Re: Am I Ever Glad I Found This Site!

[Guest guest]

>

> HI Everyone...I've had my braces on for 1 year and 6 months now.

> Initally they were supposed to be on a year or less; but I've

decided

> to have the surgery. I'm a little terrified and I've been having a

lot

> trouble finding some useful information. I just moved away from

all my

> family and close friends so I have to go through this alone. Is it

> important that someone stay with me for the first few days or a

week?

> I'm also a contract employee therefore I do not have sick days for

> this sort of thing. I'm hoping that I will be okay to return to

work

> after one week. I sit a desk all day long and my work is done via

> computer...thankfully no phone required!

>

> I don't meet with my surgeon again until one week before the

surgery,

> which is Nov 9. I feel like I don't really know what to expect

yet. My

> teeth were never very bad..but I wanted them perfect. My profile

used

> tp be very nice too. I was in a car accident 2 years ago and since

> then my lower jaw and slid back, causing headaches and dizziness

and

> now I'm very self conscious about my profile. I'm 24 and although

I'm

> a little scared; I know this is a decision I will not regret!

>

Hiya

Your situation sounds a little like mine so i thought i'd reply.

I'm 25 and had upper and lower jaw surgery 18 days ago. Sorry to be

the bearer of bad news but i think you'll need longer than a week

off work. I found myself to be very tired and easily worn out after

small exertions as well as the fact that after two and half weeks I

still have a major " chipmunk cheek " happening. Speaking for myself,

It was a godsend having someone to look after me for the first

week. You could probably manage alone but showering is a bit dodgy

and there are quite a few medications that need to be taken at

intervals (eg antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, painkillers, nasal

spray, lip ointment)If you don't have anyone who can stay, at least

see if someone can call in on you once a day and make sure you're

ok. Don't be too scared - the pain is not that bad and you will be

glad you did it.

P.S Stock up on soup, ice cream and fruit (great for smoothies!)

[Guest guest]

I have to agree with Avrilshowers - one week is being very, very

optimistic as far as going back to work is concerned. You will be

on a very liquid diet, so won't have energy, you'll possibly be

bruised and swollen still, possibly still on pain killers. I didn't

feel even close to normal until a good 2 weeks after, and even then

I wouldn't have gone back to work - I've actually taken 6 weeks off,

although I had the option to do so, I could probably have gone back

sooner.

I would highly suggest you have someone with you for the first few

days - week after surgery. Between all your medications you need to

feed yourself too, all the while not wanting to really get out of

bed. If it's an option for you, have someone come help you out so

you can rest and recover. Since you're a computer person, maybe you

could get set up to work from home while you're recovering.

Be prepared for big swelling - you won't see your final result in

your face for a few months after the surgery.

Take care and good luck.

Pam

>

> HI Everyone...I've had my braces on for 1 year and 6 months now.

> Initally they were supposed to be on a year or less; but I've

decided

> to have the surgery. I'm a little terrified and I've been having a

lot

> trouble finding some useful information. I just moved away from

all my

> family and close friends so I have to go through this alone. Is it

> important that someone stay with me for the first few days or a

week?

> I'm also a contract employee therefore I do not have sick days for

> this sort of thing. I'm hoping that I will be okay to return to

work

> after one week. I sit a desk all day long and my work is done via

> computer...thankfully no phone required!

>

> I don't meet with my surgeon again until one week before the

surgery,

> which is Nov 9. I feel like I don't really know what to expect

yet. My

> teeth were never very bad..but I wanted them perfect. My profile

used

> tp be very nice too. I was in a car accident 2 years ago and since

> then my lower jaw and slid back, causing headaches and dizziness

and

> now I'm very self conscious about my profile. I'm 24 and although

I'm

> a little scared; I know this is a decision I will not regret!

>

[Guest guest]

Hey!

Well it's sound like your going to get your perfect smile soon

enough! But I think your being a little hard on yourself aiming to go

back to work after 1 week. I am due to have surgery on upper and low

jaw in May. My orthodontist told me that I would need at least 4

weeks off work and thats if I have a job were I can take it easy and

not talk too much!

What type of surgery are you having? I'm 24 too and can't wait to

have a perfect smile, like you, my teeth were not really that bad

before but I wanted the perfect smile and feel self conscious about

my jaw!

I have also been told by my orthodontist that after the surgery I

will need someone around at least for the first few days, and many

patients feel quiet sorry for them selves for the first few days.

So I hope you can get someone to come and stay with you at least for

a couple of days after the surgery. This is afterall, major surgery

your having and you need a lot of support! But dont forget now you

have found this group there are lots of people here that are going

through the same thing and really underdstand. I also only found this

group about a week ago and am really happy i've found it.

Ok take care and let me know how u get on.

Sheree (UK)

>

> HI Everyone...I've had my braces on for 1 year and 6 months now.

> Initally they were supposed to be on a year or less; but I've

decided

> to have the surgery. I'm a little terrified and I've been having a

lot

> trouble finding some useful information. I just moved away from all

my

> family and close friends so I have to go through this alone. Is it

> important that someone stay with me for the first few days or a

week?

> I'm also a contract employee therefore I do not have sick days for

> this sort of thing. I'm hoping that I will be okay to return to

work

> after one week. I sit a desk all day long and my work is done via

> computer...thankfully no phone required!

>

> I don't meet with my surgeon again until one week before the

surgery,

> which is Nov 9. I feel like I don't really know what to expect yet.

My

> teeth were never very bad..but I wanted them perfect. My profile

used

> tp be very nice too. I was in a car accident 2 years ago and since

> then my lower jaw and slid back, causing headaches and dizziness

and

> now I'm very self conscious about my profile. I'm 24 and although

I'm

> a little scared; I know this is a decision I will not regret!

>