Guest guest Posted May 11, 2005 Report Share Posted May 11, 2005 Hello, you guys are talking alot about hooks and wires. I'm new to all this; I haven't even gotten my braces on yet. So, pleez bring me up to speed and explain what hooks and wires are about. It sounds like some kind of medieval torture! / Diane (Idaho)-- In orthognathicsurgerysupport , " georgek042003 " <georgek042003@y...> wrote: > Thanks Sara! > > I am not looking forward to the hooks and wires, but will prepare > myself with plenty of wax..(haha) I am awaiting a call from the OS to > see when he wants me to come in for my next appointment. The OS > approved to go ahead and do my blood work at my upcoming Physical > appt. on the 23rd of May. The hospital and OS went back and forth as > to when I should have the blood work done. I am just glad to be able > to get it out of the way and I really didn't want to do it the same > day I was donating blood which is a week before the surgery. Anyway, > I will write you when I get back tomorrow from the OD to let you know > how the hooks and wires go! > > > > > > > Just checking in on how all my June surgery buddies are doing. I > am > > > going crazy trying to schedule all these pre-op appointments. My > pre- > > > op screening is scheduled for June 20th. At the screening > > > appointment > > > they will be doing all the lab work, and donating one unit of > blood. > > > My > > > pre-op physical is set for May 23rd. Tomorrow is the fun day of > > > getting the wires and hooks. Then in between all these > appointments > > > are the surgeon appointments and dental cleaning...CRAZINESS!!! > I > > > guess on a good note these appointments will keep me busy and time > > > will > > > fly by. > > > > > > Anyway, I will let ya'll know how the wires and hooks go tomorrow! > > > > > > Take Care, > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 18, 2005 Report Share Posted May 18, 2005 Sara, That is really great news on your new project! I wish I would have something like that offered to me. I work at Reagan National Airport in DC which is extremely busy during the summer months. I just informed my OS that I needed a note for my employer regarding my anticipated time off for recovery. I told him to take into consideration that my job requires a lot of talking. Anyway, I guess enough of thinking about going back to work, I need to focus on this pre-op mess right now. Yes, luckily my OS planned everything ahead of time to avoid having me rush around at the last minute. The only thing I will have to do a week before surgery is the pre-op screening at the hospital, donate blood, and meet with the OS and OD. Well that still seems like a lot, but at least I will have my Physical and lab work over with along with the dental cleaning. I orginally had the dental cleaning scheduled right before donating my blood and the hospital stated that there is a risk of infection from the dental cleaning and made me reschedule the dental appointment. You will be okay in your hooks. The first day or so you will surely notice they are there just like when your braces were first put on. But you will adjust to them rather quickly. Be sure to keep a little wax with you in case you need it. So far I haven't had to use any. I probably could of used some the first few days, but elected to do without so my mouth would get use to them. Have a great trip to LA to see your brother. Ah, go ahead and enjoy the restaurants, but tell your brother it may take you a little more time to eat and clean your braces after you eat! I just learned to break my food in small pieces to help avoid getting stuck in the hooks! Anyway, I will let you know how the cleaning in hooks goes tomorrow. Keep me posted on how your next appointments go! > > Hi Sara: > > > > First off congratulations on your degree. What an accomplishment!! > > Your are my role model on finishing up my degree. I am finding it > > quite difficult these days to focus on my school work, but luckily I > > have still maintained my 4.0 average. > > > > This week I have my dental cleaning on Thursday and a fun Saturday of > > lab work. Then on Monday is my pre-op Physical. My next appointment > > with my surgeon is on your big day June 6. At least you have only a > > week to deal with the hooks before your surgery. My mouth is > > starting > > to get used to the hooks. Cleaning is another story. > > > > Anyway, enjoy that graduation and let me know how it goes!! > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 19, 2005 Report Share Posted May 19, 2005 Yes I agree with you in why so many pictures of the mouth. My OD is sending over all of the X-rays etc. to the OS, but for some reason not the pictures he took. He stated he could e-mail the pics right over, but I guess the OS wanted clearer pics to send the insurance company. I have lost 5 lbs. so far with these hooks on. Eating is such a pain because it takes quite a bit of time to clean the teeth after. So it's like why bother. Also, now my open bite is even worse because of the space the OD created for the OS, so it takes forever to chew on food because only my very back teeth touch. The fun life we have pre-op...(haha) Anyway, have a great weekend & try to get some rest. Your surgery is now only weeks away which is so exciting!! Take Care, > > Hi Sara: > > > > Just letting you know that the dental cleaning in hooks was > > interesting to say the least today. I surely wished I could of had > > them cleaned before the hooks. She attempted the dental flossing > > which was surely no better than what I have been doing. Then the > > polishing of the teeth was almost a waste of time at least for the > > front of the teeth. I miss the nice clean feeling I used to get > > after my cleanings. Oh well, at least they are a little cleaner > than > > they were. > > > > I received a phone call from my OS office today and they want me to > > come in tomorrow for some actual pictures of my mouth for my > > insurance company. I was hoping on having a break from the dental > > office tomorrow because on Saturday I go in for all the lab work > and > > Monday is my fun Physical. Oh well, I am happy to get each > > appointment over with because it just means one less hurdle to jump > > over before the big day June 28th. > > > > Anyway, I just wanted to brief you on the cleaning. Hopefully you > > are getting your teeth cleaned before the hooks are put on!! > > > > Talk to you soon, > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 30, 2005 Report Share Posted May 30, 2005 You are so funny!! I told my husband that I want a smoothie every day from my favorite place in the mall after my surgery. Something tells me that I am not going to get my wish..(haha) Glad to hear that my doctor is not trying to kill me..(haha) So you have a fun day tomorrow!! It won't be so bad and it's hard to believe that your surgery is only a week away!! How exciting!! Let me know how it all goes! Enjoy your Memorial Day & this beautiful northeast weather we are having today! <br> & gt; & gt; > Hey > > > > > Carol, > > > > > > the mashed potatoes may be doable for you. I'm > > > wired<br> & gt;shut > > > > > as<br> & gt; > > > > > > & gt; well and i've learned from Sara to mash up potatoes > and > > > > throw > > > > > it > > > > > > in<br> & gt;a<br> & gt; & gt; blender with lots of milk to thin > it > > > out > > > > > and then > > > > > > you're all good.<br> & gt;I like<br> & gt; & gt; to add some > real > > > > > chicken broth > > > > > > and spices depending on what kinda<br> & gt;taste i'm<br> & gt; > > > & gt; > > > > > going for. > > > > > > Usually, there are spaces large enough to let all > > > > > that<br> & gt;yummy<br> & gt; > > > > > > & gt; stuff pass through. Give her a try! have fun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 1, 2005 Report Share Posted June 1, 2005 Sara, Have a great time in LA!! Just keep a tooth pick handy so you can pluck the food out of the hooks after you eat and you will be just fine...(haha) Enjoy your last suppers & please know that I am sending you hugs and prayers on Monday! My heart will be with you all day on Monday!! Can't wait to hear from you on the other side of this surgery so you can give me some pointers! By the time I get pointers from all my June buddies, my surgery should be a breeze!! I guess there is an advantage of being the caboose of the June surgeries...(haha) Best of Luck, ...Your June Buddy > > > Hi All > > > > > > Well today was a LONG day! Started off at 9am at the orthos to > get > > my > > > hooks on. I am now the proud donner of 16 metallic hooks. Grrrrr > > says > > > she! Actually they are not as bad as I expected. A lot less > obvious > > > when I smile than I thought they would be. The bottom center hook > > is > > > killing me though, really digging into the inside of my life but > > I'm > > > sure my mouth will build a barrier to this just as it did the > > braces. > > > > > > Next stop was the hospital to go through all the pre-admin > surgery > > > testing. Unfortunately for me, it being the day after Memorial > day > > > meant that there was the longest line ever so it only took me > three > > > and a half hours to get what could have taken 40 minutes. Oh > well. > > At > > > least it's all done now. I got blood drawn, blood pressure and > temp > > > measured, chest xray and a whole set of questions asked and > > answered. > > > All very basic stuff. What I made sure to do was tell them that > > I've > > > had previous ops before and vomited afterwards as a result of the > > > anesthesia. They gave me two little tablets to take pre-surgery > to > > > help descrease the nausea. One to take the night before and one > to > > > take on the morning of the surgery with very little water. They > > also > > > confirmed that I will have a catherer put in since the operation > > will > > > be approximately 4 hours but they also helped to calm my fears > > about > > > this as well. > > > > > > After this I ran to Dr. Sachs to have my pre-op discussion. He > gave > > > me good news in that he has decided that they will only need to > > > operate on my upper jaw. My lower jaw should swing into the right > > > position. Whoopee! No lower jaw which really made my day. He'll > be > > > removing the two upper bicuspids and also performing genio which > I > > > knew already. We went through a lot during the discussion but > since > > > it's been a long day and I have to get up at 5:30am to fly to > L.A. > > I > > > think I'll call it a night for today. I'll try to sort out all > the > > > information he gave me into a nice, short and concise posting for > > > everyone tomorrow. > > > > > > Thanks for listening/reading.Can't believe surgery is almost > here!!! > > > > > > Nite to all. > > > Sara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 10, 2005 Report Share Posted June 10, 2005 I too went to Cosco (like Sams) yesterday and bought some chicken broth. But I just couldnt get myself to buy the 32 bottles of Ensure!!! I have never tried it before but I doubt I will like it much. I think I will either mix it with milk or pour it into milkshakes or something! ~~ > > > Just wanted to let you know that my mother of all blenders is on > its > > > way up in a few weeks. Yes, I told my mom that a blender would > > > surely > > > be nice and of course I had to mention your mom! So I just can't > > > wait > > > to see this huge gadget she will be arriving with! I am sure I > will > > > be able to make smoothies for the entire neighborhood! A BLOCK > > > PARTY!! > > > > > > How are you feeling today? I sure hope a little better. Have > you > > > graduated to anything other than Ensure? > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 10, 2005 Report Share Posted June 10, 2005 words cannot describe how disgustingly i feel about the boosts. i'm sure it's not normal how much i detest them. i've officially gone on a strike against them but maybe tonight i'll try mixing one with milk to dilute it given that i've only had 400 calories so far today. Ugh. Sara > > > > Just wanted to let you know that my mother of all blenders is > on > > its > > > > way up in a few weeks. Yes, I told my mom that a blender would > > > > surely > > > > be nice and of course I had to mention your mom! So I just > can't > > > > wait > > > > to see this huge gadget she will be arriving with! I am sure > I > > will > > > > be able to make smoothies for the entire neighborhood! A > BLOCK > > > > PARTY!! > > > > > > > > How are you feeling today? I sure hope a little better. Have > > you > > > > graduated to anything other than Ensure? > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 10, 2005 Report Share Posted June 10, 2005 Hello, - How are you doing? Does your nearby Costco have six pound containers of whey protein powder, either chocolate or vanilla? When it's my turn to undergo my surgery (next year), I'm going to buy that protein powder to use in smoothies and milkshakes. I think it costs about $20 for a tub, and you use a scoopful per serving. Just a thought!/ Diane > > > > Just wanted to let you know that my mother of all blenders is > on > > its > > > > way up in a few weeks. Yes, I told my mom that a blender would > > > > surely > > > > be nice and of course I had to mention your mom! So I just > can't > > > > wait > > > > to see this huge gadget she will be arriving with! I am sure > I > > will > > > > be able to make smoothies for the entire neighborhood! A > BLOCK > > > > PARTY!! > > > > > > > > How are you feeling today? I sure hope a little better. Have > > you > > > > graduated to anything other than Ensure? > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 11, 2005 Report Share Posted June 11, 2005 Sara I really do prefer the Ensure to the Boost. I just think that it taste better. It seems like Boost has a wierd after taste or something. I can't quite figure out what I don't like about it, but Ensure is much more tolerable for me. I like the chocolate and vanilla. > > > > > Just wanted to let you know that my mother of all blenders is > > on > > > its > > > > > way up in a few weeks. Yes, I told my mom that a blender > would > > > > > surely > > > > > be nice and of course I had to mention your mom! So I just > > can't > > > > > wait > > > > > to see this huge gadget she will be arriving with! I am sure > > I > > > will > > > > > be able to make smoothies for the entire neighborhood! A > > BLOCK > > > > > PARTY!! > > > > > > > > > > How are you feeling today? I sure hope a little better. > Have > > > you > > > > > graduated to anything other than Ensure? > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 14, 2005 Report Share Posted June 14, 2005 Once I got unwired, my upper lip was so raw from the braces, and hooks that it was bleeding. I guess my lip just wasn't used to moving while talking. Once the OD removed the surgical archwires, and put normal ones back on, it was like instant relief. My lips were still sore, but they have almost healed overnight. I did some salt water rinses, and they are about 90% better. > > > > Hi everyone, > > > > > > > > I think I'm getting paranoid, but I just have a general > question > > > about > > > > swelling and numbness. I am 12 days post-op and my cheeks > STILL > > > look > > > > very chipmunk like, and I have little or no feeling around my > > > nose, > > > > mouth and chin! I intend to ask my OS about this tomorrow when > I > > > see > > > > him, but I figured I'd just throw it out there to hear others > > > > experiences with this. I know it's a test of patience and all > of > > > > these things take time, but for some reason, I thought the > > > swelling > > > > would at least not be so noticeable at almost two weeks post- > op. > > > I > > > > went to KMart yesterday, and I felt like everyone was wondering > > > what > > > > the heck happened to me. At least it was good to get out! > > > Just > > > > curious about experience with swelling/numbness! Heck, I'm > > hoping > > > > these cheeks aren't the result of my new jaw -- AAHHHHHH!!! > > > > > > > > Thanks guys! > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 14, 2005 Report Share Posted June 14, 2005 Nobody told me the rule about not putting wax on my upper front teeth (nor on the lower ones, for that matter) and I went through boxes of it. It was more important to me not to hurt than it was to worry about what anybody thought about how I looked. You may see things differently, but if the inside of my mouth was being rubbed raw, I wanted -- and got -- relief! I wasn't so successful with wax on the labial side of the braces, though... alas. Cammie > > oh dear, i am only on day 8 post-op and I am already fed up with > the > > swelling. The thing is one side of my face is more swollen than the > > other so now I look lopsided. One would think that seeing that I've > > already been through surgery before to the face I would be more > > patient. I went out to Bloomingdales today and I too felt like > > everyone was staring at me wondering what was wrong. But you know > > what really got to me? It was the not being able to talk properly! > I > > mean if I look swollen, ok, so I look weird but if I can't talk > > either and explain why I'm swollen...well that's just frustrating. > > > > I have been applying a lot of ice to the swelling and that seems to > > help. Also arnica cream every night. As for the numbness, from > > previous experience it can take a while so like you all > > said...patience. So sick of that word! > > > > Sara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 15, 2005 Report Share Posted June 15, 2005 , Apparently, the inside of my upper lip was being torn up by my hooks, too. I just didn't know it because it's numb. My Surgeon " bent " the wires a bit for me today so that my lip wouldn't continue to be so irritated. Carol > > > > Hi everyone, > > > > > > > > I think I'm getting paranoid, but I just have a general > question > > > about > > > > swelling and numbness. I am 12 days post-op and my cheeks > STILL > > > look > > > > very chipmunk like, and I have little or no feeling around my > > > nose, > > > > mouth and chin! I intend to ask my OS about this tomorrow when > I > > > see > > > > him, but I figured I'd just throw it out there to hear others > > > > experiences with this. I know it's a test of patience and all > of > > > > these things take time, but for some reason, I thought the > > > swelling > > > > would at least not be so noticeable at almost two weeks post- > op. > > > I > > > > went to KMart yesterday, and I felt like everyone was wondering > > > what > > > > the heck happened to me. At least it was good to get out! > > > Just > > > > curious about experience with swelling/numbness! Heck, I'm > > hoping > > > > these cheeks aren't the result of my new jaw -- AAHHHHHH!!! > > > > > > > > Thanks guys! > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 16, 2005 Report Share Posted June 16, 2005 II just had to reply to your comment on all the possible complications. Thought I was the only one who read them and thought I must be a nut to go through with this!! Sher > > So today was meant to be my first day on soft foods. I still have > my > > splint in but I am on much less tight elastics so my doctor told > me I > > could have pasta, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes and the like. So > > there I am at lunchtime preparing one of my all time favorites, > > scrambled eggs with melted mozzarella cheese. And I'm so happy > > because I have been looking forward to this day for so long. Then > I > > sit down and try to eat the food and I CAN'T. I couldn't get the > > spoon into my mouth because my mouth wouldn't open wide enough and > I > > was using the tiniest of baby spoons. So discouraging. The thing > is > > with soup all I had to do was poke that spoon in a bit and then I > > could suck in the soup into my mouth and swallow. Well when I > tried > > doing that with the scrambled eggs (that were also slightly > > blenderized) I nearly choked myself. And then before I knew it the > > tears started to well up inside of me and I started crying. I have > > never cried as much in my whole life as I have been crying over > the > > past 10 days and I'm starting to get really sick of it. Today was > the > > worst because I didn't even feel better after I had my cry. I just > > felt so frustrated. I CAN'T FEED MYSELF. I have never felt so > > hopeless. I know I'm being overly dramatic and that eventually > I'll > > be able to open my jaw wider and wider but right now I just feel > that > > I'm stuck with this jaw that doesn't open much and I feel > horrible. > > Plus, to top it off as my swelling is going down my face seems > longer > > and longer to me and I don't like it one bit. I hate being so > > ungrateful and unaccepting. I've tried to keep a really positive > > attitude throughout this whole process because I know it's key to > a > > good recovery but today I just can't do it. My brick wall is > sitting > > right in front of me and I'm trying to figure out how to get over > it. > > For now I've totally lost my appetite. > > > > Sorry to be such a miserable poster today guys but I just feel so > > sad. I know it will pass soon. Thanks for listening. > > > > Sara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 22, 2005 Report Share Posted June 22, 2005 Sara, Just peeking my head in to point out that I'm supposed to be unwired next Wednesday. I didn't think the 8 weeks would ever pass!!!!!!! Carol > , > > I hear ya, I am not much of an iron food person and neither is my > mother, hence the anemia that seems to run in the family. I find > dousing my spinach with lots of interesting dressings and other > foods that I like helps. And what about pumpkin pie. If made well > that can be very yummy. And if you like Mexican food that usually > has quite a lot of beans cooked in yummy ways as well as meat which > is filled with iron. Most breakfast cereals will also have iron. > Remember that it will be important post-op to keep on taking in that > iron to ensure a good recovery and you won't want to be subsisting > on big horse pills. > > , now that I am at the 2 week post-op mark I can tell you that > I think you'll be fine going to work after 2 weeks. Actually, you'll > probably look forward to the distraction. I seem to have returned to > my time warp from pre-surgery. The days just seem to drag by and we > both know how annoying that is. If I had a job to go back to right > now I think I would be able to handle it just fine. And if you have > no splint or bands you'll be super dooper fine. It's frustrating for > me right now because I feel fine but then as soon as I open my mouth > I realize that all is not fine because I have all this gunk inside > and I feel so stupid everytime I talk to a stranger. But I am trying > to get along as best as possible. I went out last night all on my > own and went to see a friend who just moved into a new apartment. It > felt good to get out and walk on my own with my iPOD. Need to get > back to exericising. My body is turning into flab but I am still > prohibited from exericising so I am secretly doing arm exercises in > my room when no one is looking i.e. mom's not watching! Lol! > > Oh and the pimples have kicked in now after 2 weeks. Lol, I feel > like a teenager all over again. Ugh. This will pass soon too I > suppose. On a good note the swelling has gone down and my jaw hurts > less and less everyday. Now I am just praying to get this splint out > soon. It is the one thing that is making this recovery so hard but I > should really count my lucky stars. The first doctor I went to > wanted to wire me shut for 8 weeks just like Carol. Thank goodness I > changed doctors because I don't think I could have handled that. > > Well enough of me yakking away. You have work to do! > > Talk to you later Caboose! > Sara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 8, 2005 Report Share Posted July 8, 2005 Hi Sara, Thanks for the big virtual hug. It helps a lot. Today I'm starting to feel a little better and I think I'm through the worst of it. {{{hugs}}} minirascal > , > > Just wanted to say that I am sending you a huge virtual hug! I hope the > pain passes soon for you. You deserve it to. > > Thinking of you and sending you a lot of positive healing vibes. > > Sara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 23, 2005 Report Share Posted July 23, 2005 Hi Sara, I've been visualizing, visualizing and visualizing some more - along with praying; a LOT. I truly am trying to stay positive, but I've got several issues going on now (I just wrote about them all in my post to Shirley); and with everything combined I can't stop myself from worrying about whether any of this is truly serious, and if so - how serious. I know worry doesn't help matters and certainly won't solve anything, but it's hard not to think about it when things are this uncomfortable for this long. I'll be 5 weeks post op on Monday, and thought I'd be better than I am at this point. I really do think I need to call my OS on Monday and at least mention some of my worries - even at the risk of sounding overly paranoid. I don't honestly care at this point if they think I seem paranoid. I mean my bite is changing - for the worse, the teeth that the bands are attached to are quite literally 'turning', and it's all making it highly uncomfortable to talk, much less eat, drink, or swallow. I'll keep you updated as to what they say after I get a hold of them next week. Thanks for your reply - and I'm sorry I'm so late in getting back to you. I've tried to distract myself from all this by staying off the computer and stay busy doing anything and everything that I can to distract me from my ear, jaw and mouth problems. Judy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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