SPLINT REMOVAL (6 Weeks!)

IT'S OUT! IT'S OUT! IT'S OUT! IT'S OUT! IT'S OUT! IT'S OUT!

Haaaalelujah. Haaaaalelujah. I'm still hearing the angels sing. Here's the skinny:

• Splints smell so so so bad when they come out
• I don't have to see my surgeon for 3 months
• I can start to chew
• My orthodontist put in a smaller wire on the bottom without hooks
• I'm getting a new wire in on the top without hooks on February 25th
• I don't have any rubberbands right now (until my next appointment)
• ...Did I mention that the splint STINKS? Seriously. If you have stank breff after surgery, this is the cause. And she said mine was cleaner than most! I'd hate to see/smell a dirty one

THIS DAY CALLS FOR A VIDEO

I probably will not update my blogs until after appointments from now on.. Unless something really awesome happens. If you guys have any questions, I'll make a new post just for that!

Remember: For all of you about to go through surgery, the most important thing to have isn't a drool bib, it's a positive attitude. Keep your head up, beautiful.

Day 38

I AM A TERRIBLE BLOGGER!

I'm sorry I haven't been posting regularly. I've gotten so busy with school that I haven't had time. Luckily, not much has changed besides swelling and numbness level. Life must go on after jaw surgery. I can say with confidence that my mind no longer revolves around my jaws.

Going off of that idea, I'm excited to say that my mind will be even less jaw focused on Wednesday, January 30th because I'm going to be going to my University's School of Dentistry to get my splint removed!!!! FINALLY!!! I'm so sick of my lisp and explaining to everyone I meet why I sound funny. I'm sure it'll be the best day I've had since surgery. That same day, I'm going to have to rush home for an appointment as 2pm with my orthodontist. I'm hoping she's going to change my wires and not just look around. If not, my wire changing appointment will be February 25th. I'm beyond excited. I'm also a little worried. My splint and I have a love hate relationship. It supports my bite. I'm afraid I'm going to be a little lost without it. I don't remember what it feels like to have my teeth touch together, especially not touch together in the right spots. I'm so jealous of all the jaw surgery goers who got their splint off at 4 weeks or, even better, didn't have to have one at all.

Speaking of biting, I'm still not allowed to chew. BUT. I've been eating more. I've found that (although terrible for my health) fast food cheeseburgers from Wendy's and McDonalds are pretty easy to mush up with my tongue and swallow. My favorite noms are french toast, fettuccine alfredo, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Eating pasta is super easy. I love it. Velveeta shells are delicious too. Of course, I'm still eating mashed potatoes.

My teeth in general are no longer sensitive, but I have one molar that is really sensitive when I brush it. Even more strange, the bracket is like a cap that goes all the way around my tooth, and the tooth hurts even when I'm just brushing over the metal. I'm not sure what is going on there.

My nose is feeling better as well. I no longer use nasal spray to keep my nose clear. My septum is still deviated, but since it isn't stuffy all the time anymore it isn't as annoying and noticeable. It's something I can live with for sure.

I didn't update you guys when I went to my 4 week post-op appointment. I'm now in very light rubberbands and the formation of my bands are no longer pulled to the midline. They're just boxes around my molar and premolar for added support I assume. Just in case. I'll take a picture comparing the two.

Around this time after jaw surgery, I can tell you to expect to wake up some days and feel like numbing as randomly vanished, while other days it hasn't changed at all. When you wake up, you may notice some swelling, especially if you are not sleeping at an angle (which I haven't done since day 10 because I'm a rebel). No worries though, it goes away soon after you wake up. Expect some drooling if your an unlucky soul with a partially numb bottom lip like moi. Expect to begin gaining weight back. Overall, I only lost about 6-7 pounds, which is what I put on for the surgery. You should begin being able to be more active. I went to the gym for the first time a few days ago. I just worked out on the elliptical for 30 minutes. Nothing too hard or jaw jarring. Protect that face!

One more thing I would like to mention.. The cold air is not helping my face whatsoever. I feel like I have to walk around with my mouth covered because it kind of hurts a little. Also, I might just be paranoid, but it feels like I can FEEL the screws in my face (without touching them). Sometimes my face itches where I believe the plates and screws are around my nose. I don't know what's up with that. I might just be imagining things.

That's about it, guys! I'll post some pictures soon :)

3 WEEKS! (and 1 day)

Hey y'all!

I know I said this at two weeks, but I REALLY can't believe it has been three weeks. I'm no longer taking any medicines, I'm sleeping on my side, I've had more feeling coming back except for the left half of my lip and chin, and my energy level seems to be back to (almost) normal. I wouldn't try to go to the gym or anything just yet. Walking a mile is still definitely a workout. I'm back at school, so walking is something I have to get used to.

Being back at school has been a nice change from sitting on my butt all day drinking shakes and watching Netflix. Talking to people I don't know is always a challenge because of my lisp from the splint. The next best day of my life will be the day I get it out. I can already tell. Right when I start talking I'm just like "I don't ACTUALLY have a lisp. I had jaw surgery." People seem to understand me just fine though!

I've been eating more! I can now successfully eat soft bread items like sandwiches, pancakes, biscuits, and cake. I just nom them with my tongue a little until it gets soggy... which sounds gross, but it's a hell of a lot better than liquids.

Since I've started sleeping on my side, sleep has been really good. Surprisingly, I don't drool that much, but lately I've been waking up with really bad breath and a bad taste in the mornings. I think it's from the mouth breathing since my left nostril still gets stuffed up. I've noticed I end up having bad breath again about midday if I haven't brushed my teeth. I've started carrying around dissolvable Listerine breath strips, and they really help since I can't swish!

I don't remember if I've mentioned this or not, but my teeth are no longer sensitive like they were before. They haven't been sensitive for at least a week I'd say. I've had a lot of stitch knots falling out the past week as well.

Most importantly, I am happy with my appearance. I'm still numb, swollen, and stiff, but when I look into the mirror, I don't see regret staring back at me. I'm glad I had the surgery and I love my new bite. Positive emotions towards surgery increase as you are able to see close to final results.

I have an appointment with my surgeon on Monday, so I'll let you guys know how that goes!

Annnnnnnd a video :)

Day 19

Hey everyone! Sorry I haven't been a constant blogger since the second week, but not much has changed. I've noticed that I'm getting more feeling back in the right side of my face around my nose and mouth, but the left side has stayed pretty much totally numb, which is really annoying. I noticed last night when I was brushing that my gums are still numb. At this point, I'm used to the numbness, so it doesn't bother me that much. I just wish it would hurry up and all come back.

The left side of my nose is still getting stuffy and swollen. I'm taking my nasal spray once a day before I go to sleep. If I don't, then I mouth breathe throughout the night, and I wake up with the worst dry mouth I've ever had. I should mention that I haven't been taking ANY medications at all. No pain! My teeth finally stopped being so sensitive too. Yay!

As far as eating goes, I'm definitely getting more adventurous! Yesterday and the day before, I had stuffing. It was really easy to eat! Yesterday was also my brother's birthday, so you know I had some cake :P haha. Soft bread foods are pretty easy to eat because you can just mush it up with your tongue and swallow. I've tried a chocolate covered cream filled Krispy Kreme donut too. Ohmygod I was in heaven, but it took me 30 minutes to eat. I've also kept up my pizza eating - I just pick off the top cheese and the soft part of the bread (basically everything except the crusty bottom part).

I went to my orthodontist four days ago, and she had flowers waiting for me! It was so sweet. They didn't do anything at the appointment except look at my teeth, noted where my elastics were placed, and took pictures. My next orthodontist appointment is February 25th, which is about 2-3 weeks after my splint comes off. She said she would put me in more flexible wires (without surgical hooks!) and she would be able to estimate how much time I have left in these god awful braces. I swear when the day comes that I get these off, I'm going to cry.

I realized I haven't talking about my weight much. The first week, I lost maybe 4 or 5 pounds. I started off at 147. I had gained 7 pounds before surgery. I just weighed myself at 139, and at my lowest point since surgery I've been 138. I can definitely tell that I've lost weight, but it has really only been my winter weight (I always gain weight in the winter, my weight is normally 140 in the summer) so weight hasn't really been a big issue. It would have if I didn't gain weight though. If I had had my surgery over summer like I was supposed too, I would surely be weighing about 130 right now, which is not healthy for my height.

That's it for now! I'll definitely be making a three week post on Wednesday. I start school on Wednesday as well, so I'll let you guys know how that goes. I feel like I'm far enough along in my recovery to take on classes. I feel great :) I'm just a little nervous about everyone seeing me and trying to talk with my splint in.

2 WEEKS!

A video for your viewing pleasure :)

Day 13

Sorry for the poor quality photos, but...

My profile is looking so normal! I can't believe it. No more awkward chin and bucky smile. My lips don't close all the way still, and I don't think I will ever be able to. My surgeon said if they cut any more bone to allow my lips to close, my teeth would be up too high and it would make my face look short and round, which does not compliment my body shape (his words, not mine). Whatevvvvs. My nose is looking nice and perky too.

Day 12

HAPPY NEW YEARS EVE!

I hope everyone is having a fabulous time tonight while I'm stuck at home healing! Drink some champagne for me :) I've decided to stay in tonight because my energy level isn't where it needs to be to take on this night. Next New Years Eve I'm throwing down. I'll have my braces off by then. I'll be all recovered. LIFE WILL BE WONDERFUL.

But for now I thought I would talk about my biggest problem lately: Sleep. I'm a side sleeper. I cuddle up with myself when I sleep. As you can imagine, this whole sleeping upright thing isn't going well. I wake up every two hours even when I take a sleep aid. Therefore, I decided last night that I was going to sleep on my side. I'm still sleeping.. sort of propped up with 2 or 3 pillows, just on my side.I'm not sure if I'm allowed to do this or not. We called my surgeon's office to ask about it, but they haven't replied. After the first week, I say just go with what feels right. Haha. BUT. The problem so far with this is that I wake up with sore jaw joints. Honestly, I'd rather wake up with sore jaw joints than every two hours for no reason.

My swelling is worse in the mornings. This may be from my change in sleeping position, but I've noticed it. It goes away pretty quickly though, so don't freak out if you notice the same! 

Something I don't think I've mentioned - I've lost about 5 or 6 pounds. This is pretty tame compared to others I've seen. I actually gained 6 pounds in preparation for surgery, so anything else I lose is just a bonus.

New Year's Resolution: HEAL FAST

Pain Level: 1

Numbness Level: 4

Discomfort Level: 3

Pictures to come!