Re: My splint WAS removed today!! TO Jane

[Guest guest]

Katja,

My only vice right now is opening my mouth. I have been sticking my

finger in and just kind of stretching it but it sends pain shooting in

my right joint area of the jaw. It doesn't seem like something wrong

just super stiff and tense. My next ortho appt is May 20. My OT

keeps saying some things that makes me think I am close to being ready

for the braces to come off. He keeps calculating 3 months from my

surgery Feb23 which would be May 23. Also he says my midline has to

match center without me " placing " it there. I really feel it is

starting to feel " normal " . I don't feel I have to stretch my chin out

anymore and when I bite down I feel like it goes midline

automatically. I know it is with elastics but when i take them off to

brush my jaw feels less all over the place like before! Maybe I am

just wishful thinking!! BUT I am dreaming when I go in on the 20th he

will say...Yank em! Knowing him he'll probably say when are you

moving? The first? ok come in the day before with the uhaul! He's a

perfectionist but oh well it is my mouth he is perfecting so I guess

that's good. I must say if he says you have to leave them on and move

I'll cry!

Jane

> > > > >

> > > > > Hi Jane, , and everyone!

> > > > > I was trying to post earlier but Yahoo was being slow and

> > > lumbering

> > > > > so I gave up.... Anyway! My splint was removed today and I

> have

> > > > been

> > > > > so pleased and thrilled ever since... Firstly, it was

> totally

> > > > gross!

> > > > > I asked my OS if I could see it and he fished it back out of

> > the

> > > > > trash with pliers for my viewing. After a quick glance of

> > horror,

> > > I

> > > > > had enough and they were promptly returned to the garbage!

> > > > >

> > > > > My surgeon gave me the clearance to eat whatever I wanted. I

> > > think

> > > > > he knows it's a matter of my trying what I can manage and

> > > gradually

> > > > > easing back into this strange new business of eating again. I

> > had

> > > > > meatballs and rice tonight. I am eating a somewhat gingerly

> > right

> > > > > now, but my biggest obstacle seems to be how wide I can open

> my

> > > > mouth

> > > > > to get food in and to chew it. I was reassured that my

> opening

> > > > would

> > > > > increase the more I ate and stretched my mouth open. So far

> > that

> > > > has

> > > > > seemed true.... I haven't measured my exact opening size

> > though,

> > > so

> > > > I

> > > > > can't report that... probably around an inch. My surgeon

> didn't

> > > > > comment on my opening one way or the other, so I guess it is

> > > > normal.

> > > > >

> > > > > Anyway, I brushed and brushed when I got home which was

> really

> > > > > nice... I definitely relished being able to brush the backs

> of

> > my

> > > > > teeth finally after 6 weeks! Lindsey, I'm sorry about your

> > > concern

> > > > > about the cavity... that would make me feel terrible. I,

> > myself,

> > > > have

> > > > > felt like my teeth have been rotting away in my splint all

> this

> > > > time.

> > > > > I hope I don't have any cavities too, but it's definitely

> > > possible.

> > > > I

> > > > > wish your surgeon had been more reassuring to you about your

> > jaw

> > > > not

> > > > > feeling quite right. I hope your Ortho does a better job of

> > > easing

> > > > > your concern. Let us know how that goes!

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > Well, it seems that the horrible pain I was having from

> > clenching

> > > > and

> > > > > grinding my teeth at night since about week 2 or 3 post-sx

> has

> > > paid

> > > > > off because my " muscles of mastication " aren't totally shot

> and

> > > my

> > > > > jaw seems pretty good with the eating I've done so far.They

> > seem

> > > to

> > > > > be about to withstand and exert some force on each other.

> Cross

> > > my

> > > > > fingers and yours, but no soreness YET at least! Let me tell

> ya

> > > > > though... I paid for it already with plenty of pain- it would

> > > wake

> > > > up

> > > > > all night long in horrible pain from the clenching.

> > > > >

> > > > > Anyway, I've had a great day... I think today I have felt the

> > > > > prettiest I have ever felt in my whole life. That is not to

> > imply

> > > I

> > > > > am gorgeous or anything, but, so far I am really pleased with

> > the

> > > > > changes and my results. Well, the day wasn't totally great- I

> > was

> > > > > late to work because of the appointment, but my boss was

> > annoyed

> > > > with

> > > > > me because I was SO late coming in to work according to her

> > (only

> > > a

> > > > > couple hours and I never promised her an exact time which she

> > > knew

> > > > > and was fine with!) BUT I HAD to go home and brush my teeth

> AND

> > > > then

> > > > > eat and CHEW SOMETHING!!! I know you all understand here...

> if

> > > you

> > > > > haven't masticated anything for 6 weeks or more, that takes

> > > > > precedence somehow in some twisted way over work!!!

> > > > >

> > > > > Jane, I know you said your bite feels all over the place...

> I

> > > know

> > > > > exactly how that felt. Since our recovery was a bit different

> > we

> > > > have

> > > > > had interesting overlaps and gone through the phases

> > > differently...

> > > > I

> > > > > was only splinted when first out of surgery... then I got

> bands

> > > > after

> > > > > one week. At my three week check up, my surgeon said I could

> go

> > > > with

> > > > > out the bands during the day... at that point- OH BOY! my jaw

> > > felt

> > > > > all over the place! I think the muscles are finally getting

> > > trained

> > > > > and accustomed to their job. It takes a bit of time, but they

> > > learn

> > > > > pretty fast, surprisingly enough!! Give it a few days!

> > > > >

> > > > > So, at this point my teeth also don't all touch and meet and

> > fit

> > > > > together perfectly yet. I am anxious to meet with my ortho

> next

> > > > > monday to get an idea of what he needs to do and what I have

> > > ahead

> > > > of

> > > > > me. My midlines don't match up at this point either... but

> they

> > > > > totally didn't before surgery either. I think ultimately they

> > > will

> > > > be

> > > > > ok, but ortho has a bit of work ahead of him. It does make

> > eating

> > > > > again a bit awkward though because the teeth aren't all

> hitting

> > > > each

> > > > > other. BUT, that is how my teeth were before all of this...

> so

> > > I'm

> > > > > used to it AND I know it is only temporary now!! My OS wasn't

> > > > > concerned. He said everything, with a bit of ortho, would

> lock

> > > > right

> > > > > in just where it needs to be. He said he was very pleased

> with

> > > the

> > > > > results. So far, so am I. I just can't wait to get the bite

> > > > > perfected. Then I will be perfectly happy!

> > > > >

> > > > > Jane, the weight issue is crazy, isn't it!?!? I am at 100

> > pounds.

> > > > > Right after surgery, I went down to 95. I thought I was back

> up

> > > to

> > > > > 105, but it seems to be fluxuating a bit. This is WITH my

> > eating

> > > > tons

> > > > > of really fattening food!! But, my change in weight hasn't

> been

> > > as

> > > > > dramatic as yours. Like you though, some of my clothes just

> > hang

> > > > and

> > > > > look terrible! Add to the cost of this surgery, the expense

> of

> > > > > needing a new wardrobe as well!

> > > > >

> > > > > Ok, this is my longwinded, boring blather about my splint

> > > removal!

> > > > > It's late and I need to go to bed!! Thank you for

> asking!!!

> > I

> > > > will

> > > > > keep you updated and I hope you will keep me updated too....

> I

> > > > think

> > > > > I will fall asleep tonight imagining what I will eat

> tomorrow.

> > > > > Someone mentioned french fries here the other day... that

> > sounds

> > > > > really good! And chewy moist brownies.... Mmmm Mmmmm

> > > > > Cheers! Katja

> > > > >

> > > > > PS, I will post pictures as soon as I can find

> > > > some " representative "

> > > > > Before pictures AND as soon as my boyfriend takes my most

> > updated

> > > > > post surgery photos.

[Guest guest]

Katja,

:) I know what you mean about the brownies...My husband showed up

after work today with an assortment of Crispy Cream doughnuts!!! They

may as well be crispy crack...hee hee They are so good. Each day my

bite widens and I notice when I yawn (which is a lot) I can almost

fit two fingers and it has only been a couple of weeks with the splint

out so maybe by May things will be progressing nicely. I hope so

because I have sort of convinced myself this will be over by then.

Aghhh my downfall on this whole process setting timeframes!

Jane

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > Hi Jane, , and everyone!

> > > > > > > I was trying to post earlier but Yahoo was being slow and

> > > > > lumbering

> > > > > > > so I gave up.... Anyway! My splint was removed today and

> I

> > > have

> > > > > > been

> > > > > > > so pleased and thrilled ever since... Firstly, it was

> > > totally

> > > > > > gross!

> > > > > > > I asked my OS if I could see it and he fished it back out

> of

> > > > the

> > > > > > > trash with pliers for my viewing. After a quick glance of

> > > > horror,

> > > > > I

> > > > > > > had enough and they were promptly returned to the garbage!

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > My surgeon gave me the clearance to eat whatever I

> wanted. I

> > > > > think

> > > > > > > he knows it's a matter of my trying what I can manage and

> > > > > gradually

> > > > > > > easing back into this strange new business of eating

> again. I

> > > > had

> > > > > > > meatballs and rice tonight. I am eating a somewhat

> gingerly

> > > > right

> > > > > > > now, but my biggest obstacle seems to be how wide I can

> open

> > > my

> > > > > > mouth

> > > > > > > to get food in and to chew it. I was reassured that my

> > > opening

> > > > > > would

> > > > > > > increase the more I ate and stretched my mouth open. So

> far

> > > > that

> > > > > > has

> > > > > > > seemed true.... I haven't measured my exact opening size

> > > > though,

> > > > > so

> > > > > > I

> > > > > > > can't report that... probably around an inch. My surgeon

> > > didn't

> > > > > > > comment on my opening one way or the other, so I guess it

> is

> > > > > > normal.

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > Anyway, I brushed and brushed when I got home which was

> > > really

> > > > > > > nice... I definitely relished being able to brush the

> backs

> > > of

> > > > my

> > > > > > > teeth finally after 6 weeks! Lindsey, I'm sorry about

> your

> > > > > concern

> > > > > > > about the cavity... that would make me feel terrible. I,

> > > > myself,

> > > > > > have

> > > > > > > felt like my teeth have been rotting away in my splint

> all

> > > this

> > > > > > time.

> > > > > > > I hope I don't have any cavities too, but it's definitely

> > > > > possible.

> > > > > > I

> > > > > > > wish your surgeon had been more reassuring to you about

> your

> > > > jaw

> > > > > > not

> > > > > > > feeling quite right. I hope your Ortho does a better job

> of

> > > > > easing

> > > > > > > your concern. Let us know how that goes!

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > Well, it seems that the horrible pain I was having from

> > > > clenching

> > > > > > and

> > > > > > > grinding my teeth at night since about week 2 or 3 post-

> sx

> > > has

> > > > > paid

> > > > > > > off because my " muscles of mastication " aren't totally

> shot

> > > and

> > > > > my

> > > > > > > jaw seems pretty good with the eating I've done so

> far.They

> > > > seem

> > > > > to

> > > > > > > be about to withstand and exert some force on each other.

> > > Cross

> > > > > my

> > > > > > > fingers and yours, but no soreness YET at least! Let me

> tell

> > > ya

> > > > > > > though... I paid for it already with plenty of pain- it

> would

> > > > > wake

> > > > > > up

> > > > > > > all night long in horrible pain from the clenching.

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > Anyway, I've had a great day... I think today I have felt

> the

> > > > > > > prettiest I have ever felt in my whole life. That is not

> to

> > > > imply

> > > > > I

> > > > > > > am gorgeous or anything, but, so far I am really pleased

> with

> > > > the

> > > > > > > changes and my results. Well, the day wasn't totally

> great- I

> > > > was

> > > > > > > late to work because of the appointment, but my boss was

> > > > annoyed

> > > > > > with

> > > > > > > me because I was SO late coming in to work according to

> her

> > > > (only

> > > > > a

> > > > > > > couple hours and I never promised her an exact time which

> she

> > > > > knew

> > > > > > > and was fine with!) BUT I HAD to go home and brush my

> teeth

> > > AND

> > > > > > then

> > > > > > > eat and CHEW SOMETHING!!! I know you all understand

> here...

> > > if

> > > > > you

> > > > > > > haven't masticated anything for 6 weeks or more, that

> takes

> > > > > > > precedence somehow in some twisted way over work!!!

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > Jane, I know you said your bite feels all over the

> place...

> > > I

> > > > > know

> > > > > > > exactly how that felt. Since our recovery was a bit

> different

> > > > we

> > > > > > have

> > > > > > > had interesting overlaps and gone through the phases

> > > > > differently...

> > > > > > I

> > > > > > > was only splinted when first out of surgery... then I got

> > > bands

> > > > > > after

> > > > > > > one week. At my three week check up, my surgeon said I

> could

> > > go

> > > > > > with

> > > > > > > out the bands during the day... at that point- OH BOY! my

> jaw

> > > > > felt

> > > > > > > all over the place! I think the muscles are finally

> getting

> > > > > trained

> > > > > > > and accustomed to their job. It takes a bit of time, but

> they

> > > > > learn

> > > > > > > pretty fast, surprisingly enough!! Give it a few days!

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > So, at this point my teeth also don't all touch and meet

> and

> > > > fit

> > > > > > > together perfectly yet. I am anxious to meet with my

> ortho

> > > next

> > > > > > > monday to get an idea of what he needs to do and what I

> have

> > > > > ahead

> > > > > > of

> > > > > > > me. My midlines don't match up at this point either...

> but

> > > they

> > > > > > > totally didn't before surgery either. I think ultimately

> they

> > > > > will

> > > > > > be

> > > > > > > ok, but ortho has a bit of work ahead of him. It does

> make

> > > > eating

> > > > > > > again a bit awkward though because the teeth aren't all

> > > hitting

> > > > > > each

> > > > > > > other. BUT, that is how my teeth were before all of

> this...

> > > so

> > > > > I'm

> > > > > > > used to it AND I know it is only temporary now!! My OS

> wasn't

> > > > > > > concerned. He said everything, with a bit of ortho, would

> > > lock

> > > > > > right

> > > > > > > in just where it needs to be. He said he was very pleased

> > > with

> > > > > the

> > > > > > > results. So far, so am I. I just can't wait to get the

> bite

> > > > > > > perfected. Then I will be perfectly happy!

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > Jane, the weight issue is crazy, isn't it!?!? I am at 100

> > > > pounds.

> > > > > > > Right after surgery, I went down to 95. I thought I was

> back

> > > up

> > > > > to

> > > > > > > 105, but it seems to be fluxuating a bit. This is WITH my

> > > > eating

> > > > > > tons

> > > > > > > of really fattening food!! But, my change in weight

> hasn't

> > > been

> > > > > as

> > > > > > > dramatic as yours. Like you though, some of my clothes

> just

> > > > hang

> > > > > > and

> > > > > > > look terrible! Add to the cost of this surgery, the

> expense

> > > of

> > > > > > > needing a new wardrobe as well!

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > Ok, this is my longwinded, boring blather about my splint

> > > > > removal!

> > > > > > > It's late and I need to go to bed!! Thank you for

> > > asking!!!

> > > > I

> > > > > > will

> > > > > > > keep you updated and I hope you will keep me updated

> too....

> > > I

> > > > > > think

> > > > > > > I will fall asleep tonight imagining what I will eat

> > > tomorrow.

> > > > > > > Someone mentioned french fries here the other day... that

> > > > sounds

> > > > > > > really good! And chewy moist brownies.... Mmmm Mmmmm

> > > > > > > Cheers! Katja

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > PS, I will post pictures as soon as I can find

> > > > > > some " representative "

> > > > > > > Before pictures AND as soon as my boyfriend takes my most

> > > > updated

> > > > > > > post surgery photos.