Re: One Week post-op appt with surgeon- TO FRAN

[Guest guest]

Hi Katja,

I just have a consult, but I have been to three different

orthodontists and they all say the same thing. My bite is really

okay. I choke frequently and chew with food pocketed in my cheeks

because my upper and lower arches compress too closely. I don't

have room for a relaxed tongue in my mouth, let alone a bite of

food. I pocket it, then feed it slowly into my back molars to chew

and then swallow tiny bits at a time. My tongue can't manage my

saliva when I am engaged in activity (usually teeth are clenched and

your neck is flexed when concentrating), I usually use a vacuum type

action to manage the saliva, but in activity, that is compromised,

so I choke. I have a very deep bite, a slight overbite and an

assymetrical jaw, but the bite itself is really not the problem. If

it was just the bite problem I would definately let this go. My

teeth are shortened due to grinding, but they are straight and even,

even though the lowers are off center by 1 1/2 to 2 teeth. You

can't tell by looking at me even straight on. My muscles have

accomodated, and it looks symmetrical from the front. When I tip my

head back, like so many of the photos on this site have shown, I

have a strong " z " pattern happening though. I didn't know that I

had that until I came to this sight! It was startling!!

From the orthodontists I have gotten several different ideas. Some

just want to do a rather cosmetic fix by doing the lower jaw rotated

and taken forward and to the left. Others want to do the upper and

lower, lengthening each and moving the lower forward, rotated and to

the left as well. Then it will be full mouth rehab - all new crowns

on every tooth to hold the new volume in my mouth. Pretty daunting!!

I am so anxious about what the orthognatic surgeon says. I really

want to be able to eat normally and not choke as often. If they

can't improve that, I don't know that I will do the surgery. I just

don't think I would do it for a minimal amount of what would be

cosmetic improvement (as an answer to the question about doing it

for cosmetics alone). They say it will be a 2 1/2 to 3 year process

for me, and I just am not willing to have a toothier smile in an

exchange for all that much pain and potential side effects of

numbing etc, when I already have trouble with choking. That seems

dangerous to me. I really need the surgeons advice on this to

proceed.

When is your next appointment? Maybe DH could go with you if you

are still feeling zapped a good deal of the time. Sometimes hearing

this from the doctor can do what our statements cannot! Just a

thought.

And hang in there Katja. Usually I feel better from about the

second week on, but remember, the effects of the anesthesia can

drain you for a month or longer post op. Just knowing that can

relieve you from some of the worry you have about it. It will pass

and you will be back on track.

Hugs,

Fran

> > > > >

> > > > > Hi Everyone,

> > > > > This past Thursday, after my miserable breakdown, I had my

> one

> > > > week

> > > > > post op appt. with my surgeon. I got the stitches from my

> > cheeks

> > > > > removed and I was banded at the appt... one super heavy

duty

> > > > > rubberband on each side- stretched around like a big

square.

> > > > > Definitely had a headache that night! Anyway, he said

> > everything

> > > > > looked really good and that all the bones are right where

> they

> > > > need

> > > > > to be. He couldn't believe that I wasn't more swollen and

> > bruised

> > > > > than I was. I'm very fair, so he was convinced that I

would

> be

> > > > > horribly enlarged and multicolored. I really wasn't and by

> > today

> > > > > almost all the obvious swelling and discoloration is gone.

> > Except

> > > > for

> > > > > those who know me well, you can't really tell I've had

> surgery

> > > > > (unless I open my mouth to speak). Hard because I think

> people

> > > > judge

> > > > > how well you're doing by your appearance. Now that I look

> > fine...

> > > > I

> > > > > must feel fine as well, right?!?! Yeah! Sure..... My

> > > boyfriend,

> > > > in

> > > > > all his wonderfulness , asked me today why I was so

tired.

> I

> > > had

> > > > > gotten a good night's rest the night before, hadn't I?? I

> > asked

> > > > him

> > > > > how many bones in my face were broken?! and how fast did

he

> > think

> > > > > they would heal?! and if the body is trying to heal

itself,

> > isn't

> > > > it

> > > > > more likely to be very taxed and pretty (damned)

tired!?!?!?

> > He

> > > > was

> > > > > very dear and cute- just totally didn't realize cause I

> APPEAR

> > > > like

> > > > > I'm doing so much better, that why would I be tired and

> > all....

> > > > Just

> > > > > the same, it is nice to feel human again (for the most

part

> > > > anyway!)

> > > > >

> > > > > So I mentioned again to the doctor about the little fiasco

> > with

> > > > the

> > > > > discharge instructions. It WAS, as I suspected, the

> > > responsibility

> > > > of

> > > > > the resident. I guess the resident taking care of my

> discharge

> > > was

> > > > a

> > > > > first year and not yet up to speed. They didn't know he

> wasn't

> > up

> > > > to

> > > > > speed until this all happened, but the doctor had already

> > spoken

> > > > to

> > > > > all his residents about what had happened by the time I

had

> my

> > > > appt.

> > > > > with him. Because of what happened with me they are

putting

> > > > together

> > > > > a standardized sheet to be given out. I would have thought

> > they

> > > > > already had one, but oh well. At least this will help

others

> > in

> > > > the

> > > > > future. I was surprised and pleased that he had already

> > discussed

> > > > the

> > > > > matter with the residents by the time I met with him only

two

> > > days

> > > > > later after it all happened. I'm glad he didn't just put

it

> > aside

> > > > or

> > > > > anything. All's well that ends well, I suppose.

> > > > >

> > > > > At this point,I'm weaned down to just aleve 3pills twice a

> day

> > > > > granted.... but I'm getting there slowly. Still really

numb

> > > though-

> > > >

> > > > > Dr said all the nerves are their and intact and fine...

just

> > will

> > > > > take a while to come back. My nose has stopped running for

> the

> > > > most

> > > > > part. I can drink out of a glass again. Yea! I'm not

drooling

> > > > (except

> > > > > when I'm sleeping! Then it becomes drool me a river...) My

> > lips

> > > > have

> > > > > had a lot of discomfort however... I carry around a lip

balm

> > jar

> > > > > EVERYWHERE. I can't remember what else....

> > > > >

> > > > > Apparently I am a first for the surgeon too!! After 26

years

> > in

> > > > OMFS,

> > > > > I am the first person he's had react allergically to the

> > > > medication.

> > > > > He suspects it was the antibiotic. I don't know! But my

ultra-

> > > > itchy

> > > > > rash is FINALLY going away!! Thank goodness!

> > > > >

> > > > > Anyway, I just wanted to let you all know what happened at

> > that

> > > > > appointment. Thank you again to everyone who was so

> > supportive.

> > > > It's

> > > > > finally going a lot better for me. I can't believe it

hasn't

> > even

> > > > > been two weeks yet! Take care all, Katja

> > > > >

> > > > > PS How are you doing Bob from 3/8???? Haven't heard from

you

> > in a

> > > > > while!! Graduated to auto racing??

[Guest guest]

Hi Fran,

What a load of problems to live with, deal with, and to face having

corrected. I feel for you.... that must be so hard to live with the

choking and scary too! Before I joined this group,I never questioned

how I ate because it was all I knew and was normal for me... then I

started reading about others and their stories. It really articulated

for me the things I had struggled with so long but never pin-pointed.

For example-how I never eat hamburgers with lettuce or tomato because

I couldn't bite through them, but could tear the bread and hamburger.

I never eat chicken sandwiches because it's harder to bite through.

Or how much I eat with a fork and knife because I couldn't bite, or

how much I swallowed whole because my teeth didn't match up enough if

at all to chew certain things, and on and on and on. Knowing your

problem is the beginning to battling and overcoming it. I can't

imagine contending with what you have been living with. I am excited

for you that you are finally on your way to getting the process going

and getting these things resolved. I know 2-3 years feels like a long

time- it is! But that time will pass anyway, you know? And better to

get it taken care of now. Must be overwelming for you sometimes

though, I am sure. YOu sound like you are handling it and facing it

so well! I am very impressed Fran! It is definitely daunting-

crowns on all the teeth ta boot. Check in with bob (bobzrob) he is

facing that sort of thing too at the end of all this. He had his

surgery one day before mine. You and he can commiserate.

It's good that you have consulted with several orthodontists... I had

braces in High school and received less than even mediocre treatment

from the first ortho. It's scary how much we can trust these doctors

and yet they can lead us astray and we don't know it. I was really

careful this second time around about my ortho and surgeon. I will be

anxious to hear what the surgeon says at your consult. Please do let

me know!! I am sure you are very anxious for the appt.!

I agree with you, had this been solely cosmetic, I would not have

dreamt of undertaking this. Cosmetics were a consideration,

especially since I stood to improve my appearance with the surgery,

but not my primary motivation. I couldn't have justified having it

done or the money spent without the medical justification. But there

has to be some benefit to all this!! Besides the gorgeous bite in

the end! (My bite wasn't good to begin with-and that's after 2.5

years of braces the first time around)

I completely understand what you mean about hoping for help with the

choking, otherwise not persuing it. So you don't have the braces yet

then? Are you waiting for the appt. with the surgeon and his opinion?

When I started out, we thought I only needed lower done. When it came

time that I was ready for surgery, it also became apparent that to

actually correct all my problems and correct them well, I needed the

upper too. I didn't care- I wanted to do it only once and to do it

right that first time.... Anyway, I would imagine that moving the

upper and lower out should create more room in your mouth for your

tongue and for food and for proper saliva management (or whatever

you'd call it! ) But, certainly, the surgeon can tell you best. I

hope that is what he says though, because there has to be a solution

for you for this problem!

I hadn't thought of bringing my boyfriend along to my next appt. I

will have to consider it if I am still really tired by then, or if he

still doesn't get it!! I am drilling it into his head everyday.

Slowly but surely.. ha ha ha My next appt. is next week thursday. I

dont know what he'll be doing at that appt.

I'll hang if you promise to hang too... I am hoping that I'll

start feeling even better soon.... I didn't know that the anesthesia

can affect your system for so long... definitely good to know. I am

holding you to your promise that I will feel back on track soon!

Please do let me know how your consult goes. And thanks for your

continued support. I am here if/when you need it. I've been on that

long, long road for a while now. Katja xoxo

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Hi Everyone,

> > > > > > This past Thursday, after my miserable breakdown, I had

my

> > one

> > > > > week

> > > > > > post op appt. with my surgeon. I got the stitches from my

> > > cheeks

> > > > > > removed and I was banded at the appt... one super heavy

> duty

> > > > > > rubberband on each side- stretched around like a big

> square.

> > > > > > Definitely had a headache that night! Anyway, he said

> > > everything

> > > > > > looked really good and that all the bones are right where

> > they

> > > > > need

> > > > > > to be. He couldn't believe that I wasn't more swollen and

> > > bruised

> > > > > > than I was. I'm very fair, so he was convinced that I

> would

> > be

> > > > > > horribly enlarged and multicolored. I really wasn't and

by

> > > today

> > > > > > almost all the obvious swelling and discoloration is

gone.

> > > Except

> > > > > for

> > > > > > those who know me well, you can't really tell I've had

> > surgery

> > > > > > (unless I open my mouth to speak). Hard because I think

> > people

> > > > > judge

> > > > > > how well you're doing by your appearance. Now that I look

> > > fine...

> > > > > I

> > > > > > must feel fine as well, right?!?! Yeah! Sure..... My

> > > > boyfriend,

> > > > > in

> > > > > > all his wonderfulness , asked me today why I was so

> tired.

> > I

> > > > had

> > > > > > gotten a good night's rest the night before, hadn't I?? I

> > > asked

> > > > > him

> > > > > > how many bones in my face were broken?! and how fast did

> he

> > > think

> > > > > > they would heal?! and if the body is trying to heal

> itself,

> > > isn't

> > > > > it

> > > > > > more likely to be very taxed and pretty (damned)

> tired!?!?!?

> > > He

> > > > > was

> > > > > > very dear and cute- just totally didn't realize cause I

> > APPEAR

> > > > > like

> > > > > > I'm doing so much better, that why would I be tired and

> > > all....

> > > > > Just

> > > > > > the same, it is nice to feel human again (for the most

> part

> > > > > anyway!)

> > > > > >

> > > > > > So I mentioned again to the doctor about the little

fiasco

> > > with

> > > > > the

> > > > > > discharge instructions. It WAS, as I suspected, the

> > > > responsibility

> > > > > of

> > > > > > the resident. I guess the resident taking care of my

> > discharge

> > > > was

> > > > > a

> > > > > > first year and not yet up to speed. They didn't know he

> > wasn't

> > > up

> > > > > to

> > > > > > speed until this all happened, but the doctor had already

> > > spoken

> > > > > to

> > > > > > all his residents about what had happened by the time I

> had

> > my

> > > > > appt.

> > > > > > with him. Because of what happened with me they are

> putting

> > > > > together

> > > > > > a standardized sheet to be given out. I would have

thought

> > > they

> > > > > > already had one, but oh well. At least this will help

> others

> > > in

> > > > > the

> > > > > > future. I was surprised and pleased that he had already

> > > discussed

> > > > > the

> > > > > > matter with the residents by the time I met with him only

> two

> > > > days

> > > > > > later after it all happened. I'm glad he didn't just put

> it

> > > aside

> > > > > or

> > > > > > anything. All's well that ends well, I suppose.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > At this point,I'm weaned down to just aleve 3pills twice

a

> > day

> > > > > > granted.... but I'm getting there slowly. Still really

> numb

> > > > though-

> > > > >

> > > > > > Dr said all the nerves are their and intact and fine...

> just

> > > will

> > > > > > take a while to come back. My nose has stopped running

for

> > the

> > > > > most

> > > > > > part. I can drink out of a glass again. Yea! I'm not

> drooling

> > > > > (except

> > > > > > when I'm sleeping! Then it becomes drool me a river...)

My

> > > lips

> > > > > have

> > > > > > had a lot of discomfort however... I carry around a lip

> balm

> > > jar

> > > > > > EVERYWHERE. I can't remember what else....

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Apparently I am a first for the surgeon too!! After 26

> years

> > > in

> > > > > OMFS,

> > > > > > I am the first person he's had react allergically to the

> > > > > medication.

> > > > > > He suspects it was the antibiotic. I don't know! But my

> ultra-

> > > > > itchy

> > > > > > rash is FINALLY going away!! Thank goodness!

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Anyway, I just wanted to let you all know what happened

at

> > > that

> > > > > > appointment. Thank you again to everyone who was so

> > > supportive.

> > > > > It's

> > > > > > finally going a lot better for me. I can't believe it

> hasn't

> > > even

> > > > > > been two weeks yet! Take care all, Katja

> > > > > >

> > > > > > PS How are you doing Bob from 3/8???? Haven't heard from

> you

> > > in a

> > > > > > while!! Graduated to auto racing??