Extreme Makeover Jaw Edition - Results Show

As promised, below are some of my initial result pictures. These were taken yesterday, 6/29, eight days following lower jaw surgery. 

Post-op visit & suggestions for swelling reduction!

I went and saw my oral surgeon yesterday for my follow-up visit. Good results:

• Ugly neck bandaids came off and my stitches were removed
• X-rays looked great - my jaw and chin are both now straight

I came into my surgeon's office with no make-up, glasses and my hair pulled back. He suggested that I wear a floppy hat, my hair down and collered shirts to cover the bruising. For now, I don't care too much, but if I still have bruising next week when I return to work, I will take his advice except for the floppy hat. I don't think one of those would fly in my office even in Southern California.

During the visit, my doctor told me that he ended up moving my chin forward 5 mm and that it should look smaller after the swelling goes down. My chin is currently the one area on my face that is numb although it is starting to tingle a bit as feeling comes back.

Following my last blog post, I had some questions on how to reduce swelling following surgery. Below is what I did:

1) Sleep upright: I have a wedge pillow that I sleep on that keeps my head elevated for the night
2) Ice:  I kept ice on my face continually during the first 24 hours
3) Ibuprofen: I take 600 milligrams two times per day
4) Arnica creme & tablets: I use this 4-5 times per day at the recommendation of my doctor
5) Walk: I get out for walks every day
6) Hydration: Drink plenty - water helps the lymphatic system

I will post pictures tomorrow including some profile shots.

Surgery recap!

It's been four days since surgery and I am feeling a TON better than I did on the 21st!

Surgery Day - 6/21

Tuesday following surgery is a bit of a haze due to the anesthesia. Prior to surgery, the anesthesiologist loaded me up with liquids to make sure I stayed hydrated and provided a nice "cocktail" to make sure I was asleep and pain free during the surgery. When I woke up, I recall being asked if I wanted some pain relievers. I replied, "Yes" and then spent another hour or so sleeping. At 5:30 PM, the nurse came in and told me I should start getting ready to go. I couldn't believe it was so late! Surgery started at 12:30 so I expected to be on my way closer to 4:00 / 4:30 PM.  Once I got dressed, I made it home fine with assistance from my mom (I seriously felt woozy) and then passed out in my bed.

Day 1 - 6/22




6-22 Yes, this picture is scary. I am bruised under my chin and also have bandages on either side.



When I woke up on Wednesday, I wasn't in pain, but my face was super swollen, my neck felt stiff and it was difficult to talk. My checks, chin and lower lip were also numb. I did notice immediately that for the first time in my life, my teeth were actually in the right place. So many times I've woken up as my teeth tried to align themselves (and failed miserably). I found that my surgeon placed one rubber band in my mouth on my right side. I assume it's on that side to retrain my jaw to maintain it's new position since that's where my crossbite was.

On the day following surgery, I tried to talk, but the swelling made it really difficult so I just wrote notes out to my mom. We took a few short walks around the neighborhood since I had read that walking really helps with the swelling.

Day 2 - 6/23

On Thursday, I could talk a little more, but I was still feeling very swollen. I didn't make it out of the house that day and noticed my back felt really stiff.

Day 3 - 6/24



6-24 At the botanical garden. Slightly less scary.  I can open my mouth. This is my attempt at a smile.



On Friday, I woke up feeling tons better. I actually got a decent night's sleep, the swelling was down significantly and I could talk pretty comfortably. My lip and cheeks began tingling indicating that some of the feeling was returning. I went to the park with my mom for a longer walk and we ran some errands. I realized that I needed more liquid foods (soup, smoothies, etc.) since I can't eat semi-solid foods (purees, apple sauce, etc) with the rubber band in my mouth. Though I can make it work with lots of slurping. ;)

Day 4 - 6/25

6-25 Taking a walk at the zoo. Yes, that is a panda on my shoulder. ;)

 

The swelling is continuing to go down and the bruising is starting to move away from my face - my neck is now pretty yellow. Following my doctor's advice, I've been using Arnica (creme and tablets) 4-5 times per day and that seems to be helping with the bruising and swelling. My chin still has no feeling, but I do have more feeling in my lower lip. I seem to have full feeling back in my cheeks.



Two days until surgery!

6/17/11

6/17/11 - Check out my surgical hooks!

It's getting pretty close to game time now. My jaw surgery is coming up in just two days!

On Monday, I visited my orthodontist and got the rest of my surgical hooks put on. The surgical hooks on the bottom are the worst because they really cut into my lower lip. The tops ones don't irritate my lips as much, but I found that one hook was bothering me a bit at first, but after a few days, it no longer hurts. If you're in a similar situation as me and about to get your surgical hooks put on, I suggest buying some OrthoSil wax from dentakit.com. This stuff doesn't get stuck in your hooks or disintegrate like the traditional wax does. I have a whole strand on my lower teeth right now.

During Monday's ortho visit, my orthodontist's office gave me a lunch tote bag filled with foods I can eat during the next few months - Boost, mashed potatoes, soup, pudding, applesauce and Gerber's baby food. Apparently, baby food will become a big part of my diet.

My mom arrived yesterday and we've continued the tour of gluttony. Last night, we went for dinner at my favorite restaurant, Bice. I indulged in cheese and beef tenderloin. This morning we went for Sunday brunch and gorged for two hours on sashimi, blintzes, oysters, omelets, bread pudding and tiramisu. Not to worry, the eating doesn't stop there! The tour of gluttony basically continues until Monday night. ;)

I'll be sure to update the blog again once I'm lucid after surgery. Surgery got moved up to 12 PM (thankfully) from 2 PM so I don't have to worry about being hungry all day. I will be able to sleep in until 9 AM or so. I need to be at the hospital by 10 AM for the outpatient procedure.

Second pre-op & tour of gluttony

It's 10 days until jaw surgery # 2. It's hard to believe it's coming up so soon! My second (and last pre-op) appointment was on Thursday, June 9th. We reviewed the surgery plan and everything is still on schedule for the jaw surgery & genioplasty on the 21st. My surgeon's office is checking to see if my surgery can be moved up from 2 PM to 12 PM. I am hoping for that as it might be a bit torturous to wait around all day on the day of my surgery without being able to eat or drink.

Since I won't be able to chew for two months, I've been trying to get in as much good eating as I can. I am indulging my cravings for sweet crepes (nutella & banana) and plan to go to some of my favorite restaurants before I have surgery. On my list of must-haves are brick-oven pizza and sushi.

Monday is my last orthodontist appointment before surgery. The rest of my surgical hooks will be put on my braces. As usual, I'll plan for Indian food on Sunday night since I'll be getting my rubber bands changed on Monday. The turmeric in Indian food dyes all rubber bands a delightful yellow so I usually avoid Indian food unless I'm due to see the orthodontist.

1st Jaw Surgery Pre-op appointment

Hello and happy June! I had my first pre-op appointment with my oral surgeon on the 1st. They took some models of my mouth to make sure my teeth fit together and gave me a run down of my upcoming surgery. Game plan is still the lower jaw surgery and genioplasty with the goals to bring the lower jaw back to remove the underbite & crossbite. Genioplasty will put my chin back in the right place.

So, here's what I found out:

1) I won't be able to chew for two months.
2) I will be banded for two months (rubber bands on my braces keeping my jaw in place), but will be able to open my mouth about 1.5 inchs so I can talk normally.
3) I can still workout, but just need to make sure I get plenty of calories (2200+). Very happy about this news - I love to rock climb & hike so sitting out for two months would not be fun.
4) I won't be wired shut at any point - yay for that!

After having my pre-op the reality of my surgery is starting to set in. I received a pamplet from my oral sugeon titled "reshaping your face". It's so crazy to think that I will have a completely new profile. I am excited, but also a bit nervous.

I am very grateful for my support network though!! Makes everything a lot easier. :)

Below are some recent pictures taken on 5/29/11.

Mooney Falls - Havasupai - Grand Canyon - Memorial Day Weekend

Backpacking in Grand Canyon - pre-surgery fun!