Shirley

[Guest guest]

Hello, Shirley - I'm a newcomer to this group. I decided last week

to " start the ball rolling " and have the surgery. I'm 47 and I'll be

having a BSSO and possible LeFort I as soon as next year(provided

they can get me in braces by July for one year) for an underbite that

I've had for the last 37 years. I have a question for you: you say

you're having a BSSO and LeFort I - what do you have, bitewise, an

underbite or overbite or ----? I'm just curious. Thank you for

putting my fears to rest that I was possibly too old to go thru all

this! / Diane

> > Hi Steve,

> >

> > Good luck on your surgery. I'm another June surgery (June 17th)

> for

> > sleep apnea, too. Same surgery Lefort 1, BSSO, genio and some

> > partial

> > turbinectomy. I asked the OS how far they'd be moving lower jaw -

> he

> > said about 13 mm. The good news is I probably will not have a

> splint

> > in

> > after surgery and will just have bands.

> >

> > I'm probably one of the " older " persons, if not the oldest. 62

> next

> > week. I've been in braces for two years. I was suppose to have

> > surgery

> > in Dec, and again in April, but I've had problems with back/leg

> pain.

> >

> > Ended up with nerve block in Dec. After much phyiscal therapy,

> it's

> > rescheduled. (Getting old isn't for sissies!!) Third time has to

> > the " charm " . However, now I need a stress test to make sure

> the " old

> > ticker " can handle the long surgery.

> >

> > Hopefully traveling to 3 grandchildren's granduations in the next

4

> > weeks will not flare up the pain again and nothing else will stop

> the

> > surgery this time.

> >

> > Shirley

[Guest guest]

Hi Shirley,

I finally have someone whose surgery is closer to mine which is on

June 28th!! Sounds like you have been through quite a bit like I

have. My December surgery date was also cancelled and then my

surgery was supposed to be in March. I am like you in that I just

want it over with!

Congrats on your grandson's graduation!! I know you must be proud of

him. Sounds like you have a busy schedule before your surgery.

Maybe it's a good thing it's been postponed for a few days so you can

get a little rest before your surgery!

Anyway, keep us posted on how you are doing & I look forward to

talking to you in the days before and after our surgeries!

> Hi Diane, Sounds like your getting started on the road. Costs

sound

> about right to me. Of course costs vary in different locations.

My

> surgery has been moved to June 23 (from 17th) as the assistant

> surgeon has to go to his grandchild's graduation. (That's where

> we're at now - in Oregon for our grandson's graduation). From here

> we're heading to BC to visit my grandmother's brother (he's 95) &

> wife. Then home on the 9th. I'm just hoping I don't pick up some

> bug with all this traveling. I had to have new molds for surgery

> taken on Tuesday before we left Texas. My teeth have moved since

> the molds were taken in November for Dec (which was cancelled)

> surgery. The new models, etc are costing another $2000.

> Unfortunately my oral surgeon is not a participating provider in my

> BCBS insurance, so I have to pay a good share of the cost. At this

> point I just want to get it over with!!

>

> I know how that gagging goes when they take the molds. I had a

> really bad time when I had braces as a teenager. I have a super

gag

> reflex and thought it would be a problem this time, but luckily it

> wasn't too bad. Only problem they had was when they got a smaller

> metal tray and when they went to lift it out. The mold material

> stuck on my teeth not in the tray. So they had to suction and dig

> it out. They had to repeat the lower mold. If the nurse hadn't

> gave me a wet towel & a mirror to clean my face I probably would

> have walked out with white & pink gunk all over my face.

>

> My OS was telling me that I move my lower jaw forward to compensate

> as it's not in place where it should be on ceph on left side.

>

> Keep us informed on your progress and I'll do the same.

>

> Shirley

[Guest guest]

Shirley,

Yea, a surgery buddy!! Yes, it feels like I have been through quite

a bit, which I am sure all of us on this board probably feel the same

way. When I originally started in braces back in March of 2003 I was

told that I would be in braces for 18 mths and then would need SARPE

surgery to widen my upper arch. Then I was told about a year later

that I wouldn't need surgery and of course I was celebrating. The

day before my knee surgery last July, I was told by my OD that

surgery was back on and it was going to be a little more complex than

he originally planned for. So now as it stands, I am having a Lefort

1-3 piece procedure. I am just so ready to be on the road to

recovery because these past 5 years has been one thing after another

dental wise. 10 root canals, 3 apico's, and 1 extraction with a dry

socket, not to mention sinus surgery and knee surgery thrown in

there. Everyone at work laughs at me because I know all the numbers

of my teeth by heart. I learned that during the root canals..(haha)

My endodontist tells me that I should become a dentist because I know

so much about teeth. I tell him that I am ready to retire from the

dental world and move on...(haha) The funny part is my endodontist

and I have become really good friends. We e-mail each other at least

once a week.

I am sure sleep apnea has been very difficult for you. I bet you are

more than ready to end that! I know what you mean when you say your

bite is worse now than before. It surely is difficult eating because

nothing touches. It's a good thing you will not be getting your

hooks on until right before surgery. Mine have been on since mid

May. They were only bothersome for the first few days and now its

just plucking all the food out of them that is driving me crazy.

Last night I went to a cookout and wanted so bad to eat more food,

but gave up because food was just caked into the hooks...ARGHHH!! I

had my pre-op Physical and labwork completed a little over a week

ago. I have to go see the Cardiologist on Tuesday becasue I have a

slight heart murmur that my doc wants to check out before surgery.

Other than that I only have 1 more appt. remaining with both my OS

and OD and the pre-op screening at the hospital.

How long have you been having leg and back pain? My knee pain

started about 6 months before I had surgery. I think it was probably

the aerobics I was doing that started it all. I ended up having

Arthroscopic surgery and had the bone scraped. It surely was a

difficult recovery because I couldn't bend my knee at all after

surgery. I ended up with 3 months of Physical Therapy and now I am

at 100%. It feels good to be back at the gym working out again.

Age is just a number and as long as your are healthy now you will be

just fine. I am 39 and holding...(haha) Actually I will be the big

40 on August 5th.

Okay, I have said enough..(haha) This early morning coffee has given

me some energy.

Take Care,

> Hi ,

>

> > I finally have someone whose surgery is closer to mine which is

on

> > June 28th!! Sounds like you have been through quite a bit like I

> > have. My December surgery date was also cancelled and then my

> > surgery was supposed to be in March. I am like you in that I

just

> > want it over with!

>

> Yep, I'm a just 4 days earlier. Sounds like we both had two

> cancellations. I had to cancel my Dec date because of severe

> back/leg pain (had to have nerve block), rescheduled again and back

> flared up again. After about 4 mos. PT, I'm better. Just want to

> get it over with before some other body part gives me a

problem .

> At my age (62) the sooner is better. I have severe sleep apnea

(not

> overweight), which is worse since they pulled lower teeth and

pulled

> things back (done to give them more space to move the jaws). I'm

> having Lefort I, BSSO, geniotubercle advancement, and

> turbinectomies. Just hope I can breath afterwards with them

working

> on all of those parts. The lower jaw will be moved about 13 mm.

> This is to open airway. My bite now is so off now I can hardly

chew

> or bite good. What type of surgery are you having?

>

> Your right it's probably better they moved to 23rd as that will

give

> about two weeks to recuperate from this trip. At least they're not

> putting hooks in until the day before the surgery, same day as the

> history and physical.

>

> I've actually had my suitcase ready since November. I've tried to

> be as prepared as I can for the surgery. Hopefully I will

> recuperate as fast as I have from other surgeries - mastectomy and

> tram flap reconstruction. Though I'm older now, so hope it all

goes

> well.

>

> I'll keep everyone posted as things progress.

>

> Shirley

[Guest guest]

Shirley,

So this is also your second round in braces. I had braces also when

I was a teenager. When the braces come off this time I have to get 7

crowns on those root canal teeth of mine! So I still have a long way

to go, but I will feel so much better once this surgery is over

with.

My first surgeon that I went to ended up denying treating me for this

surgery because he stated with my dental history my case was to

complex for him to handle. He stated that a Lefort 3 piece was to

risky and felt that I have a higher risk for complications after the

surgery. The reason I picked this OS was because he accepted my

insurance. Anyway, I decided to go back to an OS that extracted my

tooth about 2 years ago. He doesn't accept BCBS, but I would rather

be with a OS who I feel confident with.

Wow, it sounds like you have also had your fair share of dental

problems. I know what it is like having pain in your mouth that

you have no idea where it is coming from. The only way for most of

my pain to go away was to have an apico after the root canals.

Hopefully my cardiologist will give me the green flag on Tuesday. I

have been working out at the gym religiously since my knee surgery

last summer. If I stop working out the knee will get stiff. It's

heck getting older...(haha)

It sounds like you have had a rough time with your back! Nerve

Block, OUCH!! I am feeling the pain just thinking about it. I had

to have a steroid shot to the knee once and said never again! That

was so so painful, and didn't even help with the pain.

I know you will have a great time in Canada! I went to Toronto,

Canada a few years back and just loved it! I couldn't believe how in

shape everyone was because they walk everywhere. It was also such a

clean city.

Let me know when you get back so we can chat some more!

Take Care,

> , As surgery buddies, we can comiserate together. I started

> in braces (2nd time-had them as teenager-the old kind with bands

all

> around every tooth-much better now) in April 2003. So we both

> started braces about the same time.

>

> I know how the dental work goes - I had pain on the upper right

> side. In California my dentist said it was a cracked tooth and

> crowned it. However over the next 7 years I had continual off and

> on again pain. Nobody seemed to know the cause. I was still

> working full time and it was wearing me down. The endodontist

> thought there was cavity in back molar, but no one could see it and

> it didn't show up on x-ray. Dentist thought it might be the tooth

> that was crowned in CA. Finally I just said remove the tooth with

> the crown, when that didn't solve it I had them pull the next one.

> A little drastic put I was tired of the chronic pain. Well, after

> we pulled the second tooth, they could finally see a cavity up

under

> the gums on the back molar. A little drastic, but we finally got

it

> solved!! Of course now after braces come off I'll need implants or

> a bridge!!

>

> > I tell him that I am ready to retire from the dental world and

> move on...(haha)

>

> I'd agree with you retirement is probably in order.

>

> > They were only bothersome for the first few days and now its

> > just plucking all the food out of them that is driving me crazy.

> > Last night I went to a cookout and wanted so bad to eat more

food,

> > but gave up because food was just caked into the

hooks...ARGHHH!!

>

> I had to chuckle as everytime I eat in bread, it's caked into my

> braces.

>

> > I have to go see the Cardiologist on Tuesday becasue I have a

> > slight heart murmur that my doc wants to check out before surgery.

>

> I had a thallium stress test to make sure the " old ticker " could

> handle the long surgery (at a minimum 5-6 hrs). Cardiologist gave

> me the ok. Cardiology nurse said your " out of shape " !! Hope all

> goes ok with your cardiology appointment.

>

> > How long have you been having leg and back pain?

>

> I've had off/on back pain for a number of years. Arthritis in

> spine. I'd continued my warm therapy PT program until last year.

I

> got too busy and stopped - mistake! Then in Nov I woke up one

> morning with excruciating pain in back. Scale 1-10, a 10. MRI, CT,

> bone scans, etc. weren't showing anything (I have an larger upper

> herniation, so thought I'd herniated a disk in lower back). Then

it

> progressed from back pain, to severe thigh pain. Scale 1-10, a

> 10+. Orthopedic surgeon says I believe you're in pain, but don't

> know where it's coming from as nerve isn't impinged on MRI.

Finally

> he asked if I was willing to have nerve block. I said " At this

> point I'm willing to anything " !! When they injected my L4 nerve

> root didn't feel anything, wheny they injected the L3 I literally

> almost jumped off the gurney! It like a bullet going from spine

> down groin to the knee. Some how the L3 nerve had gotten

inflamed.

> After finally getting my favorite PT (other one had me doing leg

> lifts which made it worse) and much trial & error we figured that

> where the muscles and tendons come together in groing and on

> iliotibial band were inflamed. Once he got that loosened up I got

> better. My other side has flared up a bit, but I'm still taking

> NSAIDS during this trip, but will stop on Wed, since I have to be

> off 2 weeks before the surgery. The sitting aggravates it. I try

> to keep the pirifomis muscle stretched, too

>

> I am 39 and holding...(haha) Actually I will be the big

> > 40 on August 5th.

>

> I've been 29 and holding for the last 33 years!! Guess I'd better

> move it up to 49 and holding.

>

> I didn't have any coffee and look how I've rattled on. This will

be

> the last post until we get home as I won't have access to the

> Internet in Canada (heading to BC in am) or at least till the last

> night (8th) if the hotel there has access.

>

> Shirley

[Guest guest]

Welcome Back Home Shirley,

So how did your trip go? I sure hope you had a great time and was

able to get you mind somewhat off your upcoming surgery. I did

manage to get out and and get my hair done yesterday. So if nothing

else

my face may look tore up after surgery but I sure will have nice

looking hair...(haha)

I know what you mean by having an attire picked out in December.

When I thought my surgery was going to be back in December, I picked

out the cutest PJ's with puppy dogs all over them. They are so nice

and soft and button up the front which would of been ideal if I would

of had that winter surgery. I also had bought nice slippers to

match. I had some PJ's that I went out and bought about a month back

but I have lost quite a bit of weight since these hooks have been in

and now they are quite baggy on me. So yes, maybe I will end up in

the hospital attire also...But, I do have a nice robe with some

matching slippers!

San ? My endodontist moved to SA and we have become best

friends. We write each other at least once a week. He retired from

his practice here in Virginia and built a beautiful million dollar

home down in SA. I am hoping to visit him when I go see my parents

down in Louisiana. Where do you live at in Texas? I have so many

relatives in Houston, Texas and Corpus Christi, Texas.

I have had these lovely surgical hooks on since May 12th. I have to

go in on this upcoming Monday to see my OD to make sure none are

broken and to make sure all my brackets are okay. It took about 2

hours to put the hooks on, so plan to be there for a little while.

I will find out at my pre-screening appt. at the hospital on the 20th

as to how early I will have to arrive at the hospital on the 28th.

My surgery is at 7:30am, so I am sure I will have to be there no

later than 6:00am. The hospital in Reston, VA is about an hour drive

from my house and rush hour traffic here in DC starts at 5:30am, so I

will have to be sure to leave extremely early to make sure I make it

there on time.

Anyway, I am so glad you made it back home and yes, it's almost time

for our big day! I am feeling both excited and a little nervous. I

will probably spend the next week stocking up on the food.

Have a Great Weekend,

> , We're finally back home. Now to rest up (if that's

possible)

> for the surgery.

>

> > My first surgeon that I went to ended up denying treating me for

> >this surgery because he stated with my dental history my case to

> >complex for him to handle. He stated that a Lefort 3 piece was to

> > risky and felt that I have a higher risk for complications after

> >the surgery.

>

> The first OD I went to didn't want to touch me. But the

> pulmonologist (sleep apnea) referred me to the OS and he referred

me

> to the OD.

>

> Glad to her you got the ok from cardiologist (checked posts).

Guess

> everything is a go for both of us.

>

> I guess these next few days (13 days to go) I'll try to make some

> different liquid menus (like I have a choice). I'm lactose

> intolerant so consulted with dietician. She said I need a minimum

> of 1800 calories a day. That's going to be hard to do! Milk and

> milk products are out, but I'm trying the rice milk, tofu and soy

> protein. I made form to record my intake, just to make sure I'm

> getting enough, records my meds, etc.

>

> Also have decide on my hosptial attire (probably the bare bum

gown),

> but if they'll allow it I'd rather wear PJ's after the first day!!

> I had bought an easy to wear velour active suit to wear home in

> December, but much too warm for that now. I figure I will want

> button up tops or easy of the head tops.

>

> We'll be staying at motel from the 21st to I'm out of the

hospital.

> We live 65 miles from hospital, so decided we'd go down to San

> on 21st as I have to see the OS at 8am on 22nd for history,

> preop labs, etc. And in afternoon I get those lovely surgical

hooks

> (can't wait [grin]). The day of surgery I have to be at the

> hosptial at 5:30 am, so much for sleep the night before surgery.

My

> husband will stay at hotel while I'm in hospital and we'll probably

> stay in hotel 1st night I'm released just to make sure all is ok

> before I head home. I'd hate to get home and have a problem and

> have to go back. But if I'm feeling real good we'll head straight

> home.

>

> I've pretty much got everything organized except for the food end.

> So need to start getting that ready. I have a small white board to

> write on at the hospital. My husband is looking forward my not

> talking

>

> It won't be long now and we'll there.

>

> Shirley

[Guest guest]

Good luck with your surgery, Shirley! It'll be over before you know

it. I'm sure your surgeon will give you some good antibiotics to

prevent those hospital-acquired infections.

I know all about those wristbands, too. I don't need to donate blood

for this surgery but I had to wear them for a few days before my

scheduled c-section a few years ago. Between my wristbands and huge

belly, that freaked a few people out. They thought I escaped from

labor & delivery or something. Just for fun, my husband wanted to test

drive a Range Rover. The salesman was so scared I was going to have

my baby in the back of the car!

Don't worry about cutting it close. The hospital has a 24-hr lab for

inpatients and emergencies. They have to be able to do blood types

and crossmatch blood at all hours.

We're getting closer to our surgery days!

-minirascal

> > , Glad to hear all the preops went ok. As an ex-blood

> banker,

> > you've have to wear the fancy bracelet for a while. The reason

> for

> > that is they match your blood from specimen donated with your

own

> > unit of blood. It is to prevent you getting the wrong type of

> blood

> > which can be fatal. I have to have a Type & Screen for a blood

> > transfusion, too. In my case they won't have my own blood as I

> > couldn't donate as were going out of town. Plus with my lousy

> veins

> > and mastectomy (can't draw from that side), they probably

wouldn't

> > have got a unit anyways.

> >

> > My surgeon doesn't believe I'll need it, but if I need it I'll

> have

> > to use others donated blood. Husband couldn't donate as he's a

> > different blood type.

> >

> > Here it's 3 days to surgery and I'm watching a TV program on

> > hospital acquired infections. Having worked 20 years in a

> hospital,

> > I know all to well about them. Just make sure everyone washes

> their

> > hands!

> >

> > Tomorrow afternoon we'll head down to San for our stay

> until

> > I'm released - which hopefully will be by the weekend.

> >

> > I tried adding blenderized canned peaches with heavy syrup with

> some

> > vanilla glucerna (more peaches than Glucerna), didn't taste too

> > bad. Peaches byself is real good. I tried blenderizing

sausage,

> > scrambled eggs and salsa the other day. Wasn't the same as

eating

> > normally. I wonder if our taste buds will be the same or

numbness

> > will affect it. Hmmm.. Oh, the Esure High Calcium Chocolate is

> > pretty good, I need the calcium due to osteopenia and not sure I

> can

> > take the " horse pills " after surgery.

> >

> > I'll update you on Wednesday after my preops/physical and

getting

> > hooks on. Not too much longer before this train leaves the

> station.

> >

> > Shirley

[Guest guest]

Good luck Shirley! I hope all goes well for you, and that your

recovery is uneventful. Take it easy post op and post us when you

feel up to it.

Big hugs,

Fran

> > > , Glad to hear all the preops went ok. As an ex-blood

> > banker,

> > > you've have to wear the fancy bracelet for a while. The

reason

> > for

> > > that is they match your blood from specimen donated with your

> own

> > > unit of blood. It is to prevent you getting the wrong type of

> > blood

> > > which can be fatal. I have to have a Type & Screen for a

blood

> > > transfusion, too. In my case they won't have my own blood as

I

> > > couldn't donate as were going out of town. Plus with my lousy

> > veins

> > > and mastectomy (can't draw from that side), they probably

> wouldn't

> > > have got a unit anyways.

> > >

> > > My surgeon doesn't believe I'll need it, but if I need it I'll

> > have

> > > to use others donated blood. Husband couldn't donate as he's

a

> > > different blood type.

> > >

> > > Here it's 3 days to surgery and I'm watching a TV program on

> > > hospital acquired infections. Having worked 20 years in a

> > hospital,

> > > I know all to well about them. Just make sure everyone washes

> > their

> > > hands!

> > >

> > > Tomorrow afternoon we'll head down to San for our stay

> > until

> > > I'm released - which hopefully will be by the weekend.

> > >

> > > I tried adding blenderized canned peaches with heavy syrup

with

> > some

> > > vanilla glucerna (more peaches than Glucerna), didn't taste

too

> > > bad. Peaches byself is real good. I tried blenderizing

> sausage,

> > > scrambled eggs and salsa the other day. Wasn't the same as

> eating

> > > normally. I wonder if our taste buds will be the same or

> numbness

> > > will affect it. Hmmm.. Oh, the Esure High Calcium Chocolate

is

> > > pretty good, I need the calcium due to osteopenia and not sure

I

> > can

> > > take the " horse pills " after surgery.

> > >

> > > I'll update you on Wednesday after my preops/physical and

> getting

> > > hooks on. Not too much longer before this train leaves the

> > station.

> > >

> > > Shirley

[Guest guest]

Thank you!!  Been worried about you.  You haven't been on lately..

I have a new grandbaby.  He is a PREEMIE>  Was due first part of April, came Jan

20.  Weighed in at 2lbs 2oz.  She had high blood pressure .  Born in Portland

1hr and 1/2 away. Both the other two born there also.  He got to come home when

he weighed close to 4 lbs.  Doing good, and then one day he was having trouble

breathing, and turned blue.  Mom rushsed him to ER 15 miles away where they got

him stable and called for Life Flight.  Bad storm!!  Couldn't fly , and didn't

want Astoria to handle the transport.  They have a special transport called

PANDA, so had to wait for  them.  They found that he had a hole in his heart. 

They operated, and he was back home in a couple weeks.  He now weighs 8 lbs 12

ozs.  Laughs up a storm.  Recognizes his aiblings ( sister is 14, and brother is

7.  If baby is crying, his brother sings to him and he quits)  He is such a

popular baby, he has his own Facebook account.  Small town and he has a lot of

relatives.

Please take care of yourself.

Love

Shirl

[Guest guest]

Shirley,

It's good to hear from you! Happy Birthday and I do hope it was very fine! You and Cherokee and so many others are thought of often. I've not had the energy to keep up as I should this last year, but it doesn't mean I don't think of you all!

Hugs,

Tracie

To: Neurosarcoidosis Sent: Mon, May 10, 2010 9:31:42 AMSubject: Shirley

Thank you!! Been worried about you. You haven't been on lately..I have a new grandbaby. He is a PREEMIE> Was due first part of April, came Jan 20. Weighed in at 2lbs 2oz. She had high blood pressure . Born in Portland 1hr and 1/2 away. Both the other two born there also. He got to come home when he weighed close to 4 lbs. Doing good, and then one day he was having trouble breathing, and turned blue. Mom rushsed him to ER 15 miles away where they got him stable and called for Life Flight. Bad storm!! Couldn't fly , and didn't want Astoria to handle the transport. They have a special transport called PANDA, so had to wait for them. They found that he had a hole in his heart. They operated, and he was back home in a couple weeks. He now weighs 8 lbs 12 ozs. Laughs up a storm. Recognizes his aiblings ( sister is 14, and brother is

7. If baby is crying, his brother sings to him and he quits) He is such a popular baby, he has his own Facebook account. Small town and he has a lot ofrelatives.Please take care of yourself.Love Shirl

[Guest guest]

Congratulations on the new baby, how fun! Glad to hear he is doing well now. Enjoy! Marla

 

Thank you!!  Been worried about you.  You haven't been on lately..

I have a new grandbaby.  He is a PREEMIE>  Was due first part of April, came Jan 20.  Weighed in at 2lbs 2oz.  She had high blood pressure .  Born in Portland 1hr and 1/2 away. Both the other two born there also.  He got to come home when he weighed close to 4 lbs.  Doing good, and then one day he was having trouble breathing, and turned blue.  Mom rushsed him to ER 15 miles away where they got him stable and called for Life Flight.  Bad storm!!  Couldn't fly , and didn't want Astoria to handle the transport.  They have a special transport called PANDA, so had to wait for  them.  They found that he had a hole in his heart.  They operated, and he was back home in a couple weeks.  He now weighs 8 lbs 12 ozs.  Laughs up a storm.  Recognizes his aiblings ( sister is 14, and brother is 7.  If baby is crying, his brother sings to him and he quits)  He is such a popular baby, he has his own Facebook account.  Small town and he has a lot of

relatives.

Please take care of yourself.

Love

Shirl