Update from Seattle: Pre-op appt. today

[Guest guest]

Hi guys,

My flight yesterday was fine and uneventful, and I've been having fun

with my cousin. She just left for Olympia so I have some alone time

before my friend gets here tomorrow afternoon. Thank goodness. I am

easily overwhelmed and need quiet time to recharge.

My pre-op appointment with Dr. West ran from about 9 a.m. to noon

today. They had me watch a short video, took pictures, X-rays, and

impressions, had me sign various consent forms and gave me post-op

instructions. My cousin and I sat and chatted with Dr. West for about

10 minutes, and it was nice to get some time with him for questions.

Everyone in his office was very nice.

I was given elastics and shown how to put them on and take them off.

I guess some people have trouble with them, but I thought it was

pretty easy. I will be able to remove them for cleaning and eating

soft foods, and Dr. West said I will most likely get the bands and

splint removed at my 3-week appointment with my orthodontist. He also

gave me prescriptions for painkillers and mouthwash and we filled

them at the hospital pharmacy on the way out.

So I check in at his office at 7:30 a.m. Friday morning and then I

think we go down to the outpatient surgical facility. He said the

surgery will take about 1 1/2 hours (I'm having lower advancement).

It was a lot of information but I had heard a lot of it already

through my research and participating in this board, so I really

wasn't overwhelmed.

My biggest fear these past few days is catching a cold and having to

reschedule. But I feel pretty confident now that by this time two

days from now, I will be done with surgery.

My cousin and I went to Trader Joe's and I stocked up on soy protein

powder, juices, soups and various soft foods. I bought a handheld

blender at Costco just before I came out for about $25.

In general, I feel very well-prepared and not too nervous. I had

horrible butterflies (somewhat nauseous) yesterday as I was getting

ready to leave my house, but a valium and a couple ativan took care

of that!

As for fun stuff, my cousin and I just spent about two hours in this

amazing antique store down by the Market, and I bought a gorgeous

1950s vintage Peruvian silver necklace. It's sort of a choker/collar

style, which is my signature jewelry piece when I don't have a

mouthful of metal. So this will be my surgery souvenir. Besides the

great smile, of course. ;-)

I'm on the computer in the hotel lobby and the sign says to limit use

to 10 minutes, and I've been on longer, so I'll sign off for now. I

might check in tomorrow, otherwise it'll probably be Saturday when

I'm up and about again.

I'm so grateful for the support and information I've found on here!

Luna