11 days to go (upper, lower, palate)

[Guest guest]

I made it through my appointment with 2 residents at Washington

Hospital Center this week. Got all my molds, xrays, pictures, etc.

done. Was there all day. Met 2 of the other doctors who will be

assisting my surgeon so apparently I'll have 3 doctors on surgery

day. They were so nice and they made me feel better. Even though I

have been scared out of my mind about Jan. 17 coming so quickly it

was quite interesting all the procedures they did on me like the

measuring and these contraptions used to figure things out. I

actually didn't cry at all and asked alot of questions about what

they were doing. I told the doctor I would be hysterical on the

17th and he said it was ok and that they would give me Valium. I

was feeling kind of calm and at peace about all this then my mom

last night got all upset when I told her surgery would be around 6

hours. She started asking things like is it safe to be under that

long, etc etc. so now she has me worrying again and now she doesn't

want to come to the hospital on that day b/c she will be too upset.

My last appt with my surgeon is Jan 13, I believe then I'll find out

exactly what he will be doing to me (I have general idea but I think

this will be in more detail). I am trying to come up with a list of

questions to bring so far I have:

1. Will I be able to breathe through my mouth, how much space will

there be after

2. Will I be able to open my mouth at all after (up/down, side to

side?) how tight will I be banded

3. What will my diet need to consist of (how many calories, fiber,

etc.), estimate of how long on liquid, soft diet, etc.

4. how do I properly clean my teeth, any special products needed,

mouthwashes, rinses, etc.

5. will I need to rent a suction machine or get some type of bulb

syringe for excess stuff in mouth

6. will I need to use ice packs and/or heat pad (how long, etc.)

7. what kind of medicines will I need to take

8. do you have an emergency number in case something should happen

after hours

9. things to expect

10. what are signs of a problem, infection, etc.

11. I heard there is a lot of congestion after, what do I use to

help with that (I have a humidifier)

What else should I be asking?

Thanks!

[Guest guest]

Hi there,

I never visit this site any more, but thought I'd take a peek today.

Well, first of all, take a big, big, deep breath and try to calm down.

You'll be fine. I had upper/lower surgery at Washington Hospital

Center one year ago (Dec. 10) and I came through just fine.

You're doing the right thing with the questions for the doc. Just

take your time when you see him and try to relax. The surgery

itself is not that bad.

Do you have someone with a calming personality that can

accompany you to the hospital? I'm sure you love your mom, but

you don't need a worrier with you along the way. She'll just make

you more nervous. If you've never tried deep breathing, try it. It

really works to relax you. Just sit straight, put your hand on your

belly and focus on inhaling through your mouth while pulling air

from your belly, not your chest. Pull the air up through your belly

and then exhale through your mouth really slow. Try it!

What exactly are you having done? Will you be banded/wired

shut? I had lower moved back, upper moved forward and up. My

surgery was 7 hours and they had to give me a unit of blood

afterwards. No big deal. The staff at the hospital was wonderful.

Not one single complaint there. They'll give you Afrin nasal spray

to use for 1-3 days total for any congestion and antibiotics to

ward off infection. I used Afrin once in the hospital. They'll put an

oxygen mask on you post surgery. I could breathe through my

nose for the first time ever post surgery. It was fantastic. I didn't

have any nose bleeds, etc. Didn't require suction machine.

They'll also probably give you a rinse to use after you " eat " . My

husband got me a WaterPick to gently swish warm salt water in

my mouth several times a day. Brushing is difficult. Use a baby's

toothbrush. Oh...almost forgot. Get a baby's nose aspirator

because you won't be able to blow your nose for a long time post

surgery and the aspirator allows you to suction anything from

nose. I didn't need it.

I was not banded really tight, so I could open my mouth slightly to

get a zipnsqueeze straw in there. You'll need to drink something

almost constantly. Please, if you're under weight, eat lots of food

now. I'm 5'1 and weighed 110 at surgery...post surgery I was 105

and felt a little weak. Take extra good care of yourself now and

post surgery.

Well, this is really long. Sorry. Best of luck to you. Remember, it'll

all be over with before you know it!!

Becky

>

> I made it through my appointment with 2 residents at

Washington

> Hospital Center this week. Got all my molds, xrays, pictures,

etc.

> done. Was there all day. Met 2 of the other doctors who will be

> assisting my surgeon so apparently I'll have 3 doctors on

surgery

> day. They were so nice and they made me feel better. Even

though I

> have been scared out of my mind about Jan. 17 coming so

quickly it

> was quite interesting all the procedures they did on me like the

> measuring and these contraptions used to figure things out. I

> actually didn't cry at all and asked alot of questions about what

> they were doing. I told the doctor I would be hysterical on the

> 17th and he said it was ok and that they would give me Valium.

I

> was feeling kind of calm and at peace about all this then my

mom

> last night got all upset when I told her surgery would be around

6

> hours. She started asking things like is it safe to be under that

> long, etc etc. so now she has me worrying again and now she

doesn't

> want to come to the hospital on that day b/c she will be too

upset.

> My last appt with my surgeon is Jan 13, I believe then I'll find

out

> exactly what he will be doing to me (I have general idea but I

think

> this will be in more detail). I am trying to come up with a list of

> questions to bring so far I have:

>

> 1. Will I be able to breathe through my mouth, how much

space will

> there be after

>

> 2. Will I be able to open my mouth at all after (up/down, side to

> side?) how tight will I be banded

>

> 3. What will my diet need to consist of (how many calories,

fiber,

> etc.), estimate of how long on liquid, soft diet, etc.

>

> 4. how do I properly clean my teeth, any special products

needed,

> mouthwashes, rinses, etc.

>

> 5. will I need to rent a suction machine or get some type of

bulb

> syringe for excess stuff in mouth

>

> 6. will I need to use ice packs and/or heat pad (how long, etc.)

>

> 7. what kind of medicines will I need to take

>

> 8. do you have an emergency number in case something

should happen

> after hours

>

> 9. things to expect

>

> 10. what are signs of a problem, infection, etc.

>

> 11. I heard there is a lot of congestion after, what do I use to

> help with that (I have a humidifier)

>

>

> What else should I be asking?

>

> Thanks!

[Guest guest]

Hi, thank you soooooo much for your post. Wow so you had it done at

Washington Hospital Center. Who was your doctor, did you go to the

oral surgery clinic downstairs in the hospital. I saw a Dr.

and Dr. Bellami. My surgeon is from land Oral Surgery

Associates, Dr. Stark. Your post made me feel better I am

having upper moved up with bone graft, I know he'll be cutting in

between my canines on top on each side of my mouth as I have space

there for him to do that, I am having palate widened and the lower

brought forward and god knows what else to make my teeth fit

together, only 1 tooth touches now when I bite, I have an open bite,

overjet. I was told I would be banded with a splint, the splint to

stay in for a month I think. I think I'll have my husband, sister

and aunt come to the hospital with me and leave my mom at home with

my 6 and 7 year old kids. My surgery is at 1pm so by the time it is

all over it will be late and at least my mom can get the kids ready

for school the next day (she lives with me). I am so glad that you

liked the hospital and that everything went fine, makes me feel

better. I guess the most things I am scared of is the nasogastric

tube, how the pain medicine will make me feel, vomiting, being

nauseous and losing too much weight, not eating well, and just the

fact that my bones will be cut and plates and screws will be holding

it together, the unknown of how this will all feel. I am 5'5 and

109 pounds (I've lost 24 pounds in the last 8 months) so everyone is

yelling at me to eat, family, ortho, dr. Everyone is like you are

going to waste away to nothing. I hope my surgery comes out like

yours.

So how are you now, any problems?

Thank you again!

> >

> > I made it through my appointment with 2 residents at

> Washington

> > Hospital Center this week. Got all my molds, xrays, pictures,

> etc.

> > done. Was there all day. Met 2 of the other doctors who will

be

> > assisting my surgeon so apparently I'll have 3 doctors on

> surgery

> > day. They were so nice and they made me feel better. Even

> though I

> > have been scared out of my mind about Jan. 17 coming so

> quickly it

> > was quite interesting all the procedures they did on me like the

> > measuring and these contraptions used to figure things out. I

> > actually didn't cry at all and asked alot of questions about

what

> > they were doing. I told the doctor I would be hysterical on the

> > 17th and he said it was ok and that they would give me Valium.

> I

> > was feeling kind of calm and at peace about all this then my

> mom

> > last night got all upset when I told her surgery would be around

> 6

> > hours. She started asking things like is it safe to be under

that

> > long, etc etc. so now she has me worrying again and now she

> doesn't

> > want to come to the hospital on that day b/c she will be too

> upset.

> > My last appt with my surgeon is Jan 13, I believe then I'll find

> out

> > exactly what he will be doing to me (I have general idea but I

> think

> > this will be in more detail). I am trying to come up with a

list of

> > questions to bring so far I have:

> >

> > 1. Will I be able to breathe through my mouth, how much

> space will

> > there be after

> >

> > 2. Will I be able to open my mouth at all after (up/down, side

to

> > side?) how tight will I be banded

> >

> > 3. What will my diet need to consist of (how many calories,

> fiber,

> > etc.), estimate of how long on liquid, soft diet, etc.

> >

> > 4. how do I properly clean my teeth, any special products

> needed,

> > mouthwashes, rinses, etc.

> >

> > 5. will I need to rent a suction machine or get some type of

> bulb

> > syringe for excess stuff in mouth

> >

> > 6. will I need to use ice packs and/or heat pad (how long, etc.)

> >

> > 7. what kind of medicines will I need to take

> >

> > 8. do you have an emergency number in case something

> should happen

> > after hours

> >

> > 9. things to expect

> >

> > 10. what are signs of a problem, infection, etc.

> >

> > 11. I heard there is a lot of congestion after, what do I use

to

> > help with that (I have a humidifier)

> >

> >

> > What else should I be asking?

> >

> > Thanks!

[Guest guest]

Glad to help. You're having a bit more done than I had, but not to

worry. As far as the nasogastric tube goes, you're under

anesthesia when they put it in. I don't remember them taking

mine out, but I had a little bit of trouble in recovery. I don't handle

general anesthesia well. I vomit a lot, so they gave me

phenergan to stop the nausea and unfortunately, it put me back

to sleep for a long time! At least I was able to get a few hours of

restful sleep in the hospital.

Anyway, yes, I think I remember Dr. . There was a very

dark, handsome (and hairy) resident named Mike. He did my

facial measurements. The female resident (can't remember her

name) took very good care of me post surgery. She's the one

who recommended that I receive a blood transfusion. Thank God

for her. My surgery was very early in the morn. I registered, then

went downstairs to the Oral Surgery Clinic. Don't remember

much after that. You'll be asked to change into hospital garb and

herded along with other patients to your gurney, which is divided

by curtains. There you'll receive your I.V. and the anesthesiologist

will come to talk to you. Your doc will stop by also. My doc was

Shaun Rai, who is no longer in the area. Once in the O.R., they'll

wrap your head and hook you up to monitors. They insert the

catheter after you are under anesthesia. Everything seems to

happen very fast.

I'm pleased with my results. I, too, had an open bite and had

difficulty eating, not to mention the loooong face, etc. and

underbite. My older sister can't believe how I look now. I hope

your doctor has a lot of experience. Mine didn't. My only

complaint about the whole thing is numbness. I still can't feel my

lower lip or chin. I've gotten used to it and I'm told it could still

come back years from now, so I'm hopeful. I would still do it all

over again. But don't worry...numbness isn't usually permanent.

I have six titanium plates and screws holding everything

together. I can feel the screw head on the lower left front (near

chin), but it doesn't bother me. I'm still getting used to eating,

only because I'm still numb. I love my profile now!! I'm told I look

younger. I'm 43.

I hope your family will be as much a help to you as mine was for

me. Don't forget to take a small wipe off board to write on in the

hospital. After you get in your room and you try to write for the first

time, your handwriting will be extremely small (I think it's due to

the anesthesia), so make sure you concentrate and write really

BIG!!! Good luck to you. Hope this helps.

Becky

> > >

> > > I made it through my appointment with 2 residents at

> > Washington

> > > Hospital Center this week. Got all my molds, xrays,

pictures,

> > etc.

> > > done. Was there all day. Met 2 of the other doctors who

will

> be

> > > assisting my surgeon so apparently I'll have 3 doctors on

> > surgery

> > > day. They were so nice and they made me feel better.

Even

> > though I

> > > have been scared out of my mind about Jan. 17 coming so

> > quickly it

> > > was quite interesting all the procedures they did on me like

the

> > > measuring and these contraptions used to figure things

out. I

> > > actually didn't cry at all and asked alot of questions about

> what

> > > they were doing. I told the doctor I would be hysterical on

the

> > > 17th and he said it was ok and that they would give me

Valium.

> > I

> > > was feeling kind of calm and at peace about all this then

my

> > mom

> > > last night got all upset when I told her surgery would be

around

> > 6

> > > hours. She started asking things like is it safe to be under

> that

> > > long, etc etc. so now she has me worrying again and now

she

> > doesn't

> > > want to come to the hospital on that day b/c she will be too

> > upset.

> > > My last appt with my surgeon is Jan 13, I believe then I'll

find

> > out

> > > exactly what he will be doing to me (I have general idea but

I

> > think

> > > this will be in more detail). I am trying to come up with a

> list of

> > > questions to bring so far I have:

> > >

> > > 1. Will I be able to breathe through my mouth, how much

> > space will

> > > there be after

> > >

> > > 2. Will I be able to open my mouth at all after (up/down,

side

> to

> > > side?) how tight will I be banded

> > >

> > > 3. What will my diet need to consist of (how many calories,

> > fiber,

> > > etc.), estimate of how long on liquid, soft diet, etc.

> > >

> > > 4. how do I properly clean my teeth, any special products

> > needed,

> > > mouthwashes, rinses, etc.

> > >

> > > 5. will I need to rent a suction machine or get some type of

> > bulb

> > > syringe for excess stuff in mouth

> > >

> > > 6. will I need to use ice packs and/or heat pad (how long,

etc.)

> > >

> > > 7. what kind of medicines will I need to take

> > >

> > > 8. do you have an emergency number in case something

> > should happen

> > > after hours

> > >

> > > 9. things to expect

> > >

> > > 10. what are signs of a problem, infection, etc.

> > >

> > > 11. I heard there is a lot of congestion after, what do I use

> to

> > > help with that (I have a humidifier)

> > >

> > >

> > > What else should I be asking?

> > >

> > > Thanks!

[Guest guest]

The 2 residents I met there were cute. They don't do the surgery

down in their clinic do they? Oh I can't wait for this day to come

and be over with and a distant memory. Sorry you are still numb and

I hope it comes back soon. I'll keep you posted and thanks again!

> > > >

> > > > I made it through my appointment with 2 residents at

> > > Washington

> > > > Hospital Center this week. Got all my molds, xrays,

> pictures,

> > > etc.

> > > > done. Was there all day. Met 2 of the other doctors who

> will

> > be

> > > > assisting my surgeon so apparently I'll have 3 doctors on

> > > surgery

> > > > day. They were so nice and they made me feel better.

> Even

> > > though I

> > > > have been scared out of my mind about Jan. 17 coming so

> > > quickly it

> > > > was quite interesting all the procedures they did on me like

> the

> > > > measuring and these contraptions used to figure things

> out. I

> > > > actually didn't cry at all and asked alot of questions about

> > what

> > > > they were doing. I told the doctor I would be hysterical on

> the

> > > > 17th and he said it was ok and that they would give me

> Valium.

> > > I

> > > > was feeling kind of calm and at peace about all this then

> my

> > > mom

> > > > last night got all upset when I told her surgery would be

> around

> > > 6

> > > > hours. She started asking things like is it safe to be

under

> > that

> > > > long, etc etc. so now she has me worrying again and now

> she

> > > doesn't

> > > > want to come to the hospital on that day b/c she will be too

> > > upset.

> > > > My last appt with my surgeon is Jan 13, I believe then I'll

> find

> > > out

> > > > exactly what he will be doing to me (I have general idea but

> I

> > > think

> > > > this will be in more detail). I am trying to come up with a

> > list of

> > > > questions to bring so far I have:

> > > >

> > > > 1. Will I be able to breathe through my mouth, how much

> > > space will

> > > > there be after

> > > >

> > > > 2. Will I be able to open my mouth at all after (up/down,

> side

> > to

> > > > side?) how tight will I be banded

> > > >

> > > > 3. What will my diet need to consist of (how many calories,

> > > fiber,

> > > > etc.), estimate of how long on liquid, soft diet, etc.

> > > >

> > > > 4. how do I properly clean my teeth, any special products

> > > needed,

> > > > mouthwashes, rinses, etc.

> > > >

> > > > 5. will I need to rent a suction machine or get some type

of

> > > bulb

> > > > syringe for excess stuff in mouth

> > > >

> > > > 6. will I need to use ice packs and/or heat pad (how long,

> etc.)

> > > >

> > > > 7. what kind of medicines will I need to take

> > > >

> > > > 8. do you have an emergency number in case something

> > > should happen

> > > > after hours

> > > >

> > > > 9. things to expect

> > > >

> > > > 10. what are signs of a problem, infection, etc.

> > > >

> > > > 11. I heard there is a lot of congestion after, what do I

use

> > to

> > > > help with that (I have a humidifier)

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > What else should I be asking?

> > > >

> > > > Thanks!