Day 13

I think my swelling in my cheeks has increased today. I am definitely getting sick of sleeping upright, and last night just tried to sleep comfortably, but still kind of propped up, but definitely not as much as I should be. My cheeks are feeling more puffy today. Dr M told me he would like me to sleep upright through the weekend, so I only broke the rules a few days early.

At least one of my brackets is no longer attached. The one behind the spring on the right, so now the spring is just spread out on top the tooth and the bracket is sitting kind of in between that tooth and the next one. Does anyone know if this is OK to have happened, or if I should call my ortho/OS about it?

I am a little afraid to ask Dr M about the whole chewing situation, because I think I have been going a bit crazy with it. I have been going through blogs in the last few days to check on where other people were at the same point I am at. It seems like most people aren't really tackling food the way I am. I definitely don't want to hear that I shouldn't be chewing, because I am finally able to chew and I cannot possibly go back! Yesterday I had a fried egg for breakfast that I chewed through. I had wild rice soup for lunch, and last night I ate a brat from the grill, potato salad, and baked beans. The brat had pretty tough skin from the grill, and I was able to chew through it. SO good! It was so nice to be out with my family and boyfriend, eating the same things they were. I was only able to take down about 3/4 a brat, but had tons of baked beans because they were so easy. My boyfriend brought me cake batter icecream from cold stone for desert. YUM!

My stamina has definitely started to come back. I know it will be weeks or even months until I am able to keep up with all of the things I was able to before, but I am definitely physically feeling a lot better. There were a lot of days I would get out of bed and just feel like complete crap, not just because of jaw pain. The way too much sleep, pain meds, and general lack of moving around left me feeling exhausted just moving from the living room to the kitchen. I am now taking 2-3 walks daily (about 15 minutes each). I am able to get OUT of bed, get my teeth brushed, change into normal clothes, and get things done. I never thought I would get to this point, and it feels GREAT!

I got the sweetest care package from one of my coworkers yesterday with magazines, a candle, perfume and one of the Chelsea Handler books! It is so great to know that even when I have been missing from work for 2 weeks, there are still people thinking of me and wishing me well :)

I am seriously about to go insane because of this lip. The two sides of the top lip have gone down to what I think is their normal size, along with the bottom lip as well. I honestly have noticed the absolute tiniest change in the swelling of the center portion, and I think it only LOOKS like it has changed because both sides of it has. I am worried that it isn't just the sores in my mouth causing this... what if something else is wrong with my lip? I can't go back to work until it's down because it keeps me from talking properly. Even though I am feeling great, I don't want to go out in public because it looks so ridiculous and I look worse off than I am. I am getting more and more frustrated every day. This lip is nearly all that is keeping me from going back to my normal life.

My sister told me yesterday I look like a square face, and I completely agree. I am praying to god that this is just because of swelling, and that my new face shape isn't a square. I am not absolutely loving the way my face is looking straight on. I am feeling like my jawline is a bit too masculine. It seems to me like Dr. M should have pulled my chin out a little bit to give me more definition and make my face more soft looking. Hoping this changes as the swelling goes down.



7 comments:

  • Braced Blogger | June 5, 2011 at 6:29 PM

    Hey Dani! I think you're looking great!!!! I think you still have a bit of swelling (I hear there is more when there's a genio) and that once it goes down you will be very pleased with the shape of your face. I think your face is more oval shaped (even with the swelling, your jaw/chin is still not as wide as your forehead and temples). An oval is the "ideal" face shape. When the swelling in your cheeks and outer corners of your chin dissipate, you will see your true shape and I think you're going to love it!!

  • Incognita | June 5, 2011 at 7:10 PM

    You look so good Dani!!! I can't imagine how annoyed you must be with the swollen lip. It will go down though and you will look flawless! It must feel like ages when you're at home most of the time healing when its actually just been two weeks. Thats really good that you've been eating well, hopefully your surgeon allows it because I can;t imagine what its like not to eat for that long. I'm having a splint after the surgery so I may have to wait 2 months to eat :( I better start enjoying all my favourite foods now. Hope things continue to improve :)

  • Ellie | June 5, 2011 at 7:16 PM

    I don't think you have a square face! It's just the swelling. So glad to hear you're enjoying some summer foods. I really hope your lip gets better soon so you can get back to normal! Your profile looks awesome, btw.

  • Anonymous | June 5, 2011 at 7:45 PM

    I think u look great! But hey, people are telling me that too and I think I look like a lopsided swollen freak! Ha ha. I also feek squate faced and Terra shared this link with me... Check it out. Shows a guy's progression over three months, pic after pic. He looks like a fat kid until DAY 54 when he finally starts to look normal again and you can see the definition in his jaw line. I still have a double chin and I am skinny as hell! We're swollen, girl! I refer to this link whenever I am feeling bummed about my progress. It really does take 2 months...

    http://doublejawsurgery.com/day-88-the-official-mugshot-roundup

    P.s. I go back to work tomorrow. Oh joy. :p

  • JEN | June 6, 2011 at 4:42 AM

    Dani,

    You look so good! I've been

  • JEN | June 6, 2011 at 4:44 AM

    I've trying to comment, but Blogger was giving me fits! You look so wonderful! I'm glad you can chew, I think eating enough is intergral to your recover. Remember, things are still shifting around in there, my nose looked crooked for the first month and my midline was waayyy off.

    Thinking of you!

  • bracedmom | June 6, 2011 at 2:36 PM

    Dani, I think you look great so far! Have you tried manual lymphatic drainage therapy? I think it could really help with your swelling (I am a certified MLD therapist). Not sure where you're from but if you're interested check out this website to try to find a local therapist http://www.vodderschool.com/find_a_therapist
    All the best!

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