Day 12 Fatigue

It was a fairly uneventful day. I kept my jaw banded most of the day, it feels better that way, as I believe I may have left my bands off too long yesterday and over did the talking. Hopefully tomorrow will be better. I have a massive headache tonight, regular pain killers aren't helping, so I am wondering if some of my leftover morphine would do the job. Ick.
I took a couple photos of myself this morning. Questioning again whether I made a mistake or not. Time will tell..... I'm just not sure if I like where my bottom lip sits now.
Oh! I ate Rice Krispies for breakfast and lunch! Soggy cereal, but it was still delicious!!
Early bedtime for this girl.

Zzzzzzzzzzz

 

I still have a bit of a square face, hoping the swelling disappears sooner than later!!

Day 11 Electricity

Another day, another bruised and swollen face.
Sleeping in a bed definitely has it's down sides, like, a little more morning swelling and pain. But that could be due to the fact that I woke up this morning laying on the side of my face (OMG) Gypse came in this morning (after graciously sleeping on the couch again) and was like, wake up you're on your face!!! I don't even know if I'm allowed to sleep on it! But I'm too afraid to anyway!
Late this afternoon I took the bands out for quite a few hours because my mom and brother & sister were visiting, and I wanted to talk without spitting all over through gritted teeth. I ended up putting the bands back in because my jaw actually started getting quite fatigued. When I talk I have sort of a lisp now, which hopefully will go away after I learn how to use my new mouth. Near the end of the day I've also been noticing weird electricity feeling sensations in the numb part of my lip and chin. I'm really hoping it's some sort of a good sign of awakening in the nerve.
I should add one thing I learned today, if I accidentally strain my mouth open too far, it sends an electric shock type pain into the side of my jaw near my ear. Not a pleasant sensation. I can still barely open my mouth, only enough to fit ibuprofen and Tylenol in.
Tomorrow I will take a couple of pictures just to update on the bruising and the swelling. Today I am looking like a bit of a troll, so I would rather not.

Day 10 The Light Switch

Before my surgery I remember my surgeon telling me that most people have a light switch go on at the 10 day mark. Who'da thunk it. He was exactly right! I feel pretty much 100% back to my old self today.
Zero pain, energized, happy.
The only real reminder I have that I had the surgery is when I look in the mirror and that I'm still elastic shut. And the fact that my lip and chin are completely numb on the right side.
I really hope the feeling comes back. There's been no signs of any life other than phantom itches that I can't scratch. I will be very disappointed if the feeling doesn't come back, there's a 20% chance that it won't. It feels pretty much exactly the same as when the dentist freezes you. I feel like my lip is huge.
Positive thoughts. At least it's not the entire lip. I have caught myself drooling on it though, and I've dribbled drinks off of that side.
Another milestone: I slept in my own bed for the first time last night! I fell asleep almost instantly when my head hit the pillow. I had a hot bean bag wrapped around my neck hoping it'll help with the bruises. I was too afraid that Gypse would hit me in the face in his sleep, so he offered to sleep on the couch. It was a fabulous sleep. I woke up refreshed and my neck is not nearly as stiff. I can probably drive again no problem.
I had one problem though, the lack of water and proper sleep caught up with me not long after I woke up, I started seeing shattered glass/sparkly auras. Good thing I can take my bands off and fit pills in my mouth, here comes a migraine!! Arghh! Curse!!! Hiss!!

In this picture, I highlighted in blue exactly where my numbness is. Much easier to show than to explain. I should also add, that is not me in the picture lol.

Day 9 Post Op

First appointment back at the orthodontist today.
My dad offered to take me in instead of Gypse and the kids. My neck is still too stiff to drive, and I'm afraid of falling asleep at the wheel. I definitely wasn't passing up on that. A break from everything would be nice. Maybe some peace and quiet.
My appointment was a little embarrassing. I walked in and all the assistants and secretaries and the orthodontist are all surrounding me, smiling excitedly.
"Oh you look sooooo good!!! Oh you look so different, you are going to look beautiful!"
I pulled my scarf up over my face to hide my flushing face.
I wonder if when I left, they all huddled in a circle saying, oh my god she made a huge mistake, what have we made her do???
Heads are gonna roll if that's the case lol.

Afterwards I went for some retail therapy at the dollar store, and my dad gave me $20 for the casino. I sure love those penny slots.

I seen an old friend with his entire family at walmart later on. I was so embarrassed because I probably look like such a fool. I haven't seen him in so many years, but it felt good seeing someone from long ago that I have been missing and thinking about over the years.

All in all, today was the best day I've had so far since the surgery. I had a nice break from the kids and husband, and my orthodontist fixed my band hooks to make it easier to re-band. He even told me I can have the bands off just for a break from them from time to time during the day. It's amazing how much my mood has changed today.
In two weeks I won't even have to have the bands on anymore!

When I got home, I took my bands out for about 15mins. Took some photos and checked myself out in the mirror. Feeling a little bit excited now! It's amazing how my bite has changed! I feel happy enough to almost cry.
I can't explain how good it feels to not feel so gloomy and angry anymore.
I should also add, I must be getting used to the lack of food, all I've had today is a small smoothie and 2 Ensures, and it's really not bothering me that much anymore.

Here's a few of the pictures that I took while the bands were out. Oh, and by the way, I put them back in like a pro! 20 seconds and they were in!!!

Still swollen obviously, but looking alot better!

And I apoligize for the goofy pics lol but I still can't smile much either because of the swelling.

BEFORE SURGERY PICS

Just a couple before shots. These selfies were taken only days before my surgery. I'll get more "before" pics on this blog as I find them. Hopefully I have a side profile shot somewhere. At the very beginning of the blog I have some pre braces pictures put up.

4:30am Ouch.

I took some of my leftover Tylenol 3s before I sat on my recliner ready for bed tonight. My back and neck hurt soooo bad. But I put on the True Blood season premier that I was too tired to watch last night, and it wasn't long before I was somewhat comfortable.
Went to sleep no problem afterward. On the couch recliner. Sitting up to sleep is getting to be a literal pain in my back, but I will remain sleeping this way until all my swelling is gone. Hurry and be gone!! Oh how I long to lay my head down *sad face*
Gahh! It's almost 5am now. My 3am alarm woke me up. I'm glad my antibiotics are almost done. And I'm glad I saved some morphine. Yowzers, my face hurts tonight. Maybe I was sleeping slumped on it? Seems a little more swollen too.
Thankful today. For leftover narcotics! Arghh!

Hunger Pangs

I thought I'd better add, by day 8, a blenderized double cheeseburger sounds DIVINE