Guest guest Posted October 27, 2004 Report Share Posted October 27, 2004 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 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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