Decisions Decisions -To Jane

[Guest guest]

Jane,

Now that my OT appt is over and I won't be going back for another

month plus, I wish I had asked him to explain to me what was left to

be done, how he planned to do it, and to get a time frame. When I was

there though, it seemed so grim because he said nothing... I am

taking his silence to mean that things didn't look very good.

Otherwise, wouldn't he have said that everything looks good???!!!

I completely feel your dilemma too.... at what point do you accept

things and put them to rest, or do you keep going and pushing for

closer to perfect. I think you should pursue yours to as perfect as

you can reasonably manage, inspite of the move- I know! What a giant

hassle! But, you have been through way too much- including too much

pain, time, and expense. You don't later want to regret having your

braces taken off prematurely. Something that bothers you now may

continue to bother you later down the line and nag at you.... get

your money's worth! Anyway, if you can't decide... try to think about

it that way... what decision holds the greatest possibility for

regret later down the line. Sometimes that is the best way for me to

make decisions when I don't know what to do... I try to imagine and

anticipate possible outcomes from the different available choices and

actually proceed based on which outcomes I can or cannot live

with.... Give it a try. Keep me posted how it all goes.... I'm glad

your bite is fine, but I know exactly how you feel about nitpicking

about the straight teeth... mine aren't exactly " perfectly " straight

yet, nor is my bite correct! At least I know I'm not alone... for

some reason, I had it in my head that people get out of surgery and

their bites are just perfect and fabulous. I am feeling so anxious

and impatient for my teeth to line up and fall right into place.

Otherwise... well the surgery would have been for nothing. Once my

teeth are right, then I can feel 100% happy about the surgery out

come... I guess that is what I am waiting for....

I can imagine how you feel about your husband's graduation pictures

with the braces... If you end up having them on still, I don't think

you should feel horribly about it! Your Wedding pictures, I would

imagine, are of you before surgery, right?? And all your pictures

document the stages in your life.... Braces on your teeth right now

is your reality ....they are part of your life right now and won't

take away from the pictures... you look so great after the surgery,

no one would notice them anyway! And I am sure you will have many

milestones to document later when they will be off. Of course, I

fully acknowledge that I say all this while still bemoaning that I am

travelling overseas this summer with braces on MY teeth and will feel

ULTRA conspicuous with them on and all MY travel photos will be of me

with the braces... but there will be more later down the line for me

too, right?!?! So I guess I'll have to resign myself.... at least

they are post-surgery! The way I see it, any picture now with braces

is better than the pics before surgery with or without braces, but

that is just me. Right now I'm just hoping I'll be able to eat more

normally by the time I depart!

Make that appointment with your OT to discuss where you stand with

your treatment right now on a realistic basis.... why wait and wonder

for 3 more weeks unnecessarily? Let me know when it is!

Katja

> > > > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Hi Jane, , and everyone!

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > I was trying to post earlier but Yahoo

was

> > being

> > > > slow

> > > > > > and

> > > > > > > > > > > > lumbering

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > so I gave up.... Anyway! My splint was

> > removed

> > > > today

> > > > > > and

> > > > > > > > I

> > > > > > > > > > have

> > > > > > > > > > > > > been

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > so pleased and thrilled ever since...

> > Firstly,

> > > > it

> > > > > > was

> > > > > > > > > > totally

> > > > > > > > > > > > > gross!

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > I asked my OS if I could see it and he

fished

> > it

> > > > back

> > > > > > out

> > > > > > > > of

> > > > > > > > > > > the

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > trash with pliers for my viewing. After a

> > quick

> > > > > > glance of

> > > > > > > > > > > horror,

> > > > > > > > > > > > I

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > had enough and they were promptly

returned to

> > the

> > > > > > garbage!

> > > > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > My surgeon gave me the clearance to eat

> > whatever

> > > > I

> > > > > > > > wanted. I

> > > > > > > > > > > > think

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > he knows it's a matter of my trying what

I

> > can

> > > > manage

> > > > > > and

> > > > > > > > > > > > gradually

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > easing back into this strange new

business of

> > > > eating

> > > > > > > > again. I

> > > > > > > > > > > had

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > meatballs and rice tonight. I am eating a

> > > > somewhat

> > > > > > > > gingerly

> > > > > > > > > > > right

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > now, but my biggest obstacle seems to be

how

> > wide

> > > > I

> > > > > > can

> > > > > > > > open

> > > > > > > > > > my

> > > > > > > > > > > > > mouth

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > to get food in and to chew it. I was

> > reassured

> > > > that

> > > > > > my

> > > > > > > > > > opening

> > > > > > > > > > > > > would

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > increase the more I ate and stretched my

> > mouth

> > > > open.

> > > > > > So

> > > > > > > > far

> > > > > > > > > > > that

> > > > > > > > > > > > > has

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > seemed true.... I haven't measured my

exact

> > > > opening

> > > > > > size

> > > > > > > > > > > though,

> > > > > > > > > > > > so

> > > > > > > > > > > > > I

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > can't report that... probably around an

inch.

> > My

> > > > > > surgeon

> > > > > > > > > > didn't

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > comment on my opening one way or the

other,

> > so I

> > > > > > guess it

> > > > > > > > is

> > > > > > > > > > > > > normal.

> > > > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Anyway, I brushed and brushed when I got

home

> > > > which

> > > > > > was

> > > > > > > > > > really

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > nice... I definitely relished being able

to

> > brush

> > > > the

> > > > > > > > backs

> > > > > > > > > > of

> > > > > > > > > > > my

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > teeth finally after 6 weeks! Lindsey, I'm

> > sorry

> > > > about

> > > > > > > > your

> > > > > > > > > > > > concern

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > about the cavity... that would make me

feel

> > > > terrible.

> > > > > > I,

> > > > > > > > > > > myself,

> > > > > > > > > > > > > have

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > felt like my teeth have been rotting away

in

> > my

> > > > > > splint

> > > > > > > > all

> > > > > > > > > > this

> > > > > > > > > > > > > time.

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > I hope I don't have any cavities too, but

> > it's

> > > > > > definitely

> > > > > > > > > > > > possible.

> > > > > > > > > > > > > I

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > wish your surgeon had been more

reassuring to

> > you

> > > > > > about

> > > > > > > > your

> > > > > > > > > > > jaw

> > > > > > > > > > > > > not

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > feeling quite right. I hope your Ortho

does a

> > > > better

> > > > > > job

> > > > > > > > of

> > > > > > > > > > > > easing

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > your concern. Let us know how that goes!

> > > > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Well, it seems that the horrible pain I

was

> > > > having

> > > > > > from

> > > > > > > > > > > clenching

> > > > > > > > > > > > > and

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > grinding my teeth at night since about

week 2

> > or

> > > > 3

> > > > > > post-

> > > > > > > > sx

> > > > > > > > > > has

> > > > > > > > > > > > paid

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > off because my " muscles of mastication "

> > aren't

> > > > > > totally

> > > > > > > > shot

> > > > > > > > > > and

> > > > > > > > > > > > my

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > jaw seems pretty good with the eating

I've

> > done

> > > > so

> > > > > > > > far.They

> > > > > > > > > > > seem

> > > > > > > > > > > > to

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > be about to withstand and exert some

force on

> > > > each

> > > > > > other.

> > > > > > > > > > Cross

> > > > > > > > > > > > my

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > fingers and yours, but no soreness YET at

> > least!

> > > > Let

> > > > > > me

> > > > > > > > tell

> > > > > > > > > > ya

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > though... I paid for it already with

plenty

> > of

> > > > pain-

> > > > > > it

> > > > > > > > would

> > > > > > > > > > > > wake

> > > > > > > > > > > > > up

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > all night long in horrible pain from the

> > > > clenching.

> > > > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Anyway, I've had a great day... I think

today

> > I

> > > > have

> > > > > > felt

> > > > > > > > the

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > prettiest I have ever felt in my whole

life.

> > That

> > > > is

> > > > > > not

> > > > > > > > to

> > > > > > > > > > > imply

> > > > > > > > > > > > I

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > am gorgeous or anything, but, so far I am

> > really

> > > > > > pleased

> > > > > > > > with

> > > > > > > > > > > the

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > changes and my results. Well, the day

wasn't

> > > > totally

> > > > > > > > great- I

> > > > > > > > > > > was

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > late to work because of the appointment,

but

> > my

> > > > boss

> > > > > > was

> > > > > > > > > > > annoyed

> > > > > > > > > > > > > with

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > me because I was SO late coming in to

work

> > > > according

> > > > > > to

> > > > > > > > her

> > > > > > > > > > > (only

> > > > > > > > > > > > a

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > couple hours and I never promised her an

> > exact

> > > > time

> > > > > > which

> > > > > > > > she

> > > > > > > > > > > > knew

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > and was fine with!) BUT I HAD to go home

and

> > > > brush my

> > > > > > > > teeth

> > > > > > > > > > AND

> > > > > > > > > > > > > then

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > eat and CHEW SOMETHING!!! I know you all

> > > > understand

> > > > > > > > here...

> > > > > > > > > > if

> > > > > > > > > > > > you

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > haven't masticated anything for 6 weeks

or

> > more,

> > > > that

> > > > > > > > takes

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > precedence somehow in some twisted way

over

> > > > work!!!

> > > > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Jane, I know you said your bite feels

all

> > over

> > > > the

> > > > > > > > place...

> > > > > > > > > > I

> > > > > > > > > > > > know

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > exactly how that felt. Since our recovery

was

> > a

> > > > bit

> > > > > > > > different

> > > > > > > > > > > we

> > > > > > > > > > > > > have

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > had interesting overlaps and gone through

the

> > > > phases

> > > > > > > > > > > > differently...

> > > > > > > > > > > > > I

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > was only splinted when first out of

> > surgery...

> > > > then I

> > > > > > got

> > > > > > > > > > bands

> > > > > > > > > > > > > after

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > one week. At my three week check up, my

> > surgeon

> > > > said

> > > > > > I

> > > > > > > > could

> > > > > > > > > > go

> > > > > > > > > > > > > with

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > out the bands during the day... at that

point-

> > OH

> > > > > > BOY! my

> > > > > > > > jaw

> > > > > > > > > > > > felt

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > all over the place! I think the muscles

are

> > > > finally

> > > > > > > > getting

> > > > > > > > > > > > trained

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > and accustomed to their job. It takes a

bit

> > of

> > > > time,

> > > > > > but

> > > > > > > > they

> > > > > > > > > > > > learn

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > pretty fast, surprisingly enough!! Give

it a

> > few

> > > > > > days!

> > > > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > So, at this point my teeth also don't all

> > touch

> > > > and

> > > > > > meet

> > > > > > > > and

> > > > > > > > > > > fit

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > together perfectly yet. I am anxious to

meet

> > with

> > > > my

> > > > > > > > ortho

> > > > > > > > > > next

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > monday to get an idea of what he needs to

do

> > and

> > > > what

> > > > > > I

> > > > > > > > have

> > > > > > > > > > > > ahead

> > > > > > > > > > > > > of

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > me. My midlines don't match up at this

point

> > > > > > either...

> > > > > > > > but

> > > > > > > > > > they

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > totally didn't before surgery either. I

think

> > > > > > ultimately

> > > > > > > > they

> > > > > > > > > > > > will

> > > > > > > > > > > > > be

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > ok, but ortho has a bit of work ahead of

him.

> > It

> > > > does

> > > > > > > > make

> > > > > > > > > > > eating

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > again a bit awkward though because the

teeth

> > > > aren't

> > > > > > all

> > > > > > > > > > hitting

> > > > > > > > > > > > > each

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > other. BUT, that is how my teeth were

before

> > all

> > > > of

> > > > > > > > this...

> > > > > > > > > > so

> > > > > > > > > > > > I'm

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > used to it AND I know it is only

temporary

> > now!!

> > > > My

> > > > > > OS

> > > > > > > > wasn't

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > concerned. He said everything, with a bit

of

> > > > ortho,

> > > > > > would

> > > > > > > > > > lock

> > > > > > > > > > > > > right

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > in just where it needs to be. He said he

was

> > very

> > > > > > pleased

> > > > > > > > > > with

> > > > > > > > > > > > the

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > results. So far, so am I. I just can't

wait

> > to

> > > > get

> > > > > > the

> > > > > > > > bite

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > perfected. Then I will be perfectly

happy!

> > > > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Jane, the weight issue is crazy, isn't

it!?!?

> > I

> > > > am at

> > > > > > 100

> > > > > > > > > > > pounds.

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Right after surgery, I went down to 95. I

> > thought

> > > > I

> > > > > > was

> > > > > > > > back

> > > > > > > > > > up

> > > > > > > > > > > > to

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > 105, but it seems to be fluxuating a bit.

> > This is

> > > > > > WITH my

> > > > > > > > > > > eating

> > > > > > > > > > > > > tons

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > of really fattening food!! But, my change

in

> > > > weight

> > > > > > > > hasn't

> > > > > > > > > > been

> > > > > > > > > > > > as

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > dramatic as yours. Like you though, some

of

> > my

> > > > > > clothes

> > > > > > > > just

> > > > > > > > > > > hang

> > > > > > > > > > > > > and

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > look terrible! Add to the cost of this

> > surgery,

> > > > the

> > > > > > > > expense

> > > > > > > > > > of

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > needing a new wardrobe as well!

> > > > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Ok, this is my longwinded, boring blather

> > about

> > > > my

> > > > > > splint

> > > > > > > > > > > > removal!

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > It's late and I need to go to bed!! Thank

you

> > for

> > > > > > > > > > asking!!!

> > > > > > > > > > > I

> > > > > > > > > > > > > will

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > keep you updated and I hope you will keep

me

> > > > updated

> > > > > > > > too....

> > > > > > > > > > I

> > > > > > > > > > > > > think

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > I will fall asleep tonight imagining what

I

> > will

> > > > eat

> > > > > > > > > > tomorrow.

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Someone mentioned french fries here the

other

> > > > day...

> > > > > > that

> > > > > > > > > > > sounds

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > really good! And chewy moist brownies....

> > Mmmm

> > > > Mmmmm

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Cheers! Katja

> > > > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > PS, I will post pictures as soon as I can

> > find

> > > > > > > > > > > > > some " representative "

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Before pictures AND as soon as my

boyfriend

> > takes

> > > > my

> > > > > > most

> > > > > > > > > > > updated

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > post surgery photos.

[Guest guest]

Katja,

You are so right about getting things as perfect as possible. My fear

is if I get them off too early then they will be more likely to move

back! So... I will trust that whatever the ortho says is the right

choice, although I am secretly hoing he will say ok they are as good

as they are going to get. Sigh...I am just ready for an end or a

beginning. I am going to call tomorrow to ask about the remainder of

my treatment and what it entails with or without getting braces off.

I'll let you know what they say!!

Jane

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Hi Jane, , and everyone!

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I was trying to post earlier but Yahoo

> was

> > > being

> > > > > slow

> > > > > > > and

> > > > > > > > > > > > > lumbering

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > so I gave up.... Anyway! My splint was

> > > removed

> > > > > today

> > > > > > > and

> > > > > > > > > I

> > > > > > > > > > > have

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > been

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > so pleased and thrilled ever since...

> > > Firstly,

> > > > > it

> > > > > > > was

> > > > > > > > > > > totally

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > gross!

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I asked my OS if I could see it and he

> fished

> > > it

> > > > > back

> > > > > > > out

> > > > > > > > > of

> > > > > > > > > > > > the

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > trash with pliers for my viewing. After a

> > > quick

> > > > > > > glance of

> > > > > > > > > > > > horror,

> > > > > > > > > > > > > I

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > had enough and they were promptly

> returned to

> > > the

> > > > > > > garbage!

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > My surgeon gave me the clearance to eat

> > > whatever

> > > > > I

> > > > > > > > > wanted. I

> > > > > > > > > > > > > think

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > he knows it's a matter of my trying what

> I

> > > can

> > > > > manage

> > > > > > > and

> > > > > > > > > > > > > gradually

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > easing back into this strange new

> business of

> > > > > eating

> > > > > > > > > again. I

> > > > > > > > > > > > had

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > meatballs and rice tonight. I am eating a

> > > > > somewhat

> > > > > > > > > gingerly

> > > > > > > > > > > > right

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > now, but my biggest obstacle seems to be

> how

> > > wide

> > > > > I

> > > > > > > can

> > > > > > > > > open

> > > > > > > > > > > my

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > mouth

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to get food in and to chew it. I was

> > > reassured

> > > > > that

> > > > > > > my

> > > > > > > > > > > opening

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > would

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > increase the more I ate and stretched my

> > > mouth

> > > > > open.

> > > > > > > So

> > > > > > > > > far

> > > > > > > > > > > > that

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > has

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > seemed true.... I haven't measured my

> exact

> > > > > opening

> > > > > > > size

> > > > > > > > > > > > though,

> > > > > > > > > > > > > so

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > I

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > can't report that... probably around an

> inch.

> > > My

> > > > > > > surgeon

> > > > > > > > > > > didn't

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > comment on my opening one way or the

> other,

> > > so I

> > > > > > > guess it

> > > > > > > > > is

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > normal.

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Anyway, I brushed and brushed when I got

> home

> > > > > which

> > > > > > > was

> > > > > > > > > > > really

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > nice... I definitely relished being able

> to

> > > brush

> > > > > the

> > > > > > > > > backs

> > > > > > > > > > > of

> > > > > > > > > > > > my

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > teeth finally after 6 weeks! Lindsey, I'm

> > > sorry

> > > > > about

> > > > > > > > > your

> > > > > > > > > > > > > concern

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > about the cavity... that would make me

> feel

> > > > > terrible.

> > > > > > > I,

> > > > > > > > > > > > myself,

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > have

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > felt like my teeth have been rotting away

> in

> > > my

> > > > > > > splint

> > > > > > > > > all

> > > > > > > > > > > this

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > time.

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I hope I don't have any cavities too, but

> > > it's

> > > > > > > definitely

> > > > > > > > > > > > > possible.

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > I

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > wish your surgeon had been more

> reassuring to

> > > you

> > > > > > > about

> > > > > > > > > your

> > > > > > > > > > > > jaw

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > not

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > feeling quite right. I hope your Ortho

> does a

> > > > > better

> > > > > > > job

> > > > > > > > > of

> > > > > > > > > > > > > easing

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > your concern. Let us know how that goes!

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Well, it seems that the horrible pain I

> was

> > > > > having

> > > > > > > from

> > > > > > > > > > > > clenching

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > and

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > grinding my teeth at night since about

> week 2

> > > or

> > > > > 3

> > > > > > > post-

> > > > > > > > > sx

> > > > > > > > > > > has

> > > > > > > > > > > > > paid

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > off because my " muscles of mastication "

> > > aren't

> > > > > > > totally

> > > > > > > > > shot

> > > > > > > > > > > and

> > > > > > > > > > > > > my

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > jaw seems pretty good with the eating

> I've

> > > done

> > > > > so

> > > > > > > > > far.They

> > > > > > > > > > > > seem

> > > > > > > > > > > > > to

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > be about to withstand and exert some

> force on

> > > > > each

> > > > > > > other.

> > > > > > > > > > > Cross

> > > > > > > > > > > > > my

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > fingers and yours, but no soreness YET at

> > > least!

> > > > > Let

> > > > > > > me

> > > > > > > > > tell

> > > > > > > > > > > ya

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > though... I paid for it already with

> plenty

> > > of

> > > > > pain-

> > > > > > > it

> > > > > > > > > would

> > > > > > > > > > > > > wake

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > up

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > all night long in horrible pain from the

> > > > > clenching.

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Anyway, I've had a great day... I think

> today

> > > I

> > > > > have

> > > > > > > felt

> > > > > > > > > the

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > prettiest I have ever felt in my whole

> life.

> > > That

> > > > > is

> > > > > > > not

> > > > > > > > > to

> > > > > > > > > > > > imply

> > > > > > > > > > > > > I

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > am gorgeous or anything, but, so far I am

> > > really

> > > > > > > pleased

> > > > > > > > > with

> > > > > > > > > > > > the

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > changes and my results. Well, the day

> wasn't

> > > > > totally

> > > > > > > > > great- I

> > > > > > > > > > > > was

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > late to work because of the appointment,

> but

> > > my

> > > > > boss

> > > > > > > was

> > > > > > > > > > > > annoyed

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > with

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > me because I was SO late coming in to

> work

> > > > > according

> > > > > > > to

> > > > > > > > > her

> > > > > > > > > > > > (only

> > > > > > > > > > > > > a

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > couple hours and I never promised her an

> > > exact

> > > > > time

> > > > > > > which

> > > > > > > > > she

> > > > > > > > > > > > > knew

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > and was fine with!) BUT I HAD to go home

> and

> > > > > brush my

> > > > > > > > > teeth

> > > > > > > > > > > AND

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > then

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > eat and CHEW SOMETHING!!! I know you all

> > > > > understand

> > > > > > > > > here...

> > > > > > > > > > > if

> > > > > > > > > > > > > you

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > haven't masticated anything for 6 weeks

> or

> > > more,

> > > > > that

> > > > > > > > > takes

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > precedence somehow in some twisted way

> over

> > > > > work!!!

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Jane, I know you said your bite feels

> all

> > > over

> > > > > the

> > > > > > > > > place...

> > > > > > > > > > > I

> > > > > > > > > > > > > know

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > exactly how that felt. Since our recovery

> was

> > > a

> > > > > bit

> > > > > > > > > different

> > > > > > > > > > > > we

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > have

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > had interesting overlaps and gone through

> the

> > > > > phases

> > > > > > > > > > > > > differently...

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > I

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > was only splinted when first out of

> > > surgery...

> > > > > then I

> > > > > > > got

> > > > > > > > > > > bands

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > after

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > one week. At my three week check up, my

> > > surgeon

> > > > > said

> > > > > > > I

> > > > > > > > > could

> > > > > > > > > > > go

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > with

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > out the bands during the day... at that

> point-

> > > OH

> > > > > > > BOY! my

> > > > > > > > > jaw

> > > > > > > > > > > > > felt

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > all over the place! I think the muscles

> are

> > > > > finally

> > > > > > > > > getting

> > > > > > > > > > > > > trained

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > and accustomed to their job. It takes a

> bit

> > > of

> > > > > time,

> > > > > > > but

> > > > > > > > > they

> > > > > > > > > > > > > learn

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > pretty fast, surprisingly enough!! Give

> it a

> > > few

> > > > > > > days!

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > So, at this point my teeth also don't all

> > > touch

> > > > > and

> > > > > > > meet

> > > > > > > > > and

> > > > > > > > > > > > fit

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > together perfectly yet. I am anxious to

> meet

> > > with

> > > > > my

> > > > > > > > > ortho

> > > > > > > > > > > next

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > monday to get an idea of what he needs to

> do

> > > and

> > > > > what

> > > > > > > I

> > > > > > > > > have

> > > > > > > > > > > > > ahead

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > of

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > me. My midlines don't match up at this

> point

> > > > > > > either...

> > > > > > > > > but

> > > > > > > > > > > they

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > totally didn't before surgery either. I

> think

> > > > > > > ultimately

> > > > > > > > > they

> > > > > > > > > > > > > will

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > be

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ok, but ortho has a bit of work ahead of

> him.

> > > It

> > > > > does

> > > > > > > > > make

> > > > > > > > > > > > eating

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > again a bit awkward though because the

> teeth

> > > > > aren't

> > > > > > > all

> > > > > > > > > > > hitting

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > each

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > other. BUT, that is how my teeth were

> before

> > > all

> > > > > of

> > > > > > > > > this...

> > > > > > > > > > > so

> > > > > > > > > > > > > I'm

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > used to it AND I know it is only

> temporary

> > > now!!

> > > > > My

> > > > > > > OS

> > > > > > > > > wasn't

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > concerned. He said everything, with a bit

> of

> > > > > ortho,

> > > > > > > would

> > > > > > > > > > > lock

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > right

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > in just where it needs to be. He said he

> was

> > > very

> > > > > > > pleased

> > > > > > > > > > > with

> > > > > > > > > > > > > the

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > results. So far, so am I. I just can't

> wait

> > > to

> > > > > get

> > > > > > > the

> > > > > > > > > bite

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > perfected. Then I will be perfectly

> happy!

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Jane, the weight issue is crazy, isn't

> it!?!?

> > > I

> > > > > am at

> > > > > > > 100

> > > > > > > > > > > > pounds.

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Right after surgery, I went down to 95. I

> > > thought

> > > > > I

> > > > > > > was

> > > > > > > > > back

> > > > > > > > > > > up

> > > > > > > > > > > > > to

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 105, but it seems to be fluxuating a bit.

> > > This is

> > > > > > > WITH my

> > > > > > > > > > > > eating

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > tons

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > of really fattening food!! But, my change

> in

> > > > > weight

> > > > > > > > > hasn't

> > > > > > > > > > > been

> > > > > > > > > > > > > as

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > dramatic as yours. Like you though, some

> of

> > > my

> > > > > > > clothes

> > > > > > > > > just

> > > > > > > > > > > > hang

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > and

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > look terrible! Add to the cost of this

> > > surgery,

> > > > > the

> > > > > > > > > expense

> > > > > > > > > > > of

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > needing a new wardrobe as well!

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Ok, this is my longwinded, boring blather

> > > about

> > > > > my

> > > > > > > splint

> > > > > > > > > > > > > removal!

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > It's late and I need to go to bed!! Thank

> you

> > > for

> > > > > > > > > > > asking!!!

> > > > > > > > > > > > I

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > will

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > keep you updated and I hope you will keep

> me

> > > > > updated

> > > > > > > > > too....

> > > > > > > > > > > I

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > think

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I will fall asleep tonight imagining what

> I

> > > will

> > > > > eat

> > > > > > > > > > > tomorrow.

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Someone mentioned french fries here the

> other

> > > > > day...

> > > > > > > that

> > > > > > > > > > > > sounds

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > really good! And chewy moist brownies....

> > > Mmmm

> > > > > Mmmmm

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Cheers! Katja

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > PS, I will post pictures as soon as I can

> > > find

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > some " representative "

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Before pictures AND as soon as my

> boyfriend

> > > takes

> > > > > my

> > > > > > > most

> > > > > > > > > > > > updated

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > post surgery photos.