Ding dong the RPE is gone...

The expansion device is gone! As of 330 today the torture device is not longer in place.  It was a bit torturous to have it removed...a couple big crunches and it was over but it did make me a little woozy....

We then had to take three impressions.  One for the temporary retainer that would be made in the office and two to be sent out...that process was not too bad...I went back to work for about an hour and came back about 5pm for my temp device.  This one is pretty much soft plastic and covers my entire pallete and top teeth and even includes a  tooth! So even the gap is gone..now I just have one tooth right in the middle but I have to say it is better than the gap...

It will take me a day or two to get used to this new contraption in my mouth and of course I have to wear it all the time.  I have to take it out to eat..and I think I will lose even more weight because I really can only have water while it is in my mouth..tea and colored drinks will stain and get behind it..etc etc..so we will see...about 8-9 lbs lost at this point.  

The news I did not want to hear is that although healing is coming along there is still some movement and everything needs to be secure before we put the braces on..so I thought braces would go on in 2-3 weeks but it may be more like 5-6 weeks..

In about 10 days the more permanent retainer will come in and I will get that one...it is a more acrylic device that will also include a tooth..since the one I have now is just a very pliable plastic there will be some backwards movement and the more permanent device will push it back out..so it will feel tight for a few days..that retainer will just have a few clips on my back teeth and keep my pallete stable while it continues to heal so eating and drinking should be easier once I have that one...

I will see the surgeon and the orthodontist on Jan 11th and 12 th so we will see how they think I am healing and when we may see some braces but when I pushed the ortho for his best professional guess he said not more than 6 weeks..uggggg

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

Just checking in...one week until my RPE is removed! Can't wait...chewing is definitely a nice change.  I definitely  feel as thought I am getting full and enjoying eating a little more...now I will look forward to being able to bite something again...

My upper gums are still mostly numb. And my nose is still sore especially it I hit or bump it the wrong way..kind of behind my nose..if that makes sense...brushing my upper teeth feels weird since I really can't feel my teeth or gums.

We are headed up to Wayne's parents for Christmas so a whole new group to show off my gap to!

Merry Christmases!

I CAN CHEW AGAIN!!!

What an exciting day!  I sent a note to my surgeon asking about when I could chew again...We never really discussed exactly how long after surgery or how long after I stopped turning that I would be able to eat again and surprisingly I can not find anything on anyone else's blog or anywhere in my search on when people start chewing again.   My follow up appt with him is not until January 11th and I was hoping it woudl not be that long.    So I sent him a note- I said it would really suck if I went through Christmas and NY not eating when I could have been eating and I am getting a little sick of Pasta. 

He replied  "You can chew just take it slow"....

Now what to eat first...!  I am still a little hesitant to go for something hard like BACON - which I desperately miss..So today we get to have breakfast in the restaurant at the hotel so I am thinking some nice Crunchy French Toast..Which is not even on the menu anymore but they still make it for me.  It is not too hard but the crunchy coating will give me a nice little crunch as I ease back in to eating...

OH HAPPY DAY!!! 

The healing continues

Just a quick update so no one thinks I have abandoned my blog(Peter)..  This week I went back to the gym..very low impact exercises..a yoga basics class and an aqua class in the pool.  I am not quite sure I am ready for much more yet.

I am feeling pretty good..still hungry and would kill for a potato chip right now ...I am dreaming of my first meal when I can eat again..I am thinking a nice filet mignon . yummmm..of course after a potato chip...I am not quite sure exactly when I am allowed to chew again so I will reach out to the surgeon , or his chief resident this week to see what they say before the holiday.  My next appt with them is not until Jan 11th. I would hate to go through Christmas , New Years and a week in Florida not eating real food and then find out that I could have been eating.

I noticed that I have been clenching my teeth a lot and that I get a weird throbbing in my front teeth..but read on someone else's  blog they had the same feelings..so normal I guess..she said that she thought the clenching had to do with getting used to the new bite which is more lined up now than it has even been.  Since I expanded so quickly after only turning the device for one week one side the bite is slide is very slightly over and the other side is perfect but all will be fixed with the braces..

Still counting down to Dec 29th..RPE device removal..Yeah!  17 days..I will checkin again soon!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Follow up visit to the surgeon

I had a follow up with Drs Taub and Palermo today.  They took a look and said everything is healing very nicely and looks great! The did talk about how fast my expansion was..it was mostly due to the direction of my teeth and shape etc.

Based on how many turns I did I thought I was at 6mm but the space between my front teeth is actually 11 mm..which yes is huge...I have been playing around with trying to make a fake tooth but no luck yet figuring it out.

Dr Taub did say he wants to be sure we do not rush closing the gap to ensure all the roots are good and everything heals properly..sounds like longer with the gap than I would like...

Today was my first day back at work and the first day in three weeks that I have not taken a nap.  Since it was a short day it was not so bad.  Talking on the phone is very difficult and hard for someone to understand me.  Talking in general is tiring..still counting the days until the torture device is removed!  27 days to go!

I am still eating soft foods or foods I do not need to chew..which is taking any fun out of eating.  I can barely taste food.  Every seems to think that I would lose a ton of weight..right now it is about 5 lbs...not huge but I will take it.  Hoping to go back to the gym next week!

Back to work tomorrow

So myrecovery time has come to an end..headed home from Florida and back to work tomorrow.

I have figured out that I can pretty much eat whatever I want as long as I can cut it up bite size/ swallow size but whether I enjoy it is a differ t story.   I had a turkey burger for dinner last night..no bun but just cut it up..it does take me about 3 times as long to eat as anyone else..which I am sure is better than eating the way most of us normally do..as quick as we can.  But eating is still a chore and quite a process.  I can't wait until I can enjoy a nice meal again.

We are now 28 days until I have my expansion torture  device removed...which I cannot wait for! My gums are still mostly numb and my sinuses are still pretty sensitive.  Talking for a long time is very tiring...we will see how my first day back at work goes..

Phase one is done!

Today I saw Dr Taub's chief resident who also assisted in the surgery and Dr Taub through the the phone and pics..they decided I was done turning the device and my bite is lined up and everything looks great.

They wanted me to go see the orthodontist to be sure he agreed and he did.  He closed up the device with a piece of wire through the hole and tied it so it does not turn backwards.  And then he covered it up so it does not irritate my tongue.

I go back to see Dr Taub again next week for a final check to see how the healing is coming along.

I will go back to see the ortho on Dec 29th to have the device removed and a retainer made.  I I'll be counting the days until then...can't wait to have this device out of my mouth..

I think I will get a break for a few weeks before the braces go on..it will be nice for a little while to not have the device or braces..

I have also been give the all clear to fly so off to Florida we go for my final week of recovery.  Back to work next week.

I guess I have to get used to people seeing me and my gap so here it is....oh and I am a red head now...

Keep on turnin'

So we are now at. 4.3 mm

Most other blogs I have ready people are expanding to 8-9 even 11 mm.  I cannot even imaging the gap! I have ordered some dental wax and read on a blog some instructions on howto make a decent looking fake tooth...it will look like one big tooth In the middle of my mouth but it has got to be better than the gap..  I keep reminding myself it is only temporary.  I cannot imagine going to work like this so hopefully I will master the fake tooth in the next week.

Also it seems the wider my palette  becomes the harder it is to talk..I am sure it is also due to the gap and the device in my mouth.

I have moved onto a little more food..tried some stuffing today...and a piece of fish tomorrow..

At this point I am just taking Advil about every 4 hours so the pain is very manageable.

I go for my next follow up visit on Tuesday.  Hopefully I will find out how many more turns until this step is done...

Turning The Torture Device

So we are now three turns in by my amazingly wonderful husband..what a chore to ask your husband to do..but I am not sure how anyone could do it themselves..so he will need to continue to be my official key turner...

I am hoping I am done the process before I get used to it.  It is not painful but you can definitely feel some movement and you can feel the pressure and tightness for a few hours after.  Jut as you start to forget the tightness it is time to turn again.  Right now I cannot see the end of this process because I have not been told how many turns I need to make.  I will see the surgeon and ortho on alternating weeks so they can decided when need to stop based on the position.  Wayne said he did notice the gap was getting larger.  At this point we are probably at about 3.25MM.

8 Turns in Surgery- 2MM
2 Turns on Monday at the Dr Office - .5 MM
2 Turns by Wayne on Tues - .5 MM
1 Turn this morning -/25 mm
Total - 3.25

I have read of some people going back to work after one week and I cannot image at all.  My surgery was one week ago today.  I am still tired, not eating enough to give me energy to work for a full day and talking is quite the chore..glad I have three weeks!

5 days post surgery..Follow up visit to the Dr..

Day  5 post op.  I had my follow up visit with Dr. Taub this morning.  Everything looks good and healing is coming along.  I still have some swelling and bruising along my jaw line but less than they normally see, so I am in good shape...  I also got a lesson on how to keep the device clean.  It is quite a challenge to brush my teeth since they are very sensitive and since my top lip and the area above my lip are numb is is very difficult to swish around my mouth to rinse really well.    I have been given the all clear to use the water pic , just not in the top front near the stitches.

Dr Taub showed Wayne how to turn the device which we will be doing 2 times per day and amount to about a half a millimeter per day.  Wayne also turned it once in the office...the things we make husbands too...

I though I could stop the Percocet today but after the two turns I am pretty uncomfortable so I will give myself one more day then switch to Tylenol and ibuprofen.

Tuning the device did not really have much feeling ...just pressure and uncomfortable so that was good news.  I was a little anxious about how that would feel.

I received some great gifts and cards today! Stuff to keep me busy ..stuff to eat and stuff to make me smile..Thank you all that have sent some love my way!

I have tried some new food today...yogurt ..cream of wheat and some instant mashed potatoes ...I think I am going for a milkshake next...lol

I am back to the Dr next Tuesday to take a look and see how much more I need to turn and hopefully will be given the all clear to fly on Thursday...hoping to spend my last few day recuperating in Florida..

A rough day..

So I have to admit yesterday was tough... I decided to try food with a little more substance, soup etc.  I was pretty much nauseous all day ..I never actually got sick but felt like I wanted to most of the day.

So I did not take my 730 pm  meds because of how nauseous I was..so waking up with my nose stuffed and in some pretty good pain..the top of my mouth where the cuts were made  is very sore and causing some pain.

I feel a little better this morning. So took all my meds..hopefully they kick in soon.

I have my follow up visit with Dr Taub tomorrow.  He will teach us how to turn the device and I will start turning it two times per day for about the next two weeks.  Still freaked out about the gap..I may need to go visit the orthodontist to get a fake one make for while I am at work...

A few pics

I knew there would be a little ugly before we get to the pretty..I think that is where I am right now..or where I feel I am...still swollen and a little bruising starting to show...I know it kind of defeats my purpose of this blog if there are no pics to share the experience..so here they are...

Me as of today..the right side seems a little more swollen than the left..and I can see some slight yellowing/ bruising.

and here is the gap..it feels really weird and my teeth feel weak...

I will look back on this and laugh.....

The day's events

Yesterday was pretty uneventful...just making sure that I am taking the pain medication every 4 hours..it is still definitely needed.  I did move off of clear liquids in the afternoon and had an ensure..not too bad.

I am still not sleeping well.  I think the off an on sleeping during the day throws off the night time sleeping.  I also think my body knows when it is time for some morepain medication and wakes me up just In time to take it.

I am in a little more pain this morning and my face feels really tight.  I am definitely still swollen but I know the swelling could be a lot worse than it is.  Also I have really no bruising which is nice.  I was expecting I would have some.

Today my goal is to eat/ drink something nutritional .  I have ensure and stuff to make smoothies with some whey protein powder..hopefully  that will do the trick..

2 days post SARPE surgery

Mom  arrived about 10 am to pick me up.  I was discharged pretty soon after.  The nurse went over all of my instructions and medications.  I have an antibiotic, painkiller, 2 nose sprays and Claritin .

We got home about 11am and I went right to bed.  After my pretty sleepless night I need some rest.  I slept off an on for most of the day..waking up to have some broth...still on clear liquids.  I sent Wayne a note to bring me some jello and water ice..so that was my dinner.

I am in some slight pain/ discomfort..my upper lip is really swollen and numb and my teeth hurt.  When I swallow.   I feel like my front tooth is moving..I don't really think it is but it feels weird.  Just the pressure from swallowing is making my teeth hurt.

I feel like I am more swollen this morning.  Looking like a chipmunk who has stocked up all his nuts for the winter in my cheeks..I think today I switch from ice pack to heat.

I am also excited that later today it will be 48 hours since surgery and I can move on to my pudding, ensure etc and not just clear liquids.

Thank you to the O'Sheas and Gabrielian's for the beautiful flower...

I slept ok last night..  I could not really get comfortable and wanted to be sure I took my pain meds every 4 hours..hopefully sleep gets better..but since I don't have anything else to do I am sure I can catch up on my sleep today.  

Once I shower I will post a pic of how I am looking now...

Sarpe surgery is complete!

Today is one day post op..all went well..here are the details...

I thought I should add some starting photos..so here I am before we left for the hospital..

We arrived at the hospital at 600 am..I was taken back to the prep area within 10 minutes...got changed into a a fabulous hospital gown.  Met with admissions but since I had done the pre testing and admin not really much to cover there.  Surgery was scheduled for 730.  I left the prep area to go to another holding area..this is when Wayne went to the family waiting room.

In the next room I met with Dr Taub, his chief resident, the anesthesiologist, who looked about 15 lol..but obviously knew what she was doing.  We discussed that due to the mouth surgery I would have the tube put in nasally...Dr Taub changed the plan and wanted to go through my mouth....since he would just be working on the top part of my mouth it would not get in the way.  IV was put in and some relaxation meds started.  I was wheeled to the operating room and was met by about 7 people..I have no idea who they all were or what they all do..but they were definitely all busy and has a purpose..the last thing I remember is looking at the clock and it was 725 and thinking..we are going to start right on time!

Surgery lasted about 2 hours.  I woke up about 1100..  Feeling groggy of course..and of course couldnot wait to see the gap in my teeth...I was getting pain meds through the iv..pain was not bad atall..I had a humidifier on my mouth and nose to keep thing from drying out....also a ice pack around my face..which Dr Taub later told me was in the completely wrong place...
This is how I had it...

I also have a suction tube like at the dentist..this is a life saver..which I could take it home with me..

But it really needed to be across my face over just my upper jaw since that is where the work was done.  It was time to move to a room but it was going to take a while so they let Wayne come and say hello in the recovery room..

Finally got assigned a room about 2pm.  Wayne met me at the room ..Dr Taub stopped by and said everything went great and gave me some instructions about eating.  At this point I mostly just slept
..Wayne hung out with me until about 600.. Dinner arrived..delicious liquid diet..

I was able to drink it all so felt a little better after that.

Nurses checked in about every hour to take vitals..I attempted to fall asleep about 1100 but not much sleep..I just couldn't get comfortable..and I have a roommate who need to ring the nurse about every two hours to go to the restroom..the resident on the overnight came by about 1100 to take a look and be sure everything looked good and was amazed at how good I looked!
Here I am at the end of day 1..not too bad..

He came back about 500 am to check again and told me all the residents would be doing their rounds and would be back in about an hour..

The whole team came back about 630 including Dr Palermo..who is Dr Taub's chief resident and assisted in surgery..

And here I am today! Waiting for mom to come pick me up and head home to my own bed...

Tomorrow is the day!

I had my last chewable meal for the next 5 weeks.  A delicious wicked chicken cheesesteak at pj's and some fries...I will be counting the days until I can have that sandwich again.

The house is all clean which will make it easier for me to lay around the house for the next few weeks.

I ate more fresh pineapple today since the dr says it helps with the swelling. I will have to be at the hospital at 6am.  I believe surgery is scheduled to begin at 730.


Good night!  See you post surgery!

Getting ready..

Tonight I spent my time cleaning the house..and setting up my bedroom..where I think I will be spending lots of time in the next few weeks....Netflix is hooked up and loaded up..picked a few books to load on my nook.  I have a few magazine to read and solme coloring books....yes coloring to relax is a thing now.....

My bedside set up....

2 Days Until Surgery

Only 2 days to go..my teeth actually stopped hurting about a week ago so I can eat food that is a little harder..still no BACON...but some meat steak etc.

I am eating everything that I think i will miss the most in the next 6 weeks.  I have a nice burger and fries for lunch today.  I shopped yesterday and bought a nice steak, Asparagus and some potatoes to roast for a nice dinner....

I also bought a lot of soft foods to get me through the next few weeks while I am home.

Pudding
Ensure
Yogurt
Apple Sauce
Greens and why protein for smoothies

I am all ready to go!

Pre-surgery testing and a visit to the surgeon

 Today I will have my pre-surgery testing and then a visit to Dr. Taub's office I have put together my list of questions to ask Dr. Taub just to make sure I know what to expect next week .

I was in the pre-testing room about 2 hours.  Met with the intake person, nurse who took my vitals, nurse practitioner who reviewed my history and asked a bunch of questions.  The anesthesiologist who reviewed my medications etc and told me about the process on surgery day.  The finally a tube of blood was drawn.

Then I walked around the corner to Dr Taub's office.  The residents took some pictures I signed the surgery consent form and Dr Taub came in.  His first comment was " this surgery is going to be a walk in the park"  I said for you or me..both he said!  he explained that he is aware of how conscious I iwll be of the gap in my front teeth because of the business I am in but I would have a great story to go along with it..some crazy surgery broke my jaw to move my teeth around....LOL 

I asked quite a few questions about the surgery , after the surgery etc...

Surgery will  take 2-4 hours
I should eat some fresh pineapple the day and 2 before..who knew fresh pineapple had anti inflammatory benefits.
I will be numb around my upper lip for a while.
The device will be activated to about 2mm so I will wake up with a space in my front teeth
I will be on liquids for about a week so need to be sure to add protein to my shakes etc. after a week still soft food but really no chewing allowed for 5-6 weeks.
I will probably stay over night but we can decide after we see how I feel after surgery.
Since I already have plane tickets for two weeks after surgery I asked about flying...he said I should be ok with some anti contestant and nasal spray! Yeah



Ready to go! 9 days until surgery.

RPE placed

Friday Oct 23 I went to the ortho to have some spacers put  in to make room for the RPE device.  The spacers would stay in until the device is placed on Tuesday.  The spacers kind of feel like a piece of meat stuck between your teeth which is annoying.

Tuesday Oct 27 I went to the ortho which I was told would be a 20 minute visit...90 minutes later I was on my way back to work.  It was a bit off a challenge getting the device placed.  Since both of the teeth the device would be hooked to are crowns it was a little hard.  The crowns need to be filed down to make the brackets fit.  Finally here was enough space and we were set to move forward and cement the device into place. I am already planning that these two crown will need to be replaced when I am all done.

So more about the RPE device...wow..uncomfortable and annoying...trying to figure out how to eat is quite a challenge.   It is amazing how much you need the roof of your mouth to swallow.  I almost choked the first few times I tried to eat anything.  Then made  a very bad decision to have tacos for dinner....what??? So here are the challenges. You cannot really feel your teeth - specifically the ones where the brackets are which mean you cannot really tell how well you have chewed your food.  It was definitely scary to swallow a chip for fear of it getting stuck and choking.  So cross chips off the list or anything that is hard.  I even tried a tiny piece of bacon...not fun..I will miss bacon for the next few months.  Biting anything hard hurts so pasta has seemed to be best and since I love pasta I was OK with that.   Swallowing has become a little easier but best to keep a glass of water near by to wash everything down that gets stuck around the device.

I have been reading a lot of other blogs to get as much info as I can.  One comment that I feel summed up eating was that..eating as become so much effort that you don't even want to eat.  Besides that I cannot eat what I want and have to think about everything I eat and whether I can eat it or not. Also you cannot really taste your food.  You have to get the food right to you back teeth..be sure you chew and swallow..so the food barely comes In contact with your tongue...so the taste buds miss out. It will be a tough year for the foodie in me.

I did have pancakes for breakfast this morning and they were a good choice and easy to eat so they stay on the list..

The list of things I can eat so far
Smoothies
Pancakes
Yogurt
Pudding
Pasta
To get a little crunchiness toasted crackers are good..not too hard
Medium hard cheese

Pizza for dinner tonight..not too bad..cut up in small pieces of course.

Here is a video showing this surgery.

SARPE surgery

Moving forward...

The pope has left Philadelphia and I did not get the new job so onward we go!   I reached out to Lori at Dr Tunjays office to find out the next steps.  It was time to take an impression for the device I will need for SARPE surgery. The appointment was set up and back got the ortho I went.

Getting the impression done was nothing really..bite on some waxy gummy stuff..and off to the manufacturer the mold went so my device could be made.  I made an appointment for 2 weeks later to have the device placed and started working with the scheduler at Dr Taub's office.  I had my ore-surgery visit and test scheduled for Nov 2nd and my surgery is scheduled for Nov 11th.

Lori is really great about telling me what to expect.  The biggest part of this first  step of SARPE surgery is the gap that will become very evident.  As Lori said..we need to go through some ugly before we get to the pretty.

Surgery is approved

In the beginning of September 2015 I received the letter that my surgery was approved! Now things get real.  I was in  the process of interviewing for a new job and since I am in the  hotel business in Philadelphia I was getting ready for the popes visit.   So the  next step would have to wait a few weeks.

My first visit to the oral surgeon...

I went to see Dr Taub..again the best in his field.. He has previously done some work on Wayne..which Dr Roberts referred to as parking a car to him- so easy for him he could do it in his sleep....the type of surgery I will have done is what he specializes in..and teaches his residents..He is also the head of the residency program at Thomas Jefferson Universiry.

He had already spoken to Dr Tunjay about what he though needed to be done..Again time for another surprise..I would need SARPE surgery 1st. Surgically assisted rapid palette expansion.   This adds 3-4 months to the whole process which is not a very exciting prospect.  He want to do everything in stages.  Sarpe, braces, then orthognatic  surgery.  Then..beautiful smile..great profile..,lined up bite and breathing easy!

The next step was the approval process with the insurance company.  Dr Taub was confident that there would be no challenge with the approval.  I have a severely constricted airway which is the main rason for the surgery.  I wish that had been figured out earlier.  I have had three surgeries on my nose, and still can't breathe, but turns out it was much bigger than my nose.  Dr Taub also said I must have sleep apnea which can be very dangerous.  Everything was just in the wrong place.  In reviewing my x-rays he also asked if I was in a lot of pain...which I guess I am but have just learned to live with it.  My TMJ joins look like they have been shot up.  This surgery is not the recommended treatment TMJ problems but hopefully as a side benefit it will help.  I am also help it help with my occipital neuralgia/ constant headaches.

Time to relax and wait for the approval...

A Visit to the Dentist that turned into much more....

I have been seeing the same dentist for 20 + years and I love my dentist.  They are the best!  I know you do not hear that often about dentists but mine really are...they can give a shot like nobodys business .  The really are the best at what they do.

I have never had great healthy teeth and gums..I seem to always be at the dentist.  I have a cleaning every three months. I have lots of cavities and lots of crowns etc.  I tired my best to take care of my teeth but just genetically they aren't great.  I guess as we get older( I am 44 now) our goal becomes to make sure we do not loose any teecth.  I was determined to make sure my teeth were healthy and my gums were healthy and for the first time in 2015 I was going to get a Gold star at the dentist!

On May 20th , 2015 I went to the dentist for my normal cleaning.  There was a new  hygentist who I told I was stiving for a gold star!  She said my teeth and gums looked great!  GOLD STAR for me!  then off to Dr Roberts for a quick check up...I pointed out a front tooth that seemed to be doing its own thing and wanted to jump out the front of my mouth..or was getting crowded and pushed out..either way I did not like the way it felt and could only envision it getting worse..Dr Robert said it was time for me to go see an orthodonitst - he agreed that there was lots of shifting going on and it would only continue to get worse and time went on..

Off to Dr Tuncay I went.  My first visit was on July 1st.  I know that Dr Robert would only recommend me to the best and Dr Tuncay and his office were definitely the best.  The reception and waiting area was beautiful and the staff was very friendly..no waiting time and water and even champagne if I wanted... see now why they have champagne-  sometimes for the news you are going to get you might need a glass to calm you down...

I met with Lori first who was great!  She thoroughly explained what we were looking at and the possible procedures that Dr Tuncay would talk to me about.  Took some pictures answered lots of questions.

Dr Tuncay suggested that i needed more than just braces due to some skeletal deformities...he showed me some cartoon videos of the Orthognatic which were quite a suck..definitely not what I thought my first visit would be like...off to the oral and maxiofacial surged I went...