Re: Carol on the emotional side of surgery

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the info on Tran-Star Carol, very much appreciated.

You sound like you're doing a lot better today and that makes me

really happy. I was worried about you:-( and I know what hitting that

brick wall is like, put bluntly, it sucks. I'm totally preparing

myself for being very emotional post-op. Lol, I was emotional the day

they put the braces back on, the day I decided to do the

surgery....this whole process is pretty emotional. Who knew teeth and

jaws could be such a fuss huh?

You mentioned that you were black and blue. I recommend using arnica

cream to help the bruising heal. I've used it loads of times on bad

bruises. It's made from arnica montana which is basically a mountain

flower (i think) and applied topically can stimulate tissue

regeneration and decrease bruising and swelling. you can find the

cream in most duane reades i think. there are also arnica pills but i

don't recommend taking those until you OK it with a homeopathic

center or your doctor. Dr. Sachs actually Oked me to take the pills

pre and post-op to help reduce bruising and swelling. He said that

apparently a lot of plastic surgeons now prescribe it to their

patients before surgery. any way, just a thought, for if ur bruised

really badly.

Try to stay positive and remember, go easy on yourself:-)

And I'm counting the days too only for me it's a pre-op countdown,

just 24 more days to go. I bet there's a lot of day counting going on

on this site!

Sara

> > > > > Hey All

> > > > >

> > > > > As promised to all my June surgery buddies and any one else

> > that

> > > is

> > > > > interested, here's a recap of my doctor visit today. It

> lasted

> > > all

> > > > in

> > > > > all only 1 hour. First I was seen by one doctor who almost

> > > scared

> > > > the

> > > > > living daylights out of me by suggesting that my surgery

> might

> > > have

> > > > > to be delayed a bit more. NO WAY! Basically he asked me

when

> > the

> > > > last

> > > > > time I had seen me ortho had been to which I told him about

> 10

> > > days

> > > > > ago to get some wire wrapped in front of my 2 front teeth

> > > because i

> > > > > felt one was moving too forward. And he said to me, " oh, if

> ur

> > > > teeth

> > > > > are still moving then we're going to have to hold off on

> > > surgery. "

> > > > I

> > > > > wish you could have seen me because I looked at him with

this

> > > look

> > > > > that basically said, " mister, i'm booked for june 6th and

> > unless

> > > > i'm

> > > > > seriously sick your are doing surgery june 6th. " Any way,

the

> > > whole

> > > > > confusion came out of the fact that this doctor was not one

> of

> > > > those

> > > > > following my case so I guess he got a little carried away

> > > because

> > > > > shortly after my doctor came in and told me that June 6th

it

> > > was.

> > > > As

> > > > > a side note, I love my doctor! He's a real sweetie which

> really

> > > > > helps.

> > > > >

> > > > > Anyway, back to the work-up details. First they made me

bite

> > > into a

> > > > > piece of wax that was U-shaped. I'm pretty sure we'll all

> done

> > > this

> > > > > already at the orthos. They made me do it twice while

sitting

> > > and

> > > > > then once while standing. I guess the way your bite is

> sitting

> > > and

> > > > > standing tends to differ. Then using one of the molds of my

> > bite

> > > > they

> > > > > slipped it back into my mouth and attached me to this

> metallic

> > > > device

> > > > > that has 2 pieces that go into each of ur ears and one that

> > > touches

> > > > > the bridge of your nose. I don't know how to explain it

> really.

> > > I'd

> > > > > already seen this once at my orthos when he prepared my

> models

> > > to

> > > > see

> > > > > what he thought should be done during my surgery. It's not

> > > painful

> > > > at

> > > > > all, you just look a bit like an alien for a couple of

> minutes.

> > > I

> > > > > think the point of this device was to measure the length of

> my

> > > face

> > > > > and where my jaw should meet. They also measured the

distance

> > > from

> > > > > the base of my nose to my lips - this part of me is

> apparently

> > > very

> > > > > long as a result probably of my open bite. Next came a

whole

> > > bunch

> > > > of

> > > > > x-rays. Nothing special, the usual run. And last but not

> least

> > > came

> > > > > the whole mouth and jaw molds. I had to do four in total,

two

> > > for

> > > > top

> > > > > and two for bottom. And that was it really.

> > > > >

> > > > > I also got to sit down with my surgeon and we discussed the

> > > surgery

> > > > a

> > > > > bit. Unfortunately he thinks that I might have to do lower

> jaw

> > > > > surgery as well - previously it was thought I could just do

> > > upper

> > > > but

> > > > > he's concerned that my lower jaw won't swing exactly into

the

> > > right

> > > > > place and will need to be moved forward. I was bummed about

> > this

> > > > > because I know that it makes recovery a little longer but

> what

> > > can

> > > > I

> > > > > do. There are people on this board who have had so much

worse

> > so

> > > > I'll

> > > > > stop complaining. He also confirmed that I will definitely

> need

> > > a

> > > > > genioplasty and that I will be banded and plated. SO that's

> > > that.

> > > > >

> > > > > The one thing that really bummed me out was when I asked

him

> if

> > > it

> > > > > would be ok for me to fly home to Milan after 3 and half

> weeks

> > > of

> > > > > surgery. He said no way. I have to wait at least 4 weeks

and

> I

> > > can

> > > > > only stay away for 2 weeks. So there goes my summer plans I

> > > guess,

> > > > > not that I had any major ones but i rather fancied the idea

> of

> > > > > recovering out in the Tuscan countryside - my boyfriend

lives

> > > > there.

> > > > > I also asked him about the possibility that I may be moving

> > back

> > > to

> > > > > London or Milan in September for work and whether that

would

> be

> > > a

> > > > > problem. Well girls and boys, it looks like I will be

staying

> > > put

> > > > in

> > > > > NYC until at least Xmas. He wasn't comfortable with me

> leaving

> > > so

> > > > > soon. I know it's for the best but it broke my heart when I

> > told

> > > my

> > > > > boyfriend that we would be apart for even longer now (it's

> > > already

> > > > > been 2 years). But as my mother says, one's health is the

> most

> > > > > important thing and without good health u can't do much.

> > > > >

> > > > > Right, this has turned out into a novel. Sorry about that!

SO

> > > many

> > > > > ideas racing through my head.

> > > > >

> > > > > Sara

> > > > >

> > > > > ---------------------------------

> > > > >

[Guest guest]

Yes, Sara, there's ALOT of countdowns here in this group! I haven't

started to countdown too much yet, except it's 6 days til my Ortho

Consult appointment and less than 20 hours til I get my stitches

removed from my extraction site. Oh, well, a girl's gotta start small

and build up to the really BIG stuff, like what all of you are going

thru. I do know that when I reach my 50th birthday, I will no longer

have my underbite; That's exciting!! / Diane (the Idahoan)

> > > > > > Hey All

> > > > > >

> > > > > > As promised to all my June surgery buddies and any one

else

> > > that

> > > > is

> > > > > > interested, here's a recap of my doctor visit today. It

> > lasted

> > > > all

> > > > > in

> > > > > > all only 1 hour. First I was seen by one doctor who

almost

> > > > scared

> > > > > the

> > > > > > living daylights out of me by suggesting that my surgery

> > might

> > > > have

> > > > > > to be delayed a bit more. NO WAY! Basically he asked me

> when

> > > the

> > > > > last

> > > > > > time I had seen me ortho had been to which I told him

about

> > 10

> > > > days

> > > > > > ago to get some wire wrapped in front of my 2 front teeth

> > > > because i

> > > > > > felt one was moving too forward. And he said to me, " oh,

if

> > ur

> > > > > teeth

> > > > > > are still moving then we're going to have to hold off on

> > > > surgery. "

> > > > > I

> > > > > > wish you could have seen me because I looked at him with

> this

> > > > look

> > > > > > that basically said, " mister, i'm booked for june 6th and

> > > unless

> > > > > i'm

> > > > > > seriously sick your are doing surgery june 6th. " Any way,

> the

> > > > whole

> > > > > > confusion came out of the fact that this doctor was not

one

> > of

> > > > > those

> > > > > > following my case so I guess he got a little carried away

> > > > because

> > > > > > shortly after my doctor came in and told me that June 6th

> it

> > > > was.

> > > > > As

> > > > > > a side note, I love my doctor! He's a real sweetie which

> > really

> > > > > > helps.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Anyway, back to the work-up details. First they made me

> bite

> > > > into a

> > > > > > piece of wax that was U-shaped. I'm pretty sure we'll all

> > done

> > > > this

> > > > > > already at the orthos. They made me do it twice while

> sitting

> > > > and

> > > > > > then once while standing. I guess the way your bite is

> > sitting

> > > > and

> > > > > > standing tends to differ. Then using one of the molds of

my

> > > bite

> > > > > they

> > > > > > slipped it back into my mouth and attached me to this

> > metallic

> > > > > device

> > > > > > that has 2 pieces that go into each of ur ears and one

that

> > > > touches

> > > > > > the bridge of your nose. I don't know how to explain it

> > really.

> > > > I'd

> > > > > > already seen this once at my orthos when he prepared my

> > models

> > > > to

> > > > > see

> > > > > > what he thought should be done during my surgery. It's

not

> > > > painful

> > > > > at

> > > > > > all, you just look a bit like an alien for a couple of

> > minutes.

> > > > I

> > > > > > think the point of this device was to measure the length

of

> > my

> > > > face

> > > > > > and where my jaw should meet. They also measured the

> distance

> > > > from

> > > > > > the base of my nose to my lips - this part of me is

> > apparently

> > > > very

> > > > > > long as a result probably of my open bite. Next came a

> whole

> > > > bunch

> > > > > of

> > > > > > x-rays. Nothing special, the usual run. And last but not

> > least

> > > > came

> > > > > > the whole mouth and jaw molds. I had to do four in total,

> two

> > > > for

> > > > > top

> > > > > > and two for bottom. And that was it really.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > I also got to sit down with my surgeon and we discussed

the

> > > > surgery

> > > > > a

> > > > > > bit. Unfortunately he thinks that I might have to do

lower

> > jaw

> > > > > > surgery as well - previously it was thought I could just

do

> > > > upper

> > > > > but

> > > > > > he's concerned that my lower jaw won't swing exactly into

> the

> > > > right

> > > > > > place and will need to be moved forward. I was bummed

about

> > > this

> > > > > > because I know that it makes recovery a little longer but

> > what

> > > > can

> > > > > I

> > > > > > do. There are people on this board who have had so much

> worse

> > > so

> > > > > I'll

> > > > > > stop complaining. He also confirmed that I will

definitely

> > need

> > > > a

> > > > > > genioplasty and that I will be banded and plated. SO

that's

> > > > that.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > The one thing that really bummed me out was when I asked

> him

> > if

> > > > it

> > > > > > would be ok for me to fly home to Milan after 3 and half

> > weeks

> > > > of

> > > > > > surgery. He said no way. I have to wait at least 4 weeks

> and

> > I

> > > > can

> > > > > > only stay away for 2 weeks. So there goes my summer plans

I

> > > > guess,

> > > > > > not that I had any major ones but i rather fancied the

idea

> > of

> > > > > > recovering out in the Tuscan countryside - my boyfriend

> lives

> > > > > there.

> > > > > > I also asked him about the possibility that I may be

moving

> > > back

> > > > to

> > > > > > London or Milan in September for work and whether that

> would

> > be

> > > > a

> > > > > > problem. Well girls and boys, it looks like I will be

> staying

> > > > put

> > > > > in

> > > > > > NYC until at least Xmas. He wasn't comfortable with me

> > leaving

> > > > so

> > > > > > soon. I know it's for the best but it broke my heart when

I

> > > told

> > > > my

> > > > > > boyfriend that we would be apart for even longer now

(it's

> > > > already

> > > > > > been 2 years). But as my mother says, one's health is the

> > most

> > > > > > important thing and without good health u can't do much.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Right, this has turned out into a novel. Sorry about

that!

> SO

> > > > many

> > > > > > ideas racing through my head.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Sara

> > > > > >

> > > > > > ---------------------------------

> > > > > >

[Guest guest]

Sara,

I am doing better ... thanks for noticing and for caring!

If I could give any advice regarding the emotional part it would be

simply to be aware that there will be mood swings, unexpected ones

and that they are a normal part of the process and that the bad ones

will end and the good ones will come back and last longer each time.

I'm so greatful to be able to absorb the advice of the veterans here

and then to give out some of my own as I learn more and more!

I'm actually only black and blue in one spot - under my chin on the

right side. And actually, I noticed tonight, that it's almost gone!

I have two " punctures " under my chin that I wasn't aware would be

there and the black and blue is near one of them. Someone suggested

that it was due to piece of equiptment that held my lower jaw in

place at one point during the surgery. My Surgeon never mentioned it

and I forgot to ask when I saw him last. Any ideas?

I've heard several folks mention the Arnica cream. If it works on

swelling too - then count me in! I'm venturing out tomorrow so I'll

see about picking some up, thanks!

Taking it easy ...

Carol

> > > > > > Hey All

> > > > > >

> > > > > > As promised to all my June surgery buddies and any one

else

> > > that

> > > > is

> > > > > > interested, here's a recap of my doctor visit today. It

> > lasted

> > > > all

> > > > > in

> > > > > > all only 1 hour. First I was seen by one doctor who

almost

> > > > scared

> > > > > the

> > > > > > living daylights out of me by suggesting that my surgery

> > might

> > > > have

> > > > > > to be delayed a bit more. NO WAY! Basically he asked me

> when

> > > the

> > > > > last

> > > > > > time I had seen me ortho had been to which I told him

about

> > 10

> > > > days

> > > > > > ago to get some wire wrapped in front of my 2 front teeth

> > > > because i

> > > > > > felt one was moving too forward. And he said to me, " oh,

if

> > ur

> > > > > teeth

> > > > > > are still moving then we're going to have to hold off on

> > > > surgery. "

> > > > > I

> > > > > > wish you could have seen me because I looked at him with

> this

> > > > look

> > > > > > that basically said, " mister, i'm booked for june 6th and

> > > unless

> > > > > i'm

> > > > > > seriously sick your are doing surgery june 6th. " Any way,

> the

> > > > whole

> > > > > > confusion came out of the fact that this doctor was not

one

> > of

> > > > > those

> > > > > > following my case so I guess he got a little carried away

> > > > because

> > > > > > shortly after my doctor came in and told me that June 6th

> it

> > > > was.

> > > > > As

> > > > > > a side note, I love my doctor! He's a real sweetie which

> > really

> > > > > > helps.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Anyway, back to the work-up details. First they made me

> bite

> > > > into a

> > > > > > piece of wax that was U-shaped. I'm pretty sure we'll all

> > done

> > > > this

> > > > > > already at the orthos. They made me do it twice while

> sitting

> > > > and

> > > > > > then once while standing. I guess the way your bite is

> > sitting

> > > > and

> > > > > > standing tends to differ. Then using one of the molds of

my

> > > bite

> > > > > they

> > > > > > slipped it back into my mouth and attached me to this

> > metallic

> > > > > device

> > > > > > that has 2 pieces that go into each of ur ears and one

that

> > > > touches

> > > > > > the bridge of your nose. I don't know how to explain it

> > really.

> > > > I'd

> > > > > > already seen this once at my orthos when he prepared my

> > models

> > > > to

> > > > > see

> > > > > > what he thought should be done during my surgery. It's

not

> > > > painful

> > > > > at

> > > > > > all, you just look a bit like an alien for a couple of

> > minutes.

> > > > I

> > > > > > think the point of this device was to measure the length

of

> > my

> > > > face

> > > > > > and where my jaw should meet. They also measured the

> distance

> > > > from

> > > > > > the base of my nose to my lips - this part of me is

> > apparently

> > > > very

> > > > > > long as a result probably of my open bite. Next came a

> whole

> > > > bunch

> > > > > of

> > > > > > x-rays. Nothing special, the usual run. And last but not

> > least

> > > > came

> > > > > > the whole mouth and jaw molds. I had to do four in total,

> two

> > > > for

> > > > > top

> > > > > > and two for bottom. And that was it really.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > I also got to sit down with my surgeon and we discussed

the

> > > > surgery

> > > > > a

> > > > > > bit. Unfortunately he thinks that I might have to do

lower

> > jaw

> > > > > > surgery as well - previously it was thought I could just

do

> > > > upper

> > > > > but

> > > > > > he's concerned that my lower jaw won't swing exactly into

> the

> > > > right

> > > > > > place and will need to be moved forward. I was bummed

about

> > > this

> > > > > > because I know that it makes recovery a little longer but

> > what

> > > > can

> > > > > I

> > > > > > do. There are people on this board who have had so much

> worse

> > > so

> > > > > I'll

> > > > > > stop complaining. He also confirmed that I will

definitely

> > need

> > > > a

> > > > > > genioplasty and that I will be banded and plated. SO

that's

> > > > that.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > The one thing that really bummed me out was when I asked

> him

> > if

> > > > it

> > > > > > would be ok for me to fly home to Milan after 3 and half

> > weeks

> > > > of

> > > > > > surgery. He said no way. I have to wait at least 4 weeks

> and

> > I

> > > > can

> > > > > > only stay away for 2 weeks. So there goes my summer plans

I

> > > > guess,

> > > > > > not that I had any major ones but i rather fancied the

idea

> > of

> > > > > > recovering out in the Tuscan countryside - my boyfriend

> lives

> > > > > there.

> > > > > > I also asked him about the possibility that I may be

moving

> > > back

> > > > to

> > > > > > London or Milan in September for work and whether that

> would

> > be

> > > > a

> > > > > > problem. Well girls and boys, it looks like I will be

> staying

> > > > put

> > > > > in

> > > > > > NYC until at least Xmas. He wasn't comfortable with me

> > leaving

> > > > so

> > > > > > soon. I know it's for the best but it broke my heart when

I

> > > told

> > > > my

> > > > > > boyfriend that we would be apart for even longer now

(it's

> > > > already

> > > > > > been 2 years). But as my mother says, one's health is the

> > most

> > > > > > important thing and without good health u can't do much.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Right, this has turned out into a novel. Sorry about

that!

> SO

> > > > many

> > > > > > ideas racing through my head.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Sara

> > > > > >

> > > > > > ---------------------------------

> > > > > >

[Guest guest]

Diane,

Every step is exciting! I really believe that the journey is just as

important as the destination.

Excited for you,

Carol

> > > > Wow, Amy you're eating pasta already?! That's great! And,

yes,

> I

> > > like

> > > > to think we picked the best practice in NY:-) I certainly

like

> > the

> > > > name of where it's located. Lake Success - how can it not

sound

> > > > promising. By the way, Carol or Amy, do you know of a car

> service

> > > > that picks up in the Lake Success area? I will need one to

> drive

> > me

> > > > back to Manhattan once I get out of the hospital as my mother

> and

> > > > boyfriend do not have a car here in the US and I really don't

> > feel

> > > > like braving the train right after surgery. 25 more days to

go!

> > But

> > > > hey, whose counting?

> > > > Sara

[Guest guest]

I believe the 2 side incisions are made to allow the OS to screw in

the lower jaw screws (perpendicular to the jaw). But I can't remember

if I heard it here or from my OS.

> ...

> I have two " punctures " under my chin that I wasn't aware would be

> there and the black and blue is near one of them. Someone suggested

> that it was due to piece of equiptment that held my lower jaw in

> place at one point during the surgery. My Surgeon never mentioned

it

> and I forgot to ask when I saw him last. Any ideas?

[Guest guest]

As I understand it, I don't have any screws in my lower jaw.

The " punctures " really aren't incisions - just indents. It looks like

something was kind of clamped onto my lower jaw and then removed.

Thanks for your input. I'm definetely going to ask my Surgeon at my

next appointment on the 16th. I'll be sure and let the group know.

I appreciate your time!

Carol

> > ...

> > I have two " punctures " under my chin that I wasn't aware would be

> > there and the black and blue is near one of them. Someone

suggested

> > that it was due to piece of equiptment that held my lower jaw in

> > place at one point during the surgery. My Surgeon never mentioned

> it

> > and I forgot to ask when I saw him last. Any ideas?

[Guest guest]

The countdown doesn't stop once you have your surgery. Now, post op,

I am counting down to the day I will be unwired. Then I will count

down until the day I will be unbanded. Then I will countdown until

the day I get my braces off. Then maybe I can stop counting. What a

relief that will be! )

> > > > > > > Hey All

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > As promised to all my June surgery buddies and any one

> else

> > > > that

> > > > > is

> > > > > > > interested, here's a recap of my doctor visit today.

It

> > > lasted

> > > > > all

> > > > > > in

> > > > > > > all only 1 hour. First I was seen by one doctor who

> almost

> > > > > scared

> > > > > > the

> > > > > > > living daylights out of me by suggesting that my

surgery

> > > might

> > > > > have

> > > > > > > to be delayed a bit more. NO WAY! Basically he asked

me

> > when

> > > > the

> > > > > > last

> > > > > > > time I had seen me ortho had been to which I told him

> about

> > > 10

> > > > > days

> > > > > > > ago to get some wire wrapped in front of my 2 front

teeth

> > > > > because i

> > > > > > > felt one was moving too forward. And he said to

me, " oh,

> if

> > > ur

> > > > > > teeth

> > > > > > > are still moving then we're going to have to hold off

on

> > > > > surgery. "

> > > > > > I

> > > > > > > wish you could have seen me because I looked at him

with

> > this

> > > > > look

> > > > > > > that basically said, " mister, i'm booked for june 6th

and

> > > > unless

> > > > > > i'm

> > > > > > > seriously sick your are doing surgery june 6th. " Any

way,

> > the

> > > > > whole

> > > > > > > confusion came out of the fact that this doctor was

not

> one

> > > of

> > > > > > those

> > > > > > > following my case so I guess he got a little carried

away

> > > > > because

> > > > > > > shortly after my doctor came in and told me that June

6th

> > it

> > > > > was.

> > > > > > As

> > > > > > > a side note, I love my doctor! He's a real sweetie

which

> > > really

> > > > > > > helps.

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > Anyway, back to the work-up details. First they made

me

> > bite

> > > > > into a

> > > > > > > piece of wax that was U-shaped. I'm pretty sure we'll

all

> > > done

> > > > > this

> > > > > > > already at the orthos. They made me do it twice while

> > sitting

> > > > > and

> > > > > > > then once while standing. I guess the way your bite is

> > > sitting

> > > > > and

> > > > > > > standing tends to differ. Then using one of the molds

of

> my

> > > > bite

> > > > > > they

> > > > > > > slipped it back into my mouth and attached me to this

> > > metallic

> > > > > > device

> > > > > > > that has 2 pieces that go into each of ur ears and one

> that

> > > > > touches

> > > > > > > the bridge of your nose. I don't know how to explain

it

> > > really.

> > > > > I'd

> > > > > > > already seen this once at my orthos when he prepared

my

> > > models

> > > > > to

> > > > > > see

> > > > > > > what he thought should be done during my surgery. It's

> not

> > > > > painful

> > > > > > at

> > > > > > > all, you just look a bit like an alien for a couple of

> > > minutes.

> > > > > I

> > > > > > > think the point of this device was to measure the

length

> of

> > > my

> > > > > face

> > > > > > > and where my jaw should meet. They also measured the

> > distance

> > > > > from

> > > > > > > the base of my nose to my lips - this part of me is

> > > apparently

> > > > > very

> > > > > > > long as a result probably of my open bite. Next came a

> > whole

> > > > > bunch

> > > > > > of

> > > > > > > x-rays. Nothing special, the usual run. And last but

not

> > > least

> > > > > came

> > > > > > > the whole mouth and jaw molds. I had to do four in

total,

> > two

> > > > > for

> > > > > > top

> > > > > > > and two for bottom. And that was it really.

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > I also got to sit down with my surgeon and we

discussed

> the

> > > > > surgery

> > > > > > a

> > > > > > > bit. Unfortunately he thinks that I might have to do

> lower

> > > jaw

> > > > > > > surgery as well - previously it was thought I could

just

> do

> > > > > upper

> > > > > > but

> > > > > > > he's concerned that my lower jaw won't swing exactly

into

> > the

> > > > > right

> > > > > > > place and will need to be moved forward. I was bummed

> about

> > > > this

> > > > > > > because I know that it makes recovery a little longer

but

> > > what

> > > > > can

> > > > > > I

> > > > > > > do. There are people on this board who have had so

much

> > worse

> > > > so

> > > > > > I'll

> > > > > > > stop complaining. He also confirmed that I will

> definitely

> > > need

> > > > > a

> > > > > > > genioplasty and that I will be banded and plated. SO

> that's

> > > > > that.

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > The one thing that really bummed me out was when I

asked

> > him

> > > if

> > > > > it

> > > > > > > would be ok for me to fly home to Milan after 3 and

half

> > > weeks

> > > > > of

> > > > > > > surgery. He said no way. I have to wait at least 4

weeks

> > and

> > > I

> > > > > can

> > > > > > > only stay away for 2 weeks. So there goes my summer

plans

> I

> > > > > guess,

> > > > > > > not that I had any major ones but i rather fancied the

> idea

> > > of

> > > > > > > recovering out in the Tuscan countryside - my

boyfriend

> > lives

> > > > > > there.

> > > > > > > I also asked him about the possibility that I may be

> moving

> > > > back

> > > > > to

> > > > > > > London or Milan in September for work and whether that

> > would

> > > be

> > > > > a

> > > > > > > problem. Well girls and boys, it looks like I will be

> > staying

> > > > > put

> > > > > > in

> > > > > > > NYC until at least Xmas. He wasn't comfortable with me

> > > leaving

> > > > > so

> > > > > > > soon. I know it's for the best but it broke my heart

when

> I

> > > > told

> > > > > my

> > > > > > > boyfriend that we would be apart for even longer now

> (it's

> > > > > already

> > > > > > > been 2 years). But as my mother says, one's health is

the

> > > most

> > > > > > > important thing and without good health u can't do

much.

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > Right, this has turned out into a novel. Sorry about

> that!

> > SO

> > > > > many

> > > > > > > ideas racing through my head.

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > Sara

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > ---------------------------------

> > > > > > >

[Guest guest]

I don't have any incisions on the outside of my face. Everything was

done through my gums inside.

> > ...

> > I have two " punctures " under my chin that I wasn't aware would be

> > there and the black and blue is near one of them. Someone

suggested

> > that it was due to piece of equiptment that held my lower jaw in

> > place at one point during the surgery. My Surgeon never mentioned

> it

> > and I forgot to ask when I saw him last. Any ideas?

[Guest guest]

Strange.. I had a little hole made on each side. He told me about

those way in advance and they sound very common. Perhaps it depends

on what's being done exactly. They had 1 stitch each which he

pulled out after a week.

Yann

> > > ...

> > > I have two " punctures " under my chin that I wasn't aware would

be

> > > there and the black and blue is near one of them. Someone

> suggested

> > > that it was due to piece of equiptment that held my lower jaw

in

> > > place at one point during the surgery. My Surgeon never

mentioned

> > it

> > > and I forgot to ask when I saw him last. Any ideas?

[Guest guest]

,

You are SO right!!! I swear I can hear The Count Von Count on Sesame

Street in my head ... 7 more weeks until your unwired AHAHAH! <giggle>

The counting keeps me going and I'm glad to know I'm not alone.

Carol

> > > > Sara,

> > > >

> > > > Yeah, Lake Success has a wonderful ring to it! They also

have

> an

> > > > office in West Islip - which is only 10 minutes from where I

> > live.

> > > > Long Island is not that long!

> > > >

> > > > I don't know what their range is, but my company uses Tran-

> Star

> > > (and

> > > > I've used them personally as well) to go from Long Island

into

> > > > Manhattan. (800) 894-STAR. I hope that helps! If not, my

> Uncle

> > > has

> > > > an office in Lake Success, about 5 minutes from our Surgeon's

> > > office -

> > > > so I can check with him and see if he knows of any car

> services

> > > that

> > > > cater specifically to the area.

> > > >

> > > > Checking off another day on the calendar,

> > > > Carol

[Guest guest]

,

Yeah, I haven't got any outside cuts either. I just have these sort

of indetations that I think are a result of some sort of mechanism

used during surgery to hold my lower jaw in place. I plan on asking

my Surgeon next time I see him.

Thanks,

Carol

> > > ...

> > > I have two " punctures " under my chin that I wasn't aware would

be

> > > there and the black and blue is near one of them. Someone

> suggested

> > > that it was due to piece of equiptment that held my lower jaw

in

> > > place at one point during the surgery. My Surgeon never

mentioned

> > it

> > > and I forgot to ask when I saw him last. Any ideas?

[Guest guest]

Hmmm ... yeah, I'm guessing each case - no matter how similar - still

differs from each other. I have no stitches on the outside. The

curiousity is getting to me. I'll find out for sure next Monday.

Thanks!

Carol

> > > > ...

> > > > I have two " punctures " under my chin that I wasn't aware

would

> be

> > > > there and the black and blue is near one of them. Someone

> > suggested

> > > > that it was due to piece of equiptment that held my lower jaw

> in

> > > > place at one point during the surgery. My Surgeon never

> mentioned

> > > it

> > > > and I forgot to ask when I saw him last. Any ideas?