2 week postop appointments
Dr. Hudson promised me that this week he would be removing the surgical bands and he kept his promise. His assistant took off the bands and I waited a few minutes for him to join us. Having no bands holding my jaw closed was a really weird sensation. My quivery jaw muscles were obviously not ready to have my jaw dangle. My jaw only opens a little bit but it felt like my mouth was standing open. I was actually glad to get training bands put back on. I liked the secure feeling. 
The good news is that I can eat food! Nothing that requires me to chew, but I have so many more options now. I had some mushed up pork chop, rice with gravy and soft english peas. I was so hungry but was only able to eat a small amount. My mouth is still very tender. Hopefully this will improve over the next weeks.I finally was able to clean my teeth really well. They feel all slick inside - I love it! Two weeks without a proper brushing is not very pleasant.
Off to bed. Two doctors appts. in one day is about all I can handle in one day right now.
posted by Anne | 8:43 PM
16 Comments:
You are looking great! I mean obviously I can see your swelling still but it appears to be coming down very quickly and your coloring looks really good! Isn't it great to be able to eat some real food. I remember those first few spoonfuls well, as well as my mouth only being able to take a little bit before rebelling. It is progress though, and honestly it just keeps getting better and better. You will find that you are sleeping even better once the swelling come down more too!
It is definitely a marathon, but the prize at the end is so worth it. I hope your recovery continues on the positive course it has been. I can believe it has been 2 weeks already! You just look so great!
Brandy
Hi Brandy. Thank you for your kind words of encouragement - I really need them right now. Knowing that you are just a few months ahead of me and are so positive about everything is reassuring to me.
Eating is still very much a challenge. I tried scrambled eggs yesterday morning and couldn't finish them because they felt sharp! Also, my sense of taste is off and they were too bland to enjoy. Thank goodness for Carnation Instant Breakfast made with fortified milk - that has been my mainstay over that last two weeks.
As far as the color - I had makeup on when the pics were made. I actually felt good enough to put a little on. 'Cause you know a girl feels better when they look better.
Anne
LOL..Well even if your color was enhanced a bit by make up, you still are looking pretty healthy. You have a sparkle in your eyes that most don't have for a few more weeks :)
I think it takes about 4 weeks for food to start tasting good again. I'm assuming it is residual affects from the anesthesia and pain meds. I didn't eat many eggs because they just didn't taste very good to me either. I did use a lot of Carnation instant breakfast though, it was great blended with milk, ice cream, and a bit of protein powder. I pretty much lived on smoothies, and milkshakes for awhile. My doctor would only let me have liquid or fork smashed foods for 8 weeks. Then it was soft chew only for another 6. I found chewing pretty uncomfortable until just recently, so honestly up until just about a month ago, I was still drinking at least one smoothie a day. I sorta came to like them, as they were so easy to eat and tasted good.
Anyway....you sound like you are doing well, and you sound very positive in your posts too so that is good. Are you able to get any decent sleep yet? I think about two weeks is where mine started to improve, and I could sleep better without so much of the achiness.
I tell you, at 5.5 months post op. It is the weirdest thing to not be able to sleep in anymore. At 8 hours, I'm up, and rested. My days feel so much longer and more productive now. You really don't realize just how much the sleep deprivation is effecting your life until you start sleeping like a normal person again!
I will keep checking in on you as your journey progresses!
Wishing you well!
Brandy
Brandy,
When did your surgical bands come off? When my doctor told me that I would be banded for at least 4 weeks at my consult with him, it is suprising to me that at 2 weeks postop I have removable bands on. I am kind of glad about this because I can clean my mouth well and eat easier. But mostly I am glad that my jaw doesn't seem to be as stiff as I hear report of from others. I can currently almost get two fingers in my mouth without stressing my jaw. The only real restrictions I was given was to not chew anything harder than scrambled eggs.
I am sleeping so much better since surgery. I still have fatigue and shortened stamina, but I too wake after 8 or 9 hours of sleep ready to get up. This NEVER happened before surgery. I never felt like I had had good sleep.
I am trying to stave off the blues right now. I am fairly emotional and teary - most of which I am chalking up to the pain meds and hitting the duldrums phase of recovery. If I can just get well enough that I can stop the pain meds I will be much better off. I will be grateful when I can get my wheels back so that I can have some sense of a normal schedule.
The pain, by the way, is starting to lessen over the last few days. Hopefully by the end of this week I will be able to go to Tylenol.
Thanks for checking on me.
Anne
Hang in there! Sounds like you are sort of hitting that two week wall that several others have. I remember reading that it is fairly common for women to become emotional around 2-3 weeks after surgery due to after effects of the anesthesia. I'm sure the pain meds are factored into that also, so don't be too hard on yourself.
You should start feeling considerably better within the next week or two. I noticed a marked improvement during that time.
As for my bands, I never had any. I was the one who has surgery and didn't have any bands, splints, or anything. My range of motion was like yours very good when I came out of surgery. That evening I was able to use a spoon and get yogurt into my mouth.
My ortho did put me in a banded shut configuration about 2 weeks post surgery. This was strictly orthodontic work though and not related to my surgery at all. I had to wear them for 3 weeks. I could take them off to eat, and brush, but had to sleep with them and wear them during the day. It was a pain in the behind but it did do a good job of making my molars line up and connect.
Other then that I never had anything else securing my jaws. they just healed on their own. My OS says that this is the latest trend no wiring or bands. He also told me that he used newer rigid fixation that was supposedly stronger then Titanium. That since it was stronger they are able to make it smaller. I have noticed from my xrays that my screws and plates are much tinier then other folks having this surgery done. He also told me that once he screwed my jaws into place that they weren't going anywhere. So, bands would not be necessary.
That is probably a long answer to your question, but that is how things went for me.
Glad to hear your sleep is improving! That is a great sign! Sounds like you are progressing right on track. By about 1 month you will have more energy and be able to get out of the house and around more. If you can I recommend taking a walk during the day. Even a short one can help you feel better, and I noticed that the endorphins from exercise helped me a lot with the pain. Walking would sometimes make everything stop hurting for a couple of hours. It was better then pain meds at times.
Stay strong! You are doing better everyday, and you are almost past the worst of it.
Have some chocolate! It melts in your mouth and can do wonders for your mood! :)
Gab with you later!
I am glad to know that you were so secure without banding. I looked back at your blog at your postop xrays and we have very similar fixation. I feel secure although I felt a little "jittery" in my jaws initially, but I am sure that it was TMJ muscles trying to get adjusted to being mobile again and being stretched with the MMA. While I have been at home this afternoon I have gone without bands and have been more comfortable.
My orthodontist has been seeing me following my OS appts. On Thursday when he saw me he stretched the training bands (which are much heavier than my regular braces bands) over four teeth on the left side. My orthodontist was trying to get a headstart on moving my teeth again. By the time I got home my teeth were screaming so much that I took the bands off and placed my regular bands over just two teeth again. Not to mention, my lips are still fairly tender and both doctors managed to split my lips at the corners while looking around and placing the bands. Trying to re-place the bands at home just agrivated the lip splits again. My orthodontist may fuss when he sees me in two weeks but I just couldn't stand the torque he placed on my teeth. I couldn't even brush those teeth Friday morning. Ouch.
How long did it take before your lips weren't susceptible to splitting or cracking. I have been keeping them lubed up with chapstick constantly and just when I think they are fine it is time for another appt.
Mmmmm, chocolate.
Anne
Mmm...the lips. That took awhile. I used a lot of the Blistex creme. I don't usually like that stuff, but I found it worked really well in healing my lips. It's the one in the red and white tube. Kelsie's doctor also recommended it for her post surgery lips. I just kept applying it constantly, everytime they got even the tiniest bit dry I would lather then up again. I did that for about 3 days in a row and things were a lot better. I tried a lot of different chapstick brands. I couldn't use Carmex as for some reason the menthol just burned my already tender lips, and it would make my sore tongue really burny too. I personally like the coco butter chapstick from Bath and Body works the best. It is $6.00 a tube, but it really works for me. It keeps my lips really soft, its the only stuff I use now. I call it the "magic" chapstick LOL... I have three tubes of it, one right next to my bed, one in my purse, and then one I keep on my desk at work. I'm never without it. My husband thinks I'm a total nut, that chapstick is chapstick, However, I beg to differ. I seriously have tried a ton of different kinds. Just looking in my little stash box I found 6 different ones, and in my other box I have a least 15 others.
As for your jaws feeling secure. I do have to say that when my ortho had me banded shut I rather liked it. It seemed to sortof take the pressure off of my jaw joints and make sleeping at night easier. When they came off it did take awhile for me to adjust and for my jaw joints to not ache. I think if you can stand being without them, it is probably better to get used to it early on.
AS for the rubberband the ortho put on, I'm with you. If it hurts don't wear them. I mean seriously it is your mouth and so it might take a bit longer to get your teeth aligned right. To me that is better then being in more pain when you are already dealing with a lot. That is like when my ortho put a powerchain on my front teeth after my SARPE. It was excrutiating! I ripped it off and when I saw the ortho I told him, that I didn't care if I had to sport my lovely gap for a year, that it would have to close on its own because I was not going to wear that powerchain. He was fine with it, and things did close on their own eventually, so it was definitley a good choice to take it off
Do try the blistex though, I'm not sure what is in it, but it really does have something that mends the cracks and tears better then just regular chapstick. Hope this helps some!
Brandy
I found some natural beeswax chapsticks that are working well. I agree that the methol, wintergreen, mint-containing sticks are a little too stimulating.
It is amazing to me how much of the stuff that lips are sucking in! I am on my second tube since surgery! It isn't like I have been licking it off, my tongue was trapped until just two days ago and my tongue is still having trouble reaching around/over the braces and wax. I do think that there is an understated amount of damage done to the lips during surgery. They were so red and cracked after surgery. For that reason I am sort of glad that the lips have been numb. Small blessings.
Brandy, thanks for the conversation today. You can tell that I am spending a disproportionate amount of time in the recliner with my computer in my lap.
Anne
Oh, your welcome. Believe me I know what those days are like. You almost feel like a prisoner in your home.
Yeah the damage to the lips is bad. I had read a lot about that before my surgery, so I started well in advance using tons of moisturizers etc on my lips. I was on a quest to have thoughly hydrated lips prior to surgery. I have a tiny mouth so I was even more worried about the stretching and lip irritation. I think preparing ahead of time did help. My lips peeled a good bit, but I was lucky and didn't get any tears or cracks. I can tell you that the first thing I asked for when I woke up in my room post surgery was chapstick. Thankfully my husband had some!
Glad you have found some chapstick that is working for you, it is crazy though how much your lips absorb after surgery. Keep at it though it will help for sure. If you don't notice a big difference in a few days though you might want to try the blistex. I don't know why, but it was the only one that really helped immediately. Kelsies doctor gave her specific directions to buy 3 tubes of the stuff. He told her it was the best. After trying the others I have to say that it really did work for me also, far better then regular chapstick. Even still when my lips get really bad I always find I go back to the Blistex for a day or two and then they improve. Not sure what is so different about it, but seeing as you have the cracks on the edges of your lips it might be worth trying it out. I think most chapsticks are mostly wax, blistex is more like a lotion or moisturizer for your lips.
I sound like an infomercial don't I? LOL... Anyway....try and get some rest and I hope you are feeling better and less emotional tomorrow! You will get through this! Sooner then you think, this will all be a distant memory for you, and you will be giving advice to all the other new surgery folks!
Oh hey, I read your advancement amounts. Wow...quite a bit of forward movement huh? Like 23mm from chin point, that is a huge amount. Mine was 12mm from chin point. 3mm on top, 4mm on bottom, and 5mm at chin. I'm still in awe daily at how much this surgery has changed my life, and that this sort of thing is even possible. It really is amazing what can be accomplished now. I think it is a really good sign that your range of motion is coming along so well so early. I think with the really large advancements it can take quite a long time to get it back. Shelby is still struggling with getting her mouth open and she is like 8 or 9 months post op (I think) So it really is promising that your seem to be adjusting so well. You must be a good healer! :)
Gab with you more later!
I will get some of the Blistex (in the red and white tube) and see if it works better than my natural botanical stuff. Can't hurt to try, huh?
And while we are out, I think I am ready to try some mexican food. Rice and beans with a little salsa and maybe a cheese chili relleno (mushed with a fork) would really hit the spot! I will try and sit in a booth so that I don't embarass my kids with the way I eat. Between not being able to chew and having numb lips and hard palate watching me eat is like watching a toddler feed themself! But, hey, it is my job to embarrass my kids, right? Getting out of this house might lift my spirits. It is a beautiful fall day today.
Speaking of Shelby, what a gorgeous smile! I am so jealous! I do think that she is having some problems getting her jaws to open wide. I really don't think I will have that problem. Time will tell.
Yeah, give it a try and let me know if it works for you.
Mexican sounds good, I remember having some spanish rice,and some refried beans with cheese after about 3 weeks. It tasted so good!
I know what you mean about the eating thing. OMG I'm almost 6 months and still have to be careful. Liquid things like soup are still a bit of a struggle, and very easy to drool down the face without knowing it. I'm always wiping my face with a napkin just to be sure I'm not making a fool of myself. My son is pretty good about telling me when I have stuff on my face though, so that is helpful.
As for Shelby yes her smile is terrific, she is such a cute girl anyway though! Great personality! I'm hoping my smile will be a nice as hers....only 2.5 more weeks left til my braces come off! I can't wait!
How are you feeling today? Any better? Did the outing help you at all?
Brandy
I wound up not getting out of the house until after dark but it was nice to get out. I picked up the Blistex and had a wonderful chile relleno and rice/beans. I really didn't eat my usual pre-op quantity of food but I am uncomfortably full. Happy, but too full.
By the way, I am weaning off the pain meds. I took my oxycontin last evening at 7:30pm and wasn't ready for more by bedtime so I went to sleep without it. Slept through the night. This morning I got up sore but not enough to medicate. After being up for a couple of minutes trying to comb out my daughter's wet hair I started feeling clammy and nauseous. I took about 1/2 dose of Oxy and laid back down for a little while - all better. I have just had two more 1/2 doses today. Yea me! It isn't that my pain is gone, it is just manageable without the Oxy. I am ready to come off that stuff. Going without the bands is more comfortable than wearing them.
All for now. I am ready for bed. It is still amazing just how little exertion wipes me out!
Talk to you soon. Thanks for checking on me.
Hey Anne,
Great news that your starting to wean yourself off the meds, but mostly that the pain is becoming more manageable for you and you are not needing them as much. You will feel a lot better once you get totally off of them.
The fatigue is normal, I was really exhausted to. I'm one of those people that never naps (I hate them) and I'm always going, going, going. After surgery though I felt like a slug. I would get so tired. Not weak, but just worn out. I had to take a lot of naps throughout the day just to make it. That got a lot better after about 4-5 weeks though. I would still get tired then but nothing like I was the first couple of weeks.
Glad you are feeling good without the bands. I didn't like them on during the day, but at night they seemed to help. I'm a big teeth grinder and they sort of prevented me from doing that while my jaws were healing. Plus I had a lot of swelling around my jaw joints, so holding my mouth closed was really uncomfortable. My jaw joints would get so tired and achey so the rubberbands would give me a bit of a break so that I didn't have to use my muscles so much.
Has the blistex done anything for your lips?
Brandy
The jury is still out on the blistex. The squeeze tube cream is messy enough that I have to apply with a mirror because I can't feel if I have it on correctly. The menthol in the cream is pretty tingily also. Kinda like it, kinda hate it. Did I buy the right stuff?
Today has been kind of a down day. A friend came over and watched a movie with me this morning, which was nice, but the afternoon has been kind of blue. Also I have broken out in a rash today! Nothing like the allergic reaction, but it is a raised, red mild rash. Itchy. I have taken Benadryl which I blame for the tired, blue feeling this afternoon. I called my pharmacist to ask if it could be from the antibiotic reaction in the hospital or for discontinuing the narcotic. She said that she thought that all of the Ancef should be out of my system and didn't think that stopping the Oxy would be the cause of a rash. I haven't taken anything else, haven't changed laundry detergent or soap. Who know what is causing this but thankfully it is going away.
Just another day in paradise.
You're smile is soooo cute!!!! I hear you on the chapstick front...I actually went with softlips and fruity ootie things instead of crisp irritating mint. YOu guys talked about me in the comments...I felt like I was spying!!! You're so nice. I think the two of you have amazing smiles...yeay!!!!!!! Shelbyhttp://
Oh wow! That is a bummer! Like you aren't already dealing with enough huh? Wonder what is causing your rash? That is weird. Have you eaten anything unusual, or out of the ordinary? Maybe its a reaction to all that Carnation Instant Breakfast you have been drinking! :)
As for the blistex, yeah I had to use my finger to spread it around to, due to my numb lips. The menthol didn't bother me too much in it, but I hated the taste of it so it was a love hate thing also.
I think this is about the time I told my husband that I was about tired of feeling like crap! When I started thinking "man what the heck did I do to myself?" Thankfully the misery didn't last much longer. Hopefully yours won't either. It really is amazing how much this surgery takes out of you isn't it? It really is a serious test of patience and willpower. Somedays are good, somedays are bad, some are really bad! It did help me to read other peoples blogs though and know that I was not the only one who has had to deal with this. Gave me hope that I would get through it.
I hope you feel better soon and that your rash is gone by tomorrow. I hate benedryl as it makes me so tired. Just what you need when your already whipped! HUh!
Feel better soon!
Brandy
Post a Comment
<< Home