Surgery Summary

6:00 am: Checked into the hospital, asked questions, did paperwork, IV inserted, changed into complicated hospital gown
8:00 am: Surgery, I believe it started on time as scheduled
11:40am: Woke up in Recovery Room. The nurse proceeded to place the jaw bra around my head. She was the only person that knew to move my hair back. The main thing I remember is that my throat was horribly dry. But, of course, nothing could be done about that. I don't remember feeling pain. I just remember slowly being aware of everything going around me. Eventually I was moved to an ICU room. My mom and husband coming in shortly.

I slept and slept. I can hear my mom say, "Oh, she's still groggy from the anaesthesia." But in reality, it was easier to sleep. I can avoid the discomfort of the IV, tubes, wires, etc. on me. I couldn't really move. Every time I had the ice packs/ jaw bra switched out, I couldn't pull my hair back. My hair stuck out. And the problem wasn't vanity, hair not neatly pulled back causes the jaw bra to slide. It wasn't always a problem and I just dealt with it. But in the middle of the night it slipped off. So, note to others: bring a soft headband or hair elastic band.

My husband stayed with me all night, holding my hand as we slept. When I woke up in the middle of the night, I kept worrying about him. I forgot to pack a travel neck pillow for him. We were not sure that he was even allowed to stay... especially since I was in the ICU Unit. But he was allowed to stay.

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.

Slurp, Slurp

DAY 15

I am still eating my meals through a straw. From what I've read, the timing varies. I used the Dinner Through A Straw Bags (or Zip-n-Squeeze) for the first 2-3 days. Since I was allowed to use straws, they were no longer necessary. You see, I am TERRIFIED that I may accidently chew (out of habit). Hearing the horror stories, I don't want to complicate things. If this happens, as my doctor warned, they would need to go back in... and maybe in the office and not at the hospital. Yikes!

I've been wearing elastics 24/7. Straws are just easier. I am still numb on my lower left side and lower lip. My lips were peeling like crazy for the past 2 weeks. Continuously to the point that I didn't know when it would end. I couldn't feel anything but I can tell my lips were peeling too rapidly, revealing some raw skin. The doctor and nurse recommended A+D Ointment and Aquaphor. I used A+D primarily. It seemed to work. It continued to peel, but the ointment seemed to sooth the raw skin. I later tried Aquaphor. Big mistake. I *think* and I can't be completely certain, I developed an allergic reaction. My lips were swollen again and I developed tiny little bumps on my upper lip. My upper lip was fine. My lips were so sensitive at night, that the slightest touch was painful. I returned to yet another pattern of sleepless nights.

So, I am sticking with my trusty straws. Today, I attempted to use a spoon. It worked but it involved a lot of slurping. Very messy.

Carrot Cake Smoothie

I noticed that everyone heals differently. Swelling was worse in the first week. I resembled a Cabbage Patch Kid. I was not wired shut and was allowed to drink through a straw the day after surgery. I was on a clear liquid diet for the first 2 days. I grew weak and lost about 10 lbs, in 2 days. The doctor warned that he will weigh me on every visit and does not want me to lose any weight. Honestly it doesn't look like I lost that much weight, Cabbage Patch Kid face and all. And I thought I was doing well when it came to "eating." I drank broth and juices. My husband, not wanting to get in trouble with the doctor, proceeded to make sure he fattened me up. *groan* I think it worked. On my next visit, I went up 3 lbs.



I made the Carrot Cake Smoothie on Day 9.
Throw everything in the blender. Mixing the ice cream and cream cheese first helps eliminate floating chucks of cream cheese.

1 1/2 cup Trader Joe's Carrot Juice (with Omega 3's)
1 scoop Vanilla Ice Cream
2 TBS whipped Cream Cheese
1 scoop of Protein Powder
dash of Cinnamon
dash of Nutmeg
1-2 Cinnamon Graham Crackers

Introduction

Hello! I had jaw surgery 15 days ago. I discovered the oral surgery blog community AFTER my surgery. I wish I had discovered them earlier! It's too late to start a blog on what I went through but I thought I'd create a place to share what meals I had. I love to cook and miss it dearly. A girl can only have so many smoothies and broth soups before she goes crazy!

On March 21, 2009, I had Mandibular Horizontal Hyperplasia and Mandibular Bilateral Sagittal Splint Ramus Osteotomies - lower jaw surgery to fix an overgrown lower jaw. I've had a jaw problem for years. In 1994, my jaw locked while yawning. This began a series of almost-annual visits to the emergency room to get it fix. I first saw an oral surgeon in 1997 and again in 2001. I was told that my lower jaw continued to grow. At the time it was minor. My bite and profile wasn't a problem. I did not have an underbite at the age of 25.

Fast forward to 2006, my last visit to the emergency room, I was given a recommendation to an oral surgeon and so my journey began.