Hello All: Surgery 22/11

November 21, 2004

Hi

I have pretty much read every post on the 2 sites for the last 6

months at least. Just thought I would post a properly now because I

am going in tomorrow 22/11 for my surgery.

I got braces on 29th Jan 04 and was only expecting surgery at the

beginning of 2005. About 3 weeks ago, my ortho said I should go see

my surgeon as he thinks I am ready now for surgery. Went to the

surgeon 2 weeks ago – was booked in for 2 weeks time then. The last

two weeks have been pretty horrible trying to sort out my job (so

that they can survive while I am away – am taking 3 weeks off) and

getting insurance approval, which I hadn't done yet! My insurance

put me through hell – they just didn't seem to care about my feelings

and at one point told me to delay my surgery because they are busy

and probably won't be able to authorize it in time. Anyway, Friday

afternoon at 4pm they finally came through for me and have approved

everything and all costs! Am so relieved….

I am having upper lifted and lower brought forward – I have a Class

II Div I Malocclusion. The surgeon is also taking out my two upper

wisdom teeth at the same time. I will be in hospital from Monday

until about Thursday I think – with the first night in ICU. I will

be banded for 10 days, and then put onto training bands.

I am pretty scared…..I have never been in for anything before…never

had any medical problems or broken a bone….but I think it is just

fear of the unknown really that is getting to me….am scared of many

things, despite knowing way too much about this surgery (from here!) –

breathing post-op concerns me particularly, even though I am sure it

will be handled….

I also have some fantastic support from my boyfriend who I live with…

he has been amazing from the day I got my braces and those times when

I wondered whether everything was worth it….he is taking a week off

work to look after me.

I was planning on having a really nice last dinner tonight, but I am

so nervous I am really not hungry…going to attempt to eat some pork

roast. To be honest, since I found out 2 weeks ago, I have been

eating like a pig….have had about 4 pizzas…..am feeling a bit sick of

food anyway! Bit sad about Xmas…… wonder what I will be able to

have….I am most definitely not someone who will blend Turkey…..ugh……

or anything other than shakes and smoothies for that matter!

Preparing for the op – I have been told not to go near Arnica. I

have been taking 2000mg of Vit C daily and Protein shakes here and

there. Trying to drink loads of fluids today.

As typical as life is, one of my far-most bottom brackets on my

braces just came off yesterday when flossing…..I have to be at the

hospital at 12h30 tomorrow, so am just going to have to pitch up at

the ortho when they open in the morning for an emergency fix!

Well, that's it……if anyone else is going in tomorrow too for the

same, it would be nice to chat post-op and in recovery – compare

progress etc….

Oh, and I am 25 years old and am from Cape Town, South Africa…..but

judging from all the posts, procedure and process seems just the same

as in the States (where I have gathered most of you are from).

Cheers

Nadine

November 21, 2004