Long Overdue Post

I can't believe it took me almost an entire month to get on here and update everyone. July 29th I had my braces removed. That's right. Been living a month without braces but I went away on vacation in the beginning of August and then I've been working a lot and dealing with other personal issues. But all that aside now I can finally update this blog. This past month has been amazing. Now that the braces are off my confidence has sky rocketed. I go up to people now and talk, I'm more outgoing and I LOVE to smile. I cannot get enough of smiling. =)
I also have been given my retainers. They are slight pain in the ass but I only technically have to wear them at night. However, I know the first two years after having braces are pretty crucial to keep the teeth in position so I wear my retainers nearly every hour of the day. They are like the Invisline and now those annoying wired ones for the top that look like the braces without the brackets. But anyways. Here's 2  new pictures.

This was definitely the best decision I have ever made and if I had to do it all again I would do it in a heartbeat. The surgeries are all in the past now and I'm happy for that. Though I'll admit I thought this day would never come and it happened so fast. Now life needs to slow down so I can enjoy it to the fullest. =)

4 months post op

I can't believe I just wrote 4 months post op in my title post. I kept counting over and over and didn't want to believe that its been nearly 4 months already since having my surgery. Plus, I noticed I haven't updated this since May. I'm terrible at keeping up with these and I'm pretty sure I've mentioned this before. Not much has changed since the surgery minus the fact I've been back to eating a normal diet. I've seen my surgeon about 3 times and I'll see her again next week just to make sure everything is still healing correctly. Which is has =)
I've also been seeing my orthodontist every 3 weeks since the surgery. Not to many adjustments had to be done after the surgery. I needed a tooth on my upper jaw to be slightly shifted because it was crooked and he straightened the back lower teeth to line up better with the top teeth. I've also been wearing rubberbands on my back four molars to keep my new bite tight and help it adjust. The rubber bands I have to wear 24/7 minus to eat and brush my teeth. I've become so accustomed to them that I don't even know I'm wearing them anymore. Now onto the greatest news. I was just at my orthodontist on Thursday afternoon and he said next time I come in my braces will be coming off. That's right. They are are already coming off. So on July 29th at 9:15am my new bite and smile will be complete. Can it be next week already or what!?!?!

Oh and for all of you to see. Here's a picture side by side of my old bite to my almost new bite.

6 weeks ost

The last time I posted was about 3 weeks ago. Not too much has happened those last 3 weeks. Just the waiting game and the healing. Things having been healing very well and I cannot believe its already been about 6 weeks since I had my surgery. I've seen my surgeon again in those three weeks because I've been having slight discomfort. She had my remove my rubberbands a week after surgery and to have me wear them at night. However when I went to see her the right side of my jaw was somewhat swollen on the inside but no infection, so she had my put the rubber bands back on again and to come back in 4 days. On Monday I went back and she said everything looked good but to the keep the rubber bands in for more support. Not my favorite idea but I did as she told as I want get through this process as easily as possible. The more I listen to my doctor the better everything will be.

Today I saw my orthodontist and everyone in the office was telling me how amazing I look and how great  my smile is looking. During this appointment my ortho said everything is looking great and he wants to me wear two more rubber bands on top of the two I have in the front of my mouth. My back teeth don't completely touch but its pretty minor so I he has be wearing the bands to pull the teeth together. I'm glad after 6 weeks we are finally moving on to the next step. I just need a little adjustment on my lower teeth and then everything will be perfect. Now all these bands in my mouth are pretty uncomfortable. I can feel the pressure all the way in my temples. It almost feels like my teeth are being pulled downward. But again, unlike in the past I am listening to my orthodontist and doing everything correctly.

As for eating this past few weeks because I'm sure you all have been wondering. I haven't really thought about food that much or worrying. I've had a break down a few days ago saying I'm tired of eating the same crap but overall I've been doing good. Mostly been drinking the Boost still and living on instant mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, yogurt and smoothies. However, today at work I had meat loaf and real mashed potatoes with gravy. The meatloaf was soft enough that I was able to eat it without chewing (which Im still not allowed to do) It was by far the best meal I had in weeks!!!!

On the 14th I'll be seeing my surgeon again. That'll put me at almost 7 weeks post. I'm almost there. Almost at the 8 week mark. That doesn't mean I'll definitely be able to chew food again but hopefully by doctor would be giving me the okay to eat a little bit more than I already have. Wish me luck!

my six week photo update! Very Happy!!!!!

19 Days Post Op

I had another follow up appointment to see how my healing as been and to make sure the stitches are dissolving. Of course they were and I can't believe how amazingly everything is healing up inside my mouth. You can hardly see where the incisions even were. During the appointment I asked my doctor when can I start eating things like pancakes. She told me she would let me know in two weeks. I know it was still somewhat early to be chewing but I thought I'd ask. On the bright side though, I no longer have to wear my rubber bands all day. I only have to wear them at night when I sleep. YAY! So now it would be a lot easier to stretch my jaw and not have to worry about removing the bands and accidentally throwing them away. I can open my mouth to about 2 fingers in length. Not bad, though I can't seem to get that good yawn in yet when I'm tired because my mouth can't open fully yet but I'm getting there. I've been getting very bored with what I'm eating which is basically puddings and mashed potatoes and those Boost drinks (which by the way are super delicious) I don't have the heart to really puree anything. I'm very picky about food and texture is a huge thing that determines if I eat the food. I'd hate to change the texture of my favorite meals and then end up disliking it and never eating it again. However, I did try a green smoothie for the first time today. Not very appealing looking but I it tasted very good. I made it with kale, spinach, an apple, a banana and strawberries. It's a great way to get your intake of fruits and vegetables. But like I said, it doesn't look very appealing and thats a huge thing for me.

On an even better note I took a new photo. This time smiling! =)

I look so bug eyed in my photos. Though this is the first time I'm seeing my smile side by side with my old smile. What a huge difference. (and I still hate my nose) but I can't fix everything =P

And I'm also seeing that I smile somewhat crooked. BUT WOW!!! I can't wait for the braces to come off to see the new smile all complete. I do still need some work done by the orthodontist to tighten my bite in the back of my teeth but WOW. I can't stop staring at the pics because I'm so amazed. Also, Long or short hair!? I like both haha

I'm still somewhat swollen by the lower chin so I feel like its making my chin even pointer. I need to stop looking at things individually and stare at the whole face. But there you go. Transformation almost complete =)

11 days post op

Today I have to go back to work =(
But at the same time I'm looking forward to finally getting back onto a schedule. However, before dealing with work I opted to take a nice walk because its beyond beautiful out and I needed to do a little shopping at Walmart.

Not to much has changed in the last few days. The worst part of this week was when I dyed the underside of my hair I ended up having an allergic reaction. My chest, stomach, back and arms were covered in hives when I woke up that next morning. It was a different hair dye I used than normal. And for those that dye their hair you need to wash it till the water runs clear and this dye told me not to get it on my skin when washing it out so I just put my head under the shower and my sister helped me washed it. However, my jaw was hurting and I couldn't stay bent over so the water ended up running all over me when washing it out. So it was only my guess this the dye is what caused it. However, the swelling is almost completely gone but still some puffiness, but nearly as much to bother me so I'm willing to show my face in public. Lately I have been able to eat a little more such as mashed potatoes and yogurts because I can now remove the rubber bands. I have also been stretching my jaw 3 times a day. At this moment I can open my mouth to about a finger and a half. My doctor wants to me get to 3 fingers length and she said it would be a miracle if I could get 4. I stretch for about ten minutes at a time; open and close, then side to side. But that's about it the last few days, eating more and stretching.

Here's a photo update to show you guys how awesome I'm doing. Don't mind my face being somewhat red. I had just returned from my walk when I took this. =)

A week and a day!

Everything has been going amazingly smooth. My swelling has gone even more, except my neck and cheeks are still pretty yellow from the remaining bruises. Today I had my follow up appointment with my surgeon and it couldn't have gone any smoother. She removed the two rubberbands and I was able to stretch my jaw for a couple of minutes, it felt soooooo good. X-rays were taken and I was able to see what they did during the surgery and it was really interesting. My surgeon gave me new rubberbands and ones that weren't as thick so my jaw doesn't feel like its being pulled so much. She told me I can remove my rubberbands to eat, brush my teeth, and stretch my jaw for about 10 minutes 3 times a day. I'm gonna have keep the rubberbands in for another week and then the next two weeks following I would only have to wear them at night. I could not be any more ecstatic. Prior to the surgery she said the rubberbands would be in for at least 4 weeks and I thought that was going to be torture but now it doesn't sound so bad. 4 weeks will be here and gone before I know it, then in about 6-8 weeks I can start eating almost normal again.

But now, its absolutely BEAUTIFUL out so I'm going to take a nice long walk with my sister and niece! =)

Photo Update!

I said I would have a photos for you guys and I do!

I put this photo up earlier but I figured seeing everything side by side it make it more clear. This ones several hours after surgery. It's tough to see how swollen I actually am because of the ice packs but you can tell my lip is quite puffy.

This photo is so UNFLATTERING. But wanted to show you guys two days post op. I say not so bad though my lip is still huge and now you can see some slight bruising. By the end of the day the swelling that was in my cheeks moved down towards my neck because I did not have my jaw bra on and gravity took over.

Day 4 post op. As you can see my lips are back to normal. =)
You can see the shape of my jawline and my chin is almost a chin again. The bruising has yellowed and as you can see the swelling went down significantly.
It was so beautiful out today and unlike when I took a walk Saturday I did not cover my face with a scarf and sun glasses so no one could see me. Now I just want to boast and be like I only had surgery 4 days!


My secret! ICE...ICE...ICE! I know I said it earlier but I will keep putting an emphasis on this. However, when I was writing this I was icing my jaw and the ice started melting and it leaked through the bag and right on to me =(