Jaw Exercises

Does this look painful? Well it is. I went in for a check up today with my surgeon and told him how the right side of my jaw has been giving me no problem but that my left side still aches and I have spasms every now and then. He gave me this jaw stretching tool to help. He says I just need to stretch it out and then it will feel better. I hope so! Is it weird that only one side of my jaw is having problems? Literally the right side never gives me any problems.

Anywho, so that's something I will have to work on. He was going to see me back in 6 weeks but he decided to make it three. He says he wants me to be able to fit three fingers in my mouth! Wooza that sounds daunting but I will do my best to stretchhhhhh.

On another note, bad allergies right now here in Texas and they are attacking me hard. I had a trip to the ER last night because I had literally thrown up everything I had eaten that day. I thought I might have pnuemonia or something but apparently it's just really really bad allergies. I got myself a nelli pot, sudafed, claritin D, Musinex D, I went crazy at the drug store. I just want no more drainage! Is that too much to ask world?

I am going to the beach this weekend and this stupid cold or whatever it is isn't stopping me.

Hope you all are doing well. I'm exactly 8 weeks post-op today and its been one week without my splint! My bite hasn't shifted soooo so far so good.

Now I just gotta work on the stretching and get myself well.

Love,

-S

Hooray for no Splint!

Seriously getting the splint off is the best most wonderful thing! It makes you feel like you are fully recovered; it's easier to eat now; I don't have to spend a half hour brushing my teeth. And I love just looking at my new bite. It's quite an emotional experience. I know it sounds silly but just hearing the clicking sound of my new perfect bite. It's awesome.

Things I'm still dealing with:

Swelling. Some days I'm puffier than other days. It gets better by the end of the day but then I go to sleep and It's like I'm starting all over again. I know it will take a few months for it to really fully and completely subside but I'm getting impatient! I want to see the full results, ya know?

I can't really chew...The way they did the surgery, since I had such a bad overbite they wanted to focus on making sure they brought my front teeth together, so my back teeth don't actually touch yet and it's kind of hard to chew with just your front teeth....especially since I've never been able to do that before!


I don't have full feeling back yet. My chin is still a little numb, as is my lower lip and around that area but it's not that bad and the nerves ARE waking up; it's just going to take some time. I can now feel cold/hot sensations on my chin, where as I couldn't before so yes all good things.

I still can put my lips together comfortably. I tried practicing by holding a poker chip but with the braces and all it's kind of hard. I'll keep working on it though!

Profile love :)

GUESS WHAT??!!

MY SPLINT IS OUT! I cried when they took it off. They kept asking me if it hurt but that wasn't it. I was just so incredibly happy and overhelmed to have made it to this next step. I immediately went to my orthodontist and he took off all the surgical hooks. No rubber bands for a few weeks. They want to see what my bite does. I will most likely need some rubber bands at some point though. I go back to see my surgeon in a week and my ortho in 3-4. He thinks the braces will be coming off around FEB/MARCH! wohooo.

The only thing is, I can't bring my lips together yet. My ortho gave me poker chips to practice 30-60 min a day. He says we need to train my muscles to accept lips closed as the RELAXED position.


Now I have to go to work, when all I want to do is bask in the sun, drink Champagne and celebrate this day. I am so happy. Thank you to everyone who has helped see me through these past few weeks. Your comments are so greatly appreciated. And know that I am hear for you. Wherever you are in this process, I am thinking of you.

Here is a profile shot. :)

Tomorrow is my last day with the splint!

Well, the title of my post pretty much says it. I am so excited. This splint is causing a lot of gum sensitivity. When I've been cleaning it out lately there has been some bleeding. I'm sleepy but I just had to do a post. The swelling is going down little by little and I love the way I look more and more each day. It's been so totally and completely worth it. Here's a profile shot. Before and after.

Good night all!

One more week until I am once again "Just the chick with braces"

Oh hello new profile. I've suffered for you. But it's totally worth it. I'm 6 weeks post-op today. I still have some swelling, does anyone know how long it takes for it to go away? Like completly away? I'm not sleeping propped up anymore...should I be? Any recommendations?


Oh surgical hooks, heavy wire, and huge splint, I will not be missing you. You come off in a week! muahha I can't wait until I am once again just the chick with braces :)