"A Wink and a Smile"

Of course this is a little hard to see, but I really think the biggest difference with my face is really my PROFILE (which you can't see in these photos). I never really looked at myself before and thought I was ugly ... I just was really disappointed in my teeth and my smile. It seemed that as I got older, it was aging me more than I was comfortable with. Of course my reasons for doing all this was more to treat my TMJ and increasing issues with misaligned teeth ... cavities. I'm sure when these braces come off I will really have a lot to smile about. Really I am the very same person inside ... maybe just a little happier.

LOL!  I'm just kidding.  Really, I am not eating baby food, but it isn't too far off.  I've been pureeing any soup that I make in my Magic Bullet to a relatively smooth consistency. Later today I have an appointment with my oral surgeon who will give me the go ahead to eat bananas, eggs (although I have cheated and eaten these in the last week) and maybe some mushy pasta.  Sounds mouth watering, eh? After 2 weeks of this stuff, I should be able to add some chewier foods.  By week 8 I can eat what I want to and what I can actually chew. Here's what I can't wait to eat ... crunchy, sweet, juicy, chewy stuff. YUM!

It's been an odd sort of feeling to be looked at and commented at.  I do like the occasional compliment, but I'm starting to feel like the poster child for orthodontics/oral surgery .  This morning I went to my ortho appt. and pretty much EVERY ortho assistant ooh'ed and ah'ed over me.  I'd hear, "you look great" , "you look beautiful" ... all very nice compliments.  I guess I'm not all that good with taking them.  I feel the need to shoot back with a response of "yeah, but I still have some swelling here and there" . I really am happy with the results, but I'm not quite there with being 100% satisfied. I'd like to feel my entire face ... still lots of numb spots I'd like to smile and look happy ... the way I think I should (whatever that new smile will be).  It's just odd to feel my upper teeth sit slightly over my bottoms. I can't wait to regain the strength to open my mouth up more fully (still tight and a b...

 (ughhhhh ... I SO NEED A HAIRCUT! ) Let me add that the top photo is from Feb. '07 and the bottom picture is 6 days post-op.  I really need someone to take a picture now, because I KNOW that the swelling has gone down.  This side view is actually my more swollen side, but I'm sharing it because I only have a right side BEFORE view. What you will see is that my upper lip now sits nicely on top and slightly over the bottom lip because my upper jaw was moved forward.  The lower jaw was centered properly and may have been moved 1-2 mm back (I'll have to ask  ... I can't recall).  The biggest change viewing me from the side then is my profile with the lips and my nose (which I think looks a little less prominent and just a tad turned up ... more like my sisters).   When I feel braver and can actually get someone to take a decent outdoor photo of me, I will share the FRONT of me.

I needed jaw surgery? I added back the labels to my sidebar, but even under braces, I'm not sure I even said why I needed surgery. *I had a retainer as a child for an underbite, but my treatment fell apart when we moved and suddenly financial issues got in the way. *I've dealt with overcrowding with my teeth (crooked), a crossbite (bottom jaw sat to the left), and an underbite (upper jaw never grew properly). *After years of  going to the dentist and being told by several dentists how straightening my teeth would help with oral health, I finally went for some consults in the early part of '07.  My own mother lost most of the teeth in her mouth in her mid 50's due to an infection that she didn't treat properly.  Just the thought of that made me want to do all I could to make sure the teeth in my mouth stayed healthy for a long time. *I also have dealt with TMJ on and off for a number of years.  After I had child #2, I wore a splint, and was nearly ready to start the ...

Let's see ... I've lost some weight ... about 9 pounds, but I do think it will not be any more.  I find myself eating more often than I was even just a week ago.  Yesterday I made a really yummy cheesy baked potato soup that had lots of fattening stuff in it.  I'm sure I'll be eating that for a few days. The brushing of teeth part of this whole jaw surgery thing has been tough, but I do see it getting better.  Because I can't open my mouth fully it is harder to get the toothbrush everywhere.  I can't really floss yet and the water pik (my oh so important cleaner with braces) is still off limits until week 4. While my mouth was not wired shut, I do wear some heavy rubber bands that prevent me from opening my mouth more than 1/4 inch.  Thankfully I can take them out to eat, but for the most part I wear them 23 hours a day.  It makes talking a bit harder.  I mumble a lot and my jaws really are exhausted by the end of the day.  I seriously just shut down around 7pm....

HOW I HARDLY EAT ANY. UGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! Okay, so it has only been 11 days and I have a good 18 more days (minimum) before I may be able to move up to slightly MUSHY foods ... like bananas, eggs, overcooked pasta.  At the 6 week mark I can add a bit of chewier foods to my diet.  By 8 weeks, I should be able to eat whatever I can possibly eat. My mother has been with me the last 11 days and has done all sorts of cooking.   For WHO you might ask ... why that would be for my children, my husband, and my dog.   WHAT ABOUT ME?  She offered me some JELLO .  Told me that it was healthy ... huh? JELLO is sugar and water.  JELLO does not have any vitamins in it.  JELLO doesn't even begin to fill a starving woman's body.   JELLO SUCKS and I am boycotting it for the rest of my 18 days. TONIGHT I ran away after my mom served my children some pork chops, mashed potatoes, fresh spinach, and fresh bread.  I couldn't take it any longer. I needed to get out and find ME SOME GOOD FOOD.  So ...

Just checking in after a week of no blogging. Surgery was on 2/27 and everything went well. I came home on 2/28 and have been well taken care of by my wonderful husband and mom. I can't believe 7 days have gone by. Guess that can happen when one chooses to sleep half of every day. Today, I am going to try to go without pain medicine. I just don't like the way it makes me feel ... unsteady, sleepy, and foggy in the brain. I'm still quite swollen, but the bruising is starting to go away. Right now I am a lovely shade of yellow. My mouth doesn't open much more than 1/2 inch so I can barely stick a child size spoon in my mouth. Eating therefore has been very minimal and the scale is showing that weight loss. I know that things will get better each and every day. Today I am off to another post-op appointment with the oral surgeon where I am sure to get some positive feedback. *I also want to thank those who have and are praying for my recovery.  All the well wishes ...

'cause I haven't done so in about 12 hours ;) PRE-SURGERY went well. *My oral surgeon did a really great job at explaining things. *I feel confident that I will have GREAT RESULTS. I am healthy and usually bounce back rather well. *I didn't throw up when I had to have 2 SETS of molds done (that is big for this girl with a big GAG reflex). I went alone, but was worried about the payment part. As I sat at the desk about to go over "things", my husband texted me and asked how I was doing. I replied "paying for all of this" and next thing I know he is texting me back saying "I'm here". I could SEE him pull into the parking lot (tons of windows in the surgery office) . Have I told you lately that I just LOVE my husband? *Maybe my prayers to St. Apollonia helped. *My husband came in and helped me deal with the financial part ... that is always complicated with insurance, flexible spending, etc. RESULT ... I spent more money than I have EVER in ...

I have no patience and my anxiety level is usually through the roof.  It doesn't matter if it is a happy occasion ... like a vacation.  I'm always finding something to worry about. Over the years I have loosened up just a bit, but I really think I am just hardwired to worry. I've got my countdown going for JAW SURGERY now I know that I have been a little on edge ... especially with my children. Last night I yelled at them for sneaking the last bit of chocolate from my special hiding spot. Guess I need a new spot to stash my goods. This morning I went to Panera and ate my favorite jaw popping bagel ... ASIAGO (YUM!)  It seems like a priority this week to find all my favorite foods to eat (chocolate covered raisins) or drink (pinot grigio) before the surgery.  Already I am thinking of what I will eat Thursday night ... my last chewing meal for a while (maybe a steak?).  Come Friday at 12am, I am not allowed to eat or drink until after the surgery which won't be until ...