Re: I look like Howdie Doodie

[Guest guest]

,

It's really not embarrassment that you'll feel once you get back. Most people

will give you more sympathy than anything else. Those who don't know what

happened will also be sympathetic once you explain that you have just had

surgery and that you are still swollen. I used the line " I'll probably be

swollen for about 6 months, but it's getting better " and that really gets them.

I kind of liked all the attention I got (am getting). It's really not that bad,

especially if you learn to laugh about it.

My family, friends and co-workers felt really bad for me, but we laughed

" together " because I told them I looked like Professor Klump and they agreed

with me. LOL! My sister and my best friend used to start their emails to me,

" Hey Professor " or " Hey Sis. Klump " . It was funny and actually made me feel a

lot better.

Also, I sent an email how now I look like Fievel Goes West and one sister wrote

back " I would have kept that to myself " . LOL! However, my husband (who works

out of town during the week) wrote back " you'll always be beautiful to me! "

Love that man!! Tee hee...

Some of my co-workers tease me about my bands. I have to wear them at night, so

I don't talk very well while I'm at work. The band are in the front and I work

at night. They make me laugh so much that I don't even mind having the bands on

and kind of look forward to going to work so I can laugh. And besides, laughing

is a good exercise for the jaws (even if I can't open them while banded).

Don't worry, you'll be okay. Save your vacation days for a REAL vacation...like

when you get your braces off and go to celebrate in Tahiti or some place. :-)

Happy Healing,

Smooches

I look like Howdie Doodie

It has been 15 days since my surgery and I am in a little bit of a

panic. I have to go back to work in 4 days and I look so funny. It is

a cross between Marlon Brando in the Godfather, and, when I smile,

Howdie Doodie. I don't look at all like I used to. I thought I would

look like me, but just minus a lot of gummy smile. Friends have come

over to see me and just go on and on about how I look so different. I

know that people say that it takes time and patience, but I have seen

in other posts that people say they look okay after 2 weeks. I am far

from looking okay. I'm thinking of delaying going back to work by

taking a week of vacation -- but maybe I am just delaying the

embarassment of having to face the stares and comments. I am trying

not to fall into the pit of regretting the surgery, but it is so

hard. Anyone else had this experience? Thanks.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

,

It's really not embarrassment that you'll feel once you get back. Most people

will give you more sympathy than anything else. Those who don't know what

happened will also be sympathetic once you explain that you have just had

surgery and that you are still swollen. I used the line " I'll probably be

swollen for about 6 months, but it's getting better " and that really gets them.

I kind of liked all the attention I got (am getting). It's really not that bad,

especially if you learn to laugh about it.

My family, friends and co-workers felt really bad for me, but we laughed

" together " because I told them I looked like Professor Klump and they agreed

with me. LOL! My sister and my best friend used to start their emails to me,

" Hey Professor " or " Hey Sis. Klump " . It was funny and actually made me feel a

lot better.

Also, I sent an email how now I look like Fievel Goes West and one sister wrote

back " I would have kept that to myself " . LOL! However, my husband (who works

out of town during the week) wrote back " you'll always be beautiful to me! "

Love that man!! Tee hee...

Some of my co-workers tease me about my bands. I have to wear them at night, so

I don't talk very well while I'm at work. The band are in the front and I work

at night. They make me laugh so much that I don't even mind having the bands on

and kind of look forward to going to work so I can laugh. And besides, laughing

is a good exercise for the jaws (even if I can't open them while banded).

Don't worry, you'll be okay. Save your vacation days for a REAL vacation...like

when you get your braces off and go to celebrate in Tahiti or some place. :-)

Happy Healing,

Smooches

I look like Howdie Doodie

It has been 15 days since my surgery and I am in a little bit of a

panic. I have to go back to work in 4 days and I look so funny. It is

a cross between Marlon Brando in the Godfather, and, when I smile,

Howdie Doodie. I don't look at all like I used to. I thought I would

look like me, but just minus a lot of gummy smile. Friends have come

over to see me and just go on and on about how I look so different. I

know that people say that it takes time and patience, but I have seen

in other posts that people say they look okay after 2 weeks. I am far

from looking okay. I'm thinking of delaying going back to work by

taking a week of vacation -- but maybe I am just delaying the

embarassment of having to face the stares and comments. I am trying

not to fall into the pit of regretting the surgery, but it is so

hard. Anyone else had this experience? Thanks.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

You are absolutely right. What a great perspective. Being able to

laugh at myself has always got me through in the past, and should

work again now. And you're right about vacation. I should use it for

something positive -- like going away with my husband for being such

a sweetie through all of this. I shouldn't use it to hide myself

away. Thanks for the great feedback.

> ,

>

> It's really not embarrassment that you'll feel once you get back.

Most people will give you more sympathy than anything else. Those

who don't know what happened will also be sympathetic once you

explain that you have just had surgery and that you are still

swollen. I used the line " I'll probably be swollen for about 6

months, but it's getting better " and that really gets them. I kind

of liked all the attention I got (am getting). It's really not that

bad, especially if you learn to laugh about it.

>

> My family, friends and co-workers felt really bad for me, but we

laughed " together " because I told them I looked like Professor Klump

and they agreed with me. LOL! My sister and my best friend used to

start their emails to me, " Hey Professor " or " Hey Sis. Klump " . It

was funny and actually made me feel a lot better.

>

> Also, I sent an email how now I look like Fievel Goes West and one

sister wrote back " I would have kept that to myself " . LOL! However,

my husband (who works out of town during the week) wrote back " you'll

always be beautiful to me! " Love that man!! Tee hee...

>

> Some of my co-workers tease me about my bands. I have to wear them

at night, so I don't talk very well while I'm at work. The band are

in the front and I work at night. They make me laugh so much that I

don't even mind having the bands on and kind of look forward to going

to work so I can laugh. And besides, laughing is a good exercise for

the jaws (even if I can't open them while banded).

>

> Don't worry, you'll be okay. Save your vacation days for a REAL

vacation...like when you get your braces off and go to celebrate in

Tahiti or some place. :-)

>

> Happy Healing,

>

> Smooches

>

> I look like Howdie Doodie

>

>

> It has been 15 days since my surgery and I am in a little bit of

a

> panic. I have to go back to work in 4 days and I look so funny.

It is

> a cross between Marlon Brando in the Godfather, and, when I

smile,

> Howdie Doodie. I don't look at all like I used to. I thought I

would

> look like me, but just minus a lot of gummy smile. Friends have

come

> over to see me and just go on and on about how I look so

different. I

> know that people say that it takes time and patience, but I have

seen

> in other posts that people say they look okay after 2 weeks. I am

far

> from looking okay. I'm thinking of delaying going back to work by

> taking a week of vacation -- but maybe I am just delaying the

> embarassment of having to face the stares and comments. I am

trying

> not to fall into the pit of regretting the surgery, but it is so

> hard. Anyone else had this experience? Thanks.

>

>

>

> --------------------------------------------------------------------

----------

>

[Guest guest]

You are absolutely right. What a great perspective. Being able to

laugh at myself has always got me through in the past, and should

work again now. And you're right about vacation. I should use it for

something positive -- like going away with my husband for being such

a sweetie through all of this. I shouldn't use it to hide myself

away. Thanks for the great feedback.

> ,

>

> It's really not embarrassment that you'll feel once you get back.

Most people will give you more sympathy than anything else. Those

who don't know what happened will also be sympathetic once you

explain that you have just had surgery and that you are still

swollen. I used the line " I'll probably be swollen for about 6

months, but it's getting better " and that really gets them. I kind

of liked all the attention I got (am getting). It's really not that

bad, especially if you learn to laugh about it.

>

> My family, friends and co-workers felt really bad for me, but we

laughed " together " because I told them I looked like Professor Klump

and they agreed with me. LOL! My sister and my best friend used to

start their emails to me, " Hey Professor " or " Hey Sis. Klump " . It

was funny and actually made me feel a lot better.

>

> Also, I sent an email how now I look like Fievel Goes West and one

sister wrote back " I would have kept that to myself " . LOL! However,

my husband (who works out of town during the week) wrote back " you'll

always be beautiful to me! " Love that man!! Tee hee...

>

> Some of my co-workers tease me about my bands. I have to wear them

at night, so I don't talk very well while I'm at work. The band are

in the front and I work at night. They make me laugh so much that I

don't even mind having the bands on and kind of look forward to going

to work so I can laugh. And besides, laughing is a good exercise for

the jaws (even if I can't open them while banded).

>

> Don't worry, you'll be okay. Save your vacation days for a REAL

vacation...like when you get your braces off and go to celebrate in

Tahiti or some place. :-)

>

> Happy Healing,

>

> Smooches

>

> I look like Howdie Doodie

>

>

> It has been 15 days since my surgery and I am in a little bit of

a

> panic. I have to go back to work in 4 days and I look so funny.

It is

> a cross between Marlon Brando in the Godfather, and, when I

smile,

> Howdie Doodie. I don't look at all like I used to. I thought I

would

> look like me, but just minus a lot of gummy smile. Friends have

come

> over to see me and just go on and on about how I look so

different. I

> know that people say that it takes time and patience, but I have

seen

> in other posts that people say they look okay after 2 weeks. I am

far

> from looking okay. I'm thinking of delaying going back to work by

> taking a week of vacation -- but maybe I am just delaying the

> embarassment of having to face the stares and comments. I am

trying

> not to fall into the pit of regretting the surgery, but it is so

> hard. Anyone else had this experience? Thanks.

>

>

>

> --------------------------------------------------------------------

----------

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I totally agree with everything that Smooches says. With braces and

being only 5'0 " , I get teased all time about looking like I'm

twelve. That is the best attitude to have. Besides, it's much too

early to tell what you'll look like after the swelling has gone down

and your face has settled.

After my second surgery (upper only), I had the most swelling and it

took about 6 months to go away completely. I look completely

different in pictures from two months post-op to six months. I am

now two weeks post-op again and I still have a lot of swelling even

though this time around I didn't have nearly as much swelling as

previous surgeries.

When the swelling does go down, it still takes a while to get used

to your new look because it is different (and hopefully better) than

what you were used to. I think most people are eventually happy with

their new appearance. It just takes a lot of patience. I agree

wholeheartedly with Smooches - take your vacation when you can truly

enjoy it and don't worry about what your co-workers may say or think.

> ,

>

> It's really not embarrassment that you'll feel once you get back.

Most people will give you more sympathy than anything else. Those

who don't know what happened will also be sympathetic once you

explain that you have just had surgery and that you are still

swollen. I used the line " I'll probably be swollen for about 6

months, but it's getting better " and that really gets them. I kind

of liked all the attention I got (am getting). It's really not that

bad, especially if you learn to laugh about it.

>

> My family, friends and co-workers felt really bad for me, but we

laughed " together " because I told them I looked like Professor Klump

and they agreed with me. LOL! My sister and my best friend used to

start their emails to me, " Hey Professor " or " Hey Sis. Klump " . It

was funny and actually made me feel a lot better.

>

> Also, I sent an email how now I look like Fievel Goes West and one

sister wrote back " I would have kept that to myself " . LOL!

However, my husband (who works out of town during the week) wrote

back " you'll always be beautiful to me! " Love that man!! Tee hee...

>

> Some of my co-workers tease me about my bands. I have to wear

them at night, so I don't talk very well while I'm at work. The

band are in the front and I work at night. They make me laugh so

much that I don't even mind having the bands on and kind of look

forward to going to work so I can laugh. And besides, laughing is a

good exercise for the jaws (even if I can't open them while banded).

>

> Don't worry, you'll be okay. Save your vacation days for a REAL

vacation...like when you get your braces off and go to celebrate in

Tahiti or some place. :-)

>

> Happy Healing,

>

> Smooches

>

> I look like Howdie

Doodie

>

>

> It has been 15 days since my surgery and I am in a little bit of

a

> panic. I have to go back to work in 4 days and I look so funny.

It is

> a cross between Marlon Brando in the Godfather, and, when I

smile,

> Howdie Doodie. I don't look at all like I used to. I thought I

would

> look like me, but just minus a lot of gummy smile. Friends have

come

> over to see me and just go on and on about how I look so

different. I

> know that people say that it takes time and patience, but I have

seen

> in other posts that people say they look okay after 2 weeks. I

am far

> from looking okay. I'm thinking of delaying going back to work

by

> taking a week of vacation -- but maybe I am just delaying the

> embarassment of having to face the stares and comments. I am

trying

> not to fall into the pit of regretting the surgery, but it is so

> hard. Anyone else had this experience? Thanks.

>

>

>

> -------------------------------------------------------------------

-----------

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I totally agree with everything that Smooches says. With braces and

being only 5'0 " , I get teased all time about looking like I'm

twelve. That is the best attitude to have. Besides, it's much too

early to tell what you'll look like after the swelling has gone down

and your face has settled.

After my second surgery (upper only), I had the most swelling and it

took about 6 months to go away completely. I look completely

different in pictures from two months post-op to six months. I am

now two weeks post-op again and I still have a lot of swelling even

though this time around I didn't have nearly as much swelling as

previous surgeries.

When the swelling does go down, it still takes a while to get used

to your new look because it is different (and hopefully better) than

what you were used to. I think most people are eventually happy with

their new appearance. It just takes a lot of patience. I agree

wholeheartedly with Smooches - take your vacation when you can truly

enjoy it and don't worry about what your co-workers may say or think.

> ,

>

> It's really not embarrassment that you'll feel once you get back.

Most people will give you more sympathy than anything else. Those

who don't know what happened will also be sympathetic once you

explain that you have just had surgery and that you are still

swollen. I used the line " I'll probably be swollen for about 6

months, but it's getting better " and that really gets them. I kind

of liked all the attention I got (am getting). It's really not that

bad, especially if you learn to laugh about it.

>

> My family, friends and co-workers felt really bad for me, but we

laughed " together " because I told them I looked like Professor Klump

and they agreed with me. LOL! My sister and my best friend used to

start their emails to me, " Hey Professor " or " Hey Sis. Klump " . It

was funny and actually made me feel a lot better.

>

> Also, I sent an email how now I look like Fievel Goes West and one

sister wrote back " I would have kept that to myself " . LOL!

However, my husband (who works out of town during the week) wrote

back " you'll always be beautiful to me! " Love that man!! Tee hee...

>

> Some of my co-workers tease me about my bands. I have to wear

them at night, so I don't talk very well while I'm at work. The

band are in the front and I work at night. They make me laugh so

much that I don't even mind having the bands on and kind of look

forward to going to work so I can laugh. And besides, laughing is a

good exercise for the jaws (even if I can't open them while banded).

>

> Don't worry, you'll be okay. Save your vacation days for a REAL

vacation...like when you get your braces off and go to celebrate in

Tahiti or some place. :-)

>

> Happy Healing,

>

> Smooches

>

> I look like Howdie

Doodie

>

>

> It has been 15 days since my surgery and I am in a little bit of

a

> panic. I have to go back to work in 4 days and I look so funny.

It is

> a cross between Marlon Brando in the Godfather, and, when I

smile,

> Howdie Doodie. I don't look at all like I used to. I thought I

would

> look like me, but just minus a lot of gummy smile. Friends have

come

> over to see me and just go on and on about how I look so

different. I

> know that people say that it takes time and patience, but I have

seen

> in other posts that people say they look okay after 2 weeks. I

am far

> from looking okay. I'm thinking of delaying going back to work

by

> taking a week of vacation -- but maybe I am just delaying the

> embarassment of having to face the stares and comments. I am

trying

> not to fall into the pit of regretting the surgery, but it is so

> hard. Anyone else had this experience? Thanks.

>

>

>

> -------------------------------------------------------------------

-----------

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the words of support. It really helps to know that other

people felt the same way. I am now going to just forge ahead and go

to work on Monday, and give myself some time for my face to bounce

back -- but better! Thanks again.

> > ,

> >

> > It's really not embarrassment that you'll feel once you get

back.

> Most people will give you more sympathy than anything else. Those

> who don't know what happened will also be sympathetic once you

> explain that you have just had surgery and that you are still

> swollen. I used the line " I'll probably be swollen for about 6

> months, but it's getting better " and that really gets them. I kind

> of liked all the attention I got (am getting). It's really not

that

> bad, especially if you learn to laugh about it.

> >

> > My family, friends and co-workers felt really bad for me, but we

> laughed " together " because I told them I looked like Professor

Klump

> and they agreed with me. LOL! My sister and my best friend used

to

> start their emails to me, " Hey Professor " or " Hey Sis. Klump " . It

> was funny and actually made me feel a lot better.

> >

> > Also, I sent an email how now I look like Fievel Goes West and

one

> sister wrote back " I would have kept that to myself " . LOL!

> However, my husband (who works out of town during the week) wrote

> back " you'll always be beautiful to me! " Love that man!! Tee

hee...

> >

> > Some of my co-workers tease me about my bands. I have to wear

> them at night, so I don't talk very well while I'm at work. The

> band are in the front and I work at night. They make me laugh so

> much that I don't even mind having the bands on and kind of look

> forward to going to work so I can laugh. And besides, laughing is

a

> good exercise for the jaws (even if I can't open them while banded).

> >

> > Don't worry, you'll be okay. Save your vacation days for a REAL

> vacation...like when you get your braces off and go to celebrate in

> Tahiti or some place. :-)

> >

> > Happy Healing,

> >

> > Smooches

> >

> > I look like Howdie

> Doodie

> >

> >

> > It has been 15 days since my surgery and I am in a little bit

of

> a

> > panic. I have to go back to work in 4 days and I look so funny.

> It is

> > a cross between Marlon Brando in the Godfather, and, when I

> smile,

> > Howdie Doodie. I don't look at all like I used to. I thought I

> would

> > look like me, but just minus a lot of gummy smile. Friends have

> come

> > over to see me and just go on and on about how I look so

> different. I

> > know that people say that it takes time and patience, but I

have

> seen

> > in other posts that people say they look okay after 2 weeks. I

> am far

> > from looking okay. I'm thinking of delaying going back to work

> by

> > taking a week of vacation -- but maybe I am just delaying the

> > embarassment of having to face the stares and comments. I am

> trying

> > not to fall into the pit of regretting the surgery, but it is

so

> > hard. Anyone else had this experience? Thanks.

> >

> >

> >

> > ------------------------------------------------------------------

-

> -----------

> >

[Guest guest]

,

i had upper and genio on dec. 17. i was off work for

the same time as you. i can understand your hesitation

about going back to work. i didn't tell many people

that i was having this surgery done, so i was

wondering what people would say to me, if people would

stare and if i would get bombarded with questions. i

was also under the impression that i would look like

my old self after 2 weeks, but this wasn't the case at

all. i'm almost to 7 weeks and i am still swollen. the

fact that so many people said they looked fine after 2

weeks was so frustrating b/c it wasn't true for me. my

close friends said they were trying to find the old me

in my new face. so having said all this i was worried

about going back to work. you know what? i was

stressed for no reason. people were so supportive and

kind. a number of people approached me to ask how i

was feeling but most people just wanted to tell me how

glad they were that i was back. i didn't get a whole

lot of questions and no strange stares. i'm sure

you'll be fine. people are kinder and more

understanding than we sometimes think. good luck! and

happy healing!

aileen

--- wiredfornow brendalafleur@...> wrote:

---------------------------------

It has been 15 days since my surgery and I am in a

little bit of a

panic. I have to go back to work in 4 days and I look

so funny. It is

a cross between Marlon Brando in the Godfather, and,

when I smile,

Howdie Doodie. I don't look at all like I used to. I

thought I would

look like me, but just minus a lot of gummy smile.

Friends have come

over to see me and just go on and on about how I look

so different. I

know that people say that it takes time and patience,

but I have seen

in other posts that people say they look okay after 2

weeks. I am far

from looking okay. I'm thinking of delaying going back

to work by

taking a week of vacation -- but maybe I am just

delaying the

embarassment of having to face the stares and

comments. I am trying

not to fall into the pit of regretting the surgery,

but it is so

hard. Anyone else had this experience? Thanks.

---------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Thanks so much for your email. It's nice to know that other people

take longer to heal also. I was getting a bit worried when I read

some of the email where people said they looked back to normal so

quickly. I definitely do not look normal. But I am going to go back

to work, and I'm sure I'll find the people friendly and supportive.

It really is a nice place to work. I guess I am just not used to be

the centre of attention, and am not comfortable with it. But I just

have to keep remembering that the attention is due to concern. Thanks

again for sharing your story.

>

> ---------------------------------

> It has been 15 days since my surgery and I am in a

> little bit of a

> panic. I have to go back to work in 4 days and I look

> so funny. It is

> a cross between Marlon Brando in the Godfather, and,

> when I smile,

> Howdie Doodie. I don't look at all like I used to. I

> thought I would

> look like me, but just minus a lot of gummy smile.

> Friends have come

> over to see me and just go on and on about how I look

> so different. I

> know that people say that it takes time and patience,

> but I have seen

> in other posts that people say they look okay after 2

> weeks. I am far

> from looking okay. I'm thinking of delaying going back

> to work by

> taking a week of vacation -- but maybe I am just

> delaying the

> embarassment of having to face the stares and

> comments. I am trying

> not to fall into the pit of regretting the surgery,

> but it is so

> hard. Anyone else had this experience? Thanks.

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

>