One Year Since Surgery

I really can't believe it's been one year since my surgery. Actually, it's the night before the "big day". I had my surgery on May 6, 2010. I remember thinking, as I drove to the hospital, that I could still back out. I actually kept thinking that all the way into the surgery. It was such a scary time. I can still say, however, that I'm really glad I did it. I like my new face, and the fact that I can breathe, and no more snoring.

Things have been going fairly well since the last time I posted. I still can only open my mouth about 2 fingers width. I see the surgeon next Tuesday and I hope he gives me some exercises to do. I haven't had any problems until a couple of days ago. That's when I thought I was coming down with a cold, but it was only one nostril that was runny. Then I noticed that my upper molars on that same side were sore. My runny nose just continued, but it had blood in the liquid. It was just like bloody water coming from my nose. I called the surgeon and he put me on antibiotics and the pain and blood have gone away. I'm not sure if it's my tooth or an infected screw. I hope it's not a screw, because I really don't want to have another surgery. Well, I guess I'll find out Tuesday I hope.

I hope everyone is doing well. It was so nice to not think about my jaw for a few months.

One last thing, I saw some old pictures of my teeth and after that I was so glad I had this done.

Guess what happened today!

I wasn't expecting this, but today when I took my youngest son in to get his braces on they took mine off. It did hurt to keep my mouth open for so long, but otherwise it wasn't bad. I am so pleased with the way things turned out. I will post more later. Here's a real dorky video of me right after I got them off.

Surprise, No Loose Screws

It came as a big surprise to my husband that I don't have a screw loose. He's just sure there's another one in there that's causing me to be so weird. I told him to just wait until he has a procedure and I'll tease him.

Today at 11:15 I walked into the OR to get my plates and screws removed just on the left lower jaw. I have to tell you, it was a piece of cake. They did give me gas to put me to sleep and a half trachea tube, and an hour later I was in recovery drinking apple juice. The doc did say the screws weren't loose, so that wasn't what caused the infection. He said a piece of food or some bacteria probably just got in the screw/plate. He said because of the infection the bone started to lay down more bone to cover the infection and he had to scrape the bone down.

I woke in recovery in pain which made me think the pain would only get worse, but it didn't. Actually, I feel fantastic now! I am still swollen in that spot, but I think removing the infection has already made me feel better. Or it could be all the Vicoden I've been taking. :-)

I've already taken the dog on a walk, made dinner(simple one) and cleaned the kitchen.

I am restricted to a cold liquid diet for 24hrs then I can progress to a soft diet for about 4-7 days depending on how I feel. Oh yea and I should feel good enough to go to the Bronco's game on Sunday! So excited. Anyway, you guys are all just awesome. Thanks for all your thoughts, prayers and comments.

Plate and Screw Removal Tomorrow

Hi all. I had my appointment with the surgeon on Tuesday and he wants to take the plate and screws out. Actually, so do I. My surgery is scheduled for tomorrow at 11:15. It will be done at his surgical suite in his office. He kinda freaked me out when he said that an anaesthesiologist will be there. I thought he was going to just put me to sleep with an IV, but I guess he changed his mind. I know it will be nothing like my last surgery so I guess I'm not really scared, just a little . He said it would take about an hour. He didn't recommend me doing the other side because it wasn't bothering me. So, thanks guys for your input! You were all right. Once he's in there he should be able to tell what caused the infection. He also may have to shave the bone down slightly if I had some overgrowth. Sometimes that happens with an infection.

I asked the nurse how often this happens and I didn't get a very straight answer. She just said "not that often". Anyway, your prayers are always appreciated. Hugs!

The Infection is Back

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.

Appointment with OS about Infection

Hi all. I've been very busy lately because of a new midlife crisis purchase. Instead of a really nice Audi R8 I decided to get a Whoodle. What's a Whoodle you ask? Don't worry, I had never heard of it before either. You know how they come up with all these weird sounding dog breeds. A Whoodle is a mix between a Wheaten Terrier and a Poodle. She looks like a Labradoodle. She's super cute, friendly and soft. She's taking up a lot of my time lately. Her name is Sophie.

Ok, on to ortho stuff. Thank you guys for asking about how my appointment went. I really appreciate it. Anyway, I saw the surgeon on Wednesday and he took a look at my teeth and said we "hit a home run". I'm not sure, but I think he's complimenting himself. My lips are getting closer together too as the swelling goes down. He told me that women should have between 2 and 4mm lip incompetence. I guess that's ok then.

As for the infection, he thinks it will probably come back and if it does he would take the screws out. He said that once bacteria get in there it's hard for your body to fight it off and you just have to remove the screws and plates. He would do it in his surgical suite in his office. He would just put me to sleep with an IV and cut along the same original surgical incision. The last screw is hard to get out without putting a little hole in my cheek. Well, that doesn't sound too bad. He was going to wait and see if the infection does indeed come back. I forgot to ask how long that might take. That's all for now. Off to bed.

Infection?

Hi all. I have been a bad blogger. I haven't posted anything for weeks now. School has started for my kids and with that comes all the business of planning, driving and studying. My last post I think I mentioned that my left side was somewhat swollen. Well, within the last couple of days it has really swelled up. It is starting to hurt and look funny. I called my OS and he put me on antibiotics and wants to see me next Wednesday. I wonder if he's going to say we need to remove the screws. I guess I will find out. What's funny is that my lips close better now with the "infection". Weird. I don't think things are quite right yet.

Here are some pictures. It probably is hard to see the swelling, but it's on the left side of the picture. It is reversed, so it looks like my right side.