Guest guest Posted April 1, 2005 Report Share Posted April 1, 2005 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 1, 2005 Report Share Posted April 1, 2005 Hey Jane, Hang in there. Your range of motion is very limited right now, but with exercise and continued use it will get much better over time. Don't get discouraged. You might not be able to chew, but at least you can start using your zip-n-squeeze. Go blend something - a quick meal is blended canned soup. Chewing might take some getting used to - it's hard to do with a splint, and with limited tongue mobility. But it will really get better day by day. I'm sorry your surgeon seems to be lacking in people's skills. I know that in general, surgeons are not known for their people skills , but some are much better than others (and yours seems to be at the worse side of the scale). Try to tolerate him for a little longer, and remember that you can always come here for some sympathy. I know what you mean about your gynecologist. I always tell my husband to explain to his patients what he's doing and why - it makes it so much easier on the patients. I don't think that having the same experience as you makes a good doctor - if somebody's compationate and can acknowledge your pain - that's all we need. During my first post-op visit, after asking how I've been, my OS said " it's tough, huh " . And just one phrase made me feel so much better, just this affirmation that he knows that it sucks. It might sound childish, but sometimes a little handholding goes a long way. And explanation of how the healing process is supposed to happen helps greatly, too. Unfortunately, many docs forget about that, thinking that we just know these things. Don't get discouraged, Jane, the hardest part is over. It should be getting better and better. Irene. P.S. About your bite - it probably is better than you think. Splint distorts things. I also thought that my bite looked bad, and that OS overdid it on pushing the lower jaw back, but after the splint came out I saw that it looked much better than I thought. I definitely need some serious ortho work, but still..... You're also probably swollen (me too), so things might appear assymetric. I hate this swelling thing and can't wait for it to go away! > > 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 1, 2005 Report Share Posted April 1, 2005 Well, I decided to suck it up literally. I went to Mcs and ordered my cheeseburger and fries. I pinched off theitty bittiest pieces and crammed them in my mouth. That was 30 minutes ago...they're still there. No matter how much I rinse I can't get them unlodged out of my palate! So then I tried something less challenging KFC mashed potatoes. I scoop them up with a baby spoon put it up to my 1cm space and suck it up. It worked with one problem. I have mashedpotatoes all over my lips can't lick them off and down my face. But they taste good. Oh I sound like an old woman that just had a stroke. Jane > > Hi Jane > > I just wanted to say hang in there - things WILL get better. > > Your comment about you having a good gynecologist made me giggle - > your surgeon might or might not have had jaw surgery but unless your > gynecologist's been through a very different kind of surgery, then you > can be pretty sure he's never faced first-hand the stuff us women > face! Ha ha! > > I'm nearly 9 weeks post-op (upper & lower) and I can't believe how > much progress I've made. I'm even begining to think that I might one > day tell people that I'd do it all over again if I had the chance! > > Good luck! > > . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 1, 2005 Report Share Posted April 1, 2005 Actually, I think most oral and maxillofacial surgeons do have excellent people skills. I can't imagine anybody not being crazy about mine... Sorry you got a sour lemon! Cammie > > > > 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 2, 2005 Report Share Posted April 2, 2005 Hey Jane, I'm sorry you're having difficulties in communications with your OS. I would say that's not out of the norm, though, in that many OS don't discuss a lot with their patients, either before or after. Mine answers every question you ask, but doesn't offer answers unsolicited. My advice is to make yourself a list of all the problems or concerns that you have, if you haven't already done so, and take that list with you each time. Make sure you discuss each item. For example, I had to ask my surgeon when I could start on soft no- chew, and when I could start to chew again - he didn't offer. I don't think any less of him for it. He's the best in his field up here and I liked his non-egotistical attitude. I had about 22 questions on my first post-op visit, then less and less each visit. Same with my ortho, always a list of 2 or 3 questions. He was patient as well, answering each and every one of them. As for scheduling appointments, I find that you have to be pushy and ask for better times. If you can pre-book far in advance (this is for pre-oppers, I suppose), all the better. When I got a surgery date, I pre-booked all of the appointments up to it (the receptionist was peeved at me, but who cares?). I told my ortho (nicely) that I was an adult, not a child, and that I had obligations and needed to plan on my absences and also train someone to take over my work while I was gone. When asking for timeframes, though, as I've always said " orthognathematics " is the rule - 3 plus 2 = 6, or 4, or 7. Things change, surgeons get busy, OR time gets cut, emergency surgeries take precedence, patients even get pregnant (Hi Shiloh!), teeth don't move as fast as predicted, and jaws don't heal according to a fixed schedule. Hang in there, you're through the worst of it, I think. > > 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 2, 2005 Report Share Posted April 2, 2005 Thanks , I know although it doesn't always feel so, I am on the downhill slope now with things improving little by little. I actually had a few bites or slurps of oatmeal this morning and milk (milk tastes better not being filtered through my teeth!) I have stocked up on family sized mashed potatoes from KFC with extra gravy! It is delicious after 5 weeks of Boost. So things are looking up! Thanks for the scheduling appt tips. 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 3, 2005 Report Share Posted April 3, 2005 Hi Jane, Glad to hear things are improving! I know how hard it is to be patient when time seems to move so slowly. Measuring change and comparing it to others seems to be all one thinks about during the early days of recovery, but I'm sure that light at the end of the tunnel will start to brighten for you. > > Thanks , > > I know although it doesn't always feel so, I am on the downhill slope > now with things improving little by little. I actually had a few > bites or slurps of oatmeal this morning and milk (milk tastes better > not being filtered through my teeth!) I have stocked up on family > sized mashed potatoes from KFC with extra gravy! It is delicious > after 5 weeks of Boost. So things are looking up! Thanks for the > scheduling appt tips. > > Jane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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