we went over why i want to have the surgery again. when i first met with him i told him the only way i can explain it is that i can't bite my cuticles. he said that he would rather note in the chart that i can't bite into a hamburger with lettuce without the lettuce coming out in one piece. that i can't bite thru it completely. i laughed. like i eat hamburgers... and like i put lettuce on it. haha
at any rate, we went over some details and took some x-rays and more photos. i'll post them later. I want to post them when i have before and afters.
one highlight of the day was taking molds. he had to take some with the wires on. yikes. the bottom one came out OK. but the top, now that's a different story. it actually got stuck. the nurse tried with all her might to pull it loose. no luck. so she called in the doctor. together they yanked, pulled and rocked it back and forth until it finally came out. i nearly had a panic attack. hurt like hell. it felt like they were going to pull out my teeth. and then there was the big tray full of play-do type of goo that was making me gag. oh well. i lived. it only took me about ten minutes to pick all the gunk out of my grill.
The doctor showed me the skull again. it's weird the think that i will have plates and screws in my skull. but i love being able to actually see a sample of it. i'm so visual. it really puts it into perspective.after we took images, made molds and went over all my questions we talked about when the surgery could take place. i jokingly told him i wanted a date because i am too impatient. he just pulled out his phone to look at his calendar. i nearly fell out. we laughed and he said he will have to get with the other surgeon to see what would work best. we decided on two different days. he is supposed to call me and let me know. YIKES!
here are some of the highlights from our Q&A session:
- should be four plates
- surgery should last about two hours
- one night stay in hospital, surgery early morning then should be released early afternoon next day
- will have bloody nose for a while
- banded shut with strong rubber bands NOT WIRES. will stay banded shut 24/7 for first month
- shouldn't have to have a splint in after surgery since they are almost positive that they will be able to do the top jaw in one piece. he will only be using the splint while placing in surgery. then it's removed.
- swelling: should peak around 72 hours, 2-4 weeks people will be able to notice, 2-6 months after slightly swollen
- no sleeping on my side
- there will be a minor gap that i will be able to open my mouth to shove pills in. all depends on how tight the bands are and how strong i can open
- can return to work in about 2 weeks. first week should just be spent resting and figuring out eating and medicine regimen. second week could be part time.
- most of the the medicine that he will prescribe will be in liquid form. steroids will come in a "z-pac" form where i have to take several the first day and then taper off. very small pills though.
- can't use a straw at first. i will be too numb and swollen. eventually should be able to use one
- can get back on my bike in six weeks. speed walk in four. basically he said that i can't be doing anything where i would clinch my teeth.
- six weeks of "baby" food consistency things to eat. he said that if we could feed it to a baby i can eat it.
- can introduce soft flaky fish and over cooked pasta at 6-week mark
- "normal" food at eight weeks
- numbness around my mid face should last less then a month
