Re: Re: Post op visits today

December 11, 2003

Thanx, .

My jaws feel fine. I'm still swollen quite a bit, but it's mostly on the

inside. I haven't had any TMJ symptoms for a while now and that's really good.

I'm still cutting up pasta really small and dousing it with sauce, but I like it

anyway. :-)

I've discovered Michelina's Chicken Broccoli Fettuccini Alfredo. They're really

good and only cost 99 cents each. :-) I stock up on them.

My son got in last night for the holidays and he loves the Michelina's also...so

at least I don't have to really cook anything until Christmas.

Hope your jaw gets better...no more clicking. Happy healing. Happy holidays.

Smooches

Re: Post op visits today

Smooches:)

I got tired just reading your e-mail. I can only imagine how

exhausted you must have been when you got back. Not only physically

but emotinally as well:) Supper glad to hear that everything went

well:) Sorry to hear about the mashed potatos. I am pretty much the

same way. I had all of these cravings when I couldn't eat them, and

now that I can, the cravings really aren't there anymore:) Funny

isn't it:):) I guess knowing that you can eat them anytime that you

want helps with that:)

How does your jaw fell??? Mine was a little sore the first day,

trying to get used to the new bite I guess. My Jaw hasn't locked

since before the surgery (used to lock every other day) but it still

clicks. Hoping that will get better soon.

Congrats again Smooches:)

EAT UP GIRL:):)

:)

>

> Hey Everyone - I CAN SMILE!!! (Not the best in the world, but it's

getting there.)

>

> I saw my OS today at 10:00 this morning. She removed the splint

and gave me my chewing clearance. She said I could " gradually

progress my chewing " and I said, " What the heck does that mean? Can I

go to Burger King? " She laughed and told me to go to soft chew foods

first for about a week, i.e., french fries and sandwiches (LOL) and

then if that doesn't hurt " go for it " . She said just not to eat

really chewy things like steak and something else that I don't eat

anyway (can't remember what it was).

>

> I then went to see my ortho at 12:00. The first thing he said when

he saw me was, " Ooh, your lips look great! " Then he grabbed my file

to compare them to what they used to look like. He and his staff

were oooh-ing and ahh-ing over my results. I guess I was the

celebrity of the day. They were even showing other patients my

before photos (with my permission, of course).

>

> They removed the surgical wires and hooks and had me bite

down...open wide...bite down...open just a little...and so on and so

forth. After replacing the wires, they put in a gold " medium reverse

torque " on the bottom front teeth (I have no clue what that does and

didn't get a chance to ask). I have an elastic on the right side in

the very back connecting two teeth (upper to lower) and one in the

far back on the left side connecting in a kind of box/triangle shape

to three teeth (two on top to one on the bottom).

>

> I go back on January 14th to see both OS and Ortho - they try to

coordinate it on the same day so I only have to make one trip down.

Funny though, after getting my chewing clearance, I went downtown

Beaufort where there are all kinds of restaurants (sit-down or fast

food whatever you want) and what did I have a taste for? Mashed

potatoes! Oh well, maybe next week...

>

> Oh yeah, my ortho said I should gain my freedom probably by this

summer. :-)

>

> I'm exhausted. I'm supposed to go to class tonight, but I know I

won't be able to make that hour drive let alone sit in class for 5

hours and drive that hour back. It's barely 5:00 p.m. and I'm going

to bed. I'm tired!

>

> Smooches

>

December 11, 2003

Thanx, .

My jaws feel fine. I'm still swollen quite a bit, but it's mostly on the

inside. I haven't had any TMJ symptoms for a while now and that's really good.

I'm still cutting up pasta really small and dousing it with sauce, but I like it

anyway. :-)

I've discovered Michelina's Chicken Broccoli Fettuccini Alfredo. They're really

good and only cost 99 cents each. :-) I stock up on them.

My son got in last night for the holidays and he loves the Michelina's also...so

at least I don't have to really cook anything until Christmas.

Hope your jaw gets better...no more clicking. Happy healing. Happy holidays.

Smooches

Re: Post op visits today

Smooches:)

I got tired just reading your e-mail. I can only imagine how

exhausted you must have been when you got back. Not only physically

but emotinally as well:) Supper glad to hear that everything went

well:) Sorry to hear about the mashed potatos. I am pretty much the

same way. I had all of these cravings when I couldn't eat them, and

now that I can, the cravings really aren't there anymore:) Funny

isn't it:):) I guess knowing that you can eat them anytime that you

want helps with that:)

How does your jaw fell??? Mine was a little sore the first day,

trying to get used to the new bite I guess. My Jaw hasn't locked

since before the surgery (used to lock every other day) but it still

clicks. Hoping that will get better soon.

Congrats again Smooches:)

EAT UP GIRL:):)

:)

>

> Hey Everyone - I CAN SMILE!!! (Not the best in the world, but it's

getting there.)

>

> I saw my OS today at 10:00 this morning. She removed the splint

and gave me my chewing clearance. She said I could " gradually

progress my chewing " and I said, " What the heck does that mean? Can I

go to Burger King? " She laughed and told me to go to soft chew foods

first for about a week, i.e., french fries and sandwiches (LOL) and

then if that doesn't hurt " go for it " . She said just not to eat

really chewy things like steak and something else that I don't eat

anyway (can't remember what it was).

>

> I then went to see my ortho at 12:00. The first thing he said when

he saw me was, " Ooh, your lips look great! " Then he grabbed my file

to compare them to what they used to look like. He and his staff

were oooh-ing and ahh-ing over my results. I guess I was the

celebrity of the day. They were even showing other patients my

before photos (with my permission, of course).

>

> They removed the surgical wires and hooks and had me bite

down...open wide...bite down...open just a little...and so on and so

forth. After replacing the wires, they put in a gold " medium reverse

torque " on the bottom front teeth (I have no clue what that does and

didn't get a chance to ask). I have an elastic on the right side in

the very back connecting two teeth (upper to lower) and one in the

far back on the left side connecting in a kind of box/triangle shape

to three teeth (two on top to one on the bottom).

>

> I go back on January 14th to see both OS and Ortho - they try to

coordinate it on the same day so I only have to make one trip down.

Funny though, after getting my chewing clearance, I went downtown

Beaufort where there are all kinds of restaurants (sit-down or fast

food whatever you want) and what did I have a taste for? Mashed

potatoes! Oh well, maybe next week...

>

> Oh yeah, my ortho said I should gain my freedom probably by this

summer. :-)

>

> I'm exhausted. I'm supposed to go to class tonight, but I know I

won't be able to make that hour drive let alone sit in class for 5

hours and drive that hour back. It's barely 5:00 p.m. and I'm going

to bed. I'm tired!

>

> Smooches

>

December 11, 2003

Thanx, .

My jaws feel fine. I'm still swollen quite a bit, but it's mostly on the

inside. I haven't had any TMJ symptoms for a while now and that's really good.

I'm still cutting up pasta really small and dousing it with sauce, but I like it

anyway. :-)

I've discovered Michelina's Chicken Broccoli Fettuccini Alfredo. They're really

good and only cost 99 cents each. :-) I stock up on them.

My son got in last night for the holidays and he loves the Michelina's also...so

at least I don't have to really cook anything until Christmas.

Hope your jaw gets better...no more clicking. Happy healing. Happy holidays.

Smooches

Re: Post op visits today

Smooches:)

I got tired just reading your e-mail. I can only imagine how

exhausted you must have been when you got back. Not only physically

but emotinally as well:) Supper glad to hear that everything went

well:) Sorry to hear about the mashed potatos. I am pretty much the

same way. I had all of these cravings when I couldn't eat them, and

now that I can, the cravings really aren't there anymore:) Funny

isn't it:):) I guess knowing that you can eat them anytime that you

want helps with that:)

How does your jaw fell??? Mine was a little sore the first day,

trying to get used to the new bite I guess. My Jaw hasn't locked

since before the surgery (used to lock every other day) but it still

clicks. Hoping that will get better soon.

Congrats again Smooches:)

EAT UP GIRL:):)

:)

>

> Hey Everyone - I CAN SMILE!!! (Not the best in the world, but it's

getting there.)

>

> I saw my OS today at 10:00 this morning. She removed the splint

and gave me my chewing clearance. She said I could " gradually

progress my chewing " and I said, " What the heck does that mean? Can I

go to Burger King? " She laughed and told me to go to soft chew foods

first for about a week, i.e., french fries and sandwiches (LOL) and

then if that doesn't hurt " go for it " . She said just not to eat

really chewy things like steak and something else that I don't eat

anyway (can't remember what it was).

>

> I then went to see my ortho at 12:00. The first thing he said when

he saw me was, " Ooh, your lips look great! " Then he grabbed my file

to compare them to what they used to look like. He and his staff

were oooh-ing and ahh-ing over my results. I guess I was the

celebrity of the day. They were even showing other patients my

before photos (with my permission, of course).

>

> They removed the surgical wires and hooks and had me bite

down...open wide...bite down...open just a little...and so on and so

forth. After replacing the wires, they put in a gold " medium reverse

torque " on the bottom front teeth (I have no clue what that does and

didn't get a chance to ask). I have an elastic on the right side in

the very back connecting two teeth (upper to lower) and one in the

far back on the left side connecting in a kind of box/triangle shape

to three teeth (two on top to one on the bottom).

>

> I go back on January 14th to see both OS and Ortho - they try to

coordinate it on the same day so I only have to make one trip down.

Funny though, after getting my chewing clearance, I went downtown

Beaufort where there are all kinds of restaurants (sit-down or fast

food whatever you want) and what did I have a taste for? Mashed

potatoes! Oh well, maybe next week...

>

> Oh yeah, my ortho said I should gain my freedom probably by this

summer. :-)

>

> I'm exhausted. I'm supposed to go to class tonight, but I know I

won't be able to make that hour drive let alone sit in class for 5

hours and drive that hour back. It's barely 5:00 p.m. and I'm going

to bed. I'm tired!

>

> Smooches

>

December 11, 2003

Thanx, Rod. You're a sweetie.

Smooches

Re: Post op visits today

Well done etta!! I hope when it is my turn in 2-3 years, I will

have the same outcomes as you.

Rod

>

> Hey Everyone - I CAN SMILE!!! (Not the best in the world, but it's

getting there.)

>

> I saw my OS today at 10:00 this morning. She removed the splint

and gave me my chewing clearance. She said I could " gradually

progress my chewing " and I said, " What the heck does that mean? Can I

go to Burger King? " She laughed and told me to go to soft chew foods

first for about a week, i.e., french fries and sandwiches (LOL) and

then if that doesn't hurt " go for it " . She said just not to eat

really chewy things like steak and something else that I don't eat

anyway (can't remember what it was).

>

> I then went to see my ortho at 12:00. The first thing he said when

he saw me was, " Ooh, your lips look great! " Then he grabbed my file

to compare them to what they used to look like. He and his staff

were oooh-ing and ahh-ing over my results. I guess I was the

celebrity of the day. They were even showing other patients my

before photos (with my permission, of course).

>

> They removed the surgical wires and hooks and had me bite

down...open wide...bite down...open just a little...and so on and so

forth. After replacing the wires, they put in a gold " medium reverse

torque " on the bottom front teeth (I have no clue what that does and

didn't get a chance to ask). I have an elastic on the right side in

the very back connecting two teeth (upper to lower) and one in the

far back on the left side connecting in a kind of box/triangle shape

to three teeth (two on top to one on the bottom).

>

> I go back on January 14th to see both OS and Ortho - they try to

coordinate it on the same day so I only have to make one trip down.

Funny though, after getting my chewing clearance, I went downtown

Beaufort where there are all kinds of restaurants (sit-down or fast

food whatever you want) and what did I have a taste for? Mashed

potatoes! Oh well, maybe next week...

>

> Oh yeah, my ortho said I should gain my freedom probably by this

summer. :-)

>

> I'm exhausted. I'm supposed to go to class tonight, but I know I

won't be able to make that hour drive let alone sit in class for 5

hours and drive that hour back. It's barely 5:00 p.m. and I'm going

to bed. I'm tired!

>

> Smooches

>

December 11, 2003

Dear Smooches,

So very happy all is well. Have a lovely holiday with your family. We have

enjoyed so much your play-by-play reports of your ups and downs. Hope I can do

as good for J as your husband did for you those first two weeks. Jaleah's Mom,

Juli

Re: Post op visits today

Smooches:)

I got tired just reading your e-mail. I can only imagine how

exhausted you must have been when you got back. Not only physically

but emotinally as well:) Supper glad to hear that everything went

well:) Sorry to hear about the mashed potatos. I am pretty much the

same way. I had all of these cravings when I couldn't eat them, and

now that I can, the cravings really aren't there anymore:) Funny

isn't it:):) I guess knowing that you can eat them anytime that you

want helps with that:)

How does your jaw fell??? Mine was a little sore the first day,

trying to get used to the new bite I guess. My Jaw hasn't locked

since before the surgery (used to lock every other day) but it still

clicks. Hoping that will get better soon.

Congrats again Smooches:)

EAT UP GIRL:):)

:)

>

> Hey Everyone - I CAN SMILE!!! (Not the best in the world, but it's

getting there.)

>

> I saw my OS today at 10:00 this morning. She removed the splint

and gave me my chewing clearance. She said I could " gradually

progress my chewing " and I said, " What the heck does that mean? Can I

go to Burger King? " She laughed and told me to go to soft chew foods

first for about a week, i.e., french fries and sandwiches (LOL) and

then if that doesn't hurt " go for it " . She said just not to eat

really chewy things like steak and something else that I don't eat

anyway (can't remember what it was).

>

> I then went to see my ortho at 12:00. The first thing he said when

he saw me was, " Ooh, your lips look great! " Then he grabbed my file

to compare them to what they used to look like. He and his staff

were oooh-ing and ahh-ing over my results. I guess I was the

celebrity of the day. They were even showing other patients my

before photos (with my permission, of course).

>

> They removed the surgical wires and hooks and had me bite

down...open wide...bite down...open just a little...and so on and so

forth. After replacing the wires, they put in a gold " medium reverse

torque " on the bottom front teeth (I have no clue what that does and

didn't get a chance to ask). I have an elastic on the right side in

the very back connecting two teeth (upper to lower) and one in the

far back on the left side connecting in a kind of box/triangle shape

to three teeth (two on top to one on the bottom).

>

> I go back on January 14th to see both OS and Ortho - they try to

coordinate it on the same day so I only have to make one trip down.

Funny though, after getting my chewing clearance, I went downtown

Beaufort where there are all kinds of restaurants (sit-down or fast

food whatever you want) and what did I have a taste for? Mashed

potatoes! Oh well, maybe next week...

>

> Oh yeah, my ortho said I should gain my freedom probably by this

summer. :-)

>

> I'm exhausted. I'm supposed to go to class tonight, but I know I

won't be able to make that hour drive let alone sit in class for 5

hours and drive that hour back. It's barely 5:00 p.m. and I'm going

to bed. I'm tired!

>

> Smooches

>

December 11, 2003

Thanx, Carin and Nathalie and everyone else.

I've been doing exactly what the docs tell me to do. I've spent too many

days/weeks and too many dollars for something to go wrong simply because I was

too impatient or too stubborn to do as I'm told (which is normally not the case

- LOL).

I was a little disheartened (okay maybe more than a little) today by a really

good friend of mine. I sent her a picture of my Day 1 and today photos to let

her see how far I've come. And she made a comment about how I look totally

different. Then she said something ugly about how I look now and what I will

never be (I chose not to repeat it - sorry). It kind of hurt my feelings, but I

guess it's okay...or at least it will be.

I know I'm a little (alot) over sensitive about the new look, but this is the

first negative (really ugly) comment I've gotten about it and it caught me

totally off guard. I'm trying to tell myself she meant no harm, but it's really

hard considering this is a friend of many years who has never had anything but

good to say about me. I guess this is the main reason why it shocked me.

Oh well, such is life. Thank you to all who have given me really wonderful

words of confidence and encouragement. You are real jewels.

Smooches

Re: Post op visits today

Hi Smooches!

I am 5 weeks post-op to the day today. Saw the surgeon this past

Monday the 8th and my splint was removed as well..... Doesn't it feel

great? He also numbed my lower gum and removed the wires that were

placed below the gumline during the lower advancement. Even ground

down some teeth for a better fit. I did the bite, open thing while

Dr. O had his silver paper and went tooth by tooth 3 times in my

mouth making sure all was good. The silver paper should glide

through the teeth. the teeth it didn't glide through are the ones

that got filed down. Best part was being told no bands needed! I

couldn't believe it. 5 weeks to have bands then I don't need them

anymore.

I don't know if you had upper only or upper and lower as I did. Dr.

Orentlicher told me to keep on eating what I have been, which is non

chew soft foods. It isn't that bad because normal food can be well

ground with the food processor and broth or tomato sauce. I go back

to the orthodontist next week to get a new upper arch wire since the

one I have now was cut for surgery (LeForte 1). Did go to visit the

orthodontist well over a week ago and he was all smiles. Very happy

things have turned out so well....

My treat on the way home from the surgeon's office on Monday was a

vanilla shake from Burger King. Just for the sake of things, don't

rush the chewing food issue.... Not yet, take it easy. Go back to

the chewing in baby steps. Like pudding or applesauce consistency

and work your way back to normal. I have waited 3+ years for this

surgery, so I am doing exactly what I am told to do. In fact I've

waited 40+ years for this surgery. Little did I know until 1999 that

I did have a bite problem and many health problems were a direct

result of a congenital skeletal deformity which the insurance did not

want to pay....

Congrats on the freedom... splint free life is good!

Carin

December 11, 2003