Re: 2 days till surgery.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I can relate to the parents moving in. I'm now 13 days post-op from

bilateral TMJ reconstruction. My husband took our two girls (very

active two and three year olds who want constant Mommy attention) to

his parents so I can recuperate in peace and quiet. My mother is

staying with me and I don't think I've ever appreciated her as much

as I did these last two weeks.

I went home 4 days after my surgery and I was still very weak and in

a lot of pain. Even walking across the room took an effort. My

mother has been wonderful in making soups and shakes for me. That

more than anything else has been giving me my energy back. On my

own, I barely would have been able to open a can of Boost.

Everyone's swelling is different but you will definitely have some

as well some bruising. Prepare your father so he won't be as

shocked. Mine got pretty upset after my first surgery but he was

okay this time around. He actually has an easier time turning the

screws on my distractors (you won't have to worry about that at

least) than my mother. She gets more upset than I do because she's

causing her baby pain.

The first two weeks are the worst but just keep thinking of the end

result when you have a perfect bite. You might be able to resume

some light exercise (i.e. walking) after two weeks but remember,

your body's been through a lot and you need to take it easy for

awhile.

Good luck and be careful going to the hospital tomorrow!

> My surgery is sceduled for Jan 28. Hopefully the expected snow

storm

> in NY won't delay the surgery. I am having my lower jaw positioned

> foward about 3mms. My doctor told me it will be a great results

the

> midline will meet and I will get great results as far as my bite.

My

> face will be very symetrical. My ortho told me today that I my

> surgeon is excellent. I cd not be in better hands. It was

comforting

> but am I relaxed.? Not even close

> Let me ask the veterans what should I expect right after surgery?

I

> realize everyone is different but how swollen should I expect to

be

> after surgery? Will I resemble the elephant women? Should I expect

> pain? I live alone my parents want to take turns moving in with

me.

> Lord help me, I love them but the thought of them treating me like

> needy baby is part of the reason I moved out. I am 40 years old.

In

> their eyes I am still a child. Will I really need them to take

care

> of me? My father is going with me and picking me up after surgery

he

> get more upset than me when it comes any physical problems. Am I

> going to scare him with the way I look? My jaw will be wired shut

for

> 4 to 6 wks. Do you ever get used to that? I read about different

> methods to bring down swelling. How do I find a practitioner in my

> area? Does anyone have a MLD practioner in the NYC area? I tried

> looking on the internet cd not find anything. Cd you tell which

site

> to got to to find a practitoner My doctor has never heard of this

> therapy to bring down swelling. Does excercising after 2 wks

increase

> swelling? How long will I be regretting the surgery before I am

glad

> that I did it?

> I am looking foward to the final results and long as I can get

used

> to my new positioning of my jaw and I just start to feel like

myself.

> I know I am asking a lot of questions but any questions that

anyone

> on this site can help with wd be appreciated. I am stocked up on

> creamy soups and tons of vegetable and fruits and protein shakes

and

> water? I am going to try to heal with healthy foods. I hope it

> helps .Any last minute advice and comfort wd be great. See you

very

> shortly on the other side. Thanks this site is big help.

>