Shirley OS Update

[Guest guest]

Hi (Caboose) & all, I saw the OS and he reassured me all is

going well. 3 ½ weeks post op. Only two more weeks and I can

chew, yeah!! Oh, we'll see how that goes! I see him again on

August 3. Chew day!! I'll be one day short of 6 weeks post op.

I found out they moved the upper jaw forward 5mm, and lower jaw

forward 13mm. And they had to bring the midline back to the left

5mm on lower jaw (started out 2mm off, but by surgery 5mm off). He

did tell me to keep rinsing with the salt water and peridex as it

takes a quite while for all the stitches to come out. I was worried

about some white spots on back gums and he said not too worry, one

was a stitch.

He also said I could go back to my OD, so I have appointment to see

him tomorrow (another 120 mile round trip). I guess he'll decide

if the rubber bands need any changes. I thought I wouldn't see

the OD until 6-7 weeks post op.

He did tell me to exercise my lips – get this! Try to pucker up

like a kiss and then move my lips to as full a smile as I can.

I'll do anything if it'll speed up getting rid of the

numbness!

The numbness is getting better day by day, but of course not as fast

as I'd like. I'm still pretty numb below eyes to upper lip.

Lower lip has feeling on left side and of course I keep biting it.

He says my mouth is still adjusting to having teeth there. I just

start to fall asleep (if on back and wake up when I bite my lip).

Guess I'll put a ton of wax on tonight!! Right side of lip is

getting less numb as is right side of chin. Part of my palate has

feeling and the other side is getting there. Still pretty numb from

just to the left and right of nose up to under the eyes and left

nostril it still numb. Though yesterday I had shooting pains up

side of nose nearer to bridge – good sign I guess. I keep

lightly massaging the numb area and making sure when I take my

shower I let the hot water hit that area. He said that stimulates

the blood vessels and the regeneration.

I'm like a lot of others, as I notice the lips don't close

naturally, which I thought they would after the surgery. But since

the OD still has work to do and I'm still numb, so I hope that

changes.

I've had a lot problems with sleep (have for a number of years),

and after surgery was waking up drenched (not hot flashes & of

course the humidity is high here). He said the sympathetic nervous

system is still trying to read adjust it's self to realize it can

get enough oxygen at night (after years of waking up because I

wasn't getting enough oxygen). He told me to give myself 3 mos

and then I will need another complete check up. I might not need as

much of some my meds or adjustments on them. One of his

patient's who is a dentist was on anti-hypertensive drugs & went

from three to a low dose of one. (I currently only take one).

I have a trip planned for the end of August, so plan on going on

it. Just hope the ears aren't a problem flying.

Guess I just have to hang in and realize it takes a while to get

back to normal. I will let you all know how it goes with the OD

tomorrow. All you post opers, hang in there!

Shirley

(LeFort 1, BSSO, genio and turbinectomies for sleep apnea on 6/23/05)