I have been trying to do facial exercises to get some of this stiffness out of my face. Dr M never recommended anything to me at this point, but I feel like stretching it and moving my lips around has definitely improved things. I am not sure why this is happening now and never happened before, but the surgical hooks on the bottom teeth are absolutely destroying the inside of my lip. They have caused the deepest indentations all across the lip, and are now actually beginning to break through the skin, causing it to be painful. The 'whistle face' exercise is not going to well, every time I purse my lips, it causes the hooks to irritate the sore areas further.
My sister had a consultation with Dr. M. today. She doesn't have any structural jaw issues, but she has a very little chin, and is looking into getting a genioplasty done. I went to her appointment with her and had a few questions for Dr. M. myself. I asked him if the surgical hooks on the bottom were still necessary, he said not really, and for a split second I thought he was going to let me make an appointment with Dr. S. to get them taken off early, but poo, he decided they should be left on in case Dr. S. ends up needing them. He checked my bite again, and I voiced my concerns about my midline, but he said everything is perfect. He said if the midline does move around at all, Dr. S. will be able to fix it with ease, so it's nothing to worry about. I talked to him about getting the splint out at my next appointment (next Thursday) and he said I could. I am thrilled!
I think the splint is driving me crazier by the day. It doesn't bug me while eating, but now that the numbness is going away, I feel the splint more and I don't like it. It feels like it is pushing up so tight against the back of my front teeth, and it makes them feel sore. It gives the same feeling of having a new wire in, where your teeth feel so tight and locked in place.
How long after surgery did you/will you get your surgical hooks off? I don't remember Dr. M/Dr. S ever giving me a timeline as to when I would get mine off.
You can see in this photo that my upper lip is still weird. The middle portion just seems to be continuing on with whatever it wants to do.
Braced Blogger | June 20, 2011 at 6:26 PM
Dani, you really look amazing! I love the braids btw. Sorry I haven't posted much - was out of town this weekend for Father's Day. You are so lovely! Thanks for keeping us updated and posting all these pics. It makes me excited for surgery - I can only hope for as good of results as you have experienced!!
xo,
Tara
carpe diem | June 20, 2011 at 8:24 PM
Dani,
I got my surgical hooks off at 6 weeks. It was a pure dream to be rid of them. I was so concerned with my bite, the midline was fine but back molars didn't touch all the way, still don't. But it's true that it can all be fixed so not to worry.. I still had to hear it from the ortho before I totally believed it. Those pesky indents and sores are awful, I had the same issue. the surgical hooks seem to get all skeewampus. Just a little longer and you will have a whole new level of healing behind you. Looking so great!!
Tresa
Anonymous | June 20, 2011 at 9:43 PM
Hey, I know that lip! That was my lip 2 weeks ago!! You must have stolen that pic off my camera! Hee hee! Seriously, my lip looked JUST like that 2 weeks and does NOT now. Give it time. It seems like it will never look normal again but as much as I complained...my top lip now looks exactly like it did pre-surgery...
I also had problems with my surgical hooks only week later! They bothered me for a couple days and then not so much. Next time you see your ortho, ask him to cut them off. Mine did 2 weeks ago... I think we start feeling those suckers once the numbness wears off. Ouch!
Rhianna | June 20, 2011 at 10:23 PM
I have no idea when I get my surgical hooks off. I actually don't really know what there purpose was as I don't use any of the surgical hooks for my elastic configuration, just the hooks that are on my arch wires and brackets. I guess they used them as a guide during surgery for my midlines etc. Mine are super tiny and don't hurt at all. I hope you get them off soon, sounds painful
By the way I was watching Oprah today and it was the Rock goddesses show with Stevie Nicks, Miley Cyrus etc. As I was watching it I remembered reading in your blog about about you going to the tapping. I tried to look for you in the audience! hehe. It must have been so fun to be there :) Great performances.
Mai | June 21, 2011 at 11:37 AM
heyyy awwh just hang in there, your lip will be back to normal in no time..
funny thing is i was having so much problems with my hooks, those indentations are the worse, and when you smile or talk or even open your mouth it gets hooked to your cheeks and tear them =( but i realized wax does help out alot. you should try it
other than that, looks like your doing A-Okay lol,
you look amazing as always
Nora Simone | June 21, 2011 at 12:56 PM
Lookin' good! Great news about the splint. Hopefully the surgical hooks are not to far behind! It seems like you're through the worst at this point and just waiting for all of the little things to settle. I definitely like the results of the surgery, though what's important is how you feel about it. I bless your patience lol, cause I have none.