Pain- 0/10 Discomfort- 0/10 Weight- 120/122 Energy Level- 8/10 It took about 4 days after my orthodontist appointment for my teeth to not be constantly sore after my adjustment and addition to the box elastics. My teeth are sore from time to time, but that is to be expected since my teeth are constantly moving and shifting. Any discomfort is taken care of with a couple of Advil or Ibuprofen pills. I would say that my weight is officially back to where it is normally. I have always had a 4 pound fluctuation between 119 and 122 pounds. My energy is slowly starting to go back to where it was prior to surgery. This is my second week back into my normal routine and this week was much easier than last. I can start running again, but I would feel more comfortable waiting until 6 weeks post-op since where I run is either rocky or on trails, so the terrain is very uneven and I would hate to fall and hit my jaw. I got the OK to run at my last appointment when I was about 3 weeks post-op. I have been informed that it turns out that my surgeon was out-of-network. I am in the process of finding out why I was told he is in-network. The cost difference between the two is $2,500, so I am trying to figure out which it is. Frustrating. I feel like I am back to normal and I already forget that the surgery has happened. I have to remind myself while I am eating that I still have 9 days before I can chew. It's also confusing when I try to open my mouth wide and it won't open past two fingers. It takes a moment to remember that I had surgery and my lack of mobility is normal. The first two weeks of recovery really drag on, but once you get to the point where you cannot easily recall how many days it has been since surgery that is when time begins to fly. Each day goes quicker than the last. Through some research I have found the following timeline of how far you should be able to open your mouth at different recovery points:
I have not been instructed to do any sort of stretches and exercises yet, so I am currently not doing so. My next appointment is September 23 and I will be asking about this if I am not given the OK to start the exercises. My numbness still had not changed. I am having more burning sensations in the numbest areas, but from what I can tell the numbness is not going away yet. Before I wrote that talking felt awkward because my lip is numb. Thankfully, I am now used to this and it feels just as natural as it did before surgery. I still don't like being numb, but I don't really notice it anymore unless I am eating and drip something on my chin.
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WelcomeThis blog documents my journey through lower jaw surgery in hope of providing help and insight involving the experience. Archives
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1 Year Post-Op 9 Months Post-Op 6 Months Post-Op Paying for Jaw Surgery 5 Months Post-Op Retainers Braces Off 4 Months Post-Op Fear vs. Reality 3 Months Post-Op 12 Weeks Day 81- Ortho. Apt. 2 11 Weeks 10 Weeks 9 Weeks Day 59: Surgeon Apt. 4 8 Weeks 7 Weeks 6 Weeks 1 Month Post-Op Day 27: Ortho. Apt. 1 Day 25: Surgeon Apt. 3 3 Weeks Day 17 Day 12: Surgeon Apt. 2 Day 10 Day 9 Day 8 Day 7 Day 6: Surgeon Apt. 1 Day 5 Day 4 Day 3 Day 2 Surgery Day (Day 1) Pretesting Appointment Surgical Hooks 1 Week Pre-Op Insurance is Complicated Caution with Insurance Pre-Op Appointment Planning and Preparing Orthodontist Apt. My Fears Pre-Op Date Surgery Date Phases of My Journey Life with Braces The Operation 3 Months Pre-Op |