Sara Regine update

[Guest guest]

Hello All

I haven't been on the site in a while but just wanted to give you a

little update from my end and let you know that I've posted some more

recent pics. Sorry for filling up the storage space earlier.

Well I'm almost at the 3 month mark post-op and I have to say that I

am starting to finally feel 'normal' again. During my last OMS visit

last month my doctor gave me the OK to start chewing food again with

the exception of salads and hard meat and bread. So basically still

relegated to a soft food diet but with the added bonus of being able

to chew. In the last couple of days I've gotten more adventurous and

have been eating soft meats and chewing on soft bread etc. It feels

so strange! Strangest was being able to bite into a soft sandwhich my

fiance's mother made for me. I'd never been able to bite into

something with my front teeth and being able to finally do it felt

like a dream come true!

Weight wise I've still haven't gained back any of the lbs I shed post

op despite gourging myself while in Sicily. The food there was

delicious!

During my last orthodontic appointment my OD said that the teeth on

my bottom jaw were perfect and that hopefully during my next visit I

would be able to remove the braces there. Yeaahhh! As for my top

teeth he expects to be able to remove the braces by November.

Currently I have a gap in between my two front teeth from where my OD

is trying to align my midsection properly and make use of the space

that has been left from where my two upper bicuspids were removed. It

feels strange having a gap where pre-surgery my teeth were perfectly

straight but at least I know it's not forever and I'm willing to put

up with it.

Jaw wise everything seems to be settling fine. I have minor and very

infrequent pain in my jaw joints which my OMS told me is normal.

Apparently my jaw is still settling and getting used to its new

position. One thing is for sure, my migraines are gone! I've also

regained sensitivity virtually everywhere except for the whole upper

section of my upper gum line and palet. I get occasional tingles here

so I expect that the sensation will come back eventually but very

slowly. My doctor told me to watch out when I floss since I can't

feel anything and could hurt myself. I'm also still numb on the left

hand side of my nose but it's getting better every day.

Overall I have to say I'm very pleased with the surgery results. The

recovery wasn't always very easy although by all accounts I had it a

lot easier than other people, but for me at least it was worth it.

I'm glad I finally got the courage to go through with everything.

I wish everyone who is about to undergo surgery or undergoing

gruesome orthodontics, or considering both of the above the best of

luck. I can't recommend how much having a positive attitude during

this whole ordeal helped me get through all of it. Every day I kept

on reminding myself that this was just a temporary phase in my life

and that soon it would be over. Remember this when you hit your brick

walls! I'll still be stopping by the site from time to time so I hope

to be able to keep on providing friendly advice and support.

Sara

Surgery: June 6th, 2005

Upper jaw surgery, 3 piece le forte, 4mm palet expansion, 2 upper

bicuspids removed and lower jaw brought forward, plus genio