Pre-Surgery Summary

April 2007: Joined the World of Adults with Braces

I was told about 10 months until the surgery. Come December, I realized that it wasn't happening. Later I was told possibly May or June 2008. Not happening. I was frustrated and disappointed. I finally realized that if they haven't marked your face up just yet, the time is not near. I finally saw the surgeon in October 2008. I was marked up like a plastic surgery patient. Measured to confirm symmetry and facial feature placement. And alas, I was finally told that they were ready. I just need to pick the time that's best for me. And the good news was that with the success of the braces, they now see that I only needed 1 jaw done as oppose to both! This was great news both in the obvious way and financial way. The estimated cost was sliced in half!

classic moment in the waiting room: I was alone in the huge waiting room when a 10 year old girl walks in. Of all the empty seats, she sits right next to me. I didn't really pay attention but later realize that she was staring at me. When I looked up she bluntly asked, "Are you a teenager?" It took me by surprise. A straight-to-the-point and curious tone to her voice. I just smiled and politely laughed. "Far from it" I said. It was so refreshingly innocent and sweet. Oh, to be young and say what's on your mind. :) Turns out she was going to get her braces put on that day and she had lots of questions.


March 2009: Week prior to the surgery:

Once I found out my date, I made it a point to eat foods I will miss and visited restaurants I wanted to check out. I was told to prepare for a 6 week liquid diet, possibly graduating to soft foods within that time. My surgeon was going to avoid wiring me shut as much as possible. My culinary good eats tour throughout LA involved Creole shrimp po' boys, Korean BBQ, sushi, Mom's homecooking (Filipino), my father-in-law's homecooking (Italian), French, Italian (Osteria Mozza), wine-tasting, etc. It needn't be fancy... just a variety. This is also a time to be social. I worried that for the next 6 weeks I will be an antisocial homebody. (but less spending is good, right?)

So, during my last final days, I was done. I wasn't craving anything special. I was ready! While getting my post-surgery grocery supplies, I was inspired to cook one last meal. I was planning to make a Tarragon Chicken and Rice with Brie. I had my husband open a good wine (my last alcohol beverage for awhile - don't worry this was still 2 days before the surgery). Then I realize that I was missing an ingredient. What to do!? We went to Wendy's. I had a burger with cheese with a side of fries... paired with a 2005 Sea Smoke Botella Pinot Noir. It was an unintended Sideways moments sans the styrofoam cup.

As I write this (Day 16), I crave potatoes. Not just fries. I can have potato soup, but pureed potatoes are not the same! I remember those Wendy's fries more that the delicious Seared Ahi Sandwich I had the next day.