Guest guest Posted January 13, 2005 Report Share Posted January 13, 2005 okay, so you did do a seperate post as well welcome! 12 days till surgery, how exciting! i think the more work you get done, the longer the recovery but it sounds like adding the cheeks will only increase swelling. i *think* most of the people on the board have gotten upper and lower and chin (i have). i recovered really quickly and am so happy with my surgery!! i am at 3 weeks and 2 days and i feel like i could be at work or school right now. i still have minimal pain and some swelling, but i have plenty of energy to walk around, run errands, etc. gina > > Hello All, > > I am new to the group also and am so grateful that I ran across this > message board. I have 12 days until my surgery, which is upper, > lower, chin extension and cheeks. Just reading the message board is > helpful, but is there anything else I should prepare myself for? Has > anyone in the group had the chin or cheeks done? Apparently it helps > the symmetry of the face, but I'm curious as to whether it adds a > lot more pain and recovery time. > > My surgery is for TMJ which I've had for the past 5 years. Has > anyone here had this surgery and orthodontic work to help/cure their > TMJ problems? If so...has it worked or at least made it better? With > going through so many medical things over the past few years, I > sometimes get scared that the surgery won't work. > > Any advice would be great! > > Thanks, > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 6, 2005 Report Share Posted March 6, 2005 Jane, I am not wired shut but have bands. For the first 2 weeks I had a total of 6 bands...3 on each side of my mouth which kept me from being able to open my mouth at all. After 2 weeks, they removed 2 of the bands and I now have only 4 total which allow me to open my mouth about 1\2 inch or so. Tomorrow I see my OS and they will show me how to take off and put on my bands so I can eat soft foods and brush my entire mouth and stretch my mouth out so I can open it wider. My OS said the splint will come out after 6 weeks and I think then I will be able to eat whatever I want and chew it up as well. He said that tomorrow I can chew food for pleasure but not to break it up into pieces. So I guess I'll just eat soft foods and chop up anything that isn't real soft. As far as your situation, I would think there's a good possibility your splint could come out at 5 weeks since mine is coming out at 6 weeks....good luck!! If you have bands after you're un-wired it all depends on how many you have if you'll be banded shut or be able to open up a little bit. Right now I have 4 bands total....2 on each side and I can't " eat " anything...still on the liquid diet because there's just not enough room to fit any food in my mouth. That's why I'll be able to eat starting tomorrow because they'll show me how to take off my rubber bands to eat and brush and then I'll have to put them back on until it's time to eat again. Hope this helps you and I hope your splint comes off at 5 weeks cuz I know how annoying that dang thing is =) > > > > > > > > I am 1.5 week post surgery from upper lower jaw. I am just > wondering > > > about those of you that are or were wired shut completely as I > am. > > > Did you have to eat with a syringe the whole time?? Is Boost the > only > > > decent meal replacement?? WERE YOU EVER ABLE TO TALK WHILE WIRED > > > SHUT! I am losing too much weight am exhausted all the time (not > > > gettiing enough help from husband) and am going back to work in > a > > > week. 5th grade teacher. The space where my wisdom teeth were > realy > > > is only wide enough for thin liquids. Shakes have been > difficult (it > > > gets stuck and just flows out my mouth! Need help! > > > sj > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 6, 2005 Report Share Posted March 6, 2005 Hey jane... I was also unprepared...thought it would not be such a big deal... That was a lesson learned the hard way... Though even in retrospect I don¹t know what more I could have prepared- except to worry myself.... Maybe buying those squeezy bags... But even those don¹t seem worth it. I was wired shut with wires and the splint for 18 days. Than, he removed the splint and replaces the wires for really tight rubber bands. I get those changed about once a week for the last 3 weeks. For some reason, I thought the rubber bands would be looser but they werent. They were just as tight and I was just as stuck on liquids. Only now is my jaw feeling strong enough that I can kinda move around to let small pieces of blended food in... But this is only the last 3 days or so. Also, learn to embrace the skinniness... As long as you don¹t feel weak. I bought a tiny mini skirt in the kids dept. that I know will not fit me 10 minutes after I am unbanded but for now, with my teeth banded, my skin a wreck and my cheeks still chubby, I may as well be a ³butter face² :-) Tova > > Thank You so much for the menu. You don't know how badly I needed > some ideas other than the nasty protein powders that I refuse to > drink although I know I should. I do have another question and I > really should know this already but as I have come to find out I was > so unprepared when I jumped into the surgery without doing my > research first. Ok I had my upper widened 2mm and my lower moved > back/left 3mm. I am wired shut (with wires not bands). I should > have asked my dr this before I couldn't talk but anyway, he says in 2 > weeks I will have an appt, then in two more he will cut me loose. So > 5 weeks total wired shut. Does that mean that when he takes my wires > off my splint will go too at the same time? Then I wonder if I will > be banded shut!!!! I knew I would be wearing rubber bands after this > but will they constrict eating cheesburgers and french fries!! Or > will they be looser? > Too Skinny and in destress!LOL > > >> > >>> > > >>> > > I am 1.5 week post surgery from upper lower jaw. I am just > wondering >>> > > about those of you that are or were wired shut completely as I > am. >>> > > Did you have to eat with a syringe the whole time?? Is Boost the > only >>> > > decent meal replacement?? WERE YOU EVER ABLE TO TALK WHILE WIRED >>> > > SHUT! I am losing too much weight am exhausted all the time (not >>> > > gettiing enough help from husband) and am going back to work in > a >>> > > week. 5th grade teacher. The space where my wisdom teeth were > realy >>> > > is only wide enough for thin liquids. Shakes have been > difficult (it >>> > > gets stuck and just flows out my mouth! Need help! >>> > > sj >>> > > >>> > > >>> > > >>> > > >>> > > >>> > > >>> > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 6, 2005 Report Share Posted March 6, 2005 " with my teeth banded, my skin a wreck and my cheeks still chubby, I may as well be a ³butter face² " ha ha ha ha!!! Funny! > >> > > >>> > > > >>> > > I am 1.5 week post surgery from upper lower jaw. I am just > > wondering > >>> > > about those of you that are or were wired shut completely as I > > am. > >>> > > Did you have to eat with a syringe the whole time?? Is Boost the > > only > >>> > > decent meal replacement?? WERE YOU EVER ABLE TO TALK WHILE WIRED > >>> > > SHUT! I am losing too much weight am exhausted all the time (not > >>> > > gettiing enough help from husband) and am going back to work in > > a > >>> > > week. 5th grade teacher. The space where my wisdom teeth were > > realy > >>> > > is only wide enough for thin liquids. Shakes have been > > difficult (it > >>> > > gets stuck and just flows out my mouth! Need help! > >>> > > sj > >>> > > > >>> > > > >>> > > > >>> > > > >>> > > > >>> > > > >>> > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 6, 2005 Report Share Posted March 6, 2005 Dear Tova, I can laugh about that minnie skirt comment. I imagine the instant I can eat soft foods I'm going to gain it all back and more. I feel like such a fool!! I have been counting down the days literally when I can eat when in truth just because I get unwired doesn't mean I'm off liquids!!!!!!! I feel like I've been shafted. Why didn't my dr give me more info? Why didn't I ask? Next appt in 2 weeks I'm going to really ask about my " plan " . I never figured any dr would let anyone go more than a month without solid foods. How long does a broken jaw take to completely heal anyway?? Jane > > >> > > > >>> > > > > >>> > > I am 1.5 week post surgery from upper lower jaw. I am > just > > > wondering > > >>> > > about those of you that are or were wired shut completely > as I > > > am. > > >>> > > Did you have to eat with a syringe the whole time?? Is > Boost the > > > only > > >>> > > decent meal replacement?? WERE YOU EVER ABLE TO TALK > WHILE WIRED > > >>> > > SHUT! I am losing too much weight am exhausted all the > time (not > > >>> > > gettiing enough help from husband) and am going back to > work in > > > a > > >>> > > week. 5th grade teacher. The space where my wisdom > teeth were > > > realy > > >>> > > is only wide enough for thin liquids. Shakes have been > > > difficult (it > > >>> > > gets stuck and just flows out my mouth! Need help! > > >>> > > sj > > >>> > > > > >>> > > > > >>> > > > > >>> > > > > >>> > > > > >>> > > > > >>> > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 6, 2005 Report Share Posted March 6, 2005 Also, I lost a lot of weight the first week... Water weight and all that. Then it sorta stabalized. It still was dropping but a lot slower. T. > > Well I certainly do not diet. I weighed 121 at surgery and now am > 109. I am dizzy, tired, and need something more than boost. I tried > to blend regular soups etc. but it didn't work. I'm sure I'll try > again soon. > > Jane > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> I am 1.5 week post surgery from upper lower jaw. I am >>>> > >> just >>>>>> > >>>> wondering >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> about those of you that are or were wired shut >>> > > completely >>>> > >> as I >>>>>> > >>>> am. >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> Did you have to eat with a syringe the whole time?? Is >>>> > >> Boost the >>>>>> > >>>> only >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> decent meal replacement?? WERE YOU EVER ABLE TO TALK >>>> > >> WHILE WIRED >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> SHUT! I am losing too much weight am exhausted all the >>>> > >> time (not >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> gettiing enough help from husband) and am going back to >>>> > >> work in >>>>>> > >>>> a >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> week. 5th grade teacher. The space where my wisdom >>>> > >> teeth were >>>>>> > >>>> realy >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> is only wide enough for thin liquids. Shakes have been >>>>>> > >>>> difficult (it >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> gets stuck and just flows out my mouth! Need help! >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> sj >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 6, 2005 Report Share Posted March 6, 2005 Oh, Jane.... How do you feel about blended, or minced cheeseburgers and/or french fries? (Freedom fries? Have we given up that foolishness, I hope? -- sorry, small political statement there.) Since you're wired now, probably a cheeseburger is a bit distant in your future; French fries maybe less so. (People really have blended Big Macs and Pizzas, though, and eaten them through wired mouths, so nothing is impossible!) But it's likely that you'll have some time of adjustment to be able to do an opening to accommodate your heart's desire. Suggestion: dress up some scrambled eggs, first. I wasn't wired, nor banded, but my first solid meal, after a month or more, was a scrambled egg. It's still the taste memory that I love the best. Better than any steak I've ever eaten (and I've eaten some swell ones) and better than the finest mousse around. Sorry if this is bad news, but keep your eyes on the prize, as they say. C. > > > > > > > > I am 1.5 week post surgery from upper lower jaw. I am just > wondering > > > about those of you that are or were wired shut completely as I > am. > > > Did you have to eat with a syringe the whole time?? Is Boost the > only > > > decent meal replacement?? WERE YOU EVER ABLE TO TALK WHILE WIRED > > > SHUT! I am losing too much weight am exhausted all the time (not > > > gettiing enough help from husband) and am going back to work in > a > > > week. 5th grade teacher. The space where my wisdom teeth were > realy > > > is only wide enough for thin liquids. Shakes have been > difficult (it > > > gets stuck and just flows out my mouth! Need help! > > > sj > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 6, 2005 Report Share Posted March 6, 2005 Thank Goodness maybe I'm on the up and up! Jane > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> I am 1.5 week post surgery from upper lower jaw. I am > >>>> > >> just > >>>>>> > >>>> wondering > >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> about those of you that are or were wired shut > >>> > > completely > >>>> > >> as I > >>>>>> > >>>> am. > >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> Did you have to eat with a syringe the whole time?? Is > >>>> > >> Boost the > >>>>>> > >>>> only > >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> decent meal replacement?? WERE YOU EVER ABLE TO TALK > >>>> > >> WHILE WIRED > >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> SHUT! I am losing too much weight am exhausted all the > >>>> > >> time (not > >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> gettiing enough help from husband) and am going back to > >>>> > >> work in > >>>>>> > >>>> a > >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> week. 5th grade teacher. The space where my wisdom > >>>> > >> teeth were > >>>>>> > >>>> realy > >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> is only wide enough for thin liquids. Shakes have been > >>>>>> > >>>> difficult (it > >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> gets stuck and just flows out my mouth! Need help! > >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> sj > >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 6, 2005 Report Share Posted March 6, 2005 Grits and eggs sound amazing right now...blended burgers from a syringe...blah! I guess I'm learning a lesson in patience and the real meaning of lent! Thanks for the encouragement! Jane > > > > > > > > > > > I am 1.5 week post surgery from upper lower jaw. I am just > > wondering > > > > about those of you that are or were wired shut completely as > I > > am. > > > > Did you have to eat with a syringe the whole time?? Is Boost > the > > only > > > > decent meal replacement?? WERE YOU EVER ABLE TO TALK WHILE > WIRED > > > > SHUT! I am losing too much weight am exhausted all the time > (not > > > > gettiing enough help from husband) and am going back to work > in > > a > > > > week. 5th grade teacher. The space where my wisdom teeth > were > > realy > > > > is only wide enough for thin liquids. Shakes have been > > difficult (it > > > > gets stuck and just flows out my mouth! Need help! > > > > sj > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 6, 2005 Report Share Posted March 6, 2005 Hey Guys... Sorry to be a downer... The only way I would be able to get anything of the ³egg² variety past by banding is to drink it raw. Seriously. It will depend on how well your teeth match up what kind of spacing you have for liquids to pass through, but every time I tried to be optimistic and blend anything, I just got depressed and frustrated... Plus I freaked out when the air spaces I did have got clogged... I felt like I would suffocate. Even a single serving of instant mashed potatoes requires about a third of a quart of milk to make it thin enough to eat. Don¹t get depressed if you really can¹t do too much with blended foods. I couldn¹t and the sooner I accepted it, the sooner I bought the large box of farina and mashed potatoes. :-) Chin up! Tova > > Grits and eggs sound amazing right now...blended burgers from a > syringe...blah! I guess I'm learning a lesson in patience and the > real meaning of lent! Thanks for the encouragement! > Jane > > >>>> > > > >>>>> > > > > >>>>> > > > > I am 1.5 week post surgery from upper lower jaw. I am just >>> > > wondering >>>>> > > > > about those of you that are or were wired shut completely as >> > I >>> > > am. >>>>> > > > > Did you have to eat with a syringe the whole time?? Is Boost >> > the >>> > > only >>>>> > > > > decent meal replacement?? WERE YOU EVER ABLE TO TALK WHILE >> > WIRED >>>>> > > > > SHUT! I am losing too much weight am exhausted all the time >> > (not >>>>> > > > > gettiing enough help from husband) and am going back to > work >> > in >>> > > a >>>>> > > > > week. 5th grade teacher. The space where my wisdom teeth >> > were >>> > > realy >>>>> > > > > is only wide enough for thin liquids. Shakes have been >>> > > difficult (it >>>>> > > > > gets stuck and just flows out my mouth! Need help! >>>>> > > > > sj >>>>> > > > > >>>>> > > > > >>>>> > > > > >>>>> > > > > >>>>> > > > > >>>>> > > > > >>>>> > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 6, 2005 Report Share Posted March 6, 2005 One thing I did that helped is to add cold water to my yogurt so it was thinner and liquid. It tasted like a thin smoothy. Also I've added milk to some of the soups and pressed the liquify button on my blender! I can't get anything through those back spaces unless its thin liquid. My spaces get clogged and things under my splint. It aggrivated me so bad the first time I cried! Now I stick to liquids. Jane > >>>> > > > > >>>>> > > > > > >>>>> > > > > I am 1.5 week post surgery from upper lower jaw. I am just > >>> > > wondering > >>>>> > > > > about those of you that are or were wired shut completely as > >> > I > >>> > > am. > >>>>> > > > > Did you have to eat with a syringe the whole time?? Is Boost > >> > the > >>> > > only > >>>>> > > > > decent meal replacement?? WERE YOU EVER ABLE TO TALK WHILE > >> > WIRED > >>>>> > > > > SHUT! I am losing too much weight am exhausted all the time > >> > (not > >>>>> > > > > gettiing enough help from husband) and am going back to > > work > >> > in > >>> > > a > >>>>> > > > > week. 5th grade teacher. The space where my wisdom teeth > >> > were > >>> > > realy > >>>>> > > > > is only wide enough for thin liquids. Shakes have been > >>> > > difficult (it > >>>>> > > > > gets stuck and just flows out my mouth! Need help! > >>>>> > > > > sj > >>>>> > > > > > >>>>> > > > > > >>>>> > > > > > >>>>> > > > > > >>>>> > > > > > >>>>> > > > > > >>>>> > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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