember the recovery room. In recovery > > >my > > > > >only thought was that I know I should be in pain, but I am not and > > >I > > > > >can even open my mouth....what is goin going on?? Soon i realized > > > > >that the pain medication was allowing me to not feel anything which > > > > >is why I could open so much, after the drip was off opening was not > > > > >so easy. I can honestly say that I was not in any pain and had the > > > > >drip turned off just a few hours after surgery (I never pushed the > > > > >button even once) I stayed in the hospital for 1 day after surgery > > > > >and the swelling was intense (no pain). It really was not bad. Yes > > > > >you will have some uncomforts such as; > > > > > > > > > >1. Difficult to breathe as easy > > > > >2. Swelling will make you feel like you have a strethed face > > > > >3. numbness > > > > >4. Drinking out of a syringe is a bit humbling > > > > >5. Sleeping was not easy for a couple of days > > > > > > > > > >9 days post op and the swelling is 80% gone, I am drinking out of a > > > > >cup and/or straw and activity is increasing. The liquid diet is > > > > >really not that bad (ice cream, ensure, carnation, STARBUCKS > > >Blended > > > > >Mochas, and lots of soups) No pain medication. I am actually going > > > > >back to work on Monday (11 days post op). I don't want to ramble > > >on, > > > > >if you have additional questions you can email me directly at > > > > >jangevine_2000@y... > > > > > > > > > >Don't be nervous. Get yourself some company, a TV guide (difficult > > > > >to focus on reading for a day or so), plenty of ice and you will be > > > > >fine! As someone else said this is improvement surgery, not life > > > > >threatning. Every hour gets better! GOOD LUCK!!! > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > _________________________________________________________________ > > > > Is your PC infected? Get a FREE online computer virus scan from > > >McAfee® > > > > Security. http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963 > > > > > > > > > > > > >_________________________________________________________________ > >Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today - it's >FREE! > >hthttp://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/ > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 3, 2004 Report Share Posted November 3, 2004 thank you so much for the information connie. i take paxil, daily, and i get horribley dizzy and nauseated if i don't take it so i'm kind of worried about not being able to put anything in my stomach for how ever many hours before surgery. also, my sister has an autoimmune disease and no one can figure out what it is. she's 24 and it started while she was living in russia. she had to come home in a wheel chair. now, she is out of the wheel chair but she has to fly to The Cleveland Clinic, in ohio, to get injections in her wrist and legs. i can see where the bone has deteriorated on her wrist. the skin sinks in and it's discolored. she gets sick all the time and i'm so worried. they wanted to treat her with sulfa (sp?) drugs but she's allergic. well, thanks for all the info. again. alex > >Reply-To: orthognathicsurgerysupport >To: <orthognathicsurgerysupport > >Subject: [Orthognathic Surgery Support ] Splint and post surgery >Date: Tue, 2 Nov 2004 10:14:42 -0800 > >Dear , >Hi and Happy Tuesday. >I don't know if all surgeons use the splint between the bite while wired, >but mine did. I had a High Lefort upper and a BSSO bottom back. >I was also advised they might do nasal & cheek implants as well as genio on >the chin. When I awoke, no implants or genio. > >Dr. Poor in Kaiser had me come to Oakland (from Sacramento) yesterday and >they looked at my shifted splint and decided I am progressing well(one week >today) and removed the splint and the wires! Woo Whoo! I am unwired and >only banded with elastic bands now. > >What they did advise to me is to talk and talk and talk! >So I have. It's still robotic like speech because emotional conversation >takes much more lip and mouth range. I am still swollen, but doing well. > >I was pleased that today I was able to swallow my meds for my Lupus and >autoimmune illnesses. The pill crusher works fine, and adding apple juice >was helpful, but the pills were still bitter. >The trip yesterday was a long one -- but I am blessed with my husband >taking >such good care of me. > >I was 3 years in the process of this surgery. My TMJ was so horrific it >would wake me in the middle of the night -- and I use 30mg of Flexeril and >another med at sleep time for my chronic pain and illness! It takes an >earthquake and a tornado to normally wake me. >For months I laid with a heating pad on my face. I ate only soft foods, no >chocolate, no caffiene -- nothing to stress my jaws. >I wore a dental splint 24/7 for 13 months before getting braces. > >What I offer you is to prepare and investigate and ask questions. >Make notes, buy what you'll need before hand. >Humidifier is a must. >Nice qtips >Small Dixie Cups >Afrin >Dimetapp Elixir (helps with the swelling in the nasal cavity >20ml syrings (your pharmacy can supply them) >pill crusher if there are meds you take daily that do not come in liquid >form >Zip n Squeeze bags >Head and jaw wrap >hydrocortisone or another lip balm type product >baby toothbrushes >There is a book offered through Zip n Squeeze, order it too, will give you >a >lot of info > >I'm here if you need any more advice. >I think for me this recovery has been a challenge. When I lost my health >in >1995 -- my career ended, my life ended. So I had to rebuild. >Living with chronic illness gives you a different insight. >I just knew one thing going into the surgery. I Would Survive! >I have so many things to do and this is only a small chapter in my Book of >Life. > >My Dr. commented on the rough time I had in recovery -- my last supper did >not digest and all came back up. But the one thought was " lean forward and >let graity help " ... and because of this group and all the investigation-- >it >was my first thought upon consciousness... I survived... messy, but I >survived it. >I turned 50 years old in October... but today I only feel 38:) >Hugs and regards, >Connie > > [Orthognathic Surgery Support ] If you are > > >nervous ...... > > > > >Date: Sat, 30 Oct 2004 17:52:02 -0000 > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >I know the feeling alot of you crawling around this site have. " Oh > > > > >Boy...what am I doing " Trust me I looked at enough of the pictures > > >on > > > > >this site to give me convulsions prior to my Oct 21st upper and > > >lower > > > > >surgery. I realize that everyone is different but from my > > > > >perspective it really is not that bad. I prepared for my surgery > > >for > > > > >nearly 3 years. Between, the orthodontics, insurance issues, and > > >my > > > > >Oral Surgeon not being local it took that long to get ready. I > > >will > > > > >highlight my experience briefly and hopefully it will put some of > > >you > > > > >pre-opers at ease as others made me feel. > > > > > > > > > >First of all I will start off that NONE of the post-op uncomforts > > >out > > > > >weigh the feeling of relief that the surgery is over, trust me on > > > > >this. the instant you wake up you will be thankful you are on the > > > > >other side. The worst for me was in the OR prior to going to > > >sleep. > > > > >I was watching 8 people in masks prepare to tear me apart, soon I > > >was > > > > >in la la land and barely remember the recovery room. In recovery > > >my > > > > >only thought was that I know I should be in pain, but I am not and > > >I > > > > >can even open my mouth....what is goin going on?? Soon i realized > > > > >that the pain medication was allowing me to not feel anything which > > > > >is why I could open so much, after the drip was off opening was not > > > > >so easy. I can honestly say that I was not in any pain and had the > > > > >drip turned off just a few hours after surgery (I never pushed the > > > > >button even once) I stayed in the hospital for 1 day after surgery > > > > >and the swelling was intense (no pain). It really was not bad. Yes > > > > >you will have some uncomforts such as; > > > > > > > > > >1. Difficult to breathe as easy > > > > >2. Swelling will make you feel like you have a strethed face > > > > >3. numbness > > > > >4. Drinking out of a syringe is a bit humbling > > > > >5. Sleeping was not easy for a couple of days > > > > > > > > > >9 days post op and the swelling is 80% gone, I am drinking out of a > > > > >cup and/or straw and activity is increasing. The liquid diet is > > > > >really not that bad (ice cream, ensure, carnation, STARBUCKS > > >Blended > > > > >Mochas, and lots of soups) No pain medication. I am actually going > > > > >back to work on Monday (11 days post op). I don't want to ramble > > >on, > > > > >if you have additional questions you can email me directly at > > > > >jangevine_2000@y... > > > > > > > > > >Don't be nervous. Get yourself some company, a TV guide (difficult > > > > >to focus on reading for a day or so), plenty of ice and you will be > > > > >fine! As someone else said this is improvement surgery, not life > > > > >threatning. Every hour gets better! GOOD LUCK!!! > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > _________________________________________________________________ > > > > Is your PC infected? Get a FREE online computer virus scan from > > >McAfee® > > > > Security. http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963 > > > > > > > > > > > > >_________________________________________________________________ > >Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today - it's >FREE! > >hthttp://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/ > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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