Gelfling

One of my friends hit the nail on the head.

I look like a gelfling from the Dark Crystal right now.

That's not a bad thing, but still amused me!

For those who don't remember:



Still a little more swelling and bruising to go then...

And elastic bands are popping all over the place! Very tricky hooking them so far back on the right but as the swelling is going I am able to pull my cheek back more so got there eventually!

First counselling sessiong post-op this afternoon, will see how that goes!

And looks like they won't let me sit my exam tomorrow, but that's no great loss as I'm not especially prepared! But back to school on Monday as scheduled!

*Ping!*

I was tentatively exploring the inside of my mouth with my tongue this evening now that I have a little more opening ability. Feeling the stitches but trying not to disrupt/dislodge anything, when all of a sudden

*PING*!

The single elastic on the left snaps and basically whips against my lip.

Needless to say I stopped fiddling once I'd attached a new one.

Glad it wasn't the other side - I don't think I'd get back far enough to hook it on!

Other than that no news. I am going to have to venture out tomorrow evening, my friend has free tickets to some posh cultural classical night. Luckily, my housemate has some theatrical concealer which should do the trick...

Also trying to get my exam changed back to Thursday, as I'm managing to speak alright and would rather just get it out of the way. Have yet to hear if they'll let me though, so will try and do some reviewing in anticipation.

Otherwise, should be good to go back to school next Monday, for the beginning of term, which means not having to miss anything, which is good.

Waiting for the remaining bruising/swelling to go down so I can do some good before/after shots.

Am finding it's not actually people who know me that have funny reactions or don't recognise me - it's those on the peripheries like their girlfriends or parents etc. If in doubt I just cover the bottom half of my face until they realise who I am! Comedy!

Day 10: First ortho visit

Hi all,

So today was the first visit to the orthodontists, and it went well also. He said the bruising is a lot worse than most peeps (see George, perhaps yours won't be so bad after all..) but agreed that my progress was really good and looked happy with the result so far. Best of all, he said it probably would only take a couple of months of work before de-bonding!!!! Then he abandoned the elastics at the front altogether, so I now have 2 sets a bit further back, just to close the slight open occlusion on the right. Have taken the non-elastic opportunity to include a few shots of my amazingly straight and CLASS I teeth for you all (as well as some more of that bruising:



My lip still sags a little on the upper right (left in the picture) as the stitches still pull somewhat. I'm sure this will be better.

As far as numbness goes, I can't feel the left side of my nose/cheek junction, and a spot on my hard palate on the left, but generally most sensation is intact. Swelling-wise it's not too bad and has gone down quite a lot, so looking a little more like myself:




Next appointment is in 2 weeks, in the combined clinic with OS and ortho. I can't wait to see my ortho that has been doing all my treatment after her exams are finished, I'm sure she will be very happy with her hard work!

I need to start thinking about doing some work now, as think the way I'm feeling/things are progressing I should be alright to get back to school for the new term a week on Monday. I also have my session with the counsellor next Wednesday - will see what she makes of it!

I also have finally joined the ranks and finally got round to watching Season 1 of 24. And am thoroughly addicted!

Day 8: Mashed Potato

The visit to the OS went swimmingly.

He couldn't believe it's only been a week since surgery.

They're allowing me to take of the bands at the front to eat and brush a little (heavenly) and I have a fair amount of movement, but it is still a little tedious. The bite was a little open on the right, but he is not too concerned as adjustments can be made orthodontically. However, as a precaution the bands are being left a little tighter on the right and doubled over at the front. So I am basically being held shut between meals and talking through my teeth, which isn't so bad as I get a little release.

So off I skipped home with plenty of spare elastics in case of breakages (those bad boys are tricky to double over the hooks!), and boiled up some cheesy mash. I swear, nothing has EVER tasted so good. Still getting used to putting the baby spoon in my mouth with my teeth the other way round, but I'll be happy if the novelty never wears off!

Next up have my first visit to the ortho on Fri, sadly the post-graduate that's been doing my treatment is having her exams so won't be there, but I can't wait for her to see the result in a couple of weeks!

Day 7

Long day today, have had some lovely visitors today including my gorgeous 7-month old god-daughter, though was hard to stop her grabbing and headbutting my face!

I also had the most wonderful smoothie - mum blended up a slice of raspberry cheesecake with some milk. It was divine. God-daughter's mum also brought me thai chicken soup which was yummy!

Trip to the surgeons for check up tomorrow - here's hoping for elastic loosening!!

Day 6

I always feel better in the morning, but am much brighter today. To the point of I'm going to post some new pics. The bruising is a bit more yellow and has descended onto my throat a little but it's not so bad. I think the swelling is going down a little. I don't feel quite as sick today, but will see if I manage to keep some more down. Fingers crossed!

Have included the last one, with the flash, as I think the bruising is a bit more visible - but not too bad at all!

Day 5

I feel absolutely rotten.

Vomited up some carrot juice yesterday, and even though it was terrifying, it wasn't difficult. However, I haven't felt right since and am struggling to take in anything, including meds. If it wasn't for the antibiotics I'm on, I doubt I would even take those. Am trying to keep hydrated, as that's most important, but I feel weak and sleepy the whole time, with a weird feeling in my stomach. I have quite a weak tummy anyway, and so it wasn't completely unexpected, but I really don't want to lose too much weight and mum is a little worried I'm not taking anything down which doesn't help.

I'm thinking, once the antibiotics have finished this should help a bit, and my visit with the surgeon on Wednesday. It's good to focus on that, and I think if I can make it through to then things will get better.

Am also finding it hard to keep my mouth clean. I can't really open my lips too far and am worried about disrupting stitches etc, so I haven't been brushing, but have been using lots of antiseptic mouth rinse - the last thing I want right now is an infection.

So am feeling massively sorry for myself, which my family are eating a nice big Easter dinner next door. But I still have no regrets at all.

Oh, and yawning is very interesting indeed! Am terrified that I will re-break my jaw or something! Just as well I had a lot of practice at yawning with my mouth closed in college isn't it...!

The Power of Endorphins

So it finally happened. I should've seen it coming, really.

In med school, you learn about the body's endogenous (natural) painkillers. These are called endorphins, the same things that are realeased during exercise (though I must admit this never worked for me!) They work on opiate receptors, the same as morphine and heroin, which is why you get the high/pain relieving properties of those substances. There have been stories in medical literature, where for example farmers have accidents where their arms get chopped off, but calm as you like they pick up the severed limb and walk for miles to the hospital in absolutely no pain whatsoever. This has been attributed to the said endorphins released as a defence mechanism. Then they wear off...

I think this is what happened to me. The docs kept warning me that I was high and would crash down, but in my euphoria I completely forgot about this fact. It's powerful stuff. I got home yesterday and started feeling very sorry for myself, and had a little cry before bed - not too big, as I can't blow my nose! But my mum has been great support and I don't know what I would've done without her for the last few hours.

I am so very happy already with the results, and don't regret it for ONE second, but now that my muscles are all spasming and I'm finding it hard to talk/open my mouth/drink/take disgusting meds it's natural to feel sorry for oneself. I know it can only get better though, and even though it tires me out, am still trying to be in touch with friends etc as I know ultimately it cheers me up. Once I got to sleep last night, I slept well and straight through until I woke with tightness in my face about 8.30 am - no way I can forget what time to take my meds! I also had a bath and washed my hair for the first time this morning, which again although exhausting is definitely a boost. Trying to keep calories up is the biggest chore at the moment, as I'm not too hungry and still feel a bit weak so I know I actually need to try and get them in.

I'll try and take some pics from today and post them later though there's not a huge change. The bruising is perhaps a little darker but it's not spread so much.

Day 3 - Hometime

I can't get over how small my face is and how young I look, as well as the cute little upturned nose I've got now! Wondered how that would come out after the op! :)

Day 2

Day 1

Straight out of op:

Back from the hospital

Hey everyone, thanks so much for your kind messages! I have been itching to get home and write up the last couple of days for you all!

I have been quite possibly the luckiest girl in the world. I am going to write about every gory detail so those who don't want to read please stop now... Otherwise will be a bit of a long one! But seeing as this was my first time in hospital/surgery full stop I want to write about it for those who might not know what to expect either!

I went into hospital the night before, and lucked out with a room on my own with an en-suite and the nicest bunch of nurses ever. Was surprisingly calm but didn't sleep too well. The nurse wouldn't give me my valium because the dose was a bit high and to be honest by the time she would've got hold of the on-call doc it would've been too late, so I thought I'd try and sleep by myself but was far too excited. Found out I was first on the list which was a huge relief because I think

I was woken up early the next morning and took a shower. Did absolutely fine up until about 7.30 and then started freaking out, so just played my ipod and took deep breaths until I was called down. Got onto a trolley in theatre and thankfully had a nice chap next to me equally nervous about his op for his broken leg after a hit-and-run accident. Had several checks and before I knew it was being wheeled into theatre.

I was dreading having a cannula put in more than the surgery itself (mainly due to my own inept-ness at putting them in!) but the anaesthetist was lovely. She put a baby one in and injected some sedative which made me feel amazingly high, and then injected the anaesthetic. I don't even remember falling asleep!

I was having a lovely, vivid dream, that I can't remember now, and all of a sudden someone was trying to wake me up. I was trying to talk straight away and completely disorientated. I felt a bit sick but couldn't throw up so the recovery nurses gave me some anti-sickness meds and some morphine. I was freaking out a little, not consciously, but more as a response to the anaesthetic - and started having hot flushes. I had blood coming out my mouth but couldn't quite grasp where or how as I couldn't feel it initially, but it wasn't too bad. They suctioned me lots and I know now it was probably because my wisdoms had been taken out at the same time also. The registrar came over and told me it went really well and that they'd come see me later, but I was completely out of it - was even trying to answer questions that the recovery nurse was asking the other newly qualified nurse!

So that was about 12.30 or so, after going into theatre about 9 - couldn't believe how quick I was out and how great I felt. I got wheeled up to the ward where my family were on their way. I had one more round of suction to get the blood out and then some mouthwash which helped stop the bleeding and anaesthetised my mouth somewhat. I then had a nurse by my side for the whole time that day and that night, who were absolutely amazing. I didn't pass water til later that evening, but tried to use the commode as soon as I could, and managed to transfer OK. I have been taking sips of water out of a cup since I first came out of theatre, as have got complete feeling in all my lips. Have developed a couple of 'numb' spots either side of my nose, but it's more of a weird sensation than numb - I know everyone says that but there is no other way to describe it!

The only things that have bothered me a little are:

1. Not being able to blow my nose, as have been quite clotted up due to intermittent nosebleeds which aren't too bad and stop quite quickly

2. The back of my throat feels like it's coated with mucous and clots and I can't clear it - though this is getting better now I'm having thicker fluids.

3. My lips are a little cracked now - have been using a ton of vaseline but even had a coldsore come up the morning of surgery - typical!

4. Meds and supplement drinks taste pretty bad - and I'm quite tightly banded shut. Think that was to stop me talking so much!

5. Falling asleep is a little tricky because I'm a little anxious about it, but once I'm tired I just doze off so it's not too bad.

6. My 'Angelina Jolie' pout won't be here to stay!!!

When the docs came round later and the following morning, they told me that my bone was very thin and actually my mandible snapped in 2 places on the right so he needed to put an extra couple of plates in - so I'm amazed I have only been on minimal pain relief since being back on the ward! It was a relief to finally have some soup yesterday and can't stop drinking it now! The doc also told me that they'd obviously seen the result before I was all swollen and that I'd be VERY happy with the result - I already am despite the swelling making me look a bit like something out of Bo Selecta!!

The Call

OH MY GOD.


I can't believe this is finally happening.

I just had a call to say there is a bed for me at the hospital, I need to be there at 6pm to get admitted.

So now running around like a headless chicken because I hadn't fully packed to make sure I don't forget anything! Didn't want to have everything *too* ready, in case it didn't go ahead... :)

So my mum is on her way over and we are going to lug all my stuff up to the hospital. I have had to try and pack a few things I might need while staying at theirs for the couple of weeks after so it's all a bit mental.

And we had a visit from the police last night at 4am looking for our dodgy landlord. I don't recommend this for the night before surgical admission, just for the record....

I will try and update as soon as I'm home, I get the feeling this may well be after the Easter weekend unless I make a miraculous recovery.

Love to you all and thanks so much for all the support, you have no idea how much it has meant over these last 2 years... And for those of you waiting, it *WILL* be your turn one day!!!

Close Ups

Look away, those with a nervous disposition!!!


Nice view of the surgical hooks there... and can see that the midlines don't meet.

Pre-op Photos

I'm hoping I'm not jinxing myself by labelling them as such, but here are my pre-op photos, as of today. In all of them I have my jaws tight shut, so that gap is there all the time. As you can see, the underbite is massive, have a weak top jaw and lip and the midlines are skewed to one side on the lower jaw. The chin is quite large, but on moving it back it might not be that prominent, apparently my surgeon likes to wait and see if any more work is required once healed..

And the one of my looking moody is just with my mouth closed - it's no surprise I'm known for smiling all the time is it!

I would never have allowed profile pictures before all this, but now knowing that it's all getting fixed makes things a lot easier!!

Archwired.com...

.... Has gone down! Right before my surgery! Eek!!!

Perfect fit!!

I just can't WAIT for it to be next week now...

Went to see the registrar (who is also so very nice!) as my surgeon couldn't make the appointment, and the wafers fit perfectly!! And they showed me the final cast and the configuration of my teeth. I am so excited now. Also have my first couple of orthodontic appointments booked, first one is about 10 days after surgery.

Could it finally be that everything is finally going to run smoothly for a change!? I do hope so! Thinking positive!