Ding Dong the Splint is Dead!

To catch you up between week 3 and week 5 here is basically the overview...swelling in the morning, pain in the evening from talking too much/splint, and me complaining 24/7 about how I HATE my splint, OMG this thing is awful. So, wanting to get my spling out ASAP, I called my surgeon to see if I could make an appointment in Seattle on my 6 week check up (he only comes to our County once a week). He said that rather than going over to Seattle he could take it on September 14 (today, which is 5 weeks and 2 days)!! I didn't hesitate to make that move and tah dah, today he pulled that awful thing out! Then, at noon, I had my check up with the orthodontist which removed the rest of the scrap metal in my mouth!! I was really dreading that visit, because my teeth are sore in some areas and the orthodontist usually tugs and pulls on them pretty hard! But, the gal that did the tweaking was amazing and that went really well!! So, today I am officially just an orthodontic patient! I have to wear rubberbands 24/7 on my right side so the molars begin to pull together and touch....so far so good on that!

Although the last couple of days one of my molars has become very sensitive to hot and cold and I am worried that it may turn into a root canal - that would absolutely suck, so at the moment I am just putting out there that everything is fine and it will heal and adjust!


Here are a couple update pictures...I really hate pictures right now because I think my smile is still very swollen...



And



I am hoping that with the splint out and the new regiment of orthodontic that my evening pain diminishes.

Hope all is well with everyone!
Cheers to you.
Brent

3 weeks!

Okay, so 3 weeks ago today was my surgery! I would like to say the time has really flown by, but it hasn't! I feel like every day is a "dog" day and time is going so slow. Right now the most annoying thing going on with my is this stupid splint! I hate it! I still have 3 more weeks, or 19 business day (not that I am counting) to get it out! UG...
Also, today was my first full day back at work. Didn't go too bad, but I was very exhausted by the end of the day! Fortunately for me, I don't have to wear the rubber bands during work hours, if I did I think it would be even worse!

I do know that I am healing at lightening speed and I am so grateful for that, but I do look forward to the day when all this metal comes out of my mouth! Before I went in for surgery, the orthodontist put "holiday ties" on my braces which is essentially metal wire wrapped a million time around my braces...the surgeon has also anchored the splint with more wires, and the most frustrating thing about it all is the end of each wire is just twisted and hanging in my mouth ready to snag my cheek, lip, tongue etc! UG Again! Anyway, I actually look forward to just braces in my mouth and all this additional crap OUT!

Here is a picture update!:


Side view:

New post from Mrs Brent! :D

So, as of today Brent is having another tough day. Last weekend was also tough, as he was having muscle cramps in his face.

Today I know he has pain but also he is kind of in the dumps for healing time - which is ironic because he has been way above the charts from the minute he left Recovery right after surgery.

Basically, he is healing so well... he expects to be officially healed with a perfect bite already and chowing down on corn-on-the-cob and ribs. *sigh*

This week his surgeon told him he only has to wear rubber bands 12 hours a day - most of which can be done while he is sleeping. In four more weeks (or so) they will remove the splint in his upper palate that is wired to his braces. Then he won't have to talk with such a lisp, which I know will also help him feel better. Once the splint is removed, he will go back to his orthodontist for the fine tuning of his bite.

From his Surgeon, his Orthodontist and his Dentist... he could not have more professionals rooting for him and excited to see him achieve this goal.

He also appreciates all of YOU for helping to keep him encouraged during this time, and so do I.

Last night, Brent had some fun, using his front teeth to bite thru some salami! His bite isn't perfect yet - and of course he needs to practice using those teeth, because he has NEVER been ablt to do this before... but it was so much fun to see him be able to do this!

This is the good stuff!

Cheers,

Pattie

Day 14

Doesn't seem like much improvement on swelling, but I know that swelling is way down. It seems to me that towards the evening the swelling lurks back into my chin and lower lip.
Here is latest picture

Side view:


Saturday and Sunday were very painful days for me, and it is mainly because of these bands...I really don't like them! It seems when they are off I feel pretty good, but the second the go back on BAM pain, it is not really worth taking them off except to eat and clean my teeth. I am suppose to keep them on for a minimum of 20 hours per day, but when I see Dr. Feldman this Wednesday and I am hope he says something like "at night only" that would be great!

Also, today I went back to work to see how long I could last...made it until about 11:30, then went home and crashed (nappy nap time for me)!

More to come after Wednesday!
Cheers!

Day 10

Yesterday I saw Dr. Feldman for progress update. He said everything was healing well! Also, told me my splint is in for the long haul (5-6 weeks) At least he removed one wire that was poking the crap out of my upper lip! Also, he re-arranged my bands to make it a little bit easier to talk. But, I got to say, this splint sucks!

Pain wise I can go about 12 hours without something to cut the pain. Mainly Ibuprofen, but if it get really bad I hit the "bottle" liquid oxycodyne! I tell you what...that knock me out! I usually take at night to aid in both pain reduction and wonderful sleep aide.

Day 10...I can't believe it is day 10. My energy level seems to last me about half a day, then it is nappy nap time for me! There is nothing like a mid-day nap!

Here are some progress pictures:

Swelling on my right side is still driving me nuts.

Numbness is gone everywhere except my lower right lip, chin and tongue.


The numbness does drive me nuts, but I think today I am getting along with it better. My tongue is very swollen still and has lots of abrasions on it. Also drool city. I am fortunate that I can close my lip together because otherwise it wold be even worse.

It seems like every day is a little better. Yesterday when I got my bands re-arranged I did a lot of talking which actually tired me out. Especially my lower jaw, after a half a day mumbling around I was really sore.

That about it here.

Have a great day!
Brent

Closing out Day 5

Today was a little rough...I had a hard time getting the right kind of food. Eating is such a chore
Here is front profile


Here is the side profile


Thanks for all your well wishes!

Update Day 4

Here is a photo of me just before going in to the pre-surgery room (my sister in the background.)

I did not want to walk into the surgery room, but had to laugh about Dani's Grey's Anatomy approach. I sure did get the entire experience.
First step was into a check in room. I was told to get into the hospital pajama's and gown. Second step was the pre-surgery holding room. I got the IV in my arm and then waited the long wait. I was surprise that I walked into the surgery room and actually laid on that table....I was a little freaked, but I told the anesthesiolist that I did not want to "hang out in the surgery room" and he accommodated me well. I laid down and asked where Dr. Feldman was and that is all I remember. Surgery was suppose to take place at 9:15 but was delayed until 10:06, the entire surgery lasted 2 hours and 20 minutes.
Pulling out of recovery was very strange too. I remember looking at the clock on the wall and asking if it was all done. Of course I knew something was different because my mouth was banded pretty tight. Shortly there after I was transferred to my room.


As you can see, I am looking here like what the hell did I just do?

Here is my Day 1 post op appointment at Dr. Feldman's office. The room was super hot and I was trying not to get sick.


The trip home was okay car ride...ferry ride...I was very glad to be home.

Day 2, we went to see Dr. Feldman because the splint he wired into my mouth had very sharp wires (still does) and I wanted him to trim them. For some reason he didn't - I was too outta of it to figure why.


I did order one of these which came late because of shipping errors, but is very nice once you get it set up!


And, finally today's photo...