Guest guest Posted August 26, 2004 Report Share Posted August 26, 2004 Sounds to me as though you're doing fine, Ray. I remember how upset you were by all this way back when. Now you sound up, functioning and soooo much happier! Congratulations, in a major way. Not that jaw surgery will resolve anybody's other life problems, but you sound as though you have done really, really well, and I am so very happy for you! Cammie > Hi all! > > 12 weeks ago, I was readying myself for an orthognatic surgery : > Upper, lower and genio. Today, very few could tell I had a surgery. > No visible scars, nothing visible in my mouth. I have one scar on my > right hip, but with the new technique my surgeon used, the only thing > visible is the discoloration. There are no " lips " (sort of). > > Very little swelling remains visible on my face. I'd say less than > 5%, and you'd have to know me before the surgery to remember how I > looked, otherwise, you wouldn't tell. Eating has improved a lot! I > had veal two weeks ago, and I'm enjoying almost everything. Excluded > are peanuts (because of the braces) and other hard stuff like that, > and some things that are eaten very hot or very cold (my mouth > remained very sensitive to heat). It takes less and less time to eat > any meal. I went from 90 minutes to about 25-30 minutes in 3 weeks. > Granted, it's tough at first. You have to fight the fear of breaking > something, all that while training (or retraining) your muscles to > eat. Before the surgey, average time to eat was 20 minutes. > > Sadly, I've regained all the weight I had lost. I'm not sure if it's > because of my new eating habbits or the fact that it's also been 12 > weeks since I quit smoking. Perhaps a little of both. I'm > exercising every day (walking for more than an hour). And I'm > planning on getting back to the gym after my annual vacations, in 3 > weeks. > > I met my surgeon last week for the last time. She will want to see > me again once the braces are over. And the ortho performed the real > treatment since the surgery last week as well. It wasn't as painfull > as before. In fact, I hardly felt anything. I don't think he was > being kind with me, I rather think it's because of what he said: the > last few treatments will be insignificant in comparison with the pre- > op ones. My jaws are just perfect, all that remains to be done is > touch-up moves. On of my front teeth needs to be lowered a little, > and that's it. > > Good news from my ortho, btw, is that I'm going to get those braces > off in 6 months, perhaps less if I'm lucky. Initial plan was for me > to wear the braces 12 months post-op. I'd be off braces for > Valentine Day 2005, or Easter at the very least. That's cool! > > I have no more numb spot on my chin and face, except for one tiny > spot on my nose (the seperator.. ). However, my chin hasn't fully > regain its sensitivity. I'm about 75%. I mean I can feel hard > things, but soft ones are harder to detect. > > Inside my mouth is a different story, but I feel I'm getting there. > I have regained some sensitivity in my gums, but not much. I'd say > I'm about 5% of what I was pre-op. This is not bothering me at all, > though. I've regained feeling in all my teeth. I can now know when > my jaws are closed!! The tongue is the one thing I'm really tired > of. There has been very little improvement. Taste, speech and > feeling have improve just a touch. Less then 5%, in both affected > area and sensitivity. The palate has, on the other, regained much of > its feeling. It still feels cold when I breathe, but the affected > area is really small compared to what it was right after the surgery. > > One problematic area is my hair... I haven't loss much, but what's > there is unbelievably hard to deal with. I abandoned them, they're > free to do as it pleases them.. ;-) > > People say I look happier and I sound more cheerfull than before the > surgery. I think it has to do with the fact that now, when I smile, > they actually see a smile, rather than a black hole in my mouth. We > should never judge someone based on his / her appearance, but like it > or not, that's what we see at first. Now that my smile is visible, > people see me differently. > > I attended my first party two weeks ago. It was the 18th birthday > party of a friend's daughter. No one, not one person, noticed I had > a surgery. That was cool! They couldn't hear the difference in > speech neither. I was so much relieved. I didn't want to have to > explain this all over again... (it becomes boring after the 15th > time...). Next big test is in a month, when I'll me a bunch of my > personal friends for a big party. > > Finally, I had (and still have) to learn how to use my new mouth. I > mean, where to park the jaws when they're unused, how to eat certain > problematic food (those that come in millions of little pieces, or > those that have to be eaten with your bare hands), how to control my > smile, etc. It's not a burden, it's more fun than anything else. > Still, it's something I have to learn, at the age of 37... hahaha! > > Forgot to mention, I can open my mouth 47mm. Pre-op, I was at 57mm, > but this was abnormal. My surgeon said I would loose 10mm, and this > is exactly what happened. 47mm isn't enough for a Big Mac, but it's > enough for a hot dog (all dressed), a regular hamburger, etc. I know > I'll have to use knife and fork for submarines sabdwiches (SubWay) > from now how... No problem, I can live with that limitation, > anytime! For all the benefits I got so far, I'm more than grateful! > > Ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 26, 2004 Report Share Posted August 26, 2004 Sounds to me as though you're doing fine, Ray. I remember how upset you were by all this way back when. Now you sound up, functioning and soooo much happier! Congratulations, in a major way. Not that jaw surgery will resolve anybody's other life problems, but you sound as though you have done really, really well, and I am so very happy for you! Cammie > Hi all! > > 12 weeks ago, I was readying myself for an orthognatic surgery : > Upper, lower and genio. Today, very few could tell I had a surgery. > No visible scars, nothing visible in my mouth. I have one scar on my > right hip, but with the new technique my surgeon used, the only thing > visible is the discoloration. There are no " lips " (sort of). > > Very little swelling remains visible on my face. I'd say less than > 5%, and you'd have to know me before the surgery to remember how I > looked, otherwise, you wouldn't tell. Eating has improved a lot! I > had veal two weeks ago, and I'm enjoying almost everything. Excluded > are peanuts (because of the braces) and other hard stuff like that, > and some things that are eaten very hot or very cold (my mouth > remained very sensitive to heat). It takes less and less time to eat > any meal. I went from 90 minutes to about 25-30 minutes in 3 weeks. > Granted, it's tough at first. You have to fight the fear of breaking > something, all that while training (or retraining) your muscles to > eat. Before the surgey, average time to eat was 20 minutes. > > Sadly, I've regained all the weight I had lost. I'm not sure if it's > because of my new eating habbits or the fact that it's also been 12 > weeks since I quit smoking. Perhaps a little of both. I'm > exercising every day (walking for more than an hour). And I'm > planning on getting back to the gym after my annual vacations, in 3 > weeks. > > I met my surgeon last week for the last time. She will want to see > me again once the braces are over. And the ortho performed the real > treatment since the surgery last week as well. It wasn't as painfull > as before. In fact, I hardly felt anything. I don't think he was > being kind with me, I rather think it's because of what he said: the > last few treatments will be insignificant in comparison with the pre- > op ones. My jaws are just perfect, all that remains to be done is > touch-up moves. On of my front teeth needs to be lowered a little, > and that's it. > > Good news from my ortho, btw, is that I'm going to get those braces > off in 6 months, perhaps less if I'm lucky. Initial plan was for me > to wear the braces 12 months post-op. I'd be off braces for > Valentine Day 2005, or Easter at the very least. That's cool! > > I have no more numb spot on my chin and face, except for one tiny > spot on my nose (the seperator.. ). However, my chin hasn't fully > regain its sensitivity. I'm about 75%. I mean I can feel hard > things, but soft ones are harder to detect. > > Inside my mouth is a different story, but I feel I'm getting there. > I have regained some sensitivity in my gums, but not much. I'd say > I'm about 5% of what I was pre-op. This is not bothering me at all, > though. I've regained feeling in all my teeth. I can now know when > my jaws are closed!! The tongue is the one thing I'm really tired > of. There has been very little improvement. Taste, speech and > feeling have improve just a touch. Less then 5%, in both affected > area and sensitivity. The palate has, on the other, regained much of > its feeling. It still feels cold when I breathe, but the affected > area is really small compared to what it was right after the surgery. > > One problematic area is my hair... I haven't loss much, but what's > there is unbelievably hard to deal with. I abandoned them, they're > free to do as it pleases them.. ;-) > > People say I look happier and I sound more cheerfull than before the > surgery. I think it has to do with the fact that now, when I smile, > they actually see a smile, rather than a black hole in my mouth. We > should never judge someone based on his / her appearance, but like it > or not, that's what we see at first. Now that my smile is visible, > people see me differently. > > I attended my first party two weeks ago. It was the 18th birthday > party of a friend's daughter. No one, not one person, noticed I had > a surgery. That was cool! They couldn't hear the difference in > speech neither. I was so much relieved. I didn't want to have to > explain this all over again... (it becomes boring after the 15th > time...). Next big test is in a month, when I'll me a bunch of my > personal friends for a big party. > > Finally, I had (and still have) to learn how to use my new mouth. I > mean, where to park the jaws when they're unused, how to eat certain > problematic food (those that come in millions of little pieces, or > those that have to be eaten with your bare hands), how to control my > smile, etc. It's not a burden, it's more fun than anything else. > Still, it's something I have to learn, at the age of 37... hahaha! > > Forgot to mention, I can open my mouth 47mm. Pre-op, I was at 57mm, > but this was abnormal. My surgeon said I would loose 10mm, and this > is exactly what happened. 47mm isn't enough for a Big Mac, but it's > enough for a hot dog (all dressed), a regular hamburger, etc. I know > I'll have to use knife and fork for submarines sabdwiches (SubWay) > from now how... No problem, I can live with that limitation, > anytime! For all the benefits I got so far, I'm more than grateful! > > Ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 26, 2004 Report Share Posted August 26, 2004 > Sounds to me as though you're doing fine, Ray. I remember how upset > you were by all this way back when. Now you sound up, functioning and > soooo much happier! Congratulations, in a major way. Not that jaw > surgery will resolve anybody's other life problems, but you sound as > though you have done really, really well, and I am so very happy for > you! > > Cammie I ought (to own..) about 87.5 % of this success to you If it would have been for you, I don't think I'd have made the move to get the surgery done. Thanks ! Ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 26, 2004 Report Share Posted August 26, 2004 > Sounds to me as though you're doing fine, Ray. I remember how upset > you were by all this way back when. Now you sound up, functioning and > soooo much happier! Congratulations, in a major way. Not that jaw > surgery will resolve anybody's other life problems, but you sound as > though you have done really, really well, and I am so very happy for > you! > > Cammie I ought (to own..) about 87.5 % of this success to you If it would have been for you, I don't think I'd have made the move to get the surgery done. Thanks ! Ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 27, 2004 Report Share Posted August 27, 2004 Ray, Thanks for the update and it is so great that how well you are doing now! That's great news about the braces coming off sooner than you thought too! Keep in touch with us occasionally! Kim > Hi all! > > 12 weeks ago, I was readying myself for an orthognatic surgery : > Upper, lower and genio. Today, very few could tell I had a surgery. > No visible scars, nothing visible in my mouth. I have one scar on my > right hip, but with the new technique my surgeon used, the only thing > visible is the discoloration. There are no " lips " (sort of). > > Very little swelling remains visible on my face. I'd say less than > 5%, and you'd have to know me before the surgery to remember how I > looked, otherwise, you wouldn't tell. Eating has improved a lot! I > had veal two weeks ago, and I'm enjoying almost everything. Excluded > are peanuts (because of the braces) and other hard stuff like that, > and some things that are eaten very hot or very cold (my mouth > remained very sensitive to heat). It takes less and less time to eat > any meal. I went from 90 minutes to about 25-30 minutes in 3 weeks. > Granted, it's tough at first. You have to fight the fear of breaking > something, all that while training (or retraining) your muscles to > eat. Before the surgey, average time to eat was 20 minutes. > > Sadly, I've regained all the weight I had lost. I'm not sure if it's > because of my new eating habbits or the fact that it's also been 12 > weeks since I quit smoking. Perhaps a little of both. I'm > exercising every day (walking for more than an hour). And I'm > planning on getting back to the gym after my annual vacations, in 3 > weeks. > > I met my surgeon last week for the last time. She will want to see > me again once the braces are over. And the ortho performed the real > treatment since the surgery last week as well. It wasn't as painfull > as before. In fact, I hardly felt anything. I don't think he was > being kind with me, I rather think it's because of what he said: the > last few treatments will be insignificant in comparison with the pre- > op ones. My jaws are just perfect, all that remains to be done is > touch-up moves. On of my front teeth needs to be lowered a little, > and that's it. > > Good news from my ortho, btw, is that I'm going to get those braces > off in 6 months, perhaps less if I'm lucky. Initial plan was for me > to wear the braces 12 months post-op. I'd be off braces for > Valentine Day 2005, or Easter at the very least. That's cool! > > I have no more numb spot on my chin and face, except for one tiny > spot on my nose (the seperator.. ). However, my chin hasn't fully > regain its sensitivity. I'm about 75%. I mean I can feel hard > things, but soft ones are harder to detect. > > Inside my mouth is a different story, but I feel I'm getting there. > I have regained some sensitivity in my gums, but not much. I'd say > I'm about 5% of what I was pre-op. This is not bothering me at all, > though. I've regained feeling in all my teeth. I can now know when > my jaws are closed!! The tongue is the one thing I'm really tired > of. There has been very little improvement. Taste, speech and > feeling have improve just a touch. Less then 5%, in both affected > area and sensitivity. The palate has, on the other, regained much of > its feeling. It still feels cold when I breathe, but the affected > area is really small compared to what it was right after the surgery. > > One problematic area is my hair... I haven't loss much, but what's > there is unbelievably hard to deal with. I abandoned them, they're > free to do as it pleases them.. ;-) > > People say I look happier and I sound more cheerfull than before the > surgery. I think it has to do with the fact that now, when I smile, > they actually see a smile, rather than a black hole in my mouth. We > should never judge someone based on his / her appearance, but like it > or not, that's what we see at first. Now that my smile is visible, > people see me differently. > > I attended my first party two weeks ago. It was the 18th birthday > party of a friend's daughter. No one, not one person, noticed I had > a surgery. That was cool! They couldn't hear the difference in > speech neither. I was so much relieved. I didn't want to have to > explain this all over again... (it becomes boring after the 15th > time...). Next big test is in a month, when I'll me a bunch of my > personal friends for a big party. > > Finally, I had (and still have) to learn how to use my new mouth. I > mean, where to park the jaws when they're unused, how to eat certain > problematic food (those that come in millions of little pieces, or > those that have to be eaten with your bare hands), how to control my > smile, etc. It's not a burden, it's more fun than anything else. > Still, it's something I have to learn, at the age of 37... hahaha! > > Forgot to mention, I can open my mouth 47mm. Pre-op, I was at 57mm, > but this was abnormal. My surgeon said I would loose 10mm, and this > is exactly what happened. 47mm isn't enough for a Big Mac, but it's > enough for a hot dog (all dressed), a regular hamburger, etc. I know > I'll have to use knife and fork for submarines sabdwiches (SubWay) > from now how... No problem, I can live with that limitation, > anytime! For all the benefits I got so far, I'm more than grateful! > > Ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 27, 2004 Report Share Posted August 27, 2004 Ray, Thanks for the update and it is so great that how well you are doing now! That's great news about the braces coming off sooner than you thought too! Keep in touch with us occasionally! Kim > Hi all! > > 12 weeks ago, I was readying myself for an orthognatic surgery : > Upper, lower and genio. Today, very few could tell I had a surgery. > No visible scars, nothing visible in my mouth. I have one scar on my > right hip, but with the new technique my surgeon used, the only thing > visible is the discoloration. There are no " lips " (sort of). > > Very little swelling remains visible on my face. I'd say less than > 5%, and you'd have to know me before the surgery to remember how I > looked, otherwise, you wouldn't tell. Eating has improved a lot! I > had veal two weeks ago, and I'm enjoying almost everything. Excluded > are peanuts (because of the braces) and other hard stuff like that, > and some things that are eaten very hot or very cold (my mouth > remained very sensitive to heat). It takes less and less time to eat > any meal. I went from 90 minutes to about 25-30 minutes in 3 weeks. > Granted, it's tough at first. You have to fight the fear of breaking > something, all that while training (or retraining) your muscles to > eat. Before the surgey, average time to eat was 20 minutes. > > Sadly, I've regained all the weight I had lost. I'm not sure if it's > because of my new eating habbits or the fact that it's also been 12 > weeks since I quit smoking. Perhaps a little of both. I'm > exercising every day (walking for more than an hour). And I'm > planning on getting back to the gym after my annual vacations, in 3 > weeks. > > I met my surgeon last week for the last time. She will want to see > me again once the braces are over. And the ortho performed the real > treatment since the surgery last week as well. It wasn't as painfull > as before. In fact, I hardly felt anything. I don't think he was > being kind with me, I rather think it's because of what he said: the > last few treatments will be insignificant in comparison with the pre- > op ones. My jaws are just perfect, all that remains to be done is > touch-up moves. On of my front teeth needs to be lowered a little, > and that's it. > > Good news from my ortho, btw, is that I'm going to get those braces > off in 6 months, perhaps less if I'm lucky. Initial plan was for me > to wear the braces 12 months post-op. I'd be off braces for > Valentine Day 2005, or Easter at the very least. That's cool! > > I have no more numb spot on my chin and face, except for one tiny > spot on my nose (the seperator.. ). However, my chin hasn't fully > regain its sensitivity. I'm about 75%. I mean I can feel hard > things, but soft ones are harder to detect. > > Inside my mouth is a different story, but I feel I'm getting there. > I have regained some sensitivity in my gums, but not much. I'd say > I'm about 5% of what I was pre-op. This is not bothering me at all, > though. I've regained feeling in all my teeth. I can now know when > my jaws are closed!! The tongue is the one thing I'm really tired > of. There has been very little improvement. Taste, speech and > feeling have improve just a touch. Less then 5%, in both affected > area and sensitivity. The palate has, on the other, regained much of > its feeling. It still feels cold when I breathe, but the affected > area is really small compared to what it was right after the surgery. > > One problematic area is my hair... I haven't loss much, but what's > there is unbelievably hard to deal with. I abandoned them, they're > free to do as it pleases them.. ;-) > > People say I look happier and I sound more cheerfull than before the > surgery. I think it has to do with the fact that now, when I smile, > they actually see a smile, rather than a black hole in my mouth. We > should never judge someone based on his / her appearance, but like it > or not, that's what we see at first. Now that my smile is visible, > people see me differently. > > I attended my first party two weeks ago. It was the 18th birthday > party of a friend's daughter. No one, not one person, noticed I had > a surgery. That was cool! They couldn't hear the difference in > speech neither. I was so much relieved. I didn't want to have to > explain this all over again... (it becomes boring after the 15th > time...). Next big test is in a month, when I'll me a bunch of my > personal friends for a big party. > > Finally, I had (and still have) to learn how to use my new mouth. I > mean, where to park the jaws when they're unused, how to eat certain > problematic food (those that come in millions of little pieces, or > those that have to be eaten with your bare hands), how to control my > smile, etc. It's not a burden, it's more fun than anything else. > Still, it's something I have to learn, at the age of 37... hahaha! > > Forgot to mention, I can open my mouth 47mm. Pre-op, I was at 57mm, > but this was abnormal. My surgeon said I would loose 10mm, and this > is exactly what happened. 47mm isn't enough for a Big Mac, but it's > enough for a hot dog (all dressed), a regular hamburger, etc. I know > I'll have to use knife and fork for submarines sabdwiches (SubWay) > from now how... No problem, I can live with that limitation, > anytime! For all the benefits I got so far, I'm more than grateful! > > Ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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