Molly - Re: Surgery on 10/3/05 to cure OSA and TMJ

[Guest guest]

Hi Shirley,

Thanks so much for detailing how the upper/lower surgery has effected

your TMJs. Was your upper jaw brought forward 5 mm? What about

impacted?

BTW, you look great in your pictures. I don't see *any* dark circles

(wait until I post my pics; I look like I've been punched in the

eyes).

Talk to you soon.

Molly

> Hi Molly,

>

> I'm out of town and haven't had access to the Internet lately, but

> just wanted to offer some support for your surgery in October.

>

> I had a surgery on 6/23/05 for sleep apnea. I, too, have a small

> mouth (my husband might disagree!) and had TMJ problems as a

> teenager (now 62).

>

> The surgery cured the sleep apnea (I still haven't gotten brain

> retrained not to wake up but hope that will come with time). I

> recently got an upper respiratory infection (on my vacation no

less)

> and luckily since they've opened the airway up and haven't had any

> major breathing problems. And for the first time I can sleep on my

> back at night without gasping for air.

>

> As far the TMJ's I've had some stiffness, popping but that has all

> settled down. Occasionally, I have some stiffness but all in all

> I'm doing good.

>

> Eating at the restaurant's is still a bit of a problem as I still

> can't bite on front teeth (per surgeon as he doesn't want stress

yet

> on TMJ's as they have some deterioration). Last night I tried to

> eat prime rib (figuring he said no steak, but thought I might be

> able to handle it) and chicken - the chicken was much easier to

> eat. I wore myself out trying to chew prime rib and gave up after

> about half. It was tender, but still trying to get this chewing

> down. Figure I'll stick with chicken for a while longer. And

> eating rolls, I had to ask for a soft roll, too, and either cut

them

> up or pull them apart.

>

> Each day I can see and improvement, but learning to chew again is

> different as teeth are in totally different alignment. I had a top

> movement of 5mm and 13 mm on bottom. Hopefully with time the

> chewing will become easier. Only other problem I've had it biting

> my lip. I guess it doesn't realize the teeth are farther forward

> now.

>

> As far as the dark circles, I think that will depend on skin, etc.

> I was hoping it would get rid of my dark circles, but so far it

> hasn't.

>

> Good luck on the surgery and feel free to ask any questions.

>

> Shirley

> (Lefort 1, BSSO, genio and turbinectomies 6/23/05)