One last post to say "thank you" to all that have supported me along this incredible journey. It's so great to have this portion of my life behind me. I'll leave my blog up with the hope that it will help another understanding this process.
One year has come and gone since my surgery date (9/21/06). How time flies. All in all things are back to normal. Eating is totally back to normal. I can now easily bite into carrots/apples/etc... The numbness persists and is annoying at times. Much of the right side of my lips and chin are still numb. I'm not sure if it's improving or if I'm just getting used to it. My gums are still pretty numb, but I really don't mind that.
I saw Dr A for my one year follow-up a few weeks back. My jaw opening is nearly back to what it was pre-op and I feel great (no popping or pain). So I was a bit surprised when he let me know that my CT Scan showed a great deal of inflammation in my joints. So I'm back on my joint meds for another 3 months. He didn't seem too concerned. Sometimes I think we have access to too much information. I'll visit his office in Santa Barbara again before the Christmas holiday.
I'm still getting used to my new and improved face. I am very pleased with my results one year out :) The photo was taken last weekend at the start line of the San Francisco Half Marathon.
Felt like blogging today, don't really know why. Mostly I wanted all my "Ortho Amigos" to know that I am still here, still reading about everyone's progress, still hoping for the best for everyone.
Steph - I'm anxious to hear about your visit with your surgeon this month (I have my fingers double crossed that you don't relapse). Brandy - You have had the most amazing recovery. You are going to make it to Vegas four weeks post-op! Graham - I've still been following your progress. I can't wait to see your post-op profile, you will have to fend off the girls with a stick. Oh and all of the others as well - Amy, Cary (post some new photos, please), Jennicole, Kristen, Mary, Rebecca, the list goes on...
I visited my orthodontist yesterday. They are still so tickled when they look in my mouth. I don't really understand what all the excitement is about anymore. Dr B made a few adjustments to my retainer to close up the last little space I have between my upper 2nd and 3rd teeth. Within 10 minutes I was on my way, with an appointment to see then again in 2 months or so. It's funny, but I kind of miss my regular ortho appointments. I didn't even ask how much I need to be wearing my retainer at this point. I figure if they are closing gaps, I need to wear it 100% of the time. Even after almost 3 months sans braces my teeth will easily shift if my retainer is out for 5 or 6 hours. So in it stays. I only take it out for large meetings at work or big nights on the town with friends.
Because my advancement was soooo large, my recovery is soooo long. A great deal of numbness persists on the right side of my mouth. My scar tissue on that side feels very tight as well. Some days it's annoying, but most days I don't notice it. My lips almost have full feeling back, as well as my chin and cheeks. Overall I still see improvement from month to month. The recovery does really take a year :) My weight is back up to about 123 lbs. I've been running and working out, just like the pre-op days. Life is good. I really can't complain.
So that's my post - wishing everyone well - letting you know I am still here :)
I had my final visit (of sorts) with my surgeon yesterday. I realized that I am finally nearing the end of this crazy journey. My mind was on auto pilot much of the drive up the coast, I know it so well after countless trips to Santa Barbara to see Dr. Arnett. I don't even know how many weeks post-op I am....it's just been quite a few. I guess officially I will be seven months post-op on the 21st of this month.
My visit yesterday was very anti-climactic. The office was full of patients and it seemed Dr A. was running late. Dr A. came into the room to see me, said I looked great, did the usual list of things: he took measurements (overbite 2.5, overjet 0, open and the seven's right and left - these will close, midline on), he measured my opening (34 mm - still), and he checked my joints (smooth - no problems there). Before I knew it I was wisked into the upright CT room for another scan and then off to the photo room for my final pictures. Wow, no one told me that there was going to be a photo shoot - I looked a mess. When Dr. A was done taking about a dozen photos he mentioned that he'll see me at my one year mark and to take care. Wow! That's all I get?! No final thoughts or words of encouragement? The whole visit seemed inconsistent with every other experience I have had in the office. I guess they realize that I don't really need them anymore - made me kind of sad. Maybe if I am lucky, my photos will be displayed in one of their exam rooms as a "Before and After".
My next, and last visit, with Dr A. will be in September. What a year this has been! This time last year I was worrying about insurance approval, pre-op meds, securing a surgery date and taking time off of work. It has gone so fast. I am still fascinated by this whole surgery - I still read everyone's blogs. What had started as a quest for the perfect bite and a healthy jaw has become so much more. I have learned so much about myself and my husband and my family through this experience. I just wish I had had a moment to really thank Dr Arnett for the great job he has done. I was thinking I would compose a letter to him sometime soon. Maybe that seems a bit over the top. Overall I couldn't be happier with my results and hope that he knows this, that as corny as it sounds - what he has done for me has changed my life :)
Getting de-braced this morning took a whole lot longer than I remember it taking as a teenager. I was a bit apprehensive driving to the orthodontist's office as many of my teeth have been hypersensitive lately. I hope this is a good sign (nerve generation).
Here's how the visit went down: 1. Preparation and placement of permanent lower retainer. I had one that was there for 20 years prior to my braces being reapplied 18 months ago. I noticed immediately that the wire is much finer than the one places 20 years ago. I really don't notice it.
2. Removal of braces. This took a lot of elbow grease by the fabulous ortho tech that worked on me today. This should have been a painless experience, but as you post-opers know we can be very freaked out about our mouths. He took all of the bands and brackets off while they were still on the archwire (I kept both archwires of brackets). Funny how all that metal looks like nothing outside of your mouth. I can now look at every little bump and post that has tormented the inside of my mouth the last year and a half. Oh, and of course there will be photos later.
3. Removal of adhesive. Yeah, this took a while.
4. Quick cleaning and polishing of teeth....felt so good.
5. Molds taken for upper retainer (to be picked up next week).I chose the basic pink with silver glitter - didn't want to go too crazy.
All in all my visit was just over an hour of which my mouth was open just about the entire time (ouch!). It seems strange to see myself without all of that metal, but I am so pleased with my results. My husband says I now really look different than before this whole orthodontic/orthognathic adventure began.
My speech is much better since the braces are gone. I was still having quite a bit of difficulty with certain letters before this morning. Brushing is a breeze. My lips actually cover my teeth now. My teeth feel huge and so smooth. I'm such a nerd - it's been such a great day. Thank you to everyone for all of your support and encouragement - I couldn't have made it through this whole experience without the support of my family and online friends :)
It's official - I'm bracket free!!!! I'm having a busy day at work, but wanted to post a quick photo taken in the car this morning on the way to the office from the orthodontist.
This photo is for my family....they wanted to see a better photo of me (one not taken with a camera phone). Taken at Disneyland yesterday.
