Rubber Band Land

Hello Blogger Friends! Well, I'm about 70 days post op now. My bottom lip and chin area has really been tingling so I think the nerves are really working hard at coming back. It's such a strange feeling.

I still have acne/rash but it's getting much better. I saw my Ortho last Wed and he sent me to Rubber Band Land....like majorly! :) Last time I only had one rubber band on the side and was able to eat, brush, etc. with it in. I didn't have to replace it until it broke. Now, I have rubber bands on both sides, up close on front that go all the way back to the molar brackets. I can't get a spoon or fork in so I have to remove them each time I want to eat, brush, etc. and they have to be replaced twice a day. I guess I was spoiled before. I have to wear these all day/night. My back molars don't touch so I guess that's what's supposed to be achieved from this. No pain no gain right? And...I need those back molars to touch or I won't be able to chew food anyway --which I've tried to sneak some stuff...and it didn't really do anything but frustrate me. Other than that my Ortho was really impressed with my bite and said things were lookin' good. I see my OS next Thursday. I'm anxious to see if he still thinks I will need the septoplasty on my nose.

I'm feeling 'okay'. I would be lying if I said I was 'awesome'. I'm still a little down about my nose and my upper lip. I feel like my upper lip is a lot thinner (and stiff)  and it's not even on both sides when I smile or close my mouth. See it in the pictures???

Of course I also still have problems "chewing" and sometimes talking which frustrates me. My face still feels stiff and sensitive to hot/cold but I believe this is def getting a little better all the time.  I'm just very impatient!!!

Well, that's all for now. I will have to post some pics of my wonderful band config once I get unlazy!

Also, please check out the article that my dad is a top ten finalist in. Grand prize winner is determined by the most online votes from now until Nov. 22nd. You can vote once each day. We plan on helping the community out w/ the prize if he wins! He is an awesome man who has helped his community out tremendously. Please support him! :) www.JIC.org/gemcontest His article is titled "Unselfishly Giving Moore". Thank you! :)

Happy Howwwlllllloween!!!!

Happy Halloween everyone! I successfully completed my son's Sonic costume(I did buy the hat) and am glad he's happy with it. I'm glad there were actually two leg and arm holes and that they were the same LENGTH! lol! Here's a pic of my two kids. dog (to the right) and my nephews. They had so much fun!

Today was also my dad's 69th birthday! Which leads me in to my favor...:) My mom had me write an article on my dad for this Gems Among Us contest. My dad made the top ten finalists! Trust me, he is one AWESOME man. Anyway, the winner is determined by the most online votes from November 1st -22nd. If he wins my parents will win an all-inclusive trip to Mexico and my mom will also win some jewelry. They have been through so much and really deserve this. My dad is the most giving guy I know! So please please vote for him. You can vote once daily at www.JIC.org/gemcontest . His article is titled:  "Unselfishly Giving Moore". Thank you friends!!! XOXOXOXO E 

2 Months Post-Op!

Hi all! Well, I can NOT believe it's been two months since the super duper jaw surgery. I've been feeling pretty good. I'm still somewhat emotional about the acne (which I've come to realize on my own is a RASH with a few zits thrown in for good measure) and I'm also emotional about my nose/nostrils looking so different. I'll get used to it, I know. But, while I was complaining to my Hubby the other day my wonderful, wonderful son (who is six) says, "But Mommy, you have such a beautiful smile now!" Ohhhhhhhh, did it melt my heart (and shut me up), I ran right over to him and just hugged the life out of him.!!!

I am feeling really good. I still mostly soft chew and blend stuff as it's just easier but I'll have the okay to eat most anything on Thanksgiving! YAY! I still have those dreaded surgical hooks in my mouth and they really do get in the way. I see my Ortho on Wed so I hope he takes them off. I also realized last week that I had been positioning my rubber band wrong on my brackets. Ooops! I have no idea how long I was doing this or how bad it could have effected anything but it's under control now. I called the Ortho office and had them explain where it SHOULD be so we're good now.

Last night we carved pumpkins and made a pumpkin pie. Tomorrow is my dad's 69th birthday so we will have a fun celebration and then go trick or treating. Busy, Busy. Thankfully, the kids are out of school Monday so they can recover from the sugar high. I am "attempting" to make my son a Sonic the Hedgehog costume. I'll post pics tomorrow...not sure how great it will be but I couldn't find a costume anywhere (that I wanted to pay THAT price for) so homemade it is! :)

I still am slightly numb in my bottom lip but it's getting all tingly so that's a positive. Also, I never knew how sensitive my face would be to hot/cold. If I'm in the sun, my face feels super hot pretty fast. Also, if I'm in the wind or cold air it gets super cold fast. Very normal I'm sure...just something I wasn't expecting. 

Well, I hope everyone has a safe and fun Halloween. I'm going to post costume pics tomorrow as I have a favor to ask of all of you...but...you'll have to wait to find out.......Bahhhh Haaa Haa Haaaaa (my evil witch laugh)..XOXOXOXOXOXO

6 Weeks Post-OP

Well, I am now a little over six weeks post op. Nothing too exciting to post! Fellow Jaw Breaker friend, Mandy, had her surgery on Monday. She hasn't posted anything on her blog yet but sent a quick email stating she is a clucking, swollen mess! :( But she is well and surgery went well. She is in her dreaded 3-4 day post surgery bliss and I PROMISED her that it WILL get better. You're in my prayers girlfriend! I can't wait to see pics and for you to be your chipper self again. You'll be up and at em' before you know it!

I had my follow up w/ the OS yesterday. He thinks my bite is looking great, swelling is going down. He's still a little concerned w/ my left nostril and I'm also a little concerned as I have a harder time breathing out of it. He brought the plastic surgeon in and he also said to wait 5 more weeks and we'll look at it then. There is def still some swelling around that area so I'm believing it WILL get better. If not I will have septoplasty done to correct my septum. This procedure would be done outpatient. I'd like to have it done before the end of the year though, so I could claim it on taxes with the rest of this god-awful amount! :) Of course insurance only covers this w/ a prior-auth so we start down that road again.  Sigh...I just have to believe it will all be miraclely (is that a word???) better in 5 weeks! Here is my 6 week photo. I cut bangs and wore a little makeup. I still got Aunt Acne....she's fighting that lil' blue pill w/ all her strength and is so far continuing to win. Sigh...little blue pill...it's time for you to whoop some acne-you-know-what!!!!!!



MJS, don't be checkin' out my dirty laundry room to the left! :)


On the family front...my favorite cousin read my blog and called to apologize for her comment about the famous face! :) She said if she really meant I looked bad she would've ignored me all day b/c she wouldn't be able to tell me the truth!! That sounds pretty accurate so I really think she was just trying to make me laugh!  My MOTHER on the other hand is another story...she asked me a few days ago if my nostrils will always be this big. Seriously? I'm sure they flared a little MORE after that comment! Grrrrr....My nephew also made note of my cheeks commenting they look rather "full".

    So, needless to say, I'm a little discouraged w/ the comments of my fellow family members.   But, on a medical note: I am sleeping better,eating better and have an overall feeling of happiness in light of the acne, nostrils and cheeky cheeks! Some favorite foods include: avocados w/ sour  cream and salsa, re fried beans w/ pico de gallo, mushed up quiche Lorraine and of course the chopped-up chicken enchilada!

I have lost approx 12 lbs. and holding. I really need to start working out some. I've been pretty lazy but I plan on changing that. Don't we all????

My stitches are all dissolved except for a few on my upper incision.   I'm really working on stretching and massaging my face as my upper lip feels stiff. I guess this is common. Bottom lip is still numb but OS isn't worried about this yet as things are still healing and some residual swelling is still there. Well, that's all folks......

Have a Happy Happy Day

XOXOXOXOXO

E

One MONTH Post-OP

Sorry guys! I missed my exact one month post op party! :( We've had some things going on and I'm just now able to update.  But, I did take my pic on Thursday so I'm posting that. Things are going pretty slowly now. My OS appt. was a week ago and he took off my rubber bands for a whole week. It was really nice. I really worked on stretching my mouth and opening wide. I still have tons of canker sores all over the inside of my lips but I can't really feel them so it's only slightly annoying.  My next appt. with OS is in three weeks! He's still concerned w/ my left nostril and my breathing through it. I'm believing that it's just swelling that needs to calm down and I won't need the second "dreaded surgery". :(

I went to the Dermatologist on Monday. He gave me some cream samples (for my face and canker sores) and a prescription of Solodyn. I was hoping it was just hives, but he said it was acne and rosacea. So, this prescription costs $724 for a one month supply. Not even kidding!!!! My first month was free and insurance will only cover for "pre-approval"....well, we all know I've unsuccessfully been down that road before. So, I hope this little blue pill lives up to what he thinks he's worth and that I'm as smooth as a baby's butt in 30 days or less! I will NOT be purchasing this lil' blue pill after my free sample. I'm not THAT vain!!!!

I had my FIRST ortho appt. on Thursday. Very exciting stuff! He was impressed with my bite. Although I have a slight crossbite and my back molars don't touch he still thinks I can be out of braces in six months! I'm still banking on nine, but if it's earlier that'll be icing on the cake I will be eating then!!!!  He left my surgical hooks and wires on but added a power chain to top and bottom. I was glad as I feel that helps smooth things out and may help w/ the canker sore issue.  I had some of my stitches stuck between my back brackets and it was pulling on my incision. I was sooo thankful for them to cut that part off and get it out of there. It was causing some discomfort and now I have none over there!!! He also only put one rubber band on at this time. It's on my left side in a box shape. It's not heavy so I still have good range of motion! I was happy with my first appt. I see my Ortho again in 5 weeks.

Well, that's about all I have to update right now. I can't wait to post pics with my hair fixed and makeup on! My hair still bothers me to touch my face. I'm sure it's just my OCD. Every time it's down it seems to cling to my face from the lotions I've been wearing and it feels totally strange. ewwww.....

I still am completely numb in my bottom lip but my swelling seems to be going down nicely now and I'm hoping to get feeling back soon! :)

Enjoy your week! This is such a busy time of year for us moms w/ kids. Fall seems to be packed with field trips, festivals, sports, parades, etc. Lovin' every minute of it!

Oh! on a side note...I went to a family fish fry yesterday. Most of my family acknowledged I look different. I know I still have quite a bit of swelling, mostly in my upper lip.  I feel like a duck or fish or something. Anyway, my favorite cousin (because she's possibly reading this :) ) Noted I looked like someone famous. I started to smile and then she added with a laugh. "It's no one attractive though...." And the smile fades.....Thanks.....Like I'm not already self conscious and emotionally taxed as it is!!! Gotta love family right?? :)

Asinine Acne---3 Weeks Post-Op

Okay, so Aunt Acne came to visit and she won't LEAVE!!!! I'm literally about ready to become a hermit. I have been using toner and prescription cream but looks like she's decided to camp out on my FACE for awhile. Hopefully this too shall pass. I can just feel the oil oozing out of my pores. I wonder what causes these oils to go into overdrive???

Anyway, tomorrow I will be THREE weeks post op.  My swelling is still sticking around but I'm starting to feel much better. My energy level is up and I just feel like I'm HEALING. My OS gave the okay for me to start back up my muscle relaxer at bedtime which has helped me sleep tremendously. I still sleep on four pillows. OS said I only needed two but I feel much more comfortable w/ four as I still have lots of swelling...and it's allergy season.

Not much new news...my nose is drying up. I'm still drinking a lot of my meals. I may blend one meal a day to "cat food" consistency but it's still a lot of work to eat that way so I do a lot of drinks. Still some drooling and talking still tires me out but I can tell it's getting easier.  Over the weekend we went to my favorite Mexican restaurant. It was HELL, but I ordered something and ate a few refried bean w/ salsa and got home and blended my chicken enchilada with some salsa and chicken broth. It was HEAVENLY. The best meal yet! :) I don't really like ice cream much but I bought some Haagen Dazs caramel ice cream and now I'm addicted. So, some things are looking up. Took some pics of Aunt Acne...Also some new pics of smile/profile. I still have quite a bit of swelling (more on the left) so there's some asymmetry. I even notice it in my nostrils. I hope that one nostril calms down. It looks a little too perky! lol!

I see my OS on Thursday and he may give the okay to see my Ortho....we'll see. Also, I found out some CRUSHING news. My OS isn't going to file a second appeal to my insurance as the exclusions are so strong that they think I don't have a chance. So, I guess I can say... We spent A LOT of money and even though it's money well spent (I can already tell it's helping my ears, energy level, breathing, etc.) I still feel guilty.  Uncle Sam better give us a pretty darn good tax deduction is all I can say!

Here's my profile a month prior to surgery and at three weeks post-op and I still have quite a bit of swelling in my upper lip and lower jaw!! It still amazes me. I just want to stare!  Sorry about the hair. I'm just trying to keep it off my oily ole' face! :)

Have a great week everyone and HAPPY FALL!!!! Maybe we should celebrate w/ a pumpkin shake or something??? Any good recipes??? XOXOXOXO

Splint Removal....CHECK!

So, the splint removal went much easier than expected. I didn't even need a local as I was still completely numb. It was attached to my upper teeth with wires that went around each tooth and connected to my braces wire. He used some little tool and it cut all the wires in only about 7 minutes. The only time I freaked out was when it was hanging by like one wire and I thought I was going to swallow it. I can talk much better without it. I feel like my saliva is still plentiful and I still "slurp" it. Eating's not much easier either. I guess I imagined removing the splint would magically make everything go away. I know I just need to be patient. *NOTE: This is not my splint but mine looked very similar.

Friday I got my hair trimmed (and a few bangs). It made me feel better but I think I overdid it on Thursday and I have felt pretty crummy the past couple days. My OS said everything looked great and I was healing nicely. I have another appt. next Thursday and he said depending on how things look then that he may go ahead and send me back to my Ortho.

I'm kinda anxious to see my Ortho. My back teeth don't touch, I still have a little cross bite and I feel like I still have an overbite. I'm curious on his opinion. I know I will worry about this as I'm a freak about my teeth. That's the only downfall to having the splint out. With it in I knew my bite was where it was supposed to be, with it out, I have NO IDEA. I still have two rubber bands up close on my teeth that I can take out to eat and brush. OS said my ortho will probably do some different band configurations to fix the cross bite. I think he wants HIM to be the bad guy! lol :) I don't blame him. He's such a nice guy!

Well, I didn't post any pics this time...sorry. I actually got really swollen after Thurs (from overdoing it) and I have totally broken out in zits all over. I have been cleaning my face as often as I can. After surgery my oil glands went in to overdrive and it's been crazy oily. Now, I'm just trying to get this teenage adolescence look under control. :( I'm emotionally at the bottom of the roller coaster today.

Sorry to be such a downer. Hope you all are doing well in whatever stage you're in. XOXOX