new, surgery April 6

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,

I want to introduce myself and let all of you know how glad I am

that this group exists. I am having lower advancement on April

6th. I have a few questions for the group, but first a bit about

me, forgive the lengthy post:

I am 40 and have had braces on for 2 years. I'm having a hard time

getting psychologically prepared for a surgery I never intended to

have. My whole life I knew I had a slight overbite, apparently it

doesn't show much in my profile, no one can tell. I was always told

that I wasn't bad enough to need braces as a kid. A few years ago

my dentist said I should have had braces, as my back teeth show

signs of wear. I decided to get braces and was given 3 options:

1.surgery would fix me 100% 2. braces without surgery would make me

80% better off, mostly cosmetic or 3. do nothing Well, I started

out feeling 100% great, so chose option 2. 80% better has got to be

fantastic. 1 year later, all my teeth went off-line as they

straightened. Now,I have only one tooth that touches in the back.

The ortho said I was one of those picky people, and that some people

in life can live with a rock in their shoe and not be bothered. (I

switched orthos, to make a long story short, after all who on earth

would pay $3500 for a rock in their shoe) I know now that I should

have only opted for braces/surgery-I was under diagnosed. If I

could go back in time and do nothing, I would. So after 2nd

opinions and carefully selecting an ortho and surgeon, they all

agree that the only way out of this mess is surgery. I've learned

by this that if you feel your dr isn't listening or paying attention

along the way, listen to your gut, get the heck out of there and

find someone you feel good about.

My questions for you:

I work at home, writing craft books, are most of you back at work

after 2 weeks?

My sister is coming out to help me, when do you need the most help

after sugery? My husband and kids can help, but they are busy with

work and school.

Last of all, did any of you have anxiety about whether the surgery

really would put your teeth back in line? I do not have much faith

in getting my bite back, I'm scared. Are most of you able to feel

an improvement after surgery. I read about Dan, I'm curious to ask

Dan if you read this, aside from assemetry, how is your bite now? I

started out caring about pretty teeth, now I just want to chew gum

or bite a sandwich.

Thanks for listening, I look forward to your friendship as surgery

approaches. Sherri

www.sherrihaab.com