Re: two questions - Katja

[Guest guest]

Hi Katja

Thanks for replying, it's nice to know that people are out there who

understand I get so overwhelmed sometimes because I am having to

do this totally on my own. I don't know if it will be better when

I'm older, but at 22 I sometimes feel so naive about all this stuff,

and find it hard to stand up for myself and demand answers from my

doctor, even though he's a SUPER nice guy. I did talk to him today

though, and he said that it was normal to feel the pain when yawning

still, and it was because my joint is still healing. The elastics I

wear cause additional stress on the jaw and that's part of it too he

said. So, fingers crossed that it will go away with time. It's not

unbearable, I just was worried it was permanent!!! BUt no need for

concern yet, so that's good!!

And about the lip incompetence, I guess I didn't explain myself well,

I meant that I felt like I had 1 or 2 mm MORE (about 6 mm total).

But I brought that up today too, and we looked at the pre-surgery

pictures, and I guess it isn't worse after all. He said it was

better, I say it's the same. but that's not worse at least. I guess

things just look different now that I can see teeth in there as

opposed to just tongue. They always say white makes things look

bigger!! Though, my teeth are more yellow these days from the post

surgery mouthwash lol.

Anyhow thanks again for replying I hope your yawning stops

hurting you soon too, and I'm sure you'll find a lot of changes in

the next weeks from the swelling going away, it really does cause a

definite change in your appearance. My surgeon told me to make 'fish

lips' with my lips in order to stretch out the scar tissue, that was

supposed to help with my lip incompetance, maybe you can give that a

try? I found it helped make my lips feeling less stiff

-

> >

> > Hi everyone

> > I have two questions for you guys: the first one is, the right

> side

> > of my jaw, whenever I stretch it, the joint really hurts. I'm

> almost

> > 2.5 months post op, and I guess I figured that the pain part of

> this

> > was all behind me by now. The left joint just feels a stretch,

but

> > the right hurts...this especially sucks because I'm so tired

these

> > days, I'm yawning and stretching it a lot, it's so painful. Does

> > anyone else have this, is it normal? I'm worried I'm going to

have

> > permanent TMJ pain, and I haven't been able to get my mouth open

> more

> > than 2.5 cm (from 4 cm before surgery).

> >

> > The other thing is, I think my surgeon didn't move my upper jaw

up

> > enough. I have *more* lip incompetence than before, about 1 or 2

> mm,

> > so not a lot, but I was really hoping before surgery that things

> > would go in the other direction. Also, an average smile shows

only

> > my top teeth, and is the same, or gummier than before surgery.

DId

> > anyone else end up with more lip incompetance after surgery?? I

> > don't know how to bring this up with my surgeon, I want to know

if

> > there's anything he can do

> > This stuff isn't huge, I mean, I'm really happy with my teeth

> meeting

> > properly, they look so great, and my chin looks better from genio

> > too, but it's hard looking in the mirror, because everytime I

look

> at

> > my mouth I'm a little disappointed. I can't never look at my

face

> > again, so any other suggestions guys?

> > Thanks

> > -

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

That must be really overwelming for you! I remember when I was away

at university and it definitely got hard a times for the same

reasons. But you are obviously doing great!! We're proud of you!! I'm

26 (well, in a couple days ) but I know what you mean. It makes a

difference having experience under your belt. This is the first time

I have ever gone through anything like this,so it has been a learning

experience for me as well. I do understand!! I'm so glad you spoke

to your doctor. That's good that he was happy and willing to consider

your questions and answer them and give you suggestions. No, I hadn't

realized that you were talking about more incompetence. Well, at

least it isn't worse, and as I had mentioned about the braces, as

time continues to pass and your continue to heal, it may improve

yet. I try stretching my mouth all around just to keep up

flexibility and work on my sleeping nerves in there. I will try

the fish lips next! Thanks for the tip! It's good to know about

the tmj as well, because like you, I would have really been worried

about that. I'm glad your concerns have been eased. I just called my

doctor today with MORE questions. They are so patient there!! Thank

goodness! Anyway, keep me posted how you continue to progress and

good luck with your studies. You're 22... are you graduating this

semester? Where are you studying? What's your major? Take care,

Katja

> > >

> > > Hi everyone

> > > I have two questions for you guys: the first one is, the right

> > side

> > > of my jaw, whenever I stretch it, the joint really hurts. I'm

> > almost

> > > 2.5 months post op, and I guess I figured that the pain part of

> > this

> > > was all behind me by now. The left joint just feels a stretch,

> but

> > > the right hurts...this especially sucks because I'm so tired

> these

> > > days, I'm yawning and stretching it a lot, it's so painful.

Does

> > > anyone else have this, is it normal? I'm worried I'm going to

> have

> > > permanent TMJ pain, and I haven't been able to get my mouth

open

> > more

> > > than 2.5 cm (from 4 cm before surgery).

> > >

> > > The other thing is, I think my surgeon didn't move my upper jaw

> up

> > > enough. I have *more* lip incompetence than before, about 1 or

2

> > mm,

> > > so not a lot, but I was really hoping before surgery that

things

> > > would go in the other direction. Also, an average smile shows

> only

> > > my top teeth, and is the same, or gummier than before surgery.

> DId

> > > anyone else end up with more lip incompetance after surgery??

I

> > > don't know how to bring this up with my surgeon, I want to know

> if

> > > there's anything he can do

> > > This stuff isn't huge, I mean, I'm really happy with my teeth

> > meeting

> > > properly, they look so great, and my chin looks better from

genio

> > > too, but it's hard looking in the mirror, because everytime I

> look

> > at

> > > my mouth I'm a little disappointed. I can't never look at my

> face

> > > again, so any other suggestions guys?

> > > Thanks

> > > -

[Guest guest]

Katja,

My birthday is March 25 and I'll be 26 too! Hope all is well. I'm

hanging in there. My nosesprays have lost their affect totally and

my OS called me in an antibiotic. Luckily I only have one week and 4

days!! They can't come soon enough! I remember the first week a

month ago when I was thinking to myself this isn't going to work I'm

going to have to get these unwired, until my husband explained what

would happen and how that wasn't possible...oh well, it's almost over

now. Up until now all coughs and sneezes have subsided. It kind of

scared me today when it actually came out along with the yuck stuff

in my throat. I had to rinse really well to get it all out of my

splint and mouth! I know it's disgusting. Well, I'm glad you seem

to be ok. How long til you get unbanded? Hopefully it will fly by.

Jane

> > > >

> > > > Hi everyone

> > > > I have two questions for you guys: the first one is, the

right

> > > side

> > > > of my jaw, whenever I stretch it, the joint really hurts.

I'm

> > > almost

> > > > 2.5 months post op, and I guess I figured that the pain part

of

> > > this

> > > > was all behind me by now. The left joint just feels a

stretch,

> > but

> > > > the right hurts...this especially sucks because I'm so tired

> > these

> > > > days, I'm yawning and stretching it a lot, it's so painful.

> Does

> > > > anyone else have this, is it normal? I'm worried I'm going

to

> > have

> > > > permanent TMJ pain, and I haven't been able to get my mouth

> open

> > > more

> > > > than 2.5 cm (from 4 cm before surgery).

> > > >

> > > > The other thing is, I think my surgeon didn't move my upper

jaw

> > up

> > > > enough. I have *more* lip incompetence than before, about 1

or

> 2

> > > mm,

> > > > so not a lot, but I was really hoping before surgery that

> things

> > > > would go in the other direction. Also, an average smile

shows

> > only

> > > > my top teeth, and is the same, or gummier than before

surgery.

> > DId

> > > > anyone else end up with more lip incompetance after

surgery??

> I

> > > > don't know how to bring this up with my surgeon, I want to

know

> > if

> > > > there's anything he can do

> > > > This stuff isn't huge, I mean, I'm really happy with my teeth

> > > meeting

> > > > properly, they look so great, and my chin looks better from

> genio

> > > > too, but it's hard looking in the mirror, because everytime I

> > look

> > > at

> > > > my mouth I'm a little disappointed. I can't never look at my

> > face

> > > > again, so any other suggestions guys?

> > > > Thanks

> > > > -

[Guest guest]

Hi Katja,

Yup, I'm actually pretty glad I got a look at my pre-anything

pictures, because, wow, it sure made me happy I've gone through all

this!! I forget sometimes how much my teeth and face have changed

already! But I'm sooooooooo impatient now for the braces to come

off. Before I was just wanting the surgery to happen, but now I just

want the final result!! A few people have told me that I'm " going to

be gorgeous when they come off " which is at least incentive enough to

keep me motivated on these.

It seems like so many people have their birthdays right after

surgery -- are you able to eat puree at all, or just liquids? My

birthday fell 10 days before I got my splint out, and permission to

chew again, so I wasn't really sure how to celebrate, cake seems so

integral to birthdays!! My parents got me a mousse cake though,

which I was able to eat... my plan b was an icecream cake that I

could blend up Though, I think I saw a post on here that said

your boyfriend should get you diamonds...that could probably make for

a pretty good bday!

To answer your question, I'm up in Canada, and I'm graduating this

year with my BSc in Astrophysics. I just got accepted to graduate

school for my Master's in geophysics so I'm very excited -- I was a

little nervous when I first went back to class after surgery and all

my profs were like " oh, so you're going to be taking an extra year

then? " like, what do you know that I don't! But it's all worked out

thank goodness.

What about you, what do you do when you're not busy recovering from

major surgery?

-

> > > >

> > > > Hi everyone

> > > > I have two questions for you guys: the first one is, the

right

> > > side

> > > > of my jaw, whenever I stretch it, the joint really hurts.

I'm

> > > almost

> > > > 2.5 months post op, and I guess I figured that the pain part

of

> > > this

> > > > was all behind me by now. The left joint just feels a

stretch,

> > but

> > > > the right hurts...this especially sucks because I'm so tired

> > these

> > > > days, I'm yawning and stretching it a lot, it's so painful.

> Does

> > > > anyone else have this, is it normal? I'm worried I'm going

to

> > have

> > > > permanent TMJ pain, and I haven't been able to get my mouth

> open

> > > more

> > > > than 2.5 cm (from 4 cm before surgery).

> > > >

> > > > The other thing is, I think my surgeon didn't move my upper

jaw

> > up

> > > > enough. I have *more* lip incompetence than before, about 1

or

> 2

> > > mm,

> > > > so not a lot, but I was really hoping before surgery that

> things

> > > > would go in the other direction. Also, an average smile

shows

> > only

> > > > my top teeth, and is the same, or gummier than before

surgery.

> > DId

> > > > anyone else end up with more lip incompetance after

surgery??

> I

> > > > don't know how to bring this up with my surgeon, I want to

know

> > if

> > > > there's anything he can do

> > > > This stuff isn't huge, I mean, I'm really happy with my teeth

> > > meeting

> > > > properly, they look so great, and my chin looks better from

> genio

> > > > too, but it's hard looking in the mirror, because everytime I

> > look

> > > at

> > > > my mouth I'm a little disappointed. I can't never look at my

> > face

> > > > again, so any other suggestions guys?

> > > > Thanks

> > > > -

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I know what you mean about looking at those pictures. I got my pre

orthodontic pics from my ortho recently and couldn't believe what my

teeth looked like to begin with. It really confirmed my decision to

do all of this. I had forgotten how horrible they were!! I know

how you feel about getting the braces off. I was waiting forever for

this surgery, now that it is behind me I have my sights set on- well

first splint removal! but THEN removal of the braces when, for the

first time in my life my teeth and bite will good and right and

perfect! I can't wait. You must be dying since you are already

further along with your recovery! Has your ortho given you an

estimated time when he might be taking them off?

When was your birthday? Happy belated birthday to you! I am able to

eat pureed things- like mashed potatos if I can get the spoon in my

mouth which is difficult these days with the bands. I also eat

jello/custard/pudding and other things by kind of slurping it in and

swallowing whole. I dont know how I am going to eat if I get more

bands that cover my front opening or prohibit my opening my mouth. I

will deal with it when I get there I suppose. I am not sure what I'll

be having for my birthday. Maybe just ice cream. I told my mother

that my favorite birthday pie that she makes for me every year is

simply postponed! I still fully expect to have it!! Just later.

Diamonds would be a nice consolation... but probably unlikely for

this birthday. I'll let you know what I end up having/getting!

I owe you congratulations on graduating this year and for your

acceptance to the masters program-that is fantastic!! When I'm not

busy recovering, I work at an animal hospital, but actually only for

two more months. I'm leaving at the end of May. I am hoping to

participate in the local university's study abroad program to Russia.

I am just waiting to hear if I've been accepted to the program. My

professor (I have been taking a russian course there this year) said

I should be without question. So, I will be in St. sburg for the

month of June if it all works out. I'm pretty excited! I try not to

worry about how recovered I will be by then. My surgeon promised me I

would be fine and good to go. We'll see! Anyway, once I am home

and unemployed, the plan is to research and apply to and start

attending grad school. I don't know yet what for. My undergrad (BA)

is in Philosophy. That is what I am up to... it is a very life

changing time right now for me personally.

Take care and keep in touch. I want to hear how you continue to heal

and improve.... and let me know how it goes with the jaw pain and

with getting those braces off. I am sure you will be gorgeous!

Katja

> > > > >

> > > > > Hi everyone

> > > > > I have two questions for you guys: the first one is, the

> right

> > > > side

> > > > > of my jaw, whenever I stretch it, the joint really hurts.

> I'm

> > > > almost

> > > > > 2.5 months post op, and I guess I figured that the pain

part

> of

> > > > this

> > > > > was all behind me by now. The left joint just feels a

> stretch,

> > > but

> > > > > the right hurts...this especially sucks because I'm so

tired

> > > these

> > > > > days, I'm yawning and stretching it a lot, it's so

painful.

> > Does

> > > > > anyone else have this, is it normal? I'm worried I'm going

> to

> > > have

> > > > > permanent TMJ pain, and I haven't been able to get my mouth

> > open

> > > > more

> > > > > than 2.5 cm (from 4 cm before surgery).

> > > > >

> > > > > The other thing is, I think my surgeon didn't move my upper

> jaw

> > > up

> > > > > enough. I have *more* lip incompetence than before, about

1

> or

> > 2

> > > > mm,

> > > > > so not a lot, but I was really hoping before surgery that

> > things

> > > > > would go in the other direction. Also, an average smile

> shows

> > > only

> > > > > my top teeth, and is the same, or gummier than before

> surgery.

> > > DId

> > > > > anyone else end up with more lip incompetance after

> surgery??

> > I

> > > > > don't know how to bring this up with my surgeon, I want to

> know

> > > if

> > > > > there's anything he can do

> > > > > This stuff isn't huge, I mean, I'm really happy with my

teeth

> > > > meeting

> > > > > properly, they look so great, and my chin looks better from

> > genio

> > > > > too, but it's hard looking in the mirror, because everytime

I

> > > look

> > > > at

> > > > > my mouth I'm a little disappointed. I can't never look at

my

> > > face

> > > > > again, so any other suggestions guys?

> > > > > Thanks

> > > > > -