There isn't a ton to report. My teeth are still really sore where the bands connect. I am afraid of getting a little to relaxed about taking them out, I feel like soon enough I am going to be going full days without them now that I have experienced what it's like to have them out! Does anyone know when I will switch to the more orthodontic strength bands- the ones that guide your bite but still don't inhibit your ability to talk and require you to use most of your strength just to open your mouth? I remember having these bands when I was younger and instantly forgetting they were even on. I am ready to get to that point!
I asked Dr. M yesterday when I should start doing exercises of my jaw to work on increasing my range of motion, and he told me not to worry about it for a few more weeks. He said I can open just fine for now. I have started doing some lip exercises on my own. Nothing planned, just moving my lips around in different positions to try to get things feeling a bit more normal.
I ATE PIZZA YESTERDAY! ahh! and it was SOO good! My neighbors had an extra Papa Murphy's pizza and gave it to us. I was so hungry and it sounded so good that I made an effort and succeeded. I had to cut it to tiny pieces and I was only able to get through 3/4 of one piece, but mushrooms, mozarella, onions, sausage, pizza sauce, YUM! I am not necessarily sure I have gotten any sort of OK to do this yet? Tina (and anybody else who may be able to answer)- where are you at with this? Are you chewing solids or just mashing them up in your mouth 2 weeks post op?
I hate my front on pictures. The swelling under my eyes makes my eyes look so sunken in. My inability to smile makes me look so unhappy all the time! My puffy upper lip always looks like I have a stank face scowl on. and my face looks so lopsided. I just look so unattractive! I do love my profile shots though, other than my still upturned nose!
If any of you have any questions, please feel free to ask. I love getting questions, it makes me feel like I am helping others through this process :)
Braced Blogger | June 4, 2011 at 3:27 PM
Dani you look amazing and the swelling is going down nicely!! i think that's awesome you are able to eat pizza! are you still losing weight? i love your pictures and new profile by the way!!
z3 | June 4, 2011 at 3:59 PM
ur soooo lucky i think i haven't ate anything except liquids is because of my splint my mouth is so crowded
Anonymous | June 4, 2011 at 8:25 PM
Glad you had such a great day! My ortho actuslly gave my tighter bands than my OS did so I don't know what's up with that. I can't stand these, they friggin obnoxiously hurt...i'm with ya girl! Also, I haven't really tried anything solid. I am not chewing at all. Scrambled eggs even made me nervous. I was at a family party today however, and ended up cutting up small bits of chicken and burying them in mashed potatoes to swallow whole. My OS says I can attempt soft chewing monday (i will start with grilled salmon!). Lastly, it seems everyone looks lopsided post-surgery because the swelling is so uneven. My left cheek is more swollen than the rihht but then my right side of my chin is more swollen than the left. When I talk, the left side of my face has animation while the right side does not and my lips barely move on the right side. Frustrating, but I think it is unusual if your swelling IS symmetrical!
Sarah | June 5, 2011 at 4:43 AM
To me you don't look like you have puffy eyes or an upturned nose. Obviously you know your own face better than anybody else does, but I just wanted you to know that other people don't notice those things like you do. The only thing that I think is noticeable is your swollen top lip, apart from that I think you're looking pretty good and the swelling is reducing nicely!