Just a quick photo update...

Here is a before any surgery or anything at all.. and a recent pic from July of this year... this was about 6 months post surgery and only about 2 weeks after having my braces removed.

Removing the stitch..

So I paid a visit to the surgeon yesterday..the one stitch that he used that was not a fall out kind was infected and had to be removed.

One of the residents came in and checked everything out and gave me the shots to get me all numb..well I definitely have some feeling back.  Those shots brought some tears to my eyes...the procedure was pretty quick..Dr Taub came in and got the stitch out and showed it to me and then stitched me closed...this one will fall out in a week or so.

Another update is my latest visit to the dentist.  I was told that I would eventually need to have my crowns replaced since crowns cannot be moved orthodontically..so I thought we would do each quadrant ..a few at a time..well it turns out in order to have my bite right they all have to be done at the same time!!!  This does not excite me at all..I guess I will be glad to get them all done and be over with it..but pretty much all of my back teeth are crowns..I won't even begin to tell you the  cost...the first prep appt will be 5-6 hours in the chair...

On my visit a few weeks ago they took pictures , measurements and molds, they will send all of that to the lab where they will figure out my perfect bite and what crowns need to be replaced etc etc..maybe they won't be all of them that need to be replaced but I am not holding my breath...

Every time I think the end is in sight  it gets pushed back a little further...my plan would be to have this started this year and finished In Jan when new ins and health care spending money kicks in...

Time for an update..

Time to check in and give an update..I am now 9 months post op...This week i begin the journey orf replacing my crown..which I have many of..sicne crown cannot be moved orthodontically they have to be replaced if my bite is to close correctly..So the process begins..I will start with two this week and work my way around each quadrant..hoepfully done by early next year..

Feeling in most of my face is back..my chin is still pretty tingle..i can feel everything but not quite normally yet...

I did see Dr Taub the surgeon about 2 weeks ago and the only non dissolvable stick in my mouth is absessed and needs to be removed..it is kind of about my two front teeth - as he put it when he sewed my nose back in place..so he will have to give me a local and take it ou..it does not bother me at all..probably because my gums form the middle to the right side are still petty numb.

My teeth and gums on the right are still pretty numb and i pretty much do all my chewing on the right.

I cut my hair pretty short a few months ago so everyone tells me how great my hair cut looks but I am not quite sure they realize how different my face looks.

The journey is almost over!

My braces came off today!

What an exciting day! I had a 100 appointment to be debonded ..it was pretty quick and painless..and that first brushing and look in the mirror.. was pretty cool! I went back to work for a few hours and was just walking around smiling at everyone..I am very happy with the results.

I think when I get back from vacation I will get a teeth whitening and my front teeth rebounded . I have clear retainers which I have to wear as much as possible .

I am off the n vacations n and so glad my braces are off in time . I still have some numb sport and numb teeth but getting a little better every day.

I have a date for braces to be removed!!!

I finally have a date when my braces will be removed!

They will be remove don June 29th..the day before we leave on vacation and head to Spain for 2 weeks to Celebrate our 10th Anniversary and for Wayne to Run with the Bulls!  yes he rally is dong it..so he says right now...

My bite is just slightly off but it is really due to the fact that my right side is still pretty numb and tight.  I am stretching a few times a day and wearing a band t night and doing exercises while I have the band on to build up the strength in my Jaw.  I can open about 2 1/2 finger wide right now..Dr Taub wans to see me at  least three when I go back to see him in September.

My right side is still pretty number and my teeth still feel pretty weak..I tried to eat a nut yesterday and it was quite the chore..I am hoping once the braces come off my teeth will settle back in and feel stronger and  as the numbness continues to go away I will be able to eat more and more.

So excited that this day is so close!

18 Weeks Post Op

Sorry for such a long delay between updates...i guess either not much to report or life has gotten in the way...I think a little of both. 

I had an Appt with the orthodontist on May 1st- he put in my sure smile wire..had a 7am Appointment- not sure why I did that to myself again..it wasn't too bad...but at 7am nothing is good...  I asked how many more wires and he said he had one more but he wasn't sure if he was gong to use that one- so this may be the last wire!

He seems to think that my bottom jaw is shifting and my mid line is off...which s the all important factor of the perfect alignment and smile.  So I have a whole new configuration of rubber bands to wear at night..6 Bands total- Almost feels like being wired shut again..oh the nightmares...but after a little over a week I can tell it is shifting back to where it belongs.  My right side is still pretty numb and I am not chewing on that side at all so it is definitely tighter than the left side which I think makes it seem like it is shifting..but being the medical professional I am , i am sure it is just the tightness.

The same day I saw Dr Tunjay I also saw Dr Taub in the afternoon - really for just a visit...he is completely happy with how everything looks and not at all worried about my mid line.. he says Tunjay is looking at tiny millimeters that he can fix orthodontically and I am looking at the bigger picture and I think you look great!  he did tell me I need to do more exercises to get my mouth open wider-  about three fingers wide is the goal..and to really push and stretch...he said you can't really hurt anything at this point so just push yourself...I am at a little more than 2 fingers now...3 seems  crazy wide!   I won't see him again for another 4 months..just for another check in..

I go back to Dr Tunjay on The 30th for ??/ I am not sure what? tightening?  check up?  I have not asked but would really love my braces to be off before my trip to Spain on June 30th but it is coming up very quickly!  We will be celebrating out 10th anniversary while in Spain!

One very exciting development !  I took my first bite of something without actually having to cut it up!  My teeth are still pretty week so having to bite something and pull or tear it is something I am not quite ready for yet but this was a soft soft pretzel with egg and cheese inside( made by the amish at the Reading Terminal Market) DELICIOUS!  they are so soft I was able to bite right through and enjoy it!  Looking forward to the day of biting into an apple or a piece of pizza again!

I did post my first full face pic to Facebook in over a year and a half...This is from Easter-  Out for a walk with my mom..my smile is still wonky but getting there...

14 Weeks Post Op

it has been a few weeks with no updates...mostly because not much is going on but also because life has gotten in the way...Work, Play, Buying a new car,, planning vacations...All the fun stuff!

So here is the latest update..I went to the orthodontist on April 3rd.  They did a scan of each tooth with the sure smile machine which creates a computerized 3rd image.  Dr Tunjay will then determine the movement that is needed and do it digitally - the 3d image with the desired movements will be sent to the sure smile lab and they will make the wires to make those movements happen.  He does not seem to think there is much movement to do.  He needs to have Dr Roberts do some work on my crowns..since they cannot be moved. I am thinking we are in the final stretch!

One side of my mouth and teeth are still pretty numb.  The teeth on my right side feel numb and I can't really chew with them..which is causing that side to still be pretty tight- which is causing my botton jaw to shift a little to the left since the left side is getting looser since I do all my chewing on that side.  So I am wearing bands at night..a box shape and a diagonal one to help shift my jaw into the right position...

My Next visit to both Dr Tunjay and Dr Taub is on May 1st.  My new wires should be in by then..unless they come in sooner...

All for now...

10 weeks post op

I visited the orthodontist yesterday...we changed out my wires and got rid of the wires with the lugs on them with was nice.

I am still working on my exercise to get my mouth open wider..I was up to 19 Popsicle stick but feel like I have lapsed...now back to about 15.  My jaw is very tight and sore.  Also I have not been as diligent as I should be about doing my exercises.  I am working on that.

Dr Tunjay mentioned that my mid line was slightly off when I bite so I need to adjust my bite..I need to starters wearing a rubber band whenever possible to help with the adjustment.  It is just getting used to my new bite where it should be and how my teeth should line up.

I go back in three weeks for a sure smile scan.  They will scan each tooth to come up with a 3D image the. Will computerize what movement needs to be done.  Sure smile will make the necessary wires for the needed movements.  I don't have a timeline right now but hope it is not much longer!

All for now!

Back To Work

My Last visit with the surgeon for a while was on Wednesday the 1st of march.  I told him I had either and Extension form or a return to work form...he said - do you want to go back to work..I said  no never...LOL... but I have to..so he signed off and Thursday the 2nd I came back to work..I started off with just a 2 day work week and I am very glad I did becasue I was very tired.

I am still not eating a lot so my energy level is pretty low so getting through a 10 hour work day is a little rough.  Now it is not like I am running around all day but still it is a long day... and I do miss my afternoon naps...

The surgeon asked if I  was doing my tongue depressor exercises - and I said Yes I am at 11 right now!  - Which means I can get a stack of 11 tongue depressors in my mouth-  He said i need to push myself  harder..- As of today I am up to Seventeen..! 

This will be a full week of work so we will see how that goes....I will keep you up to date...

Day 51

Not much to report at this point.  I am working on my exercises and trying to get my mouth open wider.  It is a little wider every day.  I am almost open two fingers wide.. the ortho keeps telling me I need to get to 3 fingers wide.

I still have quite a bit of numbness in my bottom lip and chin.  The area is constantly tingling which means the nerves are waking up but there is also the torture of having an itch you cannot scratch.  

I have been eating more but still soft foods that I cut up small , mush around a bit and swallow.  Still not enjoying eating and I have to take such small pieces at a time it take forever to eat.  

I go back to work in a week and hope I am ready.  I think I will have to go to bed at 8pm. To get up in time.

One week unwired!

I have hit one week of being unwired and life is good! Well better anyway... I can open my mouth about 1 finger wide right now.  I was instructed to not start doing exercises until this week so I started yesterday ... it is really just opening as wide as I can and holding for 10 seconds .. and doing that every so often.. each day it feels like I am starting all over.  By the end of the day it is my better and open much wider ..

I have definitely been eating more but I still am not able to chew anything so I just cut everything up and mush it around..

I am glad to be in Florida where I can at least get outside and go for a walk or bike ride or even just sit outside and read a book... being in the house for 5 weeks is no fun at all.

Free at last!

On Wednesday night I anxiously awaited for Thursday morning for my appointment where I expected to get unwired.  Of course there was a snow storm predicted with six to eight inches of snow.  

A little snow was not going to keep me from my appointment. Mom and  I took the train into the city for my  Appt.  Dr Taub was in the room across the hall and came out for a minute asking if I had been seen yet.  Seemed like he was working on a pretty intense case.  He sent a resident in with instructions to unwire me! Yeah it was really going to happen today.  One of the residents came in and a few snips later I was free...

Although I could move a little more I still could not open my mouth very wide..my muscles were very tight.  He told me I could go brush which I was prepared for with my own bush and toothpaste..I brushed for a really long time and it was awesome! Just imaging now brushing the back side of your teeth for five weeks..yuck.. My mom said he came back a few times and was surprised I was not back yet.  

When I did get back he went over some exercises..  Dr Taub came in and I asked about the bands..Hoping I would be able to take them off to eat or to only have to wear them at night..his response "no bands" that really made my day!  He did stress that he did not want me to start exercising until the end of next week.  

I will see him again in about 3 weeks for another follow up.

I headed over to see Dr Tunjay..he was very excited to see how I looked! He took a look at my braces and clipped off some very sharp pieces that had been causing most of my pain.  

Right now I can open about 1 finger wide..Dr Tunjay can start working again when I can open three fingers wide , which seems like forever away..but Wayne says he can already tell a difference from yesterday.  He made an appt for four weeks from now...

I bought a baby spoon and have to sit in front of a mirror to eat..mostly so I make it in the small opening and don't hurt myself since my bottom list is still mostly numb.  My first meal was scrambles eggs..that was a little hard..since then I have had yogurt, chili and macaroni and cheese cut up very small..a baby spoon full at a time.  I can't really chew but I can get the food in  and mush it around before swallowing it..it is nice to have some texture back in my food. 

So we are off to Florida to relax before I go back to work on March second.  I will be excited to get out of the house a little more in nice weather..

Not a good day...30 days post op

I woke up very excited..well trying not to be too excited.  On my last appt the Dr said I could probably get unwired on this visit.  He said he would be out of town but his chief resident , who was there, would see me.  He verified with the resident that he would be in ththe office and the appt was booked.

My appt was at 1130 on Friday.  I arrived and the nurse took me back and took my blood pressure..she said Dr Courtney was not actually there right now and she thought he was at the hospital but another resident would page him.

A few minutes later she came back and said he was actually with another Dr at a different office and  she asked if I wanted to reschedule , to which I quickly replied no I was to get unwired today..she said another resident could take care of it.

A few minutes later a resident came in and introduced himself and said he would call Dr Taub or Dr Courtney.  He got Dr Courtney on the phone and was in the room with me..he asked how everything looked etc etc..and asked when I would be going to Florida, I had asked about planning a trip on my last appt. , he said ok let's leave her as she is also Dr Taub can take a look next week..when he got off the phone and told me that I lost it a little bit..he asked if everything was ok and I just said..I really wanted to get out of the wires today...he understood but said since I was Dr Taub's patient he should really see me before proceeding...I regained my composure and we booked and appt for Thursday.

I asked about being  banded and what that would mean for eating..he said it would definitely give me a little more space and I could have things like scrambled eggs...I am now dreaming of scrambled eggs..I also asked about anything I need to be concerned about for the airport and he said no since the plates are pretty much pure titanium it would not be an issue.

They seemed to be very concerned about my weight on this visit..asking what I was eating was I getting enough calories and even took my weight.  Before surgery I gained a few extra pounds knowing I would be losing weight.  I am down about 12 pounds right now which I am completely ok with I would even be ok with a few more but at the same time I am tryi to be sure I am getting enough protein and nutrients which gets hard each day and I getting sick of eating the same things.

I have to say one of the things I was most looking forward to was brushing my teeth..the back side of my teeth are gross...I try to swish cleaner and waterpic but it just can clean the back...so looking forward to brushing my teeth for like 15 minutes .

So I will stick it out for one more week...don't really have a choice ..

Latest side view..still pretty swollen..

22 days post op!

Sorry I missed getting everyone caught up from my drs visit last week.

I visited Dr Taub last Friday..and after hima don the resident did their inspection cleaning etc ..I said ok doc..how long am I going to be wired..he chuckled a little and said I think we will be able to take the wires off in 2 weeks and switch to band! Oh happy day..now I am not that sure how much of a difference bands will make but it has to be a little better right?  I think I will get Ben a little movement..whereas right now there is absolutely none...

That visit on feb 3rd will put me at a little over 4 weeks wired..I can't wait...

I am getting a little bores..I do a few Rosetta Stone Spanish lessons each day..in preparation for my trip to Spain in July....a few camera tutorials to learn to use my new camera ..and I am also taking a mindfullness class through UDEMY... plus I try to do a little project around the house each day..I have gone back to the gym and taken yin yoga classes..I don't quite think I am ready for vinyasa yet..

I am still pretty swollen so I have started to ensure I am drinking lots of water each day and getting out and walking some more.

All for now!

Cheeseburger soup!

Yes cheeseburger soup does exist and it was delicious... I found a soup place close by and they have some great soups..I had been looking at a cheeseburger soup recipe last week and I just happened to check their soups yesterday and it was the soup of the day.

So soup is my new best friend..I have to stay away from soup with potatoes as it make it like a paste...

So things are going well..the pain at this point is manageable with ibuprofen ...and I am pretty much sleeping a full night at this point .

I go back to the surgeon for a visit tomorrow..we will see how he things I am healing.

I have made it back to the gym but just a few yin yoga classes..which are as I tell wayne sleepy yoga..

I will post a current pic tomorrow once I have my hair done and I am presentable...lol

Post visit notes...

I had my visit with the surgeon on Friday.  Met with the resident first who was very nice and very familiar with my case.  Immediately aid how good I look and that my swelling had gone down a lot.

He asked about the pain, my eating and my weight.  We talked about my pain meds Andrea decided I could go down to just ibuprofen every 4 hours..and the oxy as needed.  I haven't needed it yet since I came home and made the switch so I think I can manage with just the ibuprofen.

He got in and flushed out my teeth with peril you and rinse.  Dr Tunjay came in and took a look and decided I needed a little more brushing to help me out..so yes my surgeon was brushing my teeth,,he did laugh and say..you know I don't do this for everyone..it just beds cause you are so nice..this is definitely under my pay grade..I said I know don't you have residents to do this...he mentioned that he wished he had more pleasant patients like me..

We then did a new char so we could see all the hardware...here is the X-ray..

I have a plate on either side with 6 screws each..then an xplate on my chin..you can see the fracture across my chin that will eventually heal and fill in..I also have lots of l brackets around my upper jaw and you can see the fracture there too.

#bionicwoman

Follow up with the surgeon today

I am getting ready to head off  to the Dr for my one week ( 9 day) follow up..so I have done my hair and look pretty presentable...lol.

So here   are the promised pics.    
                                

Here are the before from a year ago before we started anything in the process

1-week post op

Good morning everyone!

Well from reading all my my chat group friends post about their recovery I expect today or tomorrow to be the day there is a big turn...still waiting...

The pain still come in waves so I am still on pain medication...I also get little spasms in my jaw which are not pleasant...I am still really swollen..I can't really feel my chin at all.

Yesterday I did not eat as much as I could or should have...more soup is on its way and maybe try a milkshake today for more calories...

Not ready to post a pic yet..maybe tomorrow when I actually do my hair and make myself presentable.  Tomorrow I am off to the Dr for my one week follow up.

Day 6 post op- chin dressing removed

I was told I could take my chin dressing off at 5 days so today was the day to see what my new chin looks like.

It took my mom about an hour of slowly peeling off the dressing to get it all off.  Then a while more to get all the sticky stuff from the tape off.  I can't say I am really sure yet what my chin looks like because I am still so swollen. I do have one small stitch on either side .  I had asked prior to surgery about an external stitches and Dr Taub said it was a possibility to put a few of the plates in.   I cannot really feel my chin or bottom lip at all.  They said the chin would take the longest to come back and could be up to a year to get complete feeling back.

Andrea stopped by with some chicken stew she made for me.  She had it all blended up and strained for me and it was delicious!  It was so nice to have something with some flavor other than chocolate protein drinks.  I had a little more soup in the evening.  I still don't think I am hitting my calories at all but eating soups will definitely help.  I am very lucky to have such a good friend!

I don't really have a picture today since the dressing was removed and I really need to clean my face up underneath but I will definitely have one tomorrow.

Day 5

I am now 5 days post op....I am still waiting to get over the hurdle of the worst part of recovery...I hear it should be coming soon.

It has been a very uneventful few days so not really much to report.  Wayne says the swelling is definitely going down every day.  I do still need the pain meds and even wake up when I am sleeping because of the pain...it is not excruciating..but the pain. Is still there...

I did manage to get down 2 whole protein shakes yesterday , which amounted to about 500 calories...definitely not enough but getting more every day.  Today I will try to see if I can get a smoothies down...I dont't really have much of an appetite either... although I know I need to eat..

Wayne went to work today and my friend Andrea will cone spend the day with me..and my mom will be here later for a few days....nothing like mom taking care of you...

Here are a few pics...the first is last Nov right before my first surgery and the last from today...

Th chin dressing can probably come off today or tomorrow..they said 5 days and that it would probably com off in the shower. Excited  To see what yew chin looks like!

Two days post op..I get to go home!

This morning all the residents came to see me and check me out and give me some instructions.  They got my discharge papers all ready to go..wayne arrived about nine so were were all ready to go.

I had the house pretty much set up and ready to go..humidifier was ready and I just needed to organize my meds..I feel like I am pretty much taking meds all day long..I have pain meds, sudafed, and an antibiotic..plus a mouth rinse which has been unsuccessful so far..I haven't quite figured out how to swish around yet...especially since I can't really close my mouth..it is quite messy..

The first thing I wanted to do was take a hot steamy shower..it felt great and helped to clear my nose out...

So I will not give too many details..but I have to add that I do have the best husband..part of me having a hard time breathing is because my nose is so clogged up..and yes he has been charged with the task of keeping it nice and clean...not a job too many others would volunteer for...

I am still getting random nose bleeds which they says can last a few days.  I had one last night and it kind of ended up blocking my airway so aging gasping for air in the middle of the night...this time it was Wayne's job to calm me down..

So I have already lost a bit of weight so I need to get on track with getting some calories today..the first two days I only had water..and yesterday managed to almost finish an ensure...today I have started with a protein drink and I have been able to move to drinking out of a paper cup instead of using the string so that has been a big help...

Ok time for some rest..swelling is definitely going down..and even since the first day the residents and Dr Taub mentioned how good I looked for all the work they did...  today should be the peak of the swelling them I hope each day gets better...

One Day post op..

The first night I don't think I slept at all...I kept getting really thirsty and tried my best to drink some water through the syringe..but I am definitely not drinking as much water as I needed...and the nurse came to see me about every hour for vitals..so that kind of also made sleeping hard.

My mom arrived about 1230 for a visit...she gave me a nice little face cleaning which also helped me to relax...I have to work very hard at relaxing my jaw and keep it from being so tense which is causing I think the most pain..

Wayne arrived about 3pm.  I am glad they were both there when Dr Taub and Dr Sumner came to fill me in on the surgery.

I first asked Dr Sumner how long I would be wired and he really did not want to commit...then when I asked Dr Taub he was evasive as well.  I think it will just be based on how I am healing...so I will do all I can to make sure that is moving along.

So the reason I ended up being wired...my surgery from last year when my pallette  was expanded still had some spaces in the bone that were not fully closed up ...Dr Taub did not feel as though it was strong enough and he did not want to put the pressure on that top jaw so that led him to decide to wire me shut...he did mention that a few of my brace brackets had come off so I think there was an extra plate or screws or something put there.

Mom stayed until about 500 and wayne until about 600..then it was another sleepless night in the hospital...a little rougher than the first night...because my throats is so swollen and my nose is so stuffed..I feel like I am constantly gasping for air..which kind of freaks me out a bit..I called the nurse about 2 am in tears and just said I just need you to calm me down..I fell like I can't breathe...just getting that sentence out in my state was a chore in it self..l finally called down and she checked me out and all was ok..so I tried again to sleep a little...

I think you can see some swelling going down already...

surgery day..Wednesday January 4th

So I think I finally have enough strength to update my blog..

Surgery was on Wednesday..we arrived at Jefferson at 745 am..Dr Sumner who was the resident assistant came to see me and when Dr Taub arrived he came to see me..he talked me through the surgery and showed me the digital prints of when he had planned..he said he spent over an hour moving things around to be sure everything was perfect.   I guess one of the challenge I presented was that my upper jaw was very slanted..so he wanted to get that straightneed out as well..I guess slanted is kind of hard to explain...

Surgery began about 1100 and they kept Wayne up to date on when they were starting...I remember entering the room ..getting into position and that is about all.. next think I remember is that it is about 830 pm and I am starting to wake up with the realization that I am wired shut...even though I tried to be prepared for this possibility I was not..

Wayne came to recovery about 900 when I was a little more awake and the first think I tried to tell him is that I was wired...communication was pretty much non-existent at this point so frustration set in pretty quickly...I think I was in and out of  it for a while...they said I was taking a long time to wake up from the anesthesia...

I moved to my room..not exactly sure what time that was..it was a private room which was nice..no one to bother me..Wayne stayed a little longer and left around 1130... the kittens were definitely starving by that time...lol

Day two...