Re: Scheduled for Upper Pallet Expansion--Any Advice?

[Guest guest]

Hi !

I too am going to have upper pallette expansion. I was told by the

surgeon that I will have a 5milimetre gap between my front teeth as a

result, I am really worried about this and want to find some sort of

camouflague. Please let me know if any of you know of any! Thanks

M

> Hello everyone!

> I am new to this site, but was wondering if anyone has gone through

> the upper pallet expansion. I am scheduled for it on 7 Sep 05 and

> just want to be as prepared as possible. Any thoughts on

expectations

> and milestones would be appreciated. This is an awesome site and I

> hope to help out others as well as getting helping. Thanks and God

> Bless!

>

[Guest guest]

Last October I had the same upper expansion and the same gap between my

front teeth. Boy, did I feel like a hick! There really wasn't much to

do about it. I was embarrassed, and would put my hand over my mouth to

talk or smile. To tell you the truth, I don't remember how long it was

that way, but the orthodontist moved my teeth together as soon as she

could. She moved the front 6 teeth together, so now I have gaps on both

sides. She kept it that way for my lower jaw advancement which was in

July. At the end of August, the teeth will start to be moved to the

final position, So I say to not worry too much about it since it will

pass.

Patty

[Guest guest]

I too am having a surgically assisted pallet expansion and was able

to find a website with real pictures of the expansion and the gaps

that formed. Here is the link:

http://www.zipcon.net/~brunt/SARPE.html

I haven't heard of anyway to camouflague the gap. I will not have

upper braces on until after the SARPE and I am hoping that it will be

closed quickly by the braces or at least minimize it to where its not

huge and noticable.

If you search this site by entering SARPE in the search field

(Dee)had the procedure and gave a good overview of what to expect.

I don't have my surgery date yet - I have to see one more specalist

and that's not until Aug. 25th. They were guessing a date around

October, so I've been joking that its just in time for halloween.

Hope this information is helpful. Sounds like a few of us are going

to have this procedure and can support each other through this.

Amy

> > Hello everyone!

> > I am new to this site, but was wondering if anyone has gone

through

> > the upper pallet expansion. I am scheduled for it on 7 Sep 05

and

> > just want to be as prepared as possible. Any thoughts on

> expectations

> > and milestones would be appreciated. This is an awesome site and

I

> > hope to help out others as well as getting helping. Thanks and

God

> > Bless!

> >

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the encouragement Amy and . I am not so much worried

about the gap in my teeth as I am worried about the obvious

complications people experience. I am already missing a front tooth

<got knocked out when I was young and hate wearing my false tooth so

my pallet closed in ... I sure wish I wore it now.> so the

appearance thing doesn't bother me as much. Plus I am married so my

wife married me with a messed up smile anyway. When are your

surgeries scheduled? Less than a month and I am in there. There

will be no hiccups with insurance companies because I am active duty

military. Thus, no delays. <dang it!> It is voluntary and I could

still say no, but I don't want to have complications later in life

when it will be tougher to heal. Right now I am 36 years old and

hopefully can recover quickly. I just pray everything goes smooth.

I'll include you two in them as well. Let me know if you have

any insight. Thanks everyone!

> > > Hello everyone!

> > > I am new to this site, but was wondering if anyone has gone

> through

> > > the upper pallet expansion. I am scheduled for it on 7 Sep 05

> and

> > > just want to be as prepared as possible. Any thoughts on

> > expectations

> > > and milestones would be appreciated. This is an awesome site

and

> I

> > > hope to help out others as well as getting helping. Thanks

and

> God

> > > Bless!

> > >

[Guest guest]

> > > > Hello everyone!

> > > > I am new to this site, but was wondering if anyone has gone

> > through

> > > > the upper pallet expansion. I am scheduled for it on 7 Sep

05

> > and

> > > > just want to be as prepared as possible. Any thoughts on

> > > expectations

> > > > and milestones would be appreciated. This is an awesome

site

> and

> > I

> > > > hope to help out others as well as getting helping. Thanks

> and

> > God

> > > > Bless!

> > > >

I just came upon this site and wish i had weeks ago. i had the

pallete expansion surgery almost 4 weeks ago and it was so much

easier and such a more " pleasant " experience than i had

anticipated...So Although we are all different I hope that puts some

of you at ease..I still have some minimal swelling, and numbness in

my gums where the nerves were severed during the surgery but I

barely even notice it...The tranformation is rapid and my crossbite

is GONE! Its really amazing..My smile is big and I have adapted

really well to the expander..I had it put in by my ortho following

the surgery and turned it twice a day for 2 weeks. The most awkward

thing I'm dealing with now is the dreaded space beween my 2 front

teeth which I am told will close up most of the way on their own

even before braces go on...so i check the mirror daily:)..I hope

this helps some of you..:)I can't wait to get my braces!--Joy

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I don't have a date yet for the SARPE surgery, as I am getting

another opinion from an expert orthodontist and don't see her until

Aug. 25th. Just the opposite of you, I've had total delays. My ortho

and oral surgeon are targeting Oct. for the surgery, just in time for

Halloween. I will be the best person to take my daughter trick or

treating. With the gaps I can either be a jack o latern or a hill

billy. If I have a swollen face it will probably look more pumpkin

like, I guess I will have to wait and see.

I am first having my wisdom teeth removed and the pallet expansion at

the same time. Then after having braces (again) I will have a

segmented LeForte. That's where they will section my upper jaw and

move it varying mm upward. I may also have elective genio to move my

chin forward a little.

I am 33 and had braces before, so you know I was thrilled (sar) to

hear all this. My teeth were straight and you never really noticed

my jaws didn't match. Now its noticable that my teeth have shifted

and I am noticing more problems with my mouth feeling crowded. My

husband encouraged me to see an orthodontist again, even if it meant

braces and I was so surprised to find out all the stuff that was

wrong and what needed to be done. I am glad that I am going to have

things done right once and for all, but I am getting tired of waiting

to see doctors and just ready to get on with it. I am pretty

confident in them and I am seeing the best in my area, so I guess I

should be patient.

I will keep in touch and want to know how your recovering. I am a

little scared about the surgery, how I will look afterward, but know

that it will be worth it in the end. I pray too that we get through

this soon and all goes well.

Take care,

Amy

> > > > Hello everyone!

> > > > I am new to this site, but was wondering if anyone has gone

> > through

> > > > the upper pallet expansion. I am scheduled for it on 7 Sep

05

> > and

> > > > just want to be as prepared as possible. Any thoughts on

> > > expectations

> > > > and milestones would be appreciated. This is an awesome site

> and

> > I

> > > > hope to help out others as well as getting helping. Thanks

> and

> > God

> > > > Bless!

> > > >

[Guest guest]

HI and Amy!

Well I hope that this will be helpful, but yesterday i was playing around with

the dental wax that orthodontists give you for braces and discovered that it can

help to kind of camouflage gaps in teeth. I hope this will be of some help to

anyone having upper pallete expansion. I am to have it in about 6 months. I also

wanted to know if any of you knew of any possible complications? Will I hav an

expander fitted in my mouth before or after and for how long? Thanks

M

Amy wrote:

Hi ,

I don't have a date yet for the SARPE surgery, as I am getting

another opinion from an expert orthodontist and don't see her until

Aug. 25th. Just the opposite of you, I've had total delays. My ortho

and oral surgeon are targeting Oct. for the surgery, just in time for

Halloween. I will be the best person to take my daughter trick or

treating. With the gaps I can either be a jack o latern or a hill

billy. If I have a swollen face it will probably look more pumpkin

like, I guess I will have to wait and see.

I am first having my wisdom teeth removed and the pallet expansion at

the same time. Then after having braces (again) I will have a

segmented LeForte. That's where they will section my upper jaw and

move it varying mm upward. I may also have elective genio to move my

chin forward a little.

I am 33 and had braces before, so you know I was thrilled (sar) to

hear all this. My teeth were straight and you never really noticed

my jaws didn't match. Now its noticable that my teeth have shifted

and I am noticing more problems with my mouth feeling crowded. My

husband encouraged me to see an orthodontist again, even if it meant

braces and I was so surprised to find out all the stuff that was

wrong and what needed to be done. I am glad that I am going to have

things done right once and for all, but I am getting tired of waiting

to see doctors and just ready to get on with it. I am pretty

confident in them and I am seeing the best in my area, so I guess I

should be patient.

I will keep in touch and want to know how your recovering. I am a

little scared about the surgery, how I will look afterward, but know

that it will be worth it in the end. I pray too that we get through

this soon and all goes well.

Take care,

Amy

> > > > Hello everyone!

> > > > I am new to this site, but was wondering if anyone has gone

> > through

> > > > the upper pallet expansion. I am scheduled for it on 7 Sep

05

> > and

> > > > just want to be as prepared as possible. Any thoughts on

> > > expectations

> > > > and milestones would be appreciated. This is an awesome site

> and

> > I

> > > > hope to help out others as well as getting helping. Thanks

> and

> > God

> > > > Bless!

> > > >

[Guest guest]

Hi ! (and if your reading this too!) Thanks for the info

on the wax and I am definitely going to give it a try. Although I

haven't had the surgery yet, I asked my OS to give it to me straight

on what to expect. I hope this information helps you too.

He gave me details about the procedure and showed me after pictures

with the expander in. The pictures were a little graphic, but nothing

I couldn't handle. He said that I should expect to be numb on the

roof of my mouth and may lose some sensation because the nerves have

to heal. He said I could also get a nose bleed, have swelling and/or

bruising right after but emphasized that each person is different.

He said he will give me something in the IV to help with the swelling

and putting ice on afterward will help. The swelling, nose bleed and

bruising would go away. I would recommend talking to your OS of any

concerns or fears. I usually don't think of questions to ask until

after the appointment, so now I make a list of questions as I think

of them and can call. You still have time to discuss this with the

doctors, you might want to check if your OS would do this over the

phone.

My procedure will be done at a hospital, but I will not be spending

the night there. There will be recovery time at the hospital- they

won't send me home right away - which is good news. I was a little

nervous about that. They said I will need someone to drive me home.

My OD is installing the expander and he will put it in a few days

before the surgery. It will not be activated right away. The one he

showed me looked like a bridge and it is secured to the molars. I

will then have to put a key in and turn the expander to widen the

gap. Surgery helps excellerate the process. He said that I will turn

the key twice a day for about a week or two. Then everything has to

settle. Estimate 2 months, 3 months max in the expander. I will not

get upper braces until the expander is removed. I may need a splint

with the braces put on after the expander is removed if they feel its

necessary to stablize the jaw - depending on healing.

I don't know if what he described is common for everyone, because

what I've read on this site varies even though the procedure is

called the same thing. Most of the " problems " after surgery sounded

temporary. The only complication my OS mentioned was the numbness

which he kept assuring me is extremely rare for feeling not to

return. I suppose another complication could be infection. My OS

mentioned that I will also have antibiotics, so I think that's a

precaution.

I have also been concerned about eatting, talking, time off work,

etc. I guess I won't know what to expect until surgery happens, but

have asked others on this site. People have been really great about

sharing their experiences.

Keep in touch and let me know if this info was helpful. I know this

can be hard to deal with. I have to have the SARPE and a LeFort

procedure and actually cried in my car after first learning about

this. None of this was really mentioned when I first had braces at

14. Now I am focusing on the end result of a great bite and smile.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Amy

> > > > > Hello everyone!

> > > > > I am new to this site, but was wondering if anyone has gone

> > > through

> > > > > the upper pallet expansion. I am scheduled for it on 7 Sep

> 05

> > > and

> > > > > just want to be as prepared as possible. Any thoughts on

> > > > expectations

> > > > > and milestones would be appreciated. This is an awesome

site

> > and

> > > I

> > > > > hope to help out others as well as getting helping. Thanks

> > and

> > > God

> > > > > Bless!

> > > > >

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Amy and

Just wanted to wish you guys and anyone else having upper pallete expansion

goodluck! My surgery wont be for another 6 months at least. But let me know how

yours go and if the dental wax trick worked! If anyone else can find a

camouflague for the gap pls post asap! Thanks

M

Amy wrote:

Hi ! (and if your reading this too!) Thanks for the info

on the wax and I am definitely going to give it a try. Although I

haven't had the surgery yet, I asked my OS to give it to me straight

on what to expect. I hope this information helps you too.

He gave me details about the procedure and showed me after pictures

with the expander in. The pictures were a little graphic, but nothing

I couldn't handle. He said that I should expect to be numb on the

roof of my mouth and may lose some sensation because the nerves have

to heal. He said I could also get a nose bleed, have swelling and/or

bruising right after but emphasized that each person is different.

He said he will give me something in the IV to help with the swelling

and putting ice on afterward will help. The swelling, nose bleed and

bruising would go away. I would recommend talking to your OS of any

concerns or fears. I usually don't think of questions to ask until

after the appointment, so now I make a list of questions as I think

of them and can call. You still have time to discuss this with the

doctors, you might want to check if your OS would do this over the

phone.

My procedure will be done at a hospital, but I will not be spending

the night there. There will be recovery time at the hospital- they

won't send me home right away - which is good news. I was a little

nervous about that. They said I will need someone to drive me home.

My OD is installing the expander and he will put it in a few days

before the surgery. It will not be activated right away. The one he

showed me looked like a bridge and it is secured to the molars. I

will then have to put a key in and turn the expander to widen the

gap. Surgery helps excellerate the process. He said that I will turn

the key twice a day for about a week or two. Then everything has to

settle. Estimate 2 months, 3 months max in the expander. I will not

get upper braces until the expander is removed. I may need a splint

with the braces put on after the expander is removed if they feel its

necessary to stablize the jaw - depending on healing.

I don't know if what he described is common for everyone, because

what I've read on this site varies even though the procedure is

called the same thing. Most of the " problems " after surgery sounded

temporary. The only complication my OS mentioned was the numbness

which he kept assuring me is extremely rare for feeling not to

return. I suppose another complication could be infection. My OS

mentioned that I will also have antibiotics, so I think that's a

precaution.

I have also been concerned about eatting, talking, time off work,

etc. I guess I won't know what to expect until surgery happens, but

have asked others on this site. People have been really great about

sharing their experiences.

Keep in touch and let me know if this info was helpful. I know this

can be hard to deal with. I have to have the SARPE and a LeFort

procedure and actually cried in my car after first learning about

this. None of this was really mentioned when I first had braces at

14. Now I am focusing on the end result of a great bite and smile.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Amy

> > > > > Hello everyone!

> > > > > I am new to this site, but was wondering if anyone has gone

> > > through

> > > > > the upper pallet expansion. I am scheduled for it on 7 Sep

> 05

> > > and

> > > > > just want to be as prepared as possible. Any thoughts on

> > > > expectations

> > > > > and milestones would be appreciated. This is an awesome

site

> > and

> > > I

> > > > > hope to help out others as well as getting helping. Thanks

> > and

> > > God

> > > > > Bless!

> > > > >

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hello Amy and :

Thanks for all the input. Only a few more weeks and I get the SARPE

done. I am excited and nervous. I am a little worried about the

food intake. More so the calorie intake. I am a weightlifting kind

of guy and weigh 235 lbs. Protein shakes have been a part of my

diet for a long time, but for my weight, I normally consume about

3500 calories a day. That is sure a bunch of soup. So I am looking

for the balance calories I need. I definitely don't want " empty "

calories that won't help me. Have any of you run across some high

calorie liquid diet type items? I know Ensure and Boost seem to be

a staple, but I was looking for options. Thanks a ton for your

support. I know I can bug you when my wife gets tired of me talking

to her about it. She is extremely supportive, but after talking

about it 2 hours a day, she gets a little short with it. Well stay

in touch and God Bless!!

> > > > > > Hello everyone!

> > > > > > I am new to this site, but was wondering if anyone has

gone

> > > > through

> > > > > > the upper pallet expansion. I am scheduled for it on 7

Sep

> > 05

> > > > and

> > > > > > just want to be as prepared as possible. Any thoughts

on

> > > > > expectations

> > > > > > and milestones would be appreciated. This is an awesome

> site

> > > and

> > > > I

> > > > > > hope to help out others as well as getting helping.

Thanks

> > > and

> > > > God

> > > > > > Bless!

> > > > > >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

I saw this site posted a few months back, and have used the shakes for my 17 yr

old son. He likes the taste, and takes them for lunch every day. Go to

www.axcan.com. We have used the Chocolate, Vanilla and Strawberry

Scandishakes. You might also be interested in the Scandical, " a taste-free

powder " that adds 35 calories per tablespoon. My son lost 14 pounds the first

7 days post-op, but has regained 12 pounds within 3 weeks.

Good luck!

D

bigwayne1968 <no_reply > wrote:

Hello Amy and :

Thanks for all the input. Only a few more weeks and I get the SARPE

done. I am excited and nervous. I am a little worried about the

food intake. More so the calorie intake. I am a weightlifting kind

of guy and weigh 235 lbs. Protein shakes have been a part of my

diet for a long time, but for my weight, I normally consume about

3500 calories a day. That is sure a bunch of soup. So I am looking

for the balance calories I need. I definitely don't want " empty "

calories that won't help me. Have any of you run across some high

calorie liquid diet type items? I know Ensure and Boost seem to be

a staple, but I was looking for options. Thanks a ton for your

support. I know I can bug you when my wife gets tired of me talking

to her about it. She is extremely supportive, but after talking

about it 2 hours a day, she gets a little short with it. Well stay

in touch and God Bless!!

> > > > > > Hello everyone!

> > > > > > I am new to this site, but was wondering if anyone has

gone

> > > > through

> > > > > > the upper pallet expansion. I am scheduled for it on 7

Sep

> > 05

> > > > and

> > > > > > just want to be as prepared as possible. Any thoughts

on

> > > > > expectations

> > > > > > and milestones would be appreciated. This is an awesome

> site

> > > and

> > > > I

> > > > > > hope to help out others as well as getting helping.

Thanks

> > > and

> > > > God

> > > > > > Bless!

> > > > > >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

I personally love the Atkins Advantage Creamy Vanilla drinks. And this

is coming from someone who hates anything low-carb. They have a lot of

protein and really give me energy.

-Ash

(Lower jaw advancement July 23, 2005)

[Guest guest]

I'm sorry - I should have stated that these shakes, when made with 8 oz of whole

milk, have 600 calories. You can add some extract flavoring to the vanilla

for some variety...

D

Donnelle Macho wrote:

I saw this site posted a few months back, and have used the shakes for my 17 yr

old son. He likes the taste, and takes them for lunch every day. Go to

www.axcan.com. We have used the Chocolate, Vanilla and Strawberry

Scandishakes. You might also be interested in the Scandical, " a taste-free

powder " that adds 35 calories per tablespoon. My son lost 14 pounds the first

7 days post-op, but has regained 12 pounds within 3 weeks.

Good luck!

D

bigwayne1968 <no_reply > wrote:

Hello Amy and :

Thanks for all the input. Only a few more weeks and I get the SARPE

done. I am excited and nervous. I am a little worried about the

food intake. More so the calorie intake. I am a weightlifting kind

of guy and weigh 235 lbs. Protein shakes have been a part of my

diet for a long time, but for my weight, I normally consume about

3500 calories a day. That is sure a bunch of soup. So I am looking

for the balance calories I need. I definitely don't want " empty "

calories that won't help me. Have any of you run across some high

calorie liquid diet type items? I know Ensure and Boost seem to be

a staple, but I was looking for options. Thanks a ton for your

support. I know I can bug you when my wife gets tired of me talking

to her about it. She is extremely supportive, but after talking

about it 2 hours a day, she gets a little short with it. Well stay

in touch and God Bless!!

> > > > > > Hello everyone!

> > > > > > I am new to this site, but was wondering if anyone has

gone

> > > > through

> > > > > > the upper pallet expansion. I am scheduled for it on 7

Sep

> > 05

> > > > and

> > > > > > just want to be as prepared as possible. Any thoughts

on

> > > > > expectations

> > > > > > and milestones would be appreciated. This is an awesome

> site

> > > and

> > > > I

> > > > > > hope to help out others as well as getting helping.

Thanks

> > > and

> > > > God

> > > > > > Bless!

> > > > > >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >