Katja on recovery and eating

[Guest guest]

Hi Katja,

Sorry it took a little while to get back to you. I went to the OS

on Friday and told him about my strange hole. At first glance he

seemed to think it looked strange. It took him and the nurse two

mirrors and about a minute to get a good look and he seemed to think

everything looked okay. I think my splint may be a little tweaked

and it caused my teeth to shift. So I'm relieved.

When you say your teeth are canted, does that mean they're tipped up

more on one side? My OS chose not to do upper, lower only, even

though my upper jaw was slightly uneven. He said the OD could use

bands after surgery to pull the few molars that were up, back down

into place. Bacause of this, I learned on Friday I will have to

keep my splint on until 8 weeks postop. After this he will remove

it, shave off the portion where my molars are, put it back on and

then the OD will pull my molars into position before my splint comes

off for good. So we're looking at the beginning of October or later

before my splint comes off. Bummer!

You mentioned that you had your splint on for a while after you were

released to eat. Were you able to actually chew anything? I ask

because out of pity for me, my OS told me I could eat watermelon

only this week, no other chewing until Friday. I tried and couldn't

seem to break the food up enough. I don't know if it was trying to

smash food up against the splint, or possibly maybe my jaw muscles

are to weak? Also, my mouth opens only a tiny bit, 8mm. I don't

get to start exercising it until Friday also, my 6 week point. I'd

love to hear if you had the same problem because I'm pretty

depressed about the whole eating thing. Here I am, counting down

the days to week 6, then I find out I probably still will only be

able to eat mushy food.

Speaking of food, I do dream about it. I dream about cheating and

going to Mc's and eating fries, salty fries with ranch. I

haven't cheated though. What I really crave though is Olive

Garden. I am a huge salad fanatic, and not eating salad in the

summer has been killing me. I love bread too, so I would be happy

with just bread and water and salad. But let's not forget about the

pasta. Also, I miss Thai food. I'm allergic to peanut oils, and so

Thai is the only oriental food I can safely eat. My sister lives

about an hour and a half away from me, and has a Thai restaurant in

her town that is to die for! I'm thinking of visiting her in a

couple of weeks and getting the food to go. That way, if I'm still

a slob when I eat, I can have the food I want and not embarrass my

family.

You mentioned that you are hoping to have your braces off before

your 27th birthday. I hear you. My goal all along has been to have

them off before a possible reunion (although I wouldn't go, but

still a nice thought). So, by you saying that I'm guessing we're

pretty close in age. I'll be 26 on Sept. 27th. When's your B Day?

Well, I'm sure your poor eyes are aching from this long message.

I'll talk to you soon.

Connie