High five for day 5!!

First night at home went really well. fell asleep at 9pm, only woke up once around 1am and then slept straight through till breakfast. I did wake up to see that a a line of dried blood from my nose was stuck to my face.. Dam that dripping nose during the night.

The pain today was very manageable, I felt really energized after finally eating some decent, non hospital food. I had porridge with sultanas for breakfast. it was a bit thick and stuck to the roof of my mouth, so I thinned it down with some banana custard :) It was actually really yummy. Home made soup for lunch and LOTS of fluids throughout the day. Prune juice (to help with bowl movement lol) Vitamin juice with a tablespoon of benefibre mixed in, protein Sustagen and water. I really think the liquid intake has significantly helped with me feeling better today.

I definitely have more energy, and it really showed when mum and I had to walk quite a distance together to my first post-op appointment. No parking to be found anywhere close by and it was raining so we just had to tough it out and walk. I was very glad to have my huge umbrella, as it helped to hide my awful puffed face from the public's view. haha!

At the post-op appointment, my surgeon checked out everything in my mouth and said it looked fine, I just need to be really diligent with continuing to use the oxyjet and rinsing out my mouth every hour to prevent ANY infections.

The worst part of the appointment was the stretching of the jaw. This was the first time I had actually attempted to open it up wide and close down on my new bite position. I am so swollen and there is not much movement yet but he insisted it was fine and kept saying "com'on just a little bit wider, you can do it" arghhh I freaked out.. I know he knows what I should be capable of doing at this stage of recovery, but I was fearful about my jaw accidentally popping or something tearing. I had a bit of teary moment in his office, as I was just so scared. He was very supportive and kind about it all and I will see him again tomorrow for more of this jaw stretching torture! haha

The rest of day was pretty good, spent most of the time just chilling out watching TV with my ice-packs on. I have to say, the pain that I have been experiencing only really comes to a high peak during the evening. The tingling starts, the stinging and burning lips and chin, the weird twitches from the muscles around my face, the aching feeling, they all begin to radiate around 6pm and continue on throughout the night. During the day its just not as bad, and I think I've been really lucky and fortunate not to have experienced any extreme pain or nausea on day 4 and 5. In the hospital I took Endone for the pain, and they prescribed that for me to take home, but I am yet to take any. I have just been having small dosages of regular Panadol. I guess this is a good sign :-)

The bruising made its ugly appearance today! Bright yellow patches all over my cheeks and neck. My surgeon says that it will continue to change colour over the next few days and then should be gone after 10 days! hmm we shall see if this is accurate! Also, the swelling is really intense at the moment. I think I look sooooo different and very unattractive. I never pictured myself to look like this, but really hoping I start to like what I see soon!!

I am yet to be able to close my lips together properly! Talking just looks sooo funny! My friends think its hilarious that I can talk normally but cant actually move my lips or face yet. haha I look like I have had way too much Botox injected into my face or I am one of those puppeteers who talks without moving their mouth. Oh and don't try to laugh 5 days out from surgery, its kinda painful :)

Sorry about the photos.. I was so tired and quickly took them before bed.

attempting a smile. I look fat as..

Day 4. HOME TIME!!

Yay!!! I am finally back at home. I was discharged from the hospital at 10:30am after getting a visit from my surgeon who thought everything was looking great and informed me I was ready to begin my recovery at home.

I actually got a good amount of sleep last night and did not experience anything as bad (pain wise) as the previous night. I took some Endone at 10:30pm and then slept in 2-3 hour intervals till 6am when I was given more meds then went back to sleep till 8am. Every time I did wake, I would have a few sips of water to get relief from the extreme dryness I was experiencing in my mouth and re-adjust my sleeping position. It becomes very frustrating having to sleep upright all the time. I wish I could just turn onto my side and snuggle down, but obviously I cant do that for awhile. My backside got REALLY sore after 4 nights sleeping on the hard hospital bed. Very glad to be in my own double bed now, complete with a sheep skin rug for extra booty comfort and my beautiful warm cat Louie, tucked up beside me.. oh simple pleasures :-)

Drooling has become the WORST today.. just cant seem to keep the saliva from dribbling out of my swollen bottom lip. charming I know.. The puffiness in my cheeks is continuing to increase and my nose is starting to drip frequently. I have so much more I could write, however my energy levels are lacking today and really cant be bothered to type. I guess I really just wanted to show you some PHOTOS!!! They are pretty bad which is too be expected.

Pre-Op. Thursday 26th May 7:00am. Just before going into surgery.

Sorry I was unable to get a photo from ICU when I first came out of surgery. My phone was locked up in my bag and my mum didn't have a camera to take one for me. She assured me I look very scary with the fluid tubes tangling from my chin, oxygen mask, and other monitor things attached all over my body.

Day 1 in my own private room, after spending just under 24hours in ICU.

Lunch time.. notice the massive spoon they gave me for my ice-cream.. what the?? lucky I had a baby plastic spoon handy.

Day 2. Pretty much looked the same as Day 1.

Day 3. Swelling increased massively. More on one side as you can see.

Ice packs have been on almost 24/7.

Puffer fish to the max on day 3.

Day 4. About to leave hospital. Still VERY puffy and swollen. Slight bruising starting to appear also.

Day 3

Ok, so lastnight was horrible! The pain was intense, my head and TMJ's were throbbing, jaws ached and slightly clicked when I swallowed, Lips and chin twitched and tingled! I guess this was all to be expected being only two days out from jaw surgery! Sleep was almost impossible. I kept getting really hot, pushing my blankets off, then would get really cold again! Did anyone else experience this? Also evertime I went to close my eyes, I felt my head spinning and generally just felt sick! I thought the night would never end! It was only at 5am when my nurse gave me some more Endone and panodol that I actually felt well enough to sleep straight through to 8am! Had to kinda wake myself up for breakfast as I was still feeling really drowsy, and could have easily continued sleeping! Once I had breakfast, another shower and some more Endone at 11:30am, I felt really good for the rest of the day!

I had 3 of my closest friends come to visit me this arvo and they spent a good 2hours with me watching tv and chatting! Was great to have them here, made the day go quicker. However I proberbly talked more them I should have, because dinner was a little harder to eat. They did bring me a few yummy fruit pouches and some baby baked beans which I added to my soup to make it a bit more plentiful :)

I cleaned my teeth today with my baby toothbrush and some water and have been using the oral oxyjet they gave me every hour! I will take it home with me and continue using it!
My bottom lip and chins have decreased in swelling and I can actually feel myself applying lip balm and moisturising cream! They are very dry still but not as numb as yesterday :) the left side of my face is more swollen then the right but I am yet to see much bruising! I guess that will appear in the next few days! I have been wearing my ice packs 24/7 so hopefully this has helped! The pain really is worse at night so hoping tonight is better.. Fingers crossed

Can't wait to get home and post up some photos! I see the surgeon tomorrow morning :) hopefully he will think I'm ready to be discharged :)

Day 2

Still in the hospital. Saw my surgeon Dr. M this morning and he says I am looking good! He took the elastics out of mouth as he feels I dont need then anymore. I can open my mouth just wide enough to eat soup and jelly! I am drinking fluids regularly, which means I'm constantly needing to go to the toilet. I even had a quick shower today and put on my own pjs! Feel so much better after getting cleaned!

Had a good amount of sleep lastnight with not too much pain! I still have my cannula in but it's caped so I can move around an go to the toilet!
My head and face is still really heavy and I feel sleepy all the time. Looks like I will still be here till Monday morning! It's ok though, I've got my parents here today and some friends are visiting me tomorrow!

I have been taking photos but will have to upload them when I get home. Can't seem to do it off my phone! Sorry about that :(

Had a lovely visit from a friend this arvo who came just in time to help me go down and get some xrays done! I felt really weak, sore and tired, so I was very thankful that she was there to hold my hand and help me down to the ground floor. I dad some panadol when I got back up to my room, was definitely needed after walking a fair distance for the first time.

update on day 2: Ok, so I haven't slept at all today..feeling the pain now that's for sure..waiting for my next lot of meds at 10pm... In the meantime I'm watching tv with ice packs and trying not to think about the pain :( it's just so uncomfortable and heavy! I really hope I get some sleep tonight

Day 1 post surgery

Surgery was 7:30am Thursday 26th May! Got out of surgery just after 1pm where I was taken straight to ICU. I was extremely numb and vomited twice, but felt better after they gave me some anti-nausea meds! The suction tube was great at getting rid of all the excess blood/saliva! They also rinsed out my mouth every few hours! The pain is ok at the moment, mainly heavy, discomfort feeling!

The numbing on my tounge and roof of mouth was horrible and took ages to go away! At 9pm it was still way too numb to drink any fluids or suck on ice! Luckily they were pumping fluids into me. In and out of sleep all night! The nurses were incredibly good and made me feel very comfortable, replacing my ice packs often and cleaning my face and nose :) I can breath out my nose perfectly at the moment but there is a fair bit of blood that occasionally drips out.

ICU was very noisy lastnight! Staff walking past and constantly talking, which was a bit annoying! Blood pressure was checked every 30mins to an hour and I had 3 changes of nurses whom were all lovely and very supportive! I am talking ok, the nurses seemed to be able to understand me so thats a good sign I guess.

I Got moved to my own private room at lunch time and am now in a general ward! So much better then ICU, I will get a good nights sleep here for sure! Watching a bit of tv and just had a visit from my mum who thinks I look a lot better then yesterday arvo when I still had my fluid tubes attached to my chin and was vomiting from the anesthesia ! Was a very strange feeling when they removed the tubes this morning! The nurse told me to take a deep breath in as it may hurt. It felt like they were tugging my new chin off my face. :(

Sorry no photos as yet as I'm updating from my phone! Will write more later! Just wanted to let you know I'm doing ok :)

Tomorrow is the day!!

Ok so the hospital just rang me and I need to be there by 6:30am tomorrow morning! I will be fasting from 12pm tonight! I am soooooo ready to get this DONE!!
I am having problems with my iPhone at the moment, but I will try my hardest to update you all as soon as I can! My surgeon said I will be in ICU for 2-3 days and then possibly another 2 days in a general ward... I know such a long time :( So it might not be awhile till I get onto my laptop to write a proper blog post :(

Speak to you all soon!
x

Feeling very spoilt.. A great day!!

Today was GREAT and very productive. I had lunch with a friend.. we shared a massive Club Sandwich and some wedges, and tonight I had a lovely work farewell dinner which included a yummy Pesto pasta with sun-dried tomatoes, pine nuts and sweet potato..ohh and a bit of chocolate for desert :)

My work mates totally spoilt me with this amazing gift of goodies! I felt very loved and supported. The pajamas are absolutely beautiful and the bear, which I have named Trevor, will become my "bed buddie" for the next few weeks! haha he is super soft!

On a bit of a high today actually, hopefully the feeling remains till Thursday :)

I also received two parcels today! One from my brother who is currently living in London. He sent over a lovely card and a little present. My other parcel was the new season of a DVD series I am currently hooked on. It arrived all the way from Ireland... love Ebay goodies. Cant wait to start watching it when Im back at home with LOADS of spare time!

Also, the lady dealing with my sickness allowance claim rang today to inform me that everything has been processed and that I will now start receiving my fortnightly payments. It really has been a great day!!

Tomorrow I will be taking it pretty easy. Meeting up with my best friend who is getting married on the 4th June for brunch! Then I will finish any last minute packing for the hospital and wait to hear from them in the arvo as to what time I need to arrive for my surgery the following morning. I spent most of today preparing my room.. I tidied it and made up my bed with fresh flannelette sheets and pillow covers. Such a good feeling to have it all looking nice and clean for when I get home from the hospital.

1 day till surgery..

How much it too much? questions for all my blogger friends

Ok, so I want to know how many of you out there have actually explained your surgery in detail to family and friends? How much do you tell and share with them about the whole process?

Its weird, I feel completely fine with sharing my thoughts and feelings towards the surgery with all your fellow 'bloogers', (even thought I have never met any of you lovely people!) however I have struggled in knowing HOW much is too much when it comes to sharing with the people around me? Its such an awkward thing to talk about to people who have never experience or had any major dental work done before! Some close friends have taken a bit of interest and asked a few questions and I have tried to explain the reasons why I'm getting it done and what the surgery actually involves, but its like they don't fully get it. There like what!?! they move/break your jaw? but how? and why?? I showed a few friends the animated diagram videos off Youtube to give them a visual as too how the jaw is moved and re-attached.. They were sooo surprised at how much I'm really having done and were a bit freaked out. I don't know, maybe the less you tell people the better.

I know... I shouldn't be worried what people think and that I don't really need to explain it to people, because frankly its none of their business, but with certain people at work and a few friends, I feel like I have to justify my jaw condition to them, to make the surgery sound worth while. They just don't understand why I would need or WANT to put myself through 6 hours of surgery. For a while, I decided I wouldn't tell anyone, besides my immediate family. Now it seems most people know... I mean it was kinda hard NOT to tell them, with the braces going back on and the whole change of profile etc.

I guess I just want to hear from you guys on how you have all dealt with this? How many people in your world know about your surgery and have taken a key interest?

Also, do you let your friends and family read your blog.. do they even know you have one? My mum knows that I write and follow other blogs, but no one else has any idea! Maybe thats a good thing :) Its nice to keep some things private :)

My mum, sister and my best friend have been the most supportive about my surgery and are really excited for me to be finally getting it done! My other friends however, hmmm.. they say I'm extremely brave for going through with it, but I wonder what there really thinking! All I can say is that I'm soooo glad Im going through it and thats the main thing, I guess :)

2 days till surgery...

FOOOD!!!! 3 days to go

I am about to head out for a lovely dinner with my sister and brother. My brother is turing the big 3-0 on May 28th and we are taking him out to celebrate, as I will still be in hospital on his birthday. I will definitely be treating myself to a BIG main course and a yummy dessert.. cant wait!! :)

I also have a dinner farewell on Tuesday night which my amazing work mates have orgainised for me and another girl who is taking time off to have a baby! I will be away from work for 6 weeks and are really going to miss hanging out with them all :(

3 days till Surgery :)

Surgical hooks are on!! 6 days to go!!!

I am getting so close now and it feels great!! Only 6 days till I walk though the hospital doors and say goodbye to my OPEN BITE!

Here is a photo of my surgical hooks that were put on today! They are tiny and fairly unobtrusive which I'm very happy about. 6 hooks in total. Dani how many did you get on?? I know Tina got a few more then 6.. oh well must be different for everyone.. :)

check out my off-centered mid-line. top teeth are currently in correct alignment. Its just the bottom jaw that will be shifted 2mm back into proper center alignment.

Also.. check out my video below. Sorry I ramble on a bit, but I mention you guys (my fellow bloggers) so I want you all to watch :)

bahhaha woops! I just re-watched my video and noticed that I say at the beginning, Thursday 19th MARCH!!!! What the?? I totally meant MAY!!! God, imagine if It was still March.. I would still have ages to wait :(

Below is a photo recap showing my progress in braces.

Bite and teeth alignment before Braces were placed. September 2010

3 months with braces

Aprox 7months with braces. Notice the thicker wires and post/spikes attached. They have remained and I now have my surgical hooks on.

No Fish Oil

Ok, so yesterday a lady from hospital rang me up to tell me not to take any fish oil or anti inflammatory tablets from now untill the surgery! I thought this was alittle strange but very glad she told me because I take fish oil everday!! My surgeon didn't mention anything about it!
Was anyone else told not to have fish oil leading up to their surgery?? And if so, do you know why?

Final consultation with Surgeon.. 15 days to go!!

Today I met with my surgeon for the last time before the big day on the 26th. He had recieved all the models and splints back from Sydney Oral Design and we discussed how they will be used in the lab for pre surgical purposes. Basically they do a mini surgery on the models, and mark out the exact cuts that will occur on both my upper and lower jaw. The models are then used as a guide for my surgeon to follow during the surgery.

I signed my hospital consent forms today and they will be sent off ASAP. I will not know the exact time of my surgery until the day before. Most likely my surgery will be early morning around 6am.

It was very interesting to find out today, while we looked at my models, that my bottom jaw is actually positioned 2mm off center midline to the right. This is why my current smile is slightly crooked. So I guess I have a slight cross bite along with my open bite. I always thought this might have been the case but wasn't entirely sure. My surgeon will move it back into center alignment during the surgery :)

My current, slightly crooked smile with lots of gum.

haha.. This is me attempting to visualize what my smile might look like once my top jaw is moved and my gummy smile has gone!! I cant wait to finally see how my upper lip will look. My surgeon said that it will become more defined and less thin looking after the surgery :)

Not much else happening till the 19th when I get my surgical hooks on. I still need to buy a few supplies for post surgery. Thanks to all the bloggers out there who have really helped me in knowing what to get.. You guys are great :)

I think I will borrow my sisters awesome food blender so that I can make some yummy fruit smoothies and other liquid food after the surgery.

Ok...

so this is the dreaded PHOTO that really prompted me to go ahead with the jaw surgery! It was taken the day of my 21st birthday back in 2008. My friends and I were driving to Manly for a weekend of birthday celebrations and this was taken by one of them who must have thought I needed a side profile shot of me driving... argggh :(

I HATE EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS PHOTO.

So thankful this will all be improved in 15 days!!!

Update video and recap on reasons for surgery!!

Just a quick video update which was made yesterday, Thursday 5th May.. I will try and post one last video before my surgery when I have my surgical hooks on.

Sydney has been having such lovely autumn weather at the moment, unfortunately I have been stuck inside doing uni work.. not fun at all. Its sooo cold in my house and I would much rather be out in the sunshine. I try to go for a walk everyday because its just too depressing being indoors. Definitely not looking forward to spending hours on end stuck inside recovering from my surgery. Luckily I have a nice big backyard where I can sit in the sun and drink tea without any one being able to see me all bruised and swollen! lol

Recap on the reasons for having my surgery.

A few people keep asking me WHY do I need the surgery???? and am I really experiencing allot of pain and discomfort from my jaws?? the answer is a big

YES!!!

1. Not being able to eat/chew food properly. No front teeth contact.

2. Grinding my back teeth constantly at night- my jaw shifts around and clicks, resulting in TMJ pain, neck pain, tension headaches and migraines.

3. Difficulty in breathing through nose due to airway blockage. Septioplasty and jaw correction will dramatically open up my airways and help me to breath better.

4. Unflattering profile aspects from my open bite include an elongated face, recessed chin, gummy smile and a extremely convex profile.

5. Self confidence!!! Surgery will dramatically improve this.

If I was to not get the surgery done, the pain associated with having this jaw condition would only get WORSE!!! So its quite a necessity for me.

What I am having done in 20 days!!!

These videos are very helpful in showing the surgical precedures I will be having done in 20 days!! My jaw condition is an Anterior Open Bite therefore I have a gummy smile, a long face profile and a receding chin (genioplasty) Its a combination of all three videos.

Massive Migraine!!!!!!!

Yesterday I was struck with the WORST Migraine I have ever experienced!!!! I woke up feeling very groggy and with sore teeth/jaw from my previous nights grinding. I Also had a bit of a nickeling headache which is pretty normal for me and usually goes away after a few hours. Little did I know that it was going to turn into a killer Migraine :(

I had to go to my appointment at Sydney Oral Design to have all my models taken that morning. On the way down I felt really tired even though it was only 10:30am. I had about 4 models taken of both my upper and lower jaw. This involved having my mouth uncomfortably opened wide for about 10 minutes, wearing this large metal head brace thingo while the molds set into place. I have had similar ones taken at the Orthodontist so it wasn't that bad. Just a bit annoying.

After lunch I felt ready for bed. I could tell that my headache was getting worse and I was still really sleepy, however I stupidly ignored the warning signs that a migraine was coming on and decided to get some jobs done. I cleaned up the kitchen and vacuumed out my car.

By 4pm, I pulled myself into bed cringing with pain. The whole left side of my head was throbbing and radiating. I couldn't seem to get any relief unless I held my hand tightly over my head with a cold face cloth and laid really still in my dark room. It was like a paralyzing migraine, because every time I slightly moved, a sudden sick feeling of Nausea would come over me. Luckily Mum rushed into my room with a bucket, thank god!

It was such a horrible experience, one moment I would feel incredible hot, the next incredibly cold and shivering constantly. Very scary not really having any control over it and just waiting for the pain to subside. I would not wish that on anyone! The pain lasted about 3-4 hours and I stayed in bed all night with nothing to eat till this morning.

As I was laying in bed, I kept thinking about my surgery and how I am going to feel when I come out. I know I will be heavily sedated with medication and will sleep allot, I just hope that I am not struck with pounding headaches/migraines like the one I experienced yesterday :(

Today I am taking it easy and filling out a very large form so I can claim sickness allowance. I am taking 6-8 weeks off from work so hopefully I can still get a bit of money coming in while I recover from my surgery at home.

Anyways I hope everyone else is doing well and does not experience any horrible headaches/migraines leading up to their surgery day. xx :)