Re: Shirley OS Update

[Guest guest]

Hi Shirley,

I'm glad to hear your surgeon is pleased with your progress. That is

good news. I know from my previous experience that the numbness, as

annoying as it is, can take a long time to go away. I'm still

getting some sensation back in my lower lip almost three years after

my lower jaw advancement. The numbness in my upper lips went away a

lot faster after my lefort.

As for closing your lips, that will get better, too. You probably

still have some swelling that is preventing you from closing your

lips comfortably. I'm still straining to close my mouth 2 1/2 weeks

post-op. Partly it's the braces, too.

Good luck at the orthodontist tomorrow. I haven't been yet and was

told by my surgeon he wanted me to wait another month or two.

(bilat total joint replacement 6/29)

> Hi (Caboose) & all, I saw the OS and he reassured me all is

> going well. 3 ½ weeks post op. Only two more weeks and I can

> chew, yeah!! Oh, we'll see how that goes! I see him again on

> August 3. Chew day!! I'll be one day short of 6 weeks post op.

>

> I found out they moved the upper jaw forward 5mm, and lower jaw

> forward 13mm. And they had to bring the midline back to the left

> 5mm on lower jaw (started out 2mm off, but by surgery 5mm off).

He

> did tell me to keep rinsing with the salt water and peridex as it

> takes a quite while for all the stitches to come out. I was

worried

> about some white spots on back gums and he said not too worry, one

> was a stitch.

>

> He also said I could go back to my OD, so I have appointment to

see

> him tomorrow (another 120 mile round trip). I guess he'll decide

> if the rubber bands need any changes. I thought I wouldn't see

> the OD until 6-7 weeks post op.

>

> He did tell me to exercise my lips – get this! Try to pucker up

> like a kiss and then move my lips to as full a smile as I can.

> I'll do anything if it'll speed up getting rid of the

> numbness!

>

> The numbness is getting better day by day, but of course not as

fast

> as I'd like. I'm still pretty numb below eyes to upper lip.

> Lower lip has feeling on left side and of course I keep biting

it.

> He says my mouth is still adjusting to having teeth there. I just

> start to fall asleep (if on back and wake up when I bite my lip).

> Guess I'll put a ton of wax on tonight!! Right side of lip is

> getting less numb as is right side of chin. Part of my palate has

> feeling and the other side is getting there. Still pretty numb

from

> just to the left and right of nose up to under the eyes and left

> nostril it still numb. Though yesterday I had shooting pains up

> side of nose nearer to bridge – good sign I guess. I keep

> lightly massaging the numb area and making sure when I take my

> shower I let the hot water hit that area. He said that stimulates

> the blood vessels and the regeneration.

>

> I'm like a lot of others, as I notice the lips don't close

> naturally, which I thought they would after the surgery. But

since

> the OD still has work to do and I'm still numb, so I hope that

> changes.

>

> I've had a lot problems with sleep (have for a number of years),

> and after surgery was waking up drenched (not hot flashes & of

> course the humidity is high here). He said the sympathetic

nervous

> system is still trying to read adjust it's self to realize it can

> get enough oxygen at night (after years of waking up because I

> wasn't getting enough oxygen). He told me to give myself 3 mos

> and then I will need another complete check up. I might not need

as

> much of some my meds or adjustments on them. One of his

> patient's who is a dentist was on anti-hypertensive drugs & went

> from three to a low dose of one. (I currently only take one).

>

> I have a trip planned for the end of August, so plan on going on

> it. Just hope the ears aren't a problem flying.

>

> Guess I just have to hang in and realize it takes a while to get

> back to normal. I will let you all know how it goes with the OD

> tomorrow. All you post opers, hang in there!

>

> Shirley

> (LeFort 1, BSSO, genio and turbinectomies for sleep apnea on

6/23/05)