Footloose and Metal Free!!!!

Okay, so I'm at the end of my journey (hopefully) dear friends. Wow, I went back to read all of my past blogs and it's amazing what we go/went through. I wish all of you the best of luck if you are considering, or in the process of upper/lower jaw surgery. Feel free to ask me anything. I love to offer advice...even if it's unsolicited!

Braces removal was a piece of cake. I will take some more pics this weekend w/ my hair fix and lip gloss on!  I went out and purchased like three different colors of shiny lip gloss. I'm infatuated with lip gloss but have rejected it for two years as not to draw any further attention to my mouth bling. Now, I'm ready to show off some luscious lips.

Which is quite funny because my Ortho reminded me that my Hubby was probably waiting for some smooches after this whole ordeal. I have been avoiding kissing him like the plague....So, yes Dr. O I offered up some smooches to my hubby yesterday! :)

I will actually miss seeing my Ortho "family" as I don't go back to see them for 6 months to have my retainer check. It's really much more comfortable than I imagined. I have a permanent bar on the inside of my bottom teeth so I don't need a bottom retainer. I'll post pics of these soon as well. I get my teeth cleaned at the dentist Thurs so I'll wait until then to post more mouth pics. But, here is the pic w/ my wonderful Ortho. :)

Until next time.....keep smilin' y'all!

It's the Final Countdown!!!!!!!

Okay friends. I cannot believe it's been three full months since I've posted on here. I'm a bad friend, I know! But, no news is good news right? My bite has been feeling so much better. I'm able to eat so much more than I thought I would be able to. I still don't attempt the really tough stuff like raw carrots, etc. But, I really didn't eat those before so....My greatest concern at this time is my newly confidence in my bite is causing me to overeat! lol. So, I'm nervous about gaining weight. I think my hubby is a little nervous as well. My nose feels awesome. It's sticky and humid here so I'm still congested but I can BREATHE. I feel I still mouth breathe at times but I use my nose a lot more than I used to. It also looks a lot better. I mean A LOT! My oral surgeon said he would help w/ the cost. I'm getting ready to send him my final bill on that deal. Like Tina (fellow blogger) I feel my face is crooked now. Actually, it really is. The oral surgeon couldn't find enough bone to attach my upper jaw so he had to tilt it some. Which in turn makes the left side of my face fuller than the right and my mid line is off. This is probably what has contributed to some of my nose issues as well. But, all in all I'm one happy chick. To be honest, it's taken me this whole time to admit that. Most people are happy w/ in months but it's taken me this whole process to actually be happy w/ my results.

I went to the ortho yesterday and had my back brackets removed and my impressions for my retainer. I get my braces removed next Monday and my retainer. Which I got to decorate blue with a dragonfly on it! :) I can't believe this journey is almost over. It has been long and emotional but I am happy. My right TMJ is still giving me trouble. It was really bad after holding my mouth open so long yesterday. I pray it improves but I think it was too far gone before surgery....so I'm preparing myself that somewhere down the road I will probably need surgery on it. But, I've learned my lesson....I will gladly wait in agony until it's covered under my insurance. :)

To all my blogger buddies...hang in there...there IS a light at the end of the tunnel. It's amazing what the human body/mind is capable of accomplishing.

Next time you hear from me I will be unchained and ecstatic!!!! :) XOXOXO