Re: April Fools to me...

[Guest guest]

I don't know that I have any answers for you, but I'll try.

The docs don't always know when they start out just what they'll need

to do to get it right. And you don't really want lower only, if upper

and lower are what you need. I started out having been told lower.

Toward the time for surgery, my ortho started making some noises

about upper, too. Finally, I asked the surgeon, and he told

me, " There's no way I'd do upper on you. It would not make enough

difference to be worthwhile. "

So you won't know until your surgeon does his " practice " cuts on the

models...

As for the post op stabilization, there are several different ways to

do it.

I had a splint and no bands, no wiring. Some people have a splint and

are tightly banded or wired. Some people have no splint and are

wired. Some people have no splint and are banded, either loosely or

tightly. Ask your surgeon what he expects, next time you see him. Or

ask your ortho what his experience has been with your own surgeon.

Do remember, too, that things can change in the operating room. If

you get, literally, a " bad break, " or if your bones are particularly

brittle, you could wind up wired when you've expected banding.

But the main thing is to keep your eyes on the prize -- what you

want, when all is said and done, I think, is a mouth that works well

and serves you. And you want your ortho and your surgeon to use the

tools and procedures that will best help you achieve that goal.

Cammie

>

>

> Looking for some guidance. I signed up a year ago for

> lower jaw only with genio. My ortho yesterday said maybe

> to have a perfect match we might do top and bottom. I

> told him i did not sign up for both only one. My main

> question is this when both are done are you splinted

> with 2 rubber bands or are most people splinted and

> tightly banded? I have 2 lower teeth extracted

> for the lower jaw so i am commited at least that

> THANKS AS ALLWAYS - CEAST YOU GOT THE ANSWER

[Guest guest]

Thanks Cammie, I'm sorry too. Sorry I tried to eat that itty piece

of hamburger. It is so stuck!!!! What if it starts to rot? Come on

Cammie how do I get out of this one? You ususally have a good answer

for everything? I tried a syringe that curves and a curved tooth

scraper, gargling,...

Jane

> > >

> > > I got the wires cut. The only discomfort was the resident

> pulling

> > on

> > > my cheek around my stitches. Then the OS asks.. we did a two

> > piece

> > > on you right? Yes. Ok well then we are going to leave your

splint

> > in

> > > a little longer...I really feel like crap. I so wish I was one

> of

> > > you optimistic people out there that recover with flying

colors.

> > I

> > > couldn't even open wide enough to get my baby toothbrush in my

> > > mouth. Maybe about a centimeter. The thing is it is only

> painful

> > on

> > > the right. Instead of that being unusual my OS says I'm lucky

> > most

> > > hurt on both sides. So...no mashed potatoes for me. My OS

also

> > says

> > > I have set some records. I suppose everyone else is a much

> easier

> > > patient. Lost the most weight at 103 lbs from 124. You know

my

> > OS

> > > did not say one thing about how I am to eat or what. He did

not

> > even

> > > say the words soft diet. The only thing he ever said to me

ever

> > > about food is you can't drink too many Boosts. That's it.

> Today,

> > > not a word about food. Then the best part. He won't even say

> how

> > > long the splint is in until the nurse comes at the end of my

> > > appointment witrh a card for April 14th. Two more weeks. I am

> > > starting to feel very disrespected as a patient. No onew EVER

> > asks

> > > when is a good time and date for you (since I do work) They

just

> > give

> > > me an appointment and don't act as if it is inconvenient OH

> well,

> > I

> > > have used up every sick day and extended sick leave and my

> > > appointment is at 8:15 in the morning. So here I am with a

very

> > soar

> > > jaw, still can't brush my back teeth, no eating still, and no

> > advice

> > > from my dr other than smart ass comments like Well if you feel

> > like

> > > eating steak go for it! I really feel badly for being the

> > negative

> > > nelly on the group. BUT I am worried that after all this I am

> not

> > > happy with the results. It feels like my bottom teeth were

> pulled

> > > too far back. My top seem to be too far up. There is a huge

> > space

> > > between the top where they rest on the bottom. I don't feel

good

> > > about it. I know my OT has to adjust but this doesn't seem to

be

> > my

> > > teeth but the placement of my jaw. I can talk a little better

> but

> > > spit like crazy now and sound like daffy duck. Something to

look

> > > forward to when teaching 5th graders for the next two weeks.

Oh

> > ya

> > > and one last thing. My tongue feels absolutely paralyzed. I

can

> > > stick it as far as my teeth and it won't go any farther. It

all

> > is

> > > very strange and very scary. I guess when you do a thousand of

> > these

> > > surgeries a month you don't feel the need to describe all of

> > this.

> > > But I will say this I have a damn good gynocologist. He

doesn't

> > do

> > > one thing with out explaining it first and being very open to

> > discuss

> > > medical matters. I thought that was how all dr's are supposed

to

> > > approach severe matters. I guess I was wrong

> > >

> > > Jane

[Guest guest]

Try a baby spoon and maybe some shrimp mousse, or crab mousse, or

crab soup! Yumm! (Ask a friend to get some take out from a

restaurant. I'm not suggesting that you're up to cooking such just

now.)

Or soft scrambled eggs. That was my first real food, and I still

remember how wonderful it was!

And I think it's hateful that your surgeon is making smart-ass

remarks. My surgeon was a smart-ass, too, but not in ways that were

hurtful or belittling to me.

Have you ever tried telling them that the time they chose for you was

not possible? No reason you can't do that, and at least see what

happens.

I can sympathize with you about the splint. Mine was supposed to be

in for six weeks, so I went back all eager to get it out. He looked,

and said, " Come back in a week and we'll take it out. " I wailed, " BUT

YOU SAID SIX WEEKS!!! "

" Yes, " he said with a big evil grin, " but I lie. "

I thought about it, and reluctantly decided that I'd rather have the

damned thing for six more months, if need be, than undo everything

we'd all done with my impatience. So would you, really -- not that

such will happen. He did take it out (or had his assistants do so) at

my next appointment.

Cammie

C.

>

> I know I have unrealistic expectaions. I guess the thing about

all

> this is it takes time. Lots of time and I had a timeframe of 5

weeks

> with no knowledge about the afteraffects. That is my fault for not

> getting more informed. I know each day I will be better and this

is

> better than being wired so I just need to suck it up and be an

> adult. Sorry for downing on you guys. Maybe I can somehow cram

> something in my 1 centimeter opening. I gotta start eating

somehow.

> Maybe I'll try a baby spoon like some of you did.

>

> Jane

[Guest guest]

Jane,

I was in the same dilemma (with a piece of egg). Rinsing eventually

helps, but even if it stays there for 2 weeks, it's OK. It's

annoying, but I doubt it will do any lasting damage.

> > > >

> > > > I got the wires cut. The only discomfort was the resident

> > pulling

> > > on

> > > > my cheek around my stitches. Then the OS asks.. we did a

two

> > > piece

> > > > on you right? Yes. Ok well then we are going to leave your

> splint

> > > in

> > > > a little longer...I really feel like crap. I so wish I was

one

> > of

> > > > you optimistic people out there that recover with flying

> colors.

> > > I

> > > > couldn't even open wide enough to get my baby toothbrush in

my

> > > > mouth. Maybe about a centimeter. The thing is it is only

> > painful

> > > on

> > > > the right. Instead of that being unusual my OS says I'm

lucky

> > > most

> > > > hurt on both sides. So...no mashed potatoes for me. My OS

> also

> > > says

> > > > I have set some records. I suppose everyone else is a much

> > easier

> > > > patient. Lost the most weight at 103 lbs from 124. You

know

> my

> > > OS

> > > > did not say one thing about how I am to eat or what. He did

> not

> > > even

> > > > say the words soft diet. The only thing he ever said to me

> ever

> > > > about food is you can't drink too many Boosts. That's it.

> > Today,

> > > > not a word about food. Then the best part. He won't even

say

> > how

> > > > long the splint is in until the nurse comes at the end of my

> > > > appointment witrh a card for April 14th. Two more weeks. I

am

> > > > starting to feel very disrespected as a patient. No onew

EVER

> > > asks

> > > > when is a good time and date for you (since I do work) They

> just

> > > give

> > > > me an appointment and don't act as if it is inconvenient OH

> > well,

> > > I

> > > > have used up every sick day and extended sick leave and my

> > > > appointment is at 8:15 in the morning. So here I am with a

> very

> > > soar

> > > > jaw, still can't brush my back teeth, no eating still, and

no

> > > advice

> > > > from my dr other than smart ass comments like Well if you

feel

> > > like

> > > > eating steak go for it! I really feel badly for being the

> > > negative

> > > > nelly on the group. BUT I am worried that after all this I

am

> > not

> > > > happy with the results. It feels like my bottom teeth were

> > pulled

> > > > too far back. My top seem to be too far up. There is a

huge

> > > space

> > > > between the top where they rest on the bottom. I don't feel

> good

> > > > about it. I know my OT has to adjust but this doesn't seem

to

> be

> > > my

> > > > teeth but the placement of my jaw. I can talk a little

better

> > but

> > > > spit like crazy now and sound like daffy duck. Something to

> look

> > > > forward to when teaching 5th graders for the next two

weeks.

> Oh

> > > ya

> > > > and one last thing. My tongue feels absolutely paralyzed. I

> can

> > > > stick it as far as my teeth and it won't go any farther. It

> all

> > > is

> > > > very strange and very scary. I guess when you do a thousand

of

> > > these

> > > > surgeries a month you don't feel the need to describe all of

> > > this.

> > > > But I will say this I have a damn good gynocologist. He

> doesn't

> > > do

> > > > one thing with out explaining it first and being very open

to

> > > discuss

> > > > medical matters. I thought that was how all dr's are

supposed

> to

> > > > approach severe matters. I guess I was wrong

> > > >

> > > > Jane

[Guest guest]

Thank you Ceast for your helpfull

insight as allways.

[Guest guest]

All this time I wanted a cheeseburger and now I can't get rid of it!!

:)

Jane

> > > > >

> > > > > I got the wires cut. The only discomfort was the resident

> > > pulling

> > > > on

> > > > > my cheek around my stitches. Then the OS asks.. we did a

> two

> > > > piece

> > > > > on you right? Yes. Ok well then we are going to leave your

> > splint

> > > > in

> > > > > a little longer...I really feel like crap. I so wish I was

> one

> > > of

> > > > > you optimistic people out there that recover with flying

> > colors.

> > > > I

> > > > > couldn't even open wide enough to get my baby toothbrush in

> my

> > > > > mouth. Maybe about a centimeter. The thing is it is only

> > > painful

> > > > on

> > > > > the right. Instead of that being unusual my OS says I'm

> lucky

> > > > most

> > > > > hurt on both sides. So...no mashed potatoes for me. My OS

> > also

> > > > says

> > > > > I have set some records. I suppose everyone else is a much

> > > easier

> > > > > patient. Lost the most weight at 103 lbs from 124. You

> know

> > my

> > > > OS

> > > > > did not say one thing about how I am to eat or what. He

did

> > not

> > > > even

> > > > > say the words soft diet. The only thing he ever said to me

> > ever

> > > > > about food is you can't drink too many Boosts. That's it.

> > > Today,

> > > > > not a word about food. Then the best part. He won't even

> say

> > > how

> > > > > long the splint is in until the nurse comes at the end of

my

> > > > > appointment witrh a card for April 14th. Two more weeks.

I

> am

> > > > > starting to feel very disrespected as a patient. No onew

> EVER

> > > > asks

> > > > > when is a good time and date for you (since I do work) They

> > just

> > > > give

> > > > > me an appointment and don't act as if it is inconvenient OH

> > > well,

> > > > I

> > > > > have used up every sick day and extended sick leave and my

> > > > > appointment is at 8:15 in the morning. So here I am with a

> > very

> > > > soar

> > > > > jaw, still can't brush my back teeth, no eating still, and

> no

> > > > advice

> > > > > from my dr other than smart ass comments like Well if you

> feel

> > > > like

> > > > > eating steak go for it! I really feel badly for being the

> > > > negative

> > > > > nelly on the group. BUT I am worried that after all this I

> am

> > > not

> > > > > happy with the results. It feels like my bottom teeth were

> > > pulled

> > > > > too far back. My top seem to be too far up. There is a

> huge

> > > > space

> > > > > between the top where they rest on the bottom. I don't

feel

> > good

> > > > > about it. I know my OT has to adjust but this doesn't seem

> to

> > be

> > > > my

> > > > > teeth but the placement of my jaw. I can talk a little

> better

> > > but

> > > > > spit like crazy now and sound like daffy duck. Something

to

> > look

> > > > > forward to when teaching 5th graders for the next two

> weeks.

> > Oh

> > > > ya

> > > > > and one last thing. My tongue feels absolutely paralyzed.

I

> > can

> > > > > stick it as far as my teeth and it won't go any farther.

It

> > all

> > > > is

> > > > > very strange and very scary. I guess when you do a

thousand

> of

> > > > these

> > > > > surgeries a month you don't feel the need to describe all

of

> > > > this.

> > > > > But I will say this I have a damn good gynocologist. He

> > doesn't

> > > > do

> > > > > one thing with out explaining it first and being very open

> to

> > > > discuss

> > > > > medical matters. I thought that was how all dr's are

> supposed

> > to

> > > > > approach severe matters. I guess I was wrong

> > > > >

> > > > > Jane

[Guest guest]

Jane,

Your Chattanooga buddy here. I am so sorry to hear you are having a

hard time. I remember being so scared, too...all the " what ifs. "

Like others said and my OS said a hundred times...be patient.

Sounds like my OS has a wee better bed side manner. I'm a question

asker, though. I drilled him with questions at every visit. Maybe

it would help you to write down your questions and concerns and let

him have it on your next visit. In reality, he doesn't have a clue

as to what you are going through so how can he possibly understand?

I think experiencing the surgery should be a prerequiste for doctors

before they perform this type of surgery. They should have to

experience it, too. Just kidding.

Hang in there. The ortho will do wonders for your bite. Your post

was a bit funny cause we can all relate to it. I ate with a towel

draped over me like a bib for months because I got more on me than

in me. Hopefully, in 6 months you can look back and laugh, too.

Take care,

Pam

>

> I got the wires cut. The only discomfort was the resident pulling

on

> my cheek around my stitches. Then the OS asks.. we did a two

piece

> on you right? Yes. Ok well then we are going to leave your splint

in

> a little longer...I really feel like crap. I so wish I was one of

> you optimistic people out there that recover with flying colors.

I

> couldn't even open wide enough to get my baby toothbrush in my

> mouth. Maybe about a centimeter. The thing is it is only painful

on

> the right. Instead of that being unusual my OS says I'm lucky

most

> hurt on both sides. So...no mashed potatoes for me. My OS also

says

> I have set some records. I suppose everyone else is a much easier

> patient. Lost the most weight at 103 lbs from 124. You know my

OS

> did not say one thing about how I am to eat or what. He did not

even

> say the words soft diet. The only thing he ever said to me ever

> about food is you can't drink too many Boosts. That's it. Today,

> not a word about food. Then the best part. He won't even say how

> long the splint is in until the nurse comes at the end of my

> appointment witrh a card for April 14th. Two more weeks. I am

> starting to feel very disrespected as a patient. No onew EVER

asks

> when is a good time and date for you (since I do work) They just

give

> me an appointment and don't act as if it is inconvenient OH well,

I

> have used up every sick day and extended sick leave and my

> appointment is at 8:15 in the morning. So here I am with a very

soar

> jaw, still can't brush my back teeth, no eating still, and no

advice

> from my dr other than smart ass comments like Well if you feel

like

> eating steak go for it! I really feel badly for being the

negative

> nelly on the group. BUT I am worried that after all this I am not

> happy with the results. It feels like my bottom teeth were pulled

> too far back. My top seem to be too far up. There is a huge

space

> between the top where they rest on the bottom. I don't feel good

> about it. I know my OT has to adjust but this doesn't seem to be

my

> teeth but the placement of my jaw. I can talk a little better but

> spit like crazy now and sound like daffy duck. Something to look

> forward to when teaching 5th graders for the next two weeks. Oh

ya

> and one last thing. My tongue feels absolutely paralyzed. I can

> stick it as far as my teeth and it won't go any farther. It all

is

> very strange and very scary. I guess when you do a thousand of

these

> surgeries a month you don't feel the need to describe all of

this.

> But I will say this I have a damn good gynocologist. He doesn't

do

> one thing with out explaining it first and being very open to

discuss

> medical matters. I thought that was how all dr's are supposed to

> approach severe matters. I guess I was wrong

>

> Jane

[Guest guest]

Pam!! I am sooo excited to move to Tennessee. We found something in

an area developing rapidly The Shallowford area? East Brainard

part. I am just adjusting to being cut free. It feels weird like my

jaw wants to weeble wobble around. I am wearing rubberbands but they

still feel weak. I am feeling better though its weird. I forget I

can open my mouth to breathe and cough and drink. I would say that

is an improvement. And I did suck those mashed potatoes up in a

jiffy. I had to ask my husband if I ate the whole bowl or was I

wearing it?? Turns out I actually ate most of it! That makes me feel

so much better having a bit of food in me. As for my questions I

wrote them down last appointment and gave them to my doctor. He took

a look read them to hisself and then handed them back to me and said

we'll go over all that next time and walked out!! The resident was

left with me in there and he gave me an apologetic look. This

appointment once again he dodged around my questions. I don't

complain and I try to be very positive but he just makes me feel

irrational for questionsand concerns. He told me today, I didn't

pull you off the street and make you do this baby. Sigh.... Oh well,

hopefully I heal fine and the results are ok and I never have to go

back to him again! My stitches are all still in tact too. He said

he could cut them out or I could brush them real hard and eventually

they would fall out. I'll try brushing them. But they are still

soar. Thanks for checking in on me I'll be searching for more things

to eat!

Jane

> >

> > I got the wires cut. The only discomfort was the resident

pulling

> on

> > my cheek around my stitches. Then the OS asks.. we did a two

> piece

> > on you right? Yes. Ok well then we are going to leave your splint

> in

> > a little longer...I really feel like crap. I so wish I was one

of

> > you optimistic people out there that recover with flying colors.

> I

> > couldn't even open wide enough to get my baby toothbrush in my

> > mouth. Maybe about a centimeter. The thing is it is only

painful

> on

> > the right. Instead of that being unusual my OS says I'm lucky

> most

> > hurt on both sides. So...no mashed potatoes for me. My OS also

> says

> > I have set some records. I suppose everyone else is a much

easier

> > patient. Lost the most weight at 103 lbs from 124. You know my

> OS

> > did not say one thing about how I am to eat or what. He did not

> even

> > say the words soft diet. The only thing he ever said to me ever

> > about food is you can't drink too many Boosts. That's it.

Today,

> > not a word about food. Then the best part. He won't even say

how

> > long the splint is in until the nurse comes at the end of my

> > appointment witrh a card for April 14th. Two more weeks. I am

> > starting to feel very disrespected as a patient. No onew EVER

> asks

> > when is a good time and date for you (since I do work) They just

> give

> > me an appointment and don't act as if it is inconvenient OH

well,

> I

> > have used up every sick day and extended sick leave and my

> > appointment is at 8:15 in the morning. So here I am with a very

> soar

> > jaw, still can't brush my back teeth, no eating still, and no

> advice

> > from my dr other than smart ass comments like Well if you feel

> like

> > eating steak go for it! I really feel badly for being the

> negative

> > nelly on the group. BUT I am worried that after all this I am

not

> > happy with the results. It feels like my bottom teeth were

pulled

> > too far back. My top seem to be too far up. There is a huge

> space

> > between the top where they rest on the bottom. I don't feel good

> > about it. I know my OT has to adjust but this doesn't seem to be

> my

> > teeth but the placement of my jaw. I can talk a little better

but

> > spit like crazy now and sound like daffy duck. Something to look

> > forward to when teaching 5th graders for the next two weeks. Oh

> ya

> > and one last thing. My tongue feels absolutely paralyzed. I can

> > stick it as far as my teeth and it won't go any farther. It all

> is

> > very strange and very scary. I guess when you do a thousand of

> these

> > surgeries a month you don't feel the need to describe all of

> this.

> > But I will say this I have a damn good gynocologist. He doesn't

> do

> > one thing with out explaining it first and being very open to

> discuss

> > medical matters. I thought that was how all dr's are supposed to

> > approach severe matters. I guess I was wrong

> >

> > Jane