Re: On the other side of the fence

[Guest guest]

Hi Nichol,

Here's a reply from someone who had the surgery (lower jaw setback) a

year ago (July 15th) but still remember exactly how it felt just days

after the surgery. I haven't logged on to this site in months and

today I just decided to and I read your post and I thought I'd

respond.

I used this support group heavily just before and in the first six

weeks after my surgery. I was heavily rubber banded (like 25 rubber

bands in my mouth) for 6 weeks so I couldn't eat anything solid. I

was so upset in the early days after the surgery and I'd read posts

about people who were able to eat soft foods after 2 weeks and I was

soooo jealous but by the time I went back to work 2 weeks later I had

a meal plan down and I survived. Today, sometimes I look back on my

old posts to chronicle my recovery and I see my messages where I'm

sobbing and thinking that there's no way that I can get through this,

hitting " the wall " several times and then the happy messages about

recovering, getting unwired, and eventually getting my braces off.

It's really funny now.

Also, just last week my orthodontist's office called me and asked if

I could talk to someone else in the office who is going to have the

surgery August 22nd. I said sure but I also told her about this

support group. It's very therapeutic for me to be able to help

people after going through it myself.

Pretty soon I will add pictures to this site of the before and after.

Anyway, I just wanted to offer a few words of encouragement !

Helen

> Hi all,

>

> I've written in here before, but as time flew by me and I had so

much preparing to do, I didn't get to check the e-mails frequently.

>

> I just had upper and lower jaw surgery last Wednesday, July 27th.

I'm not going to lie, it was pretty rough, and I'm not yet over the

hill. Today, however, is the first day I actually feel like myself,

and feel I'm going to make it.

>

> This site is great, but I found that with different surgeons, they

all do the surgeries differently and want you to follow their

guidlines of course. I ordered zip and seal, but my surgeon wants me

using dixie cups and to not become dependant on the zip and seal. If

anyone does need these though, or an ice wrap (my surgeon would not

let me ice...and I've read in here that ice is the most important.

According to my surgeon, ice is for muscle healing, and swelling, and

jaw surgery is dealing with bone. Ice causes the bone to heal at a

lesser rate, delaying your recovery) let me know. I'd like to not

lose much on the purchase, but willing to do what needs to be done.

>

> Well, now that I'm in my recovery period, I'd love to help all that

I can. Please don't hesitate to ask any questions.

>

> I had my surgery with Dr's Arnett and Gunson in Santa Barbara. I

couldn't have been happier with them. I know there are a few of you

out there going to him, so if you have questions, let them rain, I

don't mind at all. I have time now and on short term disability from

work, so will be able to check the postings.

>

> Overall, I just wanted to congratulate all of you who have made

it. Going through just this week, I respect everyone more than words

can say. It's not easy, but we can make it! Good luck to all you

out there as well having to have the surgery done. I am glad to

finally have it overwith (just wish I was a year post-op, not just a

week!). We all make it through.

>

> Talk to you soon!

>

> Nichol

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Nichol,

Good to hear that you're now on the other side... I presume that you

found somewhere to stay in Santa Barbara.

Interesting that you mention the zip and squeeze...I just bought

myself a whole load of them, which seeing as I've got Arnett aswell,

they'll be a bit useless!

Only 3 weeks to go for me.. and starting to feel a bit nervous, but

happy to know that you were pleased with your surgeons.

I wish you a speedy recovery!

Suzy

x

-- In orthognathicsurgerysupport , Nichol Mroz

<shine_nicholmroz@y...> wrote:

> Hi all,

>

> I've written in here before, but as time flew by me and I had so

much preparing to do, I didn't get to check the e-mails frequently.

>

> I just had upper and lower jaw surgery last Wednesday, July 27th.

I'm not going to lie, it was pretty rough, and I'm not yet over the

hill. Today, however, is the first day I actually feel like myself,

and feel I'm going to make it.

>

> This site is great, but I found that with different surgeons, they

all do the surgeries differently and want you to follow their

guidlines of course. I ordered zip and seal, but my surgeon wants me

using dixie cups and to not become dependant on the zip and seal. If

anyone does need these though, or an ice wrap (my surgeon would not

let me ice...and I've read in here that ice is the most important.

According to my surgeon, ice is for muscle healing, and swelling, and

jaw surgery is dealing with bone. Ice causes the bone to heal at a

lesser rate, delaying your recovery) let me know. I'd like to not

lose much on the purchase, but willing to do what needs to be done.

>

> Well, now that I'm in my recovery period, I'd love to help all that

I can. Please don't hesitate to ask any questions.

>

> I had my surgery with Dr's Arnett and Gunson in Santa Barbara. I

couldn't have been happier with them. I know there are a few of you

out there going to him, so if you have questions, let them rain, I

don't mind at all. I have time now and on short term disability from

work, so will be able to check the postings.

>

> Overall, I just wanted to congratulate all of you who have made

it. Going through just this week, I respect everyone more than words

can say. It's not easy, but we can make it! Good luck to all you

out there as well having to have the surgery done. I am glad to

finally have it overwith (just wish I was a year post-op, not just a

week!). We all make it through.

>

> Talk to you soon!

>

> Nichol

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page

>

>

[Guest guest]

Glad to hear you've made it, as well, Nichol.

Hmmm. Interesting to hear that a surgeon doesn't want ice. Even at

first. My doc, whom I would trust to take my face apart again and

put it back together, does, for the first 48 hours. But my

procedures were much less invasive.

And I had no significant swelling. Nor has had anyone else I know

first-hand who's had major oral surgery procedures, including

extensive ones, and used the ice. It did indeed help with the

swelling, and far as I could tell; my bones (and those of my

friends) healed just fine. But I'm no doc. I also used heat after

the first 48, but only in 20-minute sessions.

But all these folks have different strokes, and as long as you're

doing well, that's what matters, I think!

Best,

C.