Well as the doctor expected, my infection is back. I've been off the antibiotics for about 3-4 weeks now and my jaw started to get tender a few days ago. Over night it swelled up. It's kinda weird because the swelling is really hard, not soft like I expected it to be. It's right along my lower left jaw. In the picture it's on the left (looks like my right). The picture is reversed. Anyway, I called the doc today and he's going to put me antibiotics just to get me through the weekend. He wants to see me Tuesday. Looks like the plates and screws are going to come out. He said he would give me the option of removing the other side. The only draw back besides extra pain is he will have to put a hole in my cheek to remove the last screw. I'm not sure what to tell him. Does anyone have suggestions? Thanks so much.
Hi June,
ReplyDeleteBummer to hear that you are still battling this. My suggestion would be to follow his recommendations of your surgeon, and if that means removing the screws I would do it. But, that is so easy for me to say - I am sure you know the only way to access the screws is by putting a hole in your cheek.
Does the surgeon think the screws are the source of the infection?
I hope things get better for you soon!
Keep us posted!
Regards,
Brent
Hi Brent.Thanks for your comment. I should have explained it differently in my post. Yes, my surgeon thinks the infection is because of the screws and plates. It's only infected on the left side. He said he will need to take those out because my body won't be able to fight it off. What I'm not sure about is whether I should have him remove the other side too while he's in there. That side isn't infected. He offered it to me and I'm not sure if I want to do it or not. I'll ask him too for his opinion. Do you have any suggestions? Would you do the other side too?
ReplyDeleteYep you're right. He will have to put a hole in my cheek to remove the last screw. I'm not sure how he got it in without the hole in the first place. Guess I don't want to know. June :-)
June, sorry to see this has happened. Did the doctor say it's common? It seems like the doctor is not pushing for removal of both sides, so maybe he wants to wait and see about the other side. I'm not sure. See what he says on Tuesday. Louise
ReplyDeleteHi June!
ReplyDeleteI understand now, and that is a hard question. If it were me, I would probably just have one side done. The screws are designed to adapt to the bone and if your are not rejecting it on the right side then you could leave "good enough alone."
Thanks for you comment I my blog too, I saw your puppy and I think you made a good decision to get a puppy rather that super fast and gorgeous (and expensive) car!!
As far as my insurance they only cover orthognathic surgery up to $1000. I don't really have any other issues like apnea and the tmj is also excluded. I think it is pretty much a no go with them but I knew that going in. I will continue to ask my surgeon about other options...
Thanks for you advice, it is always appreciated!
Brent
Hahaha, that's funny Brent. Yep, I'm sure I made the right decision getting the dog and not the super hot car. ;-) Maybe one day I can get that car. Hmmmmm
ReplyDeleteThanks for the advice Louise. Maybe I will just get the one side done. It would certainly save me a hole in that side of my cheek.
Also Brent, even with the insurance not paying for it, it's still worth it. June
I also agree. I would leave the good side alone. If there's no infection on that side you don't want to mess w/ it! Dogs are ALWAYS a good choice. You will have many more memories w/ that lil' girl! :) Good luck at you next appt.
ReplyDeleteE
I don't have any advice, but just wanted to offer support-so sorry to hear about the infection. Hope you're not letting it get you down, I'm sure your surgeon knows what he's doing and will sort it out with the minimum amount of trauma to you.
ReplyDeleteGood luck and let us know what happens!
Thanks for the advice. It looks like everyone agrees to leave the good side alone. I'll also ask the surgeon what he thinks. This second round with the infection is slightly worse than the first. The swelling is bigger and more tender and the antibiotics aren't working quite as quickly. However, I am ok with having the plate removed. If it wasn't so hard, I would probably have them all removed. I kinda hate the thought of all the metal in my head. I try not to think about that too much. I just hope the recovery time after the removal isn't bad. I'll post what the doc says on Tuesday.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Louise I'll ask the surgeon how common it is to have an infection.