update at 7 weeks/kind of long

[Guest guest]

I haven't posted since I was 2 weeks and miserable. However, I have

read all the posts. Thought that I would share my experience up until

this day. I had upper/lower/splint. I was wired shut for three weeks.

Around week 2 it began to work on my mind. Just knowing that I

couldn't open my mouth played on me emotionally. Mind you I was in no

pain, did not take pain meds. once I got home.(stayed in the hospital

2 days) Walked around outside at day 4.

I cried everyday from day 12 until day 21. not all day crying, just

here and there when I felt sorry for myself and wondering why

recovery was taking so long. I just wanted it to be over and thought

that it would be over in 2 weeks because that's what everyone told me.

Day 21 comes and the wires come off.(no pain whipee)splint is still

in and was told that it would be in for 6 weeks. Somehow when I was

banded I was in so much pain that my OS said it was the weight of the

splint. Splint was then removed at day 23.(another whipee)

Still got a lot of swelling, mainly cheek area. When I go out people

ask me did I have my wisdom teeth pulled. So it is very noticeable. I

still can't speak clearly. You can probably understand about 85-90%

of what I'm saying.

There is more swelling on my right side.(I think because I sleep on

my right side) I was able to sleep like normal at 5 weeks meaning

without all the pillows propping me up. Congestion problems stopped

at day 5.

Had my first appt. with ortho since surgery and everything went fine

got the surgical wires removed (did not feel it)and banded on left

and right side in the shape of a box to close all the space left from

surgery. (After surgery my teeth did not meet with the exception of

the very back molars and the four front teeth.)

My chin and left side of my lower lip are still numb. The drooling

has finally stopped. I still need a mirror to eat.(on soft foods no

chewing yet)

At this point I still haven't seen the real me but each day I'm get

closer, so far I like what I see. I am glad that I had the surgery

but had you asked me any day between day 12 and day 21 I would have

said NO.

I wish someone would have told me that it is a long process and not a

quick fix the way I was lead to believe. I know that everyone has a

different healing process and a different story to tell so please

take this with a grain of salt. I am 39 so I'm sure that played a part

with my recovery process.

I hope this information helps some. Remember things get a little

better each day. It's hard to believe but it does.

OH, I forgot I did not have any bruising and I lost 17 pounds. I am

beginning to gain some of the weight back.( I don't need to but I

love to eat!!!!)

Good luck to all who are recovering or thinking about this surgery!!

jen.