Guest guest Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 Hi Katja, One more thing I have been wondering about. When your mandible and maxilla were lengthened, did your face take on a different shape, not just your chin and neck? I mean, because of my very underdeveloped jaw structure, and the maxillary hypoplasia, my face is very very round. Not just rounded like you see with many people, I mean, totally moon faced. This is common with people who had high doses of cortisone (severe allergies), but since I was a child on extremely high doses, the roundness is very extreme also. They will be moving my jaw forward and downward, and my maxilla forward and contoured and also downward. They will be using donar sites on my hip for bone tissue. I know they will be doing that for the maxilla, but am not sure if they need to augment for the lower too. But I am really hoping that it made a difference in the length of the lower third of your face. I don't know if anyone else has this particular problem, and I realize that this is a cosmetic outcome I am talking about, when I have lots of functional problems, but I have to say, it is one of the reasons I am so excited about this surgery. I am hoping the lengthening of the upper and lower will balance the roundness of the lower third. Did you notice a difference with this? My lower is also rotated to the left and the right side is longer. I am assuming they will correct those with the amount they lengthen and pull forward. I am just amazed that they can do this amount of change and not have external incisions. They will be doing my nose too (just the lower part of the septum with this surgery, the upper part of the nose will be reconstructed with a later surgery). So anyway, I was excited when you mentioned that you had bone augment and lenthening with your procedure. Have you noticed any change in this regard? Thanks for your great responses by the way. Hugs, Fran > > > > > > > Hi everyone, > > > > > > > I saw my OS today for my 6 month post-op check up. > > Everything > > > > is > > > > > > > looking good according to my surgeon- my teeth and bite > > and > > > > the > > > > > > > position of everything. I have diminished/altered > > sensation > > > in > > > > my > > > > > > > chin, lower lip, the left side of my tongue, and some > > random > > > > > places > > > > > > > in my mouth.... My surgeon is confident that all my > > feeling > > > > > should > > > > > > be > > > > > > > restored ultimately, but that it could take up to a year > > or > > > > more. > > > > > > It > > > > > > > does give me hope that I am at least not dead numb in > > those > > > > > places > > > > > > > and some feeling is slowly returning. Phew!! > > > > > > > > > > > > > > And, I thought this might be interesting just because I'm > > not > > > > > > really > > > > > > > aware of anyone else around here who has posted about > > these > > > or > > > > > has > > > > > > > them or has had them. I guess they are unusual! So, I > will > > be > > > > the > > > > > > > guinea pig for the group..... I have resorbable plates > > and > > > > > screws. > > > > > > > They are my surgeon's preference. Anyway, last Friday, I > > > > noticed > > > > > > that > > > > > > > the left side of my face has been a little swollen > > > (externally > > > > > and > > > > > > > internally) and tender in places. I've had some throbs > > here > > > > and > > > > > > > there, pain and aching at other times, and general > > > > discomfort.... > > > > > I > > > > > > > guessed it was due to the plates starting to do " their > > > thing " . > > > > My > > > > > > OS > > > > > > > confirmed that right around 6 months they will start to > > > > resorb... > > > > > > > they first soften and turn into something like a jelly, > > and > > > my > > > > > body > > > > > > > takes over and finishes them off.... he said usually it's > > > just > > > > > one > > > > > > of > > > > > > > the plates, if any, that can cause some minor swelling > and > > > > > > discomfort > > > > > > > if my body really goes to town on it! Apparently I am one > > of > > > > the > > > > > > > lucky ones (ha ha) and have a bothersome plate, but > > > > fortunately > > > > > my > > > > > > > swelling isn't noticeable to anyone that doesn't know me > > > well. > > > > I > > > > > > > guess some people experience a lot of swelling due to > > this. > > > He > > > > > said > > > > > > > it should only last a week or two. So, I guess all my > > > plates > > > > > and > > > > > > > screws will be gone soon. I think that is so crazy and > > weird > > > > and > > > > > > > cool! Ultimately, the bone fills in everything and years > > from > > > > > now, > > > > > > > when all that is left of me is a skull and 2 femurs, > > forensic > > > > > > > scientists won't be able to tell I had this surgery. > Wild, > > > > huh? I > > > > > > > guess that also happens with those who end up having > their > > > > > hardware > > > > > > > removed. From what I understand, the resorbable plates > and > > > > screws > > > > > > are > > > > > > > made of a certain compound where one element breaks down > > > > first, > > > > > and > > > > > > > then others go. I have instructions to not poke around in > > my > > > > > mouth > > > > > > so > > > > > > > that the material is left alone and undisturbed as it is > > so > > > > soft > > > > > > now. > > > > > > > In the meantime, my OS recommened that I take some aleve > > or > > > > advil > > > > > > to > > > > > > > help with the inflammation (just like after surgery). > I've > > > > been > > > > > > > occaisionally icing my jaw too. Glad I still have my jaw > > > wrap! > > > > > > > > > > > > > > My upper jaw was very slow to heal, but is solid now > thank > > > > > > goodness. > > > > > > > I have been cleared to resume life as normal.... no > > > > restrictions. > > > > > > > That includes getting my teeth cleaned finally!! They > were > > > > black > > > > > > from > > > > > > > incessant drinking of very black tea in Russia for a > > month! > > > > > They're > > > > > > > better now, but I'm anxious to get rid of the few > > remaining > > > > > > stains!! > > > > > > > I think I'll wait until everything is resorbed before I > go > > > > > > though.... > > > > > > > this is going to require me to get up the courage too. I > > hate > > > > > when > > > > > > > they aren't gentle enough. And is anyone else's lower lip > > as > > > > > crazy > > > > > > as > > > > > > > mine is about some sensations or different things > touching > > > > > it??... > > > > > > > ooooh can you imagine the horrible spinning head on the > > > > polisher > > > > > > > hitting against the lip accidentally?! Yikes! I hate it > > when > > > > I'm > > > > > in > > > > > > > bed a the sheet touches my lip. For some reason I can't > > stand > > > > > > certain > > > > > > > sensations.... Now that I have full clearance, I'm > hoping > > to > > > > > start > > > > > > > swimming again... I wonder if that will be weird with my > > > > > sinuses... > > > > > > I > > > > > > > am much more aware of them now. (I am sure I could have > > gone > > > > > > swimming > > > > > > > much earlier on in my recovery, but I never asked or > > wanted > > > to > > > > > > until > > > > > > > recently. My sinuses have been interesting since my sx). > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I've also been having some minor pain and discomfort > > > sometimes > > > > > when > > > > > > > eating and talking in my left joint. I asked my OS about > > it > > > > > today, > > > > > > he > > > > > > > said that due to all the ortho work moving my teeth over > > and > > > > the > > > > > > > pressure the bands are putting on the muscles in the > area, > > > the > > > > > > joints > > > > > > > are very sensitive and probably have some adema (your > > > standard > > > > > > > swelling and inflammation). I kind of guessed it was > that, > > so > > > > I > > > > > > feel > > > > > > > relieved that my guess was right and this is only a > > temporary > > > > > > > problem. I was sort of feeling concerned. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > As a side note, on my exact 6 month anniversary, I > > celebrated > > > > by > > > > > > > having my first postop steak dinner! It was a very > > tasty > > > > filet > > > > > > and > > > > > > > I very much enjoyed it! AND I was able to eat it just > > fine!! > > > I > > > > > > think > > > > > > > I would be able to eat pretty much anything at this point > > if > > > I > > > > > > wasn't > > > > > > > still having ortho adjustments that make my teeth sore > and > > > > > tender. > > > > > > I > > > > > > > can't wait until I'm done with ortho and my teeth are > > perfect > > > > > along > > > > > > > with my new perfect jaws.... (perfect for me, probably > not > > > > > > > objectively perfect or amazing or anything!) > > > > > > > > > > > > > > My OS wants to see me at 1 year post op, and when my > > braces > > > > are > > > > > > taken > > > > > > > off. But, I highly doubt they will be off before my 1 > year > > > > date. > > > > > I > > > > > > am > > > > > > > hoping for around that time though, so we'll see! > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Oh, and ortho has been doing a good job slowly but surely > > > > getting > > > > > > my > > > > > > > canted bite corrected. It was minor to begin with, but > > > > noticeable > > > > > > to > > > > > > > me and my family & boyfriend. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Well, that's my official update. Hope it wasn't too > > boring, > > > > > > > especially the stuff about the resorbables! I'm off to > > > take > > > > > two > > > > > > > aleve.... thanks for reading! Oh, and one last thing, I > > love > > > > my > > > > > > > surgeon!!! > > > > > > > Katja > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 Hi Fran, Let's see... my madible was lengthened outwardly and vertically. MY Maxilla wasn't lengthened though. It was actually shortened just a bit! It was too long. My midface was too long and my lowerface was very short. This resulted in my having the most protruding nose ever! The shape of my face did change. The fullness in my cheeks changed... The fullness preop was low... almost like jowels (sp??) -Probably because I didn't have the skeletal structure to support all the soft tissue in my lower face. Postop that fullness was higher in my cheeks (maybe because along with lengthening the lower jaw, my upper jaw was expanded? I don't know). My smile is much wider too. My face is fuller and more rounded... not all saggy and droopy and long and miserable. My profile changed dramatically!! Shortening my upper jaw (midface) and lenthening and making more visually strong my lower face completely altered the appearance of my nose and profile! My nose literally looks like I had reconstructive work done on it as well- all without having a thing done with it! It's size/appearance of size is SO much more in proportion with the rest of my face that it is amazing. And that's without mentioning that the lower portion of my face is also well represented now. It sounds like your case is more extreme than mine.... Hip grafting is serious business! I think the need for augmenting the lower jaw just depends on how much the jaw will be brought out and how stable they think the connection is between the two bones (the one jaw bone cut into two) without the graft. My upper jaw took a LONG time healing. At one very panicked point in my recovery, it looked like I would need a second surgery for my upper because it wasn't healing.. it was still " loose " . My OS said the connection was fibrous and hadn't solidified yet. If it hadn't solidified after 6 months, he would have gone back in there and grafted bone from my hip to place along the upper to fortify the connection. Thank goodness it healed ultimately... but it wasn't totally solid until around 4-5 months post op. Something to do with fairly complected people frequently being more skeletally delicate. And resuming grinding/clenching 2-3 weeks post op didn't help either (fortunately the resorbable plates I had accomodated that. Oh, neither did my zealous eating once I was cleared for solids help my cause (before I discovered my problem). Sigh!! One thing I am not clear about... when you describe your face as round... do you mean it appears round when seen front-on, or round when looked at sideways (profile)?? My face was more " round " preop profile wise... that's because my nose was way out front leading the rest of my face and body around. Now it is back with the rest of us, where it belongs! Maybe I can find some representative pictures to post and you can look and see for yourself. I had pics posted way back when, but didn't like them just up there for the world to look at, so I removed them. I could also just email you a couple directly for your personal reference. Maybe the visual would help??? Yes, there was a dramatic affect on the lower third of my face. Dramatic. That in turn visually affected the appearance of the rest of my face. It's all about proportion and visual subtleties that way! Wait, I think I understand better what you mean about the roundness- I think! In my totally amateur opinion, it sounds like the lengthening will make all the difference. If you are very short in both your mid and lower faces, thus creating the appearance of so much roundness and width... well of course that will be visually counteracted after the surgery. Everything will totally be in so much more proportion. The width will be proportional to the length finally.... a visual balance will be created. As I said, I definitely noticed that difference in my own case post op! My genio really helped complete everything... He moved my chin out/down something like 1 cm I think. That's why grafting material was used... because it was such a move out that the gap that created needed to be filled in! My new chin and jaw have made all the difference. I can't say that enough! Oh, we're the same with our lower assymetries then. Mine was just as you described. Your guess is correct... they just pull one side out a bit more than the other. My OS kept asking about my nose too! They checked my septum in xrays a couple times. If it had been deviated, it would have been repaired at the same time. My nose was packed post op anyway, and that really wasn't fun. The day after the surgery, they pulled out all the packing and I felt infinitely better. It is not pleasant when they pull out the packing (maybe you've had your nose packed before?) but it's over in a couple seconds and then it's done. They are like two long, highly expandible tampons being shoved way up your nose into what feels like your sinus cavity. They are WAY way up in there! Yikes! I had clear and free breathing after that! My nose was never fully or that much at all... congested after that. I know some people worry about breathing with the congestion post op. You definitely can't breathe with the packing in, though! You asked if I noticed any change in regard to having lengthening and augmentation as part of my surgery, but I wasn't sure what you meant by that question. It's late and I'm slow! Just reask what you mean, and I'm sure the second or third time around, I'll get it! If you mean regarding my appearance.... well, as I've said, absolutely. I've definitely noticed a visual/appearance change- all completely for the better. Oh, and the powers that be also wanted to reconstruct my nose. lol It is a little bit off midline too! I didn't want that corrected though, so now it looks like my midlines are slightly off... people don't realize that actually they are correct and it is my nose that is slightly off! So, my post op result didn't totally fix my assymetry, but it is fixed enough to make me happy. All the things that bothered me and that I loathed about my appearance are gone (fixed). Besides, my nose and I are old friends... we've gotten used to each other. Will your reconstructive surgery on your nose be after all of this surgery on your jaws is behind you? Long road ahead. I remember when you didn't have braces yet. It's been a couple months now with them on, hasn't it? How is that going? Much better than when you first got them on I hope? I remember that they were hurting you quite a bit. I hope that's going really well for you now, Fran. Oh! And I have a question for you. You mentioned the childhood cortisone shots for allergies. For what allergies did you recieve the shots, and if you don't mind my asking, how severe were they?? I ask because I too recieved childhood allergy shots. What the injections were of, I don't know but maybe that was contributive to my development... or I should say poor development. I never heard that before about the injections. I'm totally curious now. I don't think my case was as severe as it sounds like yours might have been, but maybe that contributed??? Who knows?! Keep in touch! Hugs back, Katja > > > > > > > > Hi everyone, > > > > > > > > I saw my OS today for my 6 month post-op check up. > > > Everything > > > > > is > > > > > > > > looking good according to my surgeon- my teeth and > bite > > > and > > > > > the > > > > > > > > position of everything. I have diminished/altered > > > sensation > > > > in > > > > > my > > > > > > > > chin, lower lip, the left side of my tongue, and some > > > random > > > > > > places > > > > > > > > in my mouth.... My surgeon is confident that all my > > > feeling > > > > > > should > > > > > > > be > > > > > > > > restored ultimately, but that it could take up to a > year > > > or > > > > > more. > > > > > > > It > > > > > > > > does give me hope that I am at least not dead numb in > > > those > > > > > > places > > > > > > > > and some feeling is slowly returning. Phew!! > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > And, I thought this might be interesting just because > I'm > > > not > > > > > > > really > > > > > > > > aware of anyone else around here who has posted about > > > these > > > > or > > > > > > has > > > > > > > > them or has had them. I guess they are unusual! So, I > > will > > > be > > > > > the > > > > > > > > guinea pig for the group..... I have resorbable > plates > > > and > > > > > > screws. > > > > > > > > They are my surgeon's preference. Anyway, last Friday, > I > > > > > noticed > > > > > > > that > > > > > > > > the left side of my face has been a little swollen > > > > (externally > > > > > > and > > > > > > > > internally) and tender in places. I've had some throbs > > > here > > > > > and > > > > > > > > there, pain and aching at other times, and general > > > > > discomfort.... > > > > > > I > > > > > > > > guessed it was due to the plates starting to do " their > > > > thing " . > > > > > My > > > > > > > OS > > > > > > > > confirmed that right around 6 months they will start > to > > > > > resorb... > > > > > > > > they first soften and turn into something like a > jelly, > > > and > > > > my > > > > > > body > > > > > > > > takes over and finishes them off.... he said usually > it's > > > > just > > > > > > one > > > > > > > of > > > > > > > > the plates, if any, that can cause some minor swelling > > and > > > > > > > discomfort > > > > > > > > if my body really goes to town on it! Apparently I am > one > > > of > > > > > the > > > > > > > > lucky ones (ha ha) and have a bothersome plate, but > > > > > fortunately > > > > > > my > > > > > > > > swelling isn't noticeable to anyone that doesn't know > me > > > > well. > > > > > I > > > > > > > > guess some people experience a lot of swelling due to > > > this. > > > > He > > > > > > said > > > > > > > > it should only last a week or two. So, I guess all > my > > > > plates > > > > > > and > > > > > > > > screws will be gone soon. I think that is so crazy and > > > weird > > > > > and > > > > > > > > cool! Ultimately, the bone fills in everything and > years > > > from > > > > > > now, > > > > > > > > when all that is left of me is a skull and 2 femurs, > > > forensic > > > > > > > > scientists won't be able to tell I had this surgery. > > Wild, > > > > > huh? I > > > > > > > > guess that also happens with those who end up having > > their > > > > > > hardware > > > > > > > > removed. From what I understand, the resorbable plates > > and > > > > > screws > > > > > > > are > > > > > > > > made of a certain compound where one element breaks > down > > > > > first, > > > > > > and > > > > > > > > then others go. I have instructions to not poke around > in > > > my > > > > > > mouth > > > > > > > so > > > > > > > > that the material is left alone and undisturbed as it > is > > > so > > > > > soft > > > > > > > now. > > > > > > > > In the meantime, my OS recommened that I take some > aleve > > > or > > > > > advil > > > > > > > to > > > > > > > > help with the inflammation (just like after surgery). > > I've > > > > > been > > > > > > > > occaisionally icing my jaw too. Glad I still have my > jaw > > > > wrap! > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > My upper jaw was very slow to heal, but is solid now > > thank > > > > > > > goodness. > > > > > > > > I have been cleared to resume life as normal.... no > > > > > restrictions. > > > > > > > > That includes getting my teeth cleaned finally!! They > > were > > > > > black > > > > > > > from > > > > > > > > incessant drinking of very black tea in Russia for a > > > month! > > > > > > They're > > > > > > > > better now, but I'm anxious to get rid of the few > > > remaining > > > > > > > stains!! > > > > > > > > I think I'll wait until everything is resorbed before > I > > go > > > > > > > though.... > > > > > > > > this is going to require me to get up the courage too. > I > > > hate > > > > > > when > > > > > > > > they aren't gentle enough. And is anyone else's lower > lip > > > as > > > > > > crazy > > > > > > > as > > > > > > > > mine is about some sensations or different things > > touching > > > > > > it??... > > > > > > > > ooooh can you imagine the horrible spinning head on > the > > > > > polisher > > > > > > > > hitting against the lip accidentally?! Yikes! I hate > it > > > when > > > > > I'm > > > > > > in > > > > > > > > bed a the sheet touches my lip. For some reason I > can't > > > stand > > > > > > > certain > > > > > > > > sensations.... Now that I have full clearance, I'm > > hoping > > > to > > > > > > start > > > > > > > > swimming again... I wonder if that will be weird with > my > > > > > > sinuses... > > > > > > > I > > > > > > > > am much more aware of them now. (I am sure I could > have > > > gone > > > > > > > swimming > > > > > > > > much earlier on in my recovery, but I never asked or > > > wanted > > > > to > > > > > > > until > > > > > > > > recently. My sinuses have been interesting since my > sx). > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I've also been having some minor pain and discomfort > > > > sometimes > > > > > > when > > > > > > > > eating and talking in my left joint. I asked my OS > about > > > it > > > > > > today, > > > > > > > he > > > > > > > > said that due to all the ortho work moving my teeth > over > > > and > > > > > the > > > > > > > > pressure the bands are putting on the muscles in the > > area, > > > > the > > > > > > > joints > > > > > > > > are very sensitive and probably have some adema (your > > > > standard > > > > > > > > swelling and inflammation). I kind of guessed it was > > that, > > > so > > > > > I > > > > > > > feel > > > > > > > > relieved that my guess was right and this is only a > > > temporary > > > > > > > > problem. I was sort of feeling concerned. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > As a side note, on my exact 6 month anniversary, I > > > celebrated > > > > > by > > > > > > > > having my first postop steak dinner! It was a very > > > tasty > > > > > filet > > > > > > > and > > > > > > > > I very much enjoyed it! AND I was able to eat it just > > > fine!! > > > > I > > > > > > > think > > > > > > > > I would be able to eat pretty much anything at this > point > > > if > > > > I > > > > > > > wasn't > > > > > > > > still having ortho adjustments that make my teeth sore > > and > > > > > > tender. > > > > > > > I > > > > > > > > can't wait until I'm done with ortho and my teeth are > > > perfect > > > > > > along > > > > > > > > with my new perfect jaws.... (perfect for me, probably > > not > > > > > > > > objectively perfect or amazing or anything!) > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > My OS wants to see me at 1 year post op, and when my > > > braces > > > > > are > > > > > > > taken > > > > > > > > off. But, I highly doubt they will be off before my 1 > > year > > > > > date. > > > > > > I > > > > > > > am > > > > > > > > hoping for around that time though, so we'll see! > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Oh, and ortho has been doing a good job slowly but > surely > > > > > getting > > > > > > > my > > > > > > > > canted bite corrected. It was minor to begin with, but > > > > > noticeable > > > > > > > to > > > > > > > > me and my family & boyfriend. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Well, that's my official update. Hope it wasn't too > > > boring, > > > > > > > > especially the stuff about the resorbables! I'm off > to > > > > take > > > > > > two > > > > > > > > aleve.... thanks for reading! Oh, and one last thing, > I > > > love > > > > > my > > > > > > > > surgeon!!! > > > > > > > > Katja > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 2, 2005 Report Share Posted November 2, 2005 Hi Katja, Wow! Thank you for a complete reply! I hope it didn't take you too long. It was full of great information for me to hear though. Wonderful! Yes, I think you are right about the lengthening of my upper and lower jaws should improve the roundness by lengthening the lower third to be more proportionate to the upper. It might be somewhat less so though, as the upper and lower will also be moved forward, which I think you actually answered. It might be that the center part of my face will be less prominent by the move too, but that tends to round or at least soften the features. In any case, I am thinking it will be a cosmetic improvement! That is good news! lol The OMS is doing reconstruction on the lower septum of my nose along with the upper jaw surgery. It is way way off center at the base, sort of like it is squished up into my face from the pressure of the overshort jaws. But my nose is straight when you see it from the front. It is amazing how the body tries to make things look symmetrical, even when they are significantly off center. lol I will have a second nose reconstruction to open the upper part of the septum which will become closed when the lower part is repaired. There is a plastic surgeon who I will probably use for that one, and I understand it needs to be6 months to a year post op. My braces are doing fine, but because my teeth are so short, and my mouth is so shortened, the OD had to put a bite plate in, and use pediatric brackets which cover my entire teeth! lol I am full metal. I have the continuous force wires, so I get used to everything and then a few days later, the brackets and everything are in a slightly different position, so I have a bit of getting- used-to to do again. But that initial pain has gone away. I am thankful for that! I go in next week for my first adjustment, and am hoping they will be as pleased as I am about the movement. I can really tell a huge difference in placement, even though my teeth were already straight!! They are further down from the gum, and the uppers are more bucktoothed (I have an overbite, but my teeth had moved inward on the uppers, so the overbite wasn't as apparent). I am hoping they will say I will be in braces less time preop than they initially thought!! hope hope hope! I will let you know what I find out. As to the allergies. I have very severe atopic eczema. As child, I was ill most of the time from it. My skin was always raw on my hands and elbows and neck, which made an opportunistic site for infection. It was awful. They came out with homeopathic injecitons when I was about 5-6 which really helped, but I still had a lot of open times. Cortisone was fairly new then, and I was given cortisone in fairly high doses mostly in tablet form, though occasionally IM as well. Atopic has a strong autoimmune component, and that is why the cortisone helped. Fortunately for me now, Singulair which I take for my hayfever and asthma, resolved the skin form of my allertgies! It is a major miracle for me that came about in the last few years. I love it! Cortisone for kids is not done heavily if at all possible. It causes " moonface " , and is well known for causing dental problems. I had my first root canal at age 13! And an amazing array of cavities. My parents were told of the risks to my dental well being for being on a cortisone regimine, but the immediate risks associated with the steady string of infections outweighted future problems. I would agree with them today. And at least this outcome, if it is as related to my jaw maldevelopment as I am thinking it is, is correctable! So that is the good news about it! Were you on a cortisone regime as well? That would be interesting to see if it is a causitive agent. I hope you are doing well! Thank you again for such a great reply! Hugs, Fran > > > > > > > > > Hi everyone, > > > > > > > > > I saw my OS today for my 6 month post-op check up. > > > > Everything > > > > > > is > > > > > > > > > looking good according to my surgeon- my teeth and > > bite > > > > and > > > > > > the > > > > > > > > > position of everything. I have diminished/altered > > > > sensation > > > > > in > > > > > > my > > > > > > > > > chin, lower lip, the left side of my tongue, and some > > > > random > > > > > > > places > > > > > > > > > in my mouth.... My surgeon is confident that all my > > > > feeling > > > > > > > should > > > > > > > > be > > > > > > > > > restored ultimately, but that it could take up to a > > year > > > > or > > > > > > more. > > > > > > > > It > > > > > > > > > does give me hope that I am at least not dead numb in > > > > those > > > > > > > places > > > > > > > > > and some feeling is slowly returning. Phew!! > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > And, I thought this might be interesting just because > > I'm > > > > not > > > > > > > > really > > > > > > > > > aware of anyone else around here who has posted about > > > > these > > > > > or > > > > > > > has > > > > > > > > > them or has had them. I guess they are unusual! So, I > > > will > > > > be > > > > > > the > > > > > > > > > guinea pig for the group..... I have resorbable > > plates > > > > and > > > > > > > screws. > > > > > > > > > They are my surgeon's preference. Anyway, last > Friday, > > I > > > > > > noticed > > > > > > > > that > > > > > > > > > the left side of my face has been a little swollen > > > > > (externally > > > > > > > and > > > > > > > > > internally) and tender in places. I've had some > throbs > > > > here > > > > > > and > > > > > > > > > there, pain and aching at other times, and general > > > > > > discomfort.... > > > > > > > I > > > > > > > > > guessed it was due to the plates starting to > do " their > > > > > thing " . > > > > > > My > > > > > > > > OS > > > > > > > > > confirmed that right around 6 months they will start > > to > > > > > > resorb... > > > > > > > > > they first soften and turn into something like a > > jelly, > > > > and > > > > > my > > > > > > > body > > > > > > > > > takes over and finishes them off.... he said usually > > it's > > > > > just > > > > > > > one > > > > > > > > of > > > > > > > > > the plates, if any, that can cause some minor > swelling > > > and > > > > > > > > discomfort > > > > > > > > > if my body really goes to town on it! Apparently I am > > one > > > > of > > > > > > the > > > > > > > > > lucky ones (ha ha) and have a bothersome plate, but > > > > > > fortunately > > > > > > > my > > > > > > > > > swelling isn't noticeable to anyone that doesn't know > > me > > > > > well. > > > > > > I > > > > > > > > > guess some people experience a lot of swelling due to > > > > this. > > > > > He > > > > > > > said > > > > > > > > > it should only last a week or two. So, I guess all > > my > > > > > plates > > > > > > > and > > > > > > > > > screws will be gone soon. I think that is so crazy > and > > > > weird > > > > > > and > > > > > > > > > cool! Ultimately, the bone fills in everything and > > years > > > > from > > > > > > > now, > > > > > > > > > when all that is left of me is a skull and 2 femurs, > > > > forensic > > > > > > > > > scientists won't be able to tell I had this surgery. > > > Wild, > > > > > > huh? I > > > > > > > > > guess that also happens with those who end up having > > > their > > > > > > > hardware > > > > > > > > > removed. From what I understand, the resorbable > plates > > > and > > > > > > screws > > > > > > > > are > > > > > > > > > made of a certain compound where one element breaks > > down > > > > > > first, > > > > > > > and > > > > > > > > > then others go. I have instructions to not poke > around > > in > > > > my > > > > > > > mouth > > > > > > > > so > > > > > > > > > that the material is left alone and undisturbed as it > > is > > > > so > > > > > > soft > > > > > > > > now. > > > > > > > > > In the meantime, my OS recommened that I take some > > aleve > > > > or > > > > > > advil > > > > > > > > to > > > > > > > > > help with the inflammation (just like after surgery). > > > I've > > > > > > been > > > > > > > > > occaisionally icing my jaw too. Glad I still have my > > jaw > > > > > wrap! > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > My upper jaw was very slow to heal, but is solid now > > > thank > > > > > > > > goodness. > > > > > > > > > I have been cleared to resume life as normal.... no > > > > > > restrictions. > > > > > > > > > That includes getting my teeth cleaned finally!! They > > > were > > > > > > black > > > > > > > > from > > > > > > > > > incessant drinking of very black tea in Russia for a > > > > month! > > > > > > > They're > > > > > > > > > better now, but I'm anxious to get rid of the few > > > > remaining > > > > > > > > stains!! > > > > > > > > > I think I'll wait until everything is resorbed before > > I > > > go > > > > > > > > though.... > > > > > > > > > this is going to require me to get up the courage > too. > > I > > > > hate > > > > > > > when > > > > > > > > > they aren't gentle enough. And is anyone else's lower > > lip > > > > as > > > > > > > crazy > > > > > > > > as > > > > > > > > > mine is about some sensations or different things > > > touching > > > > > > > it??... > > > > > > > > > ooooh can you imagine the horrible spinning head on > > the > > > > > > polisher > > > > > > > > > hitting against the lip accidentally?! Yikes! I hate > > it > > > > when > > > > > > I'm > > > > > > > in > > > > > > > > > bed a the sheet touches my lip. For some reason I > > can't > > > > stand > > > > > > > > certain > > > > > > > > > sensations.... Now that I have full clearance, I'm > > > hoping > > > > to > > > > > > > start > > > > > > > > > swimming again... I wonder if that will be weird with > > my > > > > > > > sinuses... > > > > > > > > I > > > > > > > > > am much more aware of them now. (I am sure I could > > have > > > > gone > > > > > > > > swimming > > > > > > > > > much earlier on in my recovery, but I never asked or > > > > wanted > > > > > to > > > > > > > > until > > > > > > > > > recently. My sinuses have been interesting since my > > sx). > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I've also been having some minor pain and discomfort > > > > > sometimes > > > > > > > when > > > > > > > > > eating and talking in my left joint. I asked my OS > > about > > > > it > > > > > > > today, > > > > > > > > he > > > > > > > > > said that due to all the ortho work moving my teeth > > over > > > > and > > > > > > the > > > > > > > > > pressure the bands are putting on the muscles in the > > > area, > > > > > the > > > > > > > > joints > > > > > > > > > are very sensitive and probably have some adema (your > > > > > standard > > > > > > > > > swelling and inflammation). I kind of guessed it was > > > that, > > > > so > > > > > > I > > > > > > > > feel > > > > > > > > > relieved that my guess was right and this is only a > > > > temporary > > > > > > > > > problem. I was sort of feeling concerned. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > As a side note, on my exact 6 month anniversary, I > > > > celebrated > > > > > > by > > > > > > > > > having my first postop steak dinner! It was a very > > > > tasty > > > > > > filet > > > > > > > > and > > > > > > > > > I very much enjoyed it! AND I was able to eat it just > > > > fine!! > > > > > I > > > > > > > > think > > > > > > > > > I would be able to eat pretty much anything at this > > point > > > > if > > > > > I > > > > > > > > wasn't > > > > > > > > > still having ortho adjustments that make my teeth > sore > > > and > > > > > > > tender. > > > > > > > > I > > > > > > > > > can't wait until I'm done with ortho and my teeth are > > > > perfect > > > > > > > along > > > > > > > > > with my new perfect jaws.... (perfect for me, > probably > > > not > > > > > > > > > objectively perfect or amazing or anything!) > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > My OS wants to see me at 1 year post op, and when my > > > > braces > > > > > > are > > > > > > > > taken > > > > > > > > > off. But, I highly doubt they will be off before my 1 > > > year > > > > > > date. > > > > > > > I > > > > > > > > am > > > > > > > > > hoping for around that time though, so we'll see! > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Oh, and ortho has been doing a good job slowly but > > surely > > > > > > getting > > > > > > > > my > > > > > > > > > canted bite corrected. It was minor to begin with, > but > > > > > > noticeable > > > > > > > > to > > > > > > > > > me and my family & boyfriend. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Well, that's my official update. Hope it wasn't too > > > > boring, > > > > > > > > > especially the stuff about the resorbables! I'm > off > > to > > > > > take > > > > > > > two > > > > > > > > > aleve.... thanks for reading! Oh, and one last thing, > > I > > > > love > > > > > > my > > > > > > > > > surgeon!!! > > > > > > > > > Katja > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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