Monday 4 May 2009

3.5 weeks post-op

Hello all! I am still here and very much not forgotten about you all.... needless to say I am enjoying showing off my new face and so it has been a very busy week or so, and also back to school so haven't gotten round to posting or putting up any new pics (the latter I will try to do over the next couple of days...).

Things have been going well. I feel a LOT happier in myself, although it is intriguing, not knowing whether my face is going to stay this way, or whether it is still swollen and will decrease further. I guess time will tell. I had a combined clinic on Friday, and it was completely the opposite from the clinics I had before surgery, when I was super paranoid and unhappy with everyone analysing my face. This time everyone was just grinning lots, as though they were so happy with their handiwork (and rightly so). It also appears that I will be being de-bonded very soon (as in, weeks rather than months) which has caused no end of excitement! I guess it was worth having all the tweaking done beforehand and having to wait longer for my surgery (let that be a lesson to you folks waiting for it!).

I then had a braided wire put on the bottom teeth, and finally saw the ortho that has been doing my treatment as she had exams during the first appointment. I welled up when I spoke about how happy I am and she said 'You're not allowed to cry, you'll start me off!'. She has been an incredible support. It has been SUCH an emotional few weeks. The counsellor has been very helpful too over the last couple of weeks to address some of the underlying issues and I'd still definitely recommend seeing someone.

So all-in-all it has been good. It's funny seeing the reactions of people I know but it is also funny dealing with people that didn't know me before - for example a new girl in my group at school said 'You have something green on your face...' and I had to point out it was a bruise. And then explain the surgery. And then get the 'before' pictures out... I'd definitely recommend taking these and having copies on your phone etc for these kinds of situations. And even to help close friends remember what you looked before/appreciate what exactly was done.

I will try and take some pictures this week. The swelling has gone down quite a lot and the bruise has almost disappeared, so that in itself is an update...!

7 comments:

Katherine (Kate) said...

Absolutely amazing what a boost this has been for you, all the way around, V! So encouraging to read, and the team you've got around you there sound lovely.

Weeks? Really? How cool is that! Definitely a reason not to sweat a longer "pre-braces" time :) How was it having a wire change at this stage? Hard to have the mouth open enough? How'd the jaw feel after?

Bye-bye bruise!

Rita said...

You are doing so well. I am so happy for you. You are an inspiration to us all. Looking forward to you pictures. Blessings. : )

x said...

so happy for you! sometimes I wonder like why am I putting myself through this and then I read posts like this and its like ahh thats why :)

funkyrhodes said...

So now that the surgery is over, how are you keeping the paparazzi at bay? Can't wait to see your progress!

stephanie said...

Hurray! Life goes on after surgery AND you're losing your braces soon!?! So exciting!!

Anya said...

What a progress you have made. It is so nice to hear that your braces will come off soon. You give me hope for my own surgery.

How long have you had your braces on?

Discantus said...

Great to hear you're doing so well, and what a bonus the early debanding news is! Sounds like you're having an ideal surgery/post surgery experience - very inspiring for all us still way behind on the long road :)