tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29214734582363916522024-03-12T17:08:33.445-06:00Double Jaw SurgeryWelcome to a detailed day-by-day account in the life of a double jaw surgery patient! I'm hoping to feel well enough to post daily through this 6 week ordeal - to give others a better insight in to the wonderful world of maxofacial surgery! To put everything in order, read from the last entry to the first (why can't blogs automatically do that?)Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00589341261154907179noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2921473458236391652.post-45865075535989472552016-07-07T17:24:00.000-06:002016-07-07T17:25:37.741-06:006 years laterI'm 3 weeks shy of my 6th anniversary for my jaw surgery. My cousin just had the exact same surgery. Trent, if you are reading this - I feel for ya buddy. Just know that it is WORTH IT!<br />
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Still numb on my lower lip, on left side and continuing down my chin. Oh well. Still worth it! I had the surgery when I was 34. Since my bone structure had been growing wrong my whole life, I could only attempt to have the surgery to salvage what was left of my right condyle and fix whatever was possible to fix. I'm still happy with the results, although my face will never be symmetrical. At 40 now, I'm comfortable in my skin, and with my (still crooked) smile. I will always advocate for this surgery. As hard as it was, it truly was worth it!<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uh1Sqpbcvs4/V37jj1qGToI/AAAAAAAA2Ho/zT5V4RfkrOAqSpI5MDfAy6yv4AGOxlDJQCLcB/s1600/before%2Bjaw%2Bsurgery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uh1Sqpbcvs4/V37jj1qGToI/AAAAAAAA2Ho/zT5V4RfkrOAqSpI5MDfAy6yv4AGOxlDJQCLcB/s1600/before%2Bjaw%2Bsurgery.jpg" /></a></div>
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Before surgery - 34 years old<br />
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6 years after surgery - 40 years old</div>
Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00589341261154907179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2921473458236391652.post-91657313241040607922015-12-07T11:55:00.002-07:002015-12-07T11:55:49.124-07:005.5 years...still a bit numb.Quick update. Still have slight tingling in my bottom lip on the left side. Some days I swear it's getting better. When I eat something hot - the tingling sensation gets more intense, although I still can't discern much of a temperature difference in food on that side. It's really not a big deal. I've lived with it for so long now, I don't usually think about it. It doesn't impede my speech or kissing my husband, so I don't worry about it. :)<br />
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Here is a more recent "after pic" along with my dreaded "before pic". There have been nearly 100,000 views on my blog - so I sincerely hope it is helping others!<br />
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♥Tamara<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IPcnBGw_sbU/VmXWF2SK6SI/AAAAAAAAoBY/a6SXkdtFHDU/s1600/before%2Bafter%2B5.5%2Byears.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IPcnBGw_sbU/VmXWF2SK6SI/AAAAAAAAoBY/a6SXkdtFHDU/s320/before%2Bafter%2B5.5%2Byears.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00589341261154907179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2921473458236391652.post-41200615170759553292014-01-30T10:22:00.000-07:002014-01-30T10:45:18.181-07:00Tingling at almost 3.5 years post-op!I said I wouldn't write again unless something changed...and it has. The lingering numbness that has been plauging me for nearly 3.5 years post-op is going in and out. My bottom lip gets the "tingles" more and more which is usually good, unless I accidentally bite it. :) I am ever hopeful that I'll regain more and more feeling in it, even though I was told that at about 6 months post op, whatever feeling I'm left with at that time is probably "it" for me. I still don't feel much on the left side of my chin, and still have to be extra diligent when I'm eating soup in public so I don't end up with a drop or smear of soup where I can't feel it (it happened AGAIN recently!) but other than that, I've learned to live with it and it doesn't bother me. I've had people ask recently if my jaw is more symmetrical. I'm not sure that my jaw will ever be as symmetrical as I want it to be, but the comparison from before surgery is unreal. Ultimately, I'm still happy with the results. Here is a before an after. The before picture was taken just before getting braces on - 4 years ago. I feel like I look younger now, by getting this problem fixed. It has positioned my jaw differently so the lines on either side of my jaw aren't as deep. Both of these pictures are not touched up (note to self, natural lighting is always better). Even in the after picture, you can see the lines around my jaw, but they aren't as deep. You can also see the lines of 4 more years of maturity (unfortunately) around my eyes.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a_8g7VbW-9w/UuqD4d-IVZI/AAAAAAAAEd8/M1cIYhHEH70/s1600/repeats+mostly+146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a_8g7VbW-9w/UuqD4d-IVZI/AAAAAAAAEd8/M1cIYhHEH70/s1600/repeats+mostly+146.JPG" height="320" width="225" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T3re2CeW-lo/UuqFgVkPhiI/AAAAAAAAEeM/v2wrDiNc9JE/s1600/headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T3re2CeW-lo/UuqFgVkPhiI/AAAAAAAAEeM/v2wrDiNc9JE/s1600/headshot.jpg" height="320" width="217" /></a></div>
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Before After</div>
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I will always be grateful that I had the surgery, regardless of the fact that it didn't fix everything 100%. Going from chewing my food with only 3 teeth touching, to having them ALL touch now is amazing. Digestion has definitely approved along with my self esteem! I would recommend this surgery to any and all thinking about it!<br />
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Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00589341261154907179noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2921473458236391652.post-46737687430828774162013-08-07T13:18:00.000-06:002013-08-07T13:18:44.158-06:003rd anniversary of double jaw surgery. Each year I tell myself that I'm going to call up my surgeon and tell him that even though he swears that he has never had a patient who hasn't regained full feeling....he has at least ONE. But I haven't called him. And probably won't. So, here is the update. I still have some mild numbness on the left side of my bottom lip and chin. I always keep a napkin handy when I'm eating soup - especially in public. I also still have the "divots" (see this post: <a href="http://tamarasdoublejawsurgery.blogspot.com/2011/08/happy-anniversary.html">http://tamarasdoublejawsurgery.blogspot.com/2011/08/happy-anniversary.html</a>) but I just get Radiesse injected into them once a year and it hides it. I'm about due for some more! Here are pictures of the divots mostly gone (for before pics, click on the link above).<br />
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This side is more noticeable than the other, and needs another injection.</div>
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This side is still smooth without the divot reappearing yet.</div>
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And here is my third year post-op before and after pics:</div>
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And here is the closer up one so you can see my smile better.</div>
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Still not perfect as far as my bite, midlines and symmetry of my face but I have never regretted it! I'm so glad that I can chew normally and have more than 3 teeth touching as was the case before the surgery. </div>
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For anyone wondering if the pain, numbness and having your jaw wired shut is worth it, it IS.</div>
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DO IT!</div>
Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00589341261154907179noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2921473458236391652.post-59589865589939500812012-11-12T12:18:00.000-07:002012-11-12T12:26:37.232-07:002 + year Anniversary!<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So - this post is a few months late. I meant to put a 2 year anniversary post on here - on Aug. 2, 2012. I've had many people write to me concerning my post op this far out - so they can be aware of their own prognosis. Lately, the questions have been specific to my continuing numbness. Yes, I am still numb on the lower left side of my lip and down to the bottom of my chin - kind of a triangle shape. I am also still numb on the front right tip of my tongue and also the gums covering that lower part of my jaw, also on the left side. It just always feels like tingling - as though Novocaine from the dentist is wearing off. For a long while it bugged me - but now it's a normal part of life. I still hope to regain full feeling, but at this point - over 2 years after surgery, it's not likely. It doesn't interfere with my life - I don't bite it without knowing and I can still kiss my husband (yay!) - I just can't feel if I've dripped something down the left side of my chin. Eating soup in a restaurant is always entertaining. :) Something that has given me hope, however is cranial sacral therapy. I've only had one session, but afterwards, I felt some burning/pain in my teeth/gums behind the left side of my lip where it has been numb. It felt kind of like when a foot has fallen asleep and it tingles/burns as you stamp your foot on the ground to wake it back up - so that is encouraging! I hope to schedule another session this week. You can google cranial sacral therapy - it's fascinating! Anyway, keep the questions coming - I'm more then happy to walk the prospective patients or already operated on through this journey! Even though my jaw will never be perfect (because it grew wrong for 34 years!) and even with the numbness...I would do it again. Here is a before and after picture. The after pic was taken this morning. </div>
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Update: Ok, now I'm realizing that you can't see my teeth very well in that pic - so here is a closer up one. You can see that my midlines no longer line up perfectly like they did immediately after surgery - but almost all my teeth touch each other when I bite (instead of only 3, like before surgery) so yay for that!</div>
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Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00589341261154907179noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2921473458236391652.post-76236435445655121382011-08-02T10:53:00.012-06:002013-08-07T12:58:50.736-06:00Happy Anniversary!<div style="text-align: center;">
So, ONE YEAR AGO today I voluntarily had my jaw broken to bits, then put back together better.<br />
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First, the cons: my lower left side of my bottom lip is still numb/tingly. All the way down to the bottom of my chin. Sometimes I can feel hot/cold and sometimes tingly pain - which still gives me hope that ALL the feeling will return someday. My doctor said he's never had a patient NOT regain full-feeling so I hope I'm not the first! The right tip of my tongue has just the slightest amount of tingling to it. It was also numb up until about a month ago - so I know things are still healing back together! Also a "con" - my face is not symmetrical. I really thought it would be. I'm disappointed it's not. My midlines do not match up. I thought they would. I have "divots" in the side of my jaw - where it must've been broken and shifted so the bone no longer matches up. I wear my hair down a lot because of this. Will the bone fill back in, eventually? Will I need to get "fillers" there to make it look normal? Also, my skin was stretched so much during the procedure (and I'm not so young anymore) that I feel that the skin on my face sags slightly- something that I wasn't aware of before surgery. I still have questions. I need to call my doctor.<br />
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Now, the pros: Previous to surgery, I only had THREE teeth line up that I could use to mash my food. Now, they ALL do, so eating is much easier. Also, my jaw has moved slightly back into the correct position. Not totally - but still an improvement. It no longer pops, clicks or gives me headaches. Yay!<br />
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I know the "con" list is longer, but the "pro" list is more important for overall heath. Bottom line is - Would I do it again? Emphatically I answer, "YES!"<br />
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Here are some recent pictures that shows the difference.<br />
I LOVE before/after pictures! :)<br />
First, this shows the "divot" or indentation now in my jaw bone (in the after shot).<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tax3C2gN8DI/Tjh-qW9OOCI/AAAAAAAADeM/RYAm93Ul-XU/s1600/Farm%2Bfield%2Btrip%2Band%2BScincerity%2B2%2B031.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636394199836145698" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tax3C2gN8DI/Tjh-qW9OOCI/AAAAAAAADeM/RYAm93Ul-XU/s400/Farm%2Bfield%2Btrip%2Band%2BScincerity%2B2%2B031.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; height: 347px; width: 234px;" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4DDbPndD4Lw/Tjh-qJCadJI/AAAAAAAADeE/ztlKFKebb_o/s1600/tujaw%2Bsurgery%2Banniversary%2B020.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636394196099822738" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4DDbPndD4Lw/Tjh-qJCadJI/AAAAAAAADeE/ztlKFKebb_o/s400/tujaw%2Bsurgery%2Banniversary%2B020.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 329px; width: 269px;" /></a></div>
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Here is my "Before" and "1 year after"<br />
You can see it's DEFINITELY not perfect. But it is much better than it was!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xZyawwIMHrk/Tjh_0F9ZbdI/AAAAAAAADeU/eMH3KeDWfH0/s1600/tufrontal%2Bbite.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636395466583797202" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xZyawwIMHrk/Tjh_0F9ZbdI/AAAAAAAADeU/eMH3KeDWfH0/s320/tufrontal%2Bbite.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 155px; width: 254px;" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kr-HdUs1ZxM/Tjh_0LTR3PI/AAAAAAAADec/Xd65e7BdNR8/s1600/tujaw%2Bsurgery%2Banniversary%2B018.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636395468017753330" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kr-HdUs1ZxM/Tjh_0LTR3PI/AAAAAAAADec/Xd65e7BdNR8/s320/tujaw%2Bsurgery%2Banniversary%2B018.jpg" style="height: 154px; width: 271px;" /></a><br />
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Before braces and surgery - and 1 year later!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7R017XyQ8qo/Tjh_0ZLlOjI/AAAAAAAADes/_UMfp0g1ZeE/s1600/fullfront.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636395471743564338" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7R017XyQ8qo/Tjh_0ZLlOjI/AAAAAAAADes/_UMfp0g1ZeE/s320/fullfront.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 320px; width: 203px;" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k_q1k_q3wK8/Tjh_0Yyf1oI/AAAAAAAADek/LfaCsVEB9cU/s1600/tuFremont%2Band%2BSanta%2BClara%2B001.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636395471638353538" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k_q1k_q3wK8/Tjh_0Yyf1oI/AAAAAAAADek/LfaCsVEB9cU/s320/tuFremont%2Band%2BSanta%2BClara%2B001.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 320px; width: 216px;" /></a><br />
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So, I will always be the girl with the "crooked" smile.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u0QQq4cxkdg/TjiM1-mPrCI/AAAAAAAADe8/Ye4kA0TVJtY/s1600/browneyedgirls.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636409792618540066" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u0QQq4cxkdg/TjiM1-mPrCI/AAAAAAAADe8/Ye4kA0TVJtY/s320/browneyedgirls.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 182px; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
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But I can usually work the camera angles to allow for a good "shot" here and there....<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8UgBGNK9X9g/TjiM1iXBEkI/AAAAAAAADe0/PAlWniC7lTc/s1600/tuSanta%2BCruz%2521%2B070.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636409785038475842" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8UgBGNK9X9g/TjiM1iXBEkI/AAAAAAAADe0/PAlWniC7lTc/s320/tuSanta%2BCruz%2521%2B070.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 275px; width: 320px;" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JYSJ8UZYGus/TjiO1SieVsI/AAAAAAAADfs/MjpYmK2iuaI/s1600/Eyelash%2BExtensions%2Bblack%2Band%2Bwhite.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636411979814819522" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JYSJ8UZYGus/TjiO1SieVsI/AAAAAAAADfs/MjpYmK2iuaI/s320/Eyelash%2BExtensions%2Bblack%2Band%2Bwhite.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 320px; width: 193px;" /></a><br />
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....and as long as I didn't pass it on to my kids....<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a6BEh-OY_6k/TjiM2MimpWI/AAAAAAAADfE/sPbQEhHHtV0/s1600/ruSanta%2BClara%2B2011%2B009.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636409796361364834" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a6BEh-OY_6k/TjiM2MimpWI/AAAAAAAADfE/sPbQEhHHtV0/s320/ruSanta%2BClara%2B2011%2B009.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 207px; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
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...and my family loves me the way I am.....<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pQo6xgFJQ5I/TjiO1NytzHI/AAAAAAAADfc/tSrJy5K-mv4/s1600/sftu20110629_493.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636411978540764274" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pQo6xgFJQ5I/TjiO1NytzHI/AAAAAAAADfc/tSrJy5K-mv4/s320/sftu20110629_493.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 214px; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
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Then I'm ok with the results!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2_nMJDzl1M4/TjiO1K54CRI/AAAAAAAADfk/wHwYLKXRn-k/s1600/Eyelash%2BExtensions%2Bsepia2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636411977765488914" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2_nMJDzl1M4/TjiO1K54CRI/AAAAAAAADfk/wHwYLKXRn-k/s320/Eyelash%2BExtensions%2Bsepia2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 262px; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
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If/when the numbness in my bottom lip goes away - I will post again. Otherwise, this is<br />
Tamara's Double Jaw Surgery signing off.<br />
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THREE YEAR UPDATE!<br />
This is regarding the divot in my jaw. It's still there, but I've had Radiesse (dermal filler) injected into that spot to smooth it out. One side of my face still looks smooth, but on the other side the divot is coming back, which means it's time for more Radiesse. Small price to pay for the overall benefits!<br />
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Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00589341261154907179noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2921473458236391652.post-8287920305170271822011-04-17T18:57:00.005-06:002011-04-17T19:55:02.831-06:008 months and counting...I haven't posted in a while - and since I'm now past that 6-8 month mark that my doctor talked about - I figure I should say something! It's been about 8.5 months since surgery. I still have an area in the front right part of my tongue that is numb-ish and tingles, and also the left bottom half of my lower lip going all the way down to the bottom of my chin. It also tingles, so I'm still hopeful that my nerves will continue to heal and I'll be back to normal by my 18 month mark. My mid-lines are no longer perfectly aligned, but they are much better then they were. My jaw still doesn't look symmetrical but I'm not willing to undergo another surgery to correct it further. All in all, it's an improvement on what it was before and it's much easier to chew my food! Here are a few pictures taken between the time I got my braces off in December, until now. For anyone about to undergo the journey (or is thinking about it) feel free to ask me questions! I gained a lot of my knowledge by perusing through others' blogs as well!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JBkf9dUjnuc/TauZE2CI_gI/AAAAAAAADGU/VmNE5Lcmk3s/s1600/tublack%2Band%2Bwhite.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 264px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JBkf9dUjnuc/TauZE2CI_gI/AAAAAAAADGU/VmNE5Lcmk3s/s400/tublack%2Band%2Bwhite.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596735270440992258" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sksEeKtvy3k/TauXG8JwflI/AAAAAAAADF4/MXl8mqptgVY/s1600/tu100_0033%2B%25282%2529.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 212px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sksEeKtvy3k/TauXG8JwflI/AAAAAAAADF4/MXl8mqptgVY/s400/tu100_0033%2B%25282%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596733107420036690" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dd89B_cXx7s/TauXHC3i3OI/AAAAAAAADGA/XCpKt3vmHm8/s1600/tuartsy100_0028%2B%25282%2529.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 322px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dd89B_cXx7s/TauXHC3i3OI/AAAAAAAADGA/XCpKt3vmHm8/s400/tuartsy100_0028%2B%25282%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596733109222694114" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gwCckhPBANo/TauXGgoIKaI/AAAAAAAADFw/HOS5tmKq1gs/s1600/tu1950%2527s%2Bvibe%2B009.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 347px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gwCckhPBANo/TauXGgoIKaI/AAAAAAAADFw/HOS5tmKq1gs/s400/tu1950%2527s%2Bvibe%2B009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596733100031224226" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N68NozTRjVk/TauZroqqr-I/AAAAAAAADGc/9-SbLI0sMig/s1600/bwtuApril%2B2011%2B011.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 333px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N68NozTRjVk/TauZroqqr-I/AAAAAAAADGc/9-SbLI0sMig/s400/bwtuApril%2B2011%2B011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596735936867774434" border="0" /></a></div>I think the best part for me is that I'm not "afraid" to smile anymore. I still don't think my smile is my best asset or perfect in any way - but it's such an improvement from how I used to feel about it, that I grin all the time without thinking about it! It's great!Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00589341261154907179noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2921473458236391652.post-44731251122302967542010-12-03T16:33:00.010-07:002010-12-03T17:35:44.055-07:004 month anniversary and the braces are OFF!Yesterday marked 4 months ago that I had my double jaw surgery - on Aug. 2nd. So glad that's over with! I'm supposed to have about 90% of the nerves reconnected by now, and I'd say I'm probably at about 85%, so not too far behind! Today was a momentous day - I got my braces off after 1 year and 6 days of having them on. In the beginning it was estimated that they'd be on for 16 months "at the longest". Today my ortho said the reason they are coming off so quickly is because the jaw surgery went so well. Here is the great part of today - Jared had no idea they were comning off! The last thing he knew, I was scheduled to get them off on the 13th - in another week and a half! Ha ha, I'm so sneaky! :) Here are some pics I took to document today. I was taking them all myself - and I'm shocked that I aimed well enough!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><p align="center"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='325' height='270' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzJ73OG1-TRZufO_0AeDTD3AWB4NO_nIwHiLo0S--qccteBPT8xPokwxhRzBVqDvzwKpZ7Jx05cAnlc4Z54UQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><p align="center">In the car, ready to go in!<br /></p> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TPmBqrG-q5I/AAAAAAAAC6w/aByZNu9HKtc/s1600/1.jpg"><img style="width: 328px; height: 400px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546606986209962898" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TPmBqrG-q5I/AAAAAAAAC6w/aByZNu9HKtc/s400/1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />In the chair. Hurry up already!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TPmBqJhha-I/AAAAAAAAC6o/HuhGvCtFrBI/s1600/2.jpg"><img style="width: 346px; height: 400px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546606977194486754" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TPmBqJhha-I/AAAAAAAAC6o/HuhGvCtFrBI/s400/2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Sharon taking off my lowers.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TPmBpjnrYeI/AAAAAAAAC6g/Wzqs2NxL5OE/s1600/3.jpg"><img style="width: 400px; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546606967019758050" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TPmBpjnrYeI/AAAAAAAAC6g/Wzqs2NxL5OE/s400/3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Um...Ow.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TPmBofp4JgI/AAAAAAAAC6Y/NKgl2SZOTgg/s1600/4.jpg"><img style="width: 400px; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546606948775372290" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TPmBofp4JgI/AAAAAAAAC6Y/NKgl2SZOTgg/s400/4.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This was a beautiful moment!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TPmBng3Q9bI/AAAAAAAAC6Q/im71GuwPFew/s1600/5.jpg"><img style="width: 400px; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546606931920090546" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TPmBng3Q9bI/AAAAAAAAC6Q/im71GuwPFew/s400/5.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I did this a lot. "Rinse please".<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TPmI5NVSTMI/AAAAAAAAC8g/7AnNT9pqRJA/s1600/6.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TPmI5NVSTMI/AAAAAAAAC8g/7AnNT9pqRJA/s400/6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546614932496338114" border="0" /></a><br /><br />That's half the battle!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TPmI3-KJuRI/AAAAAAAAC8Y/UL3WP74XxN8/s1600/7.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TPmI3-KJuRI/AAAAAAAAC8Y/UL3WP74XxN8/s400/7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546614911243237650" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Dr. Luddington, my new best friend.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TPmI3pzF9FI/AAAAAAAAC8Q/c1FM7TRSYu0/s1600/8.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TPmI3pzF9FI/AAAAAAAAC8Q/c1FM7TRSYu0/s400/8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546614905777812562" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Off comes the top row!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TPmI3D2y5uI/AAAAAAAAC8I/ZMTSYEt02h0/s1600/9.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TPmI3D2y5uI/AAAAAAAAC8I/ZMTSYEt02h0/s400/9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546614895592793826" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Almost done...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TPmIqofezbI/AAAAAAAAC8A/R85KXPgzNtY/s1600/10.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TPmIqofezbI/AAAAAAAAC8A/R85KXPgzNtY/s400/10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546614682088820146" border="0" /></a><br /><br />2 brackets were left on - to band together and sturdy my top teeth for the retainer process.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TPmIqc2vA6I/AAAAAAAAC74/El2StdBbpJY/s1600/11.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 352px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TPmIqc2vA6I/AAAAAAAAC74/El2StdBbpJY/s400/11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546614678965126050" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Etching the back of my two front teeth for the perma-retainer.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TPmIp4tZkTI/AAAAAAAAC7w/edzioLTPICw/s1600/12.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TPmIp4tZkTI/AAAAAAAAC7w/edzioLTPICw/s400/12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546614669262295346" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Bonding it to my teeth. It's only behind my two front teeth. I will also get a removable retainer with a fake tooth to hold the spot of my missing molar until I get my implant done.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TPmIpcWjEII/AAAAAAAAC7o/EYaptdqQKyE/s1600/13.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 379px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TPmIpcWjEII/AAAAAAAAC7o/EYaptdqQKyE/s400/13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546614661650256002" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Yay! Another happy customer!<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TPmIovJB4WI/AAAAAAAAC7g/r69r46Ghj6U/s1600/14.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 338px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TPmIovJB4WI/AAAAAAAAC7g/r69r46Ghj6U/s400/14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546614649513959778" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Time to go home and surprise Jared!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TPmHtLp9_DI/AAAAAAAAC7Q/W3X1wMRNs3I/s1600/15a.jpg"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxsZgXB_7OpYsAqXkNvq30oFnCdb-jGp00f3YCzG6x8-EOPF5SkWaBJofx5jq07sj4vel99sv6jf-suqUMdJA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></a><br /><br />It took about 15 minutes of grinning at him like an idiot before I pretty much outright told him! Hee hee hee. I'm so sneaky for keeping it a secret for so long!<br />(can you tell how much Jared looooves pics?)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TPmHtVtljuI/AAAAAAAAC7Y/mIT5ul3vq-o/s1600/15.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TPmHtVtljuI/AAAAAAAAC7Y/mIT5ul3vq-o/s400/15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546613629075689186" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Just in time for Christmas! We need to take some family photo's now!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TPmHsbicWaI/AAAAAAAAC7I/fPpb7FQvyqE/s1600/16.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TPmHsbicWaI/AAAAAAAAC7I/fPpb7FQvyqE/s400/16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546613613459691938" border="0" /></a><br /><br />My BEFORE pic - from just over a year ago (left) and now (right). Can anyone see a difference?<br />So - everything still isn't perfect, or symmetrical. But at this point - when all is said and done -<br />I think I'm ok with it!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TPmHsF3J0hI/AAAAAAAAC7A/6YMGLj3FMjA/s1600/BEFORE.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 235px; height: 370px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TPmHsF3J0hI/AAAAAAAAC7A/6YMGLj3FMjA/s400/BEFORE.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546613607640977938" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TPmHr_npMMI/AAAAAAAAC64/awCjOqFtV3g/s1600/20.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 295px; height: 381px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TPmHr_npMMI/AAAAAAAAC64/awCjOqFtV3g/s400/20.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546613605965312194" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Thanks for letting this happen Jare. Love you forever!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TPmHtLp9_DI/AAAAAAAAC7Q/W3X1wMRNs3I/s1600/15a.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TPmHtLp9_DI/AAAAAAAAC7Q/W3X1wMRNs3I/s400/15a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546613626376158258" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00589341261154907179noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2921473458236391652.post-60598719293725303002010-11-02T22:44:00.005-06:002010-11-02T23:05:04.375-06:003 Months!<div style="text-align: center;">Three months! There has definitely been progress. First and foremost - I can feel most of my tongue again! Just a little bit of numbness/tingling in the front right section - but I can feel it when I bite it - and yes, I'm still biting my tongue when I eat. It's just been "trained" to be over to the right for too long, so I'm trying to retrain it by eating a lot. Which brings me to weight - I've gained back approximately 5 lbs. of the 11 that I lost. I'm good with that. :) I can feel about 1/2 of my bottom lip, the left half is still mostly numb, so that hasn't changed much. My chin is still mostly numb, but I'm starting to feel a bit on the right side. Brushing my teeth, or putting ANY pressure on my teeth still feels like nails on a chalkboard. Hate it, but it's a necessity. I'm hoping that once I'm completely healed (in about 3-5 more months) that the sensation will go away. All in all - I'm fairly happy with the results. My smile will never be perfect (according to me) and my jaw will never be totally straight. My face will never be perfectly symmetrical, but lets face it - I ruled out modeling when I was 12. My husband loves me, loves the way I look, and can't wait for me to get my braces off in 45 more days! December 17th is the big day! Here are some pictures taken today to mark the 3 month post-op mark.<br /><br />That's not a gang sign - it's 3 in sign language. That's how I roll.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TNDqvmE6FZI/AAAAAAAAC0A/tnli8faBRTg/s1600/Three+months+post+op+021.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 222px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TNDqvmE6FZI/AAAAAAAAC0A/tnli8faBRTg/s400/Three+months+post+op+021.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535182045434221970" border="0" /></a><br />Right profile.<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TNDqvUwN2kI/AAAAAAAACz4/2A0LYleRxlQ/s1600/Three+months+post+op+013.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TNDqvUwN2kI/AAAAAAAACz4/2A0LYleRxlQ/s400/Three+months+post+op+013.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535182040784034370" border="0" /></a><br />Left profile.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TNDqu1UxRVI/AAAAAAAACzw/5lVdbdZnESA/s1600/Three+months+post+op+012.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 196px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TNDqu1UxRVI/AAAAAAAACzw/5lVdbdZnESA/s400/Three+months+post+op+012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535182032347415890" border="0" /></a><br />Angled left side.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TNDqu9_zqPI/AAAAAAAACzo/bCEi01x-paM/s1600/Three+months+post+op+008.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 289px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TNDqu9_zqPI/AAAAAAAACzo/bCEi01x-paM/s400/Three+months+post+op+008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535182034675411186" border="0" /></a><br />Angled right side.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TNDqublEb6I/AAAAAAAACzg/VxB8E8IcN2E/s1600/Three+months+post+op+011.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 244px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TNDqublEb6I/AAAAAAAACzg/VxB8E8IcN2E/s400/Three+months+post+op+011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535182025436458914" border="0" /></a><br /><br />These next 3 pics are to show how quickly things change! Less then a year ago, the first pic of my teeth was taken, showing the crossbite and crooked teeth (which I thought were pretty straight at the time...HA!).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TNDpCy_Q7JI/AAAAAAAACzY/5mqvqsHF3IM/s1600/untouched+frontal+bite.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 353px; height: 215px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TNDpCy_Q7JI/AAAAAAAACzY/5mqvqsHF3IM/s400/untouched+frontal+bite.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535180176294472850" border="0" /></a><br />This next pic is just before my surgery, 3 months ago. My teeth were mostly straight, but I couldn't close my bite because of how "off" my jaw was.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TNDpCRmUIsI/AAAAAAAACzQ/xBibFPWwy8Q/s1600/Braces+004.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 216px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TNDpCRmUIsI/AAAAAAAACzQ/xBibFPWwy8Q/s400/Braces+004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535180167331455682" border="0" /></a><br />The last was taken today at the ortho's office. After they take off my rubber bands and wires for adjustments, I always ask if I can brush my teeth. My ortho always laughs and says I'm the only one who asks that, but it's so NICE to brush my teeth with only brackets on my teeth so I shot this pic when my bands and wires were off. My ortho said he was "extremely pleased" with how everything looks and that I just need to continue to wear my rubber bands exactly as I am.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TNDpCHPJSmI/AAAAAAAACzI/wrKKQFSISdM/s1600/Halloween+2010+004.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 185px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TNDpCHPJSmI/AAAAAAAACzI/wrKKQFSISdM/s400/Halloween+2010+004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535180164549921378" border="0" /></a><br />That's it! The next pics will probably be my "after" shots with braces OFF! Hooray!<br /></div>Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00589341261154907179noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2921473458236391652.post-67520874672790207252010-10-04T20:15:00.019-06:002010-10-08T08:30:35.819-06:002 Months!Ok, so these are probably my last pics til my braces come off - hopefully in the next couple of months. It's been 2 months since I had surgery. I'm still not ecstatic with how I look right now - but honestly - the changes from now until my 18 month mark will be so gradual, I probably won't notice unless I do comparision - before and afters. I just try not to think about the uneveness of my face. The "cant" to my teeth and my less then perfect jaw. It's still better then it was - so really, what more can I ask for? I still have an open bite on the left side, and I only have a few teeth touching on the right - but that's all orthodontics from this point. I have an appt. 1 week from today to get more rubber bands - hopefully closing that open bite. I would say about 1/3 of my tongue is still numb, 1/2 of my bottom lip and my whole chin. Overall, not bad at only the 2 month mark. Here are the "official" 2 month pics. I have a sinus infection so I look a little dreary. <div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><div align="center">I don't think I'll ever get rid of the "nose wrinkle" or my lopsided smile - but I can learn to live with it! :) My eyes in my "after pic" look psychotic. I thought it was a good idea when I was playing with photoshop...</div><div align="center">BEFORE Sept. 2009 / AFTER - Sept. 2010</div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TKqTcZKzqRI/AAAAAAAACw8/559-IK7Jdqo/s1600/crossbite3.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 287px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524390008925169938" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TKqTcZKzqRI/AAAAAAAACw8/559-IK7Jdqo/s400/crossbite3.jpg" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TKqLGxhpHkI/AAAAAAAACwM/1sgxbhPT8YU/s1600/1.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 250px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524380841413254722" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TKqLGxhpHkI/AAAAAAAACwM/1sgxbhPT8YU/s400/1.jpg" /></a><br />I may not have a totally straight jaw, but it's so much better then it was!</div><br /><div align="center">Note the before (left) and after (right) pics!</div><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TKqMll2EwBI/AAAAAAAACwc/tAGnybCaFfo/s1600/fullfront.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 222px; HEIGHT: 354px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524382470365298706" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TKqMll2EwBI/AAAAAAAACwc/tAGnybCaFfo/s400/fullfront.jpg" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TKqLGhEliDI/AAAAAAAACwE/3KYDLtLkE0s/s1600/3.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 228px; HEIGHT: 351px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524380836996417586" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TKqLGhEliDI/AAAAAAAACwE/3KYDLtLkE0s/s400/3.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TKqMYyAxDmI/AAAAAAAACwU/N_5UjAp2Ia8/s1600/fullfront.jpg"></a><br /></div><div align="center">Right profile pic. Before and After</div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TKqM_Tycz0I/AAAAAAAACwk/DdAZ8bqZ1yA/s1600/right+side+profile.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 250px; HEIGHT: 372px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524382912194858818" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TKqM_Tycz0I/AAAAAAAACwk/DdAZ8bqZ1yA/s400/right+side+profile.jpg" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TKqKsRUmA2I/AAAAAAAACv8/-XlJ-lerBpc/s1600/4.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 253px; HEIGHT: 370px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524380386091991906" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TKqKsRUmA2I/AAAAAAAACv8/-XlJ-lerBpc/s400/4.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><div align="center">Left profile, before and after.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TKqM_oY5ylI/AAAAAAAACws/UR0MRRKXYeA/s1600/left+profile.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 222px; HEIGHT: 343px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524382917724850770" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TKqM_oY5ylI/AAAAAAAACws/UR0MRRKXYeA/s400/left+profile.jpg" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TKqKsIj4Z3I/AAAAAAAACv0/chLrgH8xIdk/s1600/5.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 237px; HEIGHT: 339px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524380383740192626" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TKqKsIj4Z3I/AAAAAAAACv0/chLrgH8xIdk/s400/5.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Straight teeth! No crossbite! Midlines matching! Before/After<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TKqNmzjlXxI/AAAAAAAACw0/dzJW31SF3GQ/s1600/smallfrontal+bite.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 236px; HEIGHT: 144px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524383590737338130" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TKqNmzjlXxI/AAAAAAAACw0/dzJW31SF3GQ/s400/smallfrontal+bite.jpg" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TKqKrhfYvQI/AAAAAAAACvs/Ss_fEE4b1tM/s1600/7.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 292px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524380373252357378" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TKqKrhfYvQI/AAAAAAAACvs/Ss_fEE4b1tM/s400/7.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Different angles. Excuse the messy hair: Sick = laying down!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TKqKrnQNtgI/AAAAAAAACvk/DDhNyUFPuNw/s1600/6.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 254px; HEIGHT: 334px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524380374799332866" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TKqKrnQNtgI/AAAAAAAACvk/DDhNyUFPuNw/s400/6.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TKqKrMJRljI/AAAAAAAACvc/w0-c4hPR_I0/s1600/8.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 278px; HEIGHT: 337px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524380367522469426" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TKqKrMJRljI/AAAAAAAACvc/w0-c4hPR_I0/s400/8.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div align="center">So...because my teeth are still numb, it feels weird to brush them. Like, nails on a chalkboard weird. Like any pressure feels like I'll knock out a tooth, or I'll hit a newly reconnected nerve and a white hot pain shoots through the nerve. Brushing my teeth is not a pleasant experience. I'm sooo grateful for my Waterpik. It's bearable. I'm also tired of chewing on my lip. I have a HUGE canker there because I simply cannot feel when I bite it as I chew. Going on our cruise to the Bahama's last week didn't help. I ate constantly and the canker grew and grew! I'm really looking forward to the numbness COMPLETELY dissapating. It's supposed to be 90% gone in the next 2 months. Can't wait! </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Ok, want to know the REAL reason that I want all the feeling back?</div><div align="center">So I can KISS MY HUSBAND AGAIN! </div><div align="center">(I mean ReEEAallly kiss him!) :)</div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TKqU_aMPjGI/AAAAAAAACxM/awgL2Mlk4YY/s1600/P9290124+(2)b.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 298px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524391710006676578" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TKqU_aMPjGI/AAAAAAAACxM/awgL2Mlk4YY/s400/P9290124+(2)b.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center">These pics are from our cruise last week. The Bahama's were AMAZING! I mean, come on - it's the Bahama's! We kayak'd through the Mangrove trees, then went on a Segway tour, we went to the beach, shopped, saw beautiful sunsets...it was incredible!</div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TKqU_qeb19I/AAAAAAAACxU/xPTtlgWh21Y/s1600/1.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 301px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524391714377947090" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TKqU_qeb19I/AAAAAAAACxU/xPTtlgWh21Y/s400/1.jpg" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TKqU_56xjMI/AAAAAAAACxc/kX4dvJJhBQc/s1600/28.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 294px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524391718523342018" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TKqU_56xjMI/AAAAAAAACxc/kX4dvJJhBQc/s400/28.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">At dinner - I was really excited to eat! :) We scheduled this cruise partially to celebrate EATING again! This is my "bad side". My smile is crazy!</div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TKqU_PbPoxI/AAAAAAAACxE/mmh7QowfvhU/s1600/33.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 284px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524391707116806930" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TKqU_PbPoxI/AAAAAAAACxE/mmh7QowfvhU/s400/33.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">That's all! </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00589341261154907179noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2921473458236391652.post-64059565164510388832010-09-25T00:06:00.003-06:002010-09-25T00:16:08.125-06:008 weeks<div style="text-align: center;">So, at my appt. Thursday he said everything looks good. I said that my jaw looked "heavier/bulkier" still on my right side, but that I didn't think it was swelling. He told me it was normal, because of the rotation. The heavier part of my jaw on that side was brought forward. He said that things will continue to settle for the next YEAR AND A HALF! At that point, if I still think it looks too uneven, I can get "fillers" put in the left side to even it out. My fingers are crossed that it "settles" as evenly as possible, but I hope I can deal with pictures and life in general with this asymmetry for the next (at least) 18 months. At least I'll be able to chew, eventually! When I get back from my cruise, my ortho will be rubber-banding the left side of my mouth to close my open bite, but he's optimistic that I'll have them off by Thanksgiving! Yesss! Bring on the rubber bands. I did it for 6 weeks already - I can handle 6 more!<br /><br />Updated pics. You can see the crookedness (thickness of each side of my jaw) in these pics. Hoping, praying it evens out. Guess what I discovered? Everything looks better in black and white!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TJ2Sn0p4LpI/AAAAAAAACvU/u5vGZY9oyDA/s1600/tualmost+8+weeks+022black+and+white.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 230px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TJ2Sn0p4LpI/AAAAAAAACvU/u5vGZY9oyDA/s400/tualmost+8+weeks+022black+and+white.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520729931072941714" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Uneven jaw. Oh well.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TJ2SmbEnnkI/AAAAAAAACvM/FKfFYvbyaFM/s1600/black+and+white.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 201px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TJ2SmbEnnkI/AAAAAAAACvM/FKfFYvbyaFM/s400/black+and+white.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520729907025911362" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is how far I can open my mouth right now. I can successfully eat (bite into) a McDonald's cheeseburger if it doesn't have the pickles on it. Progress! Still have a long way to go, but doing my physical therapy every day is helping!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TJ2SmAW-PKI/AAAAAAAACvE/5brgVyizDRE/s1600/black+and+whitealmost+8+weeks+030.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 287px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TJ2SmAW-PKI/AAAAAAAACvE/5brgVyizDRE/s400/black+and+whitealmost+8+weeks+030.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520729899855133858" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Overall - I'm glad I did the surgery to have a straight midline and be able to chew/eat better. I'm h0ping everything else (that I'm not thrilled with) will work itself out over time. My jaw still aches after eating or talking/singing/laughing a lot - but I'm not taking pain meds on a regular basis or anything. Usually stopping talking for a while works.<br /><br />Speaking of which - I'm off to bed!<br /></div>Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00589341261154907179noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2921473458236391652.post-37496914366708955882010-09-14T22:56:00.003-06:002010-09-14T23:07:12.240-06:006 weeks post op - the cheeseburger.<div align="center">6 weeks. I made it. I am allowed to eat whatever I want. The problem is, I still can't. Well, not easily. I can nibble at just about anything (I had a cheeto) but it's very slow going. I can't imagine eating something like a carrot or steak - and couldn't even make it through my steamed green beans tonight. I no longer have to wear rubber bands related to my surgery - although I will begin a new rubber band regiment according to my ortho. How exciting.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">This is today. Still crooked. I supposed there is still some swelling in my right cheek - although now I wish my left cheek looked the same, to fill it out evenly..and permanently. I know that won't happen - but I don't know what 6 more months will do to everything either. Time will tell.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TJBSTwwIHpI/AAAAAAAACu8/7TCCEF0p4sM/s1600/6+weeks+post+op+003.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 296px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517000042986610322" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TJBSTwwIHpI/AAAAAAAACu8/7TCCEF0p4sM/s400/6+weeks+post+op+003.JPG" /></a><br />Showing my teeth. Still hoping to have the braces off around Christmas.</div><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TJBSTm6-ZwI/AAAAAAAACu0/8zbInVscmEc/s1600/6+weeks+post+op+007.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 275px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517000040347756290" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TJBSTm6-ZwI/AAAAAAAACu0/8zbInVscmEc/s400/6+weeks+post+op+007.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Right profile.</div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TJBSSkEtNlI/AAAAAAAACus/y19BKG4M1hg/s1600/6+weeks+post+op+019.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 254px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517000022403397202" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TJBSSkEtNlI/AAAAAAAACus/y19BKG4M1hg/s400/6+weeks+post+op+019.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Left profile.<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TJBSSCWW59I/AAAAAAAACuk/oUfEx0vvZeQ/s1600/6+weeks+post+op+016.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 182px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517000013350627282" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TJBSSCWW59I/AAAAAAAACuk/oUfEx0vvZeQ/s400/6+weeks+post+op+016.JPG" /></a><br /><br />I was determined to eat a cheeseburger today...but that initially posted some problems...such as my mouth not opening wide enough.</div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TJBSGKIJRfI/AAAAAAAACuc/1d0ApD01x4Y/s1600/6+weeks+post+op+030.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 258px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516999809280067058" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TJBSGKIJRfI/AAAAAAAACuc/1d0ApD01x4Y/s400/6+weeks+post+op+030.JPG" /></a> </div><div align="center"><br />So, I cut it in half (gave that to Jared) and cut the rest into about 16 pieces which I ate just fine. It was very yummy. I am happy to not have to worry about what I can eat anymore.</div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TJBSFuxkM8I/AAAAAAAACuU/MkUkgUAPl3M/s1600/6+weeks+post+op+046.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 348px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516999801937605570" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TJBSFuxkM8I/AAAAAAAACuU/MkUkgUAPl3M/s400/6+weeks+post+op+046.JPG" /></a> </div><div align="center">Tonight I went to the Mikado with some friends and couldn't eat most of what was on my plate. I brought some sushi home for Jared and decided that's what I should have ordered! It was soft, easy to eat and yummy! </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">I'll update some before/after pictures when there is more of a difference. Until then...keep smiling!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00589341261154907179noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2921473458236391652.post-24605159703309289742010-09-07T16:58:00.002-06:002010-09-07T21:05:17.703-06:00I only have to wear rubber bands at night!<div align="center"> </div><div align="center">The title says it all....hallelujah!<br /><br />Here are the official 5 week post-op pics. First - I just have to put in a shameless plug for the new headband from our product line. I stuck one of our brooches in the middle. Isn't it stinking cute? I look terrible with headbands typically - but this one is alright!<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TIb78bfjW9I/AAAAAAAACtk/PLm4xUSHgKM/s1600/bands+at+night+only!+5+weeks+in+007.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 389px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514371809352571858" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TIb78bfjW9I/AAAAAAAACtk/PLm4xUSHgKM/s400/bands+at+night+only!+5+weeks+in+007.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div align="center">Right profile. Almost no swelling! </div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TIb78DxHCVI/AAAAAAAACtc/O4fmhduXHpo/s1600/bands+at+night+only!+5+weeks+in+016.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 376px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514371802983762258" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TIb78DxHCVI/AAAAAAAACtc/O4fmhduXHpo/s400/bands+at+night+only!+5+weeks+in+016.JPG" /></a> </div><div align="center"><br />Left profile. My nostril still pulls up too much but I guess I'll get used to it!</div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TIb773QIhaI/AAAAAAAACtU/yFKL3JvMUuo/s1600/bands+at+night+only!+5+weeks+in+015.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 311px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514371799624222114" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TIb773QIhaI/AAAAAAAACtU/yFKL3JvMUuo/s400/bands+at+night+only!+5+weeks+in+015.JPG" /></a> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">This lovely picture shows how far I can open my mouth now. Looks are deceiving though - because although I can open the front of my teeth that far, between my back molars barely fits my thumb. I'm supposed to start doing "scissor" exercises today to continue widening my jaw. They hurt. I have almost zero side-to-side mobility as well, which makes chewing tricky. Practice makes perfect though - so I'm off to eat a piece of cake! :)<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TIb77rkGWWI/AAAAAAAACtM/hw87vdZpG_g/s1600/bands+at+night+only!+5+weeks+in+019.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 369px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514371796486740322" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TIb77rkGWWI/AAAAAAAACtM/hw87vdZpG_g/s400/bands+at+night+only!+5+weeks+in+019.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00589341261154907179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2921473458236391652.post-59091589508356580212010-09-05T13:10:00.007-06:002010-09-05T13:49:27.373-06:00LortabSo, can anyone tell me the difference between Lortab suspension (liquid) and Lortab tablets? I took the suspension the first week of post-op and did just fine on it. Then, after getting my splint off and being in a tremendous amount of pain, Dr. Egbert prescribed it again last week. I took 1 pill, and was sick (nauseated, throwing up and dizzy) for the next 8 hours. So...there has to be a difference, and I'm just wondering what it is? Since that experience, I've found a cocktail that works for me...namely 800 mgs of Ibuprofin, with a 1000 mg. Tylenol chaser 3-4 hours later. Combine that with heat packs and complete relaxation and I can manage. My mom and sis came in to town for THREE weddings this weekend and I wanted my house to look pretty. (The reason I'm dressed up and they aren't is because I was headed out the door to church, and they were headed out the door to road trip back to CO this morning).<br /><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TIPsn-VB9kI/AAAAAAAACsk/6dRtINE1-N8/s1600/5+weeks+004.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 370px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513510540321879618" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TIPsn-VB9kI/AAAAAAAACsk/6dRtINE1-N8/s400/5+weeks+004.JPG" /></a></p><p align="center">I started a big project and it about killed me to finish it, but I did! I painted some accent walls in my bedroom and bathroom and did some redecorating. My office is red/black/white - power colors for getting good work done. My bedroom is the opposite - soothing beach tones for relaxing. Although I alternated between my project and lying prostrate on my bed in a pain-induced stupor - I got it done. It helped to focus on something (the project) other then the pain for as long as I could stand it - so at least the pain made me productive!</p><p align="center">Some pictures (click to enlarge)</p><p align="center">I love the combo of our cherry furniture with antique creams and vintage sea-blue's. In the second pic -the flash wouldn't go off due to the sun coming in the window. Oh well.</p><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TIPv1P2yRCI/AAAAAAAACtE/BM0KyhkYl3o/s1600/Decorating+018.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513514066900042786" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TIPv1P2yRCI/AAAAAAAACtE/BM0KyhkYl3o/s200/Decorating+018.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TIPv05VGTLI/AAAAAAAACs8/8HOqruE0kY0/s1600/Decorating+026.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513514060853169330" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TIPv05VGTLI/AAAAAAAACs8/8HOqruE0kY0/s200/Decorating+026.JPG" /></a><br /><br />The pic on the left is a much truer color then on the right. It is a blue-green color, not straight blue. The vinyl says "We will have these moments to remember" and then I put pics of our family in the frames from fond moments throughout the last 8 years. It's the first thing I look at when I wake up in the morning, and it's a great way to start my day.</div><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TIPv0lirArI/AAAAAAAACs0/x0MsHyyTV-A/s1600/Decorating+021.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 150px; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513514055541392050" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TIPv0lirArI/AAAAAAAACs0/x0MsHyyTV-A/s200/Decorating+021.JPG" /></a> <img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513514050353859986" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TIPv0SN3jZI/AAAAAAAACss/Q08jn5jPgoo/s200/Decorating+020.JPG" /><br /><br />So - on to face pics. It's been almost 5 weeks now (Tues) and I'm still taking off my rubber bands for 8 hours a day. My schedule is roughly taking them off from 9-11am, 1-3pm, 5-7pm, 9-11pm. That is perfect for all 3 meals plus ice cream at night. My meals have been upgraded. For breakfast I still have cream of wheat usually, but I did eat some Life cereal (thoroughly soggy) the other day. For lunch it's usually Pei Wei noodles (or Noodles & Co.) and dinner is usually an omelet. Last night I broke down and ate refried beans for the first time in a week. It's such a great protein boost!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Swelling is still lingering slightly but is noticeably worse in the morning when I wake up.<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TIPrkBmKaBI/AAAAAAAACsc/lfjUdroLBgU/s1600/5+weeks+025.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 252px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513509372967938066" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TIPrkBmKaBI/AAAAAAAACsc/lfjUdroLBgU/s400/5+weeks+025.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div align="center">Showing my rubber bands...they make me look like a vampire.</div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TIPrj_MDDsI/AAAAAAAACsU/2PtJ2u1GzpA/s1600/5+weeks+014.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 256px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513509372321533634" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TIPrj_MDDsI/AAAAAAAACsU/2PtJ2u1GzpA/s400/5+weeks+014.JPG" /></a><br />Left profile. I hate that you can see all the way up my nostril. I think I'll check into botox to just relax that muscle a little. It pulls up so much more then the other side that it continues to make my smile extremely lopsided unless I am very cognisant of how I'm smiling. Annoying.</div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TIPrjTcHkkI/AAAAAAAACsM/v37OB3RQTOo/s1600/5+weeks+023.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 332px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513509360577778242" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TIPrjTcHkkI/AAAAAAAACsM/v37OB3RQTOo/s400/5+weeks+023.JPG" /></a><br />Left profile. The swelling under my chin is getting less, and my cheek is only slightly puffy. </div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TIPrjPivZKI/AAAAAAAACsE/IQK84L2wsjU/s1600/5+weeks+019.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 295px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513509359531812002" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TIPrjPivZKI/AAAAAAAACsE/IQK84L2wsjU/s400/5+weeks+019.JPG" /></a> </div><div align="center">All in all - I'm getting there. Chewing continues to be slow going. The right half of my tongue is still numb, so I'm still crunching on it at every meal. I end up swallowing most of my food whole - but at least it's filling! I'm worried now about our cruise in 3 weeks. I'm thinking I won't gain back the weight I lost (which is fine) but I'm still hoping to be able to sample all the cuisine available - even if it takes me a while to actually consume it.</div><div align="center">Speaking "normally" takes effort. There is still a slight whistle on certain words due to the open bite, and I now have to form words differently due to my tongue filling in the roof of my mouth different (since my upper pallet is now so much bigger then it used to be). Combine that with numbness and I think I look pretty funny (and sound funny) when I speak. I'm forever learning patience with myself. </div><div align="center">I'm hoping on Tuesday that I'll be told I only need to wear the rubber bands for a short period of time each afternoon, and then all night. That will be fantastic and I can answer the phone again! Until then...<br /></div>Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00589341261154907179noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2921473458236391652.post-43661985636015214172010-08-31T20:24:00.003-06:002010-08-31T20:41:17.503-06:00Double post<span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">I'm doing a double post today because my day just went downhill after getting the splint out this morning. So - as it turns out - I miss my splint. Yes, you heard me right. Since taking it off and merely rubber banding my braces - I've realized that it REALLY HURTS to have rubber bands pulling your teeth together when they don't quite line up. When there is an "open bite" or a little bit of space between your upper and lower teeth, but rubber bands are pulling for all they are worth to get them to meet - it hurts. A lot. So, I figure, no prob, I'll pop some Ibuprofin and deal.<br /><br />Then I had my ortho appt. at 2. Oh the humanity. So, the first thing he does is snaps off a bracket on my very last molar on my right side so he can reposition it better. Ouch. Then when he goes to reposition it, he finds I can't open my mouth very far to get all those instruments in and says "I guess I should have seen how far you could open your mouth first." Um yeah. So, he proceeds to get his assistant, and between the 2 of them, they PRY MY MOUTH OPEN far enough to get the instrument in that holds it open and has the little suction attached to it. So now, not only did it initially hurt to get the "mouth jack" in there - but now it had to STAY in there for the remainder of my treatment today. My jaw could barely handle it. It was starting to spasm with the effort. Since the bracket needed to be cemented to a crown, there is a bunch of prep work that has to be done, like double-etching the crown (wait for each of the etching to dry), then prime (wait to dry) then glue the bracket on. Then between the both of them, they maneuverd the "mouth jack" out of my extremely sore mouth. Ow, ow, ow! Also, I told him that I thought my crown was loose, and he proceeded to push and pull on it and said "I think it's ok" except for now it feels MORE LOOSE! Anyway, after putting in a new wire on the bottom with the new position of the bracket, and a new, thicker wire on the top with new rubber bands I was all set to go. Almost. He informs me that at my next visit in 2 weeks (when I will be "done" with Dr. Egberts instructions and can be turned completely over to my ortho) he will put brackets with hooks on the INSIDE of my bottom molars and then rubber band the inside of those molars to the outside of my upper molars in order to move my lower molars out a little. I asked if Egbert opened my top jaw too far and he emphatically said no, that my bottom molars simply needed to be moved a bit further out, and thinks he can accomplish that in "about a month". I didn't dare ask when he thought I'd get my braces off. I'm sticking with what he said last time about it being the end of the year. I said I was going on a cruise at the end of Sept, and worried about the funky rubber band's during that time, and he said for 5 days I can just leave them off. Phew! I hope the bracketts on the inside of my mouth don't bug too bad!<br /><br />Anyway, for most of the afternoon I've been in pain, in bed, with heating packs. Finally, I just put my splint back in and rubber banded my teeth closed around it. It felt better to have a buffer between my upper and lower teeth, so the bands weren't pulling fruitlessly, with no relief.<br /><br />On an UPSIDE though - I ate out, by myself, for the first time. I went to Pei Wei and had their lowmein, sans veggies with a few shredded up pieces of soft chicken. It was DIVINE. That experience almost trumps the negatives of today. Today was a humble reminder that I am nowhere near finished with this process and will be ever more grateful when it's alllll over. Thanks to everyone for offers of ice cream and support! You're the best!</span>Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00589341261154907179noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2921473458236391652.post-68742229582234149512010-08-30T14:10:00.010-06:002010-08-31T11:45:52.991-06:00Goodbye Splint. I will not miss you.<div><div><div><div><div><div align="center">Went in for my 4 week post - op and he took the splint off!</div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">Now you see it...<br />(Arg! Take it off - OFF I SAY!!!)<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/THwQnp_4kOI/AAAAAAAACrM/ykrErhQJ-2E/s1600/now+you+see+it.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 196px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511298317469389026" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/THwQnp_4kOI/AAAAAAAACrM/ykrErhQJ-2E/s200/now+you+see+it.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Now you don't! :)<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TH05s5UW9kI/AAAAAAAACrU/iuSwNLmJiO0/s1600/No+more+splint+025.JPG"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TH08AXNjotI/AAAAAAAACrs/z08Jbvqbv6k/s1600/croppedNo+more+splint+025.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 184px; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511627495899898578" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TH08AXNjotI/AAAAAAAACrs/z08Jbvqbv6k/s200/croppedNo+more+splint+025.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div align="center">There is still some sort of funky tilt going on with my bottom teeth and my lips are crooked - hopefully due to lingering numbness. I'm hoping that at the 6-8 month mark it will all resolve itself, but if not - at least my top teeth go over my bottom teeth and my midlines match up!</div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TH05tIThNWI/AAAAAAAACrc/Kx_OrcsssrY/s1600/No+more+splint+007.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 138px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511624966457603426" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TH05tIThNWI/AAAAAAAACrc/Kx_OrcsssrY/s200/No+more+splint+007.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div align="center">This is the splint. For you future jaw surgery patients - BUY A WATER PIK. My splint was the cleanest one he'd ever seen. SO WORTH IT!</div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TH05tVVp4OI/AAAAAAAACrk/v8zijFeA5WA/s1600/No+more+splint+027.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 162px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511624969956221154" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TH05tVVp4OI/AAAAAAAACrk/v8zijFeA5WA/s200/No+more+splint+027.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">So - I am still struggling with the result so far. I have more metal in my mouth then I did pre-surgery due to the little wires wrapped around my brackets to hold the rubber bands on. My teeth look suddently smaller without the splint (not that I want it back on!) My jaw still seems to have a "cant" to it, which I hope will resolve in time. My face is still lopsided. I have an "open bite" on my left side (which means my molars don't touch) but it's slight and should be fixed fairly easily by my Ortho - who I see at 2pm today. However - I'm still only 4 weeks out from surgery and there could be many more changes to come. If nothing else good comes (cosmetically) at the very least I will be able to chew my food propery and smile knowing that my teeth are straight and my midlines match up. I know that there are many who would LOVE to have jaw surgery to correct their bite, regardless of the cosmetic outcome, so I will say this: Thank you to Jared who put my jaw surgery as our first priority (financially) when we sold our house last September. Thanks for understanding how important this was to me. And my fingers are crossed that I'll get full feeling back in my bottom lip so I can really KISS you again! :) Love you babe.</div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TH09Veka0XI/AAAAAAAACr0/MmD5gP5Q3nk/s1600/No+more+splint+014.JPG"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TH0-SvwbZCI/AAAAAAAACr8/N2xObqKPdJI/s1600/No+more+splint+014.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 321px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511630010749510690" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TH0-SvwbZCI/AAAAAAAACr8/N2xObqKPdJI/s400/No+more+splint+014.JPG" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div>Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00589341261154907179noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2921473458236391652.post-68122888845065379332010-08-27T22:33:00.004-06:002010-08-27T22:38:09.001-06:00Bad side?<div align="center"> Ok, just took this pic tonight. The swelling has gone done significantly, due to the fact that I figured out what was keeping the knot around. I am missing a pre-molar. I will have to get an implant put in there after this is all said and done. Because I have a hole there, every time I eat, drink, talk, breathe - it is sucking the scar tissue into that whole, thus creating a knot. I figure that out a few days ago and have been putting wax there ever since. In just 3 days time, the swelling that had made me soooo lopsided is abating. I did a post a couple days ago about my "bad" side. In this picture of my "bad" side, for the first time ever...my cheek is proportionate on the other side of my face. </div><div align="center">Thank you, Dr. Egbert and goodbye bad side (?). </div><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/THiSM7ctwcI/AAAAAAAACq8/7SvLAbe8xTQ/s1600/tuGetting+better+020.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 330px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510314894902018498" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/THiSM7ctwcI/AAAAAAAACq8/7SvLAbe8xTQ/s400/tuGetting+better+020.jpg" /></a></p>Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00589341261154907179noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2921473458236391652.post-89322455085665710032010-08-27T14:07:00.005-06:002010-08-27T14:10:06.727-06:00Little Doc Simon<div align="center">Alexander was very concerned during week 2 when I was laying down alot with hot packs (rice socks are the best) on my face and neck. He constantly wanted to "doctor" me to help me feel better. This is one such instance.</div><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/THgbW7iQmoI/AAAAAAAACq0/WsH4zzxM_w0/s1600/M.Bellish%27d+August+010.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 327px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510184224840260226" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/THgbW7iQmoI/AAAAAAAACq0/WsH4zzxM_w0/s400/M.Bellish%27d+August+010.JPG" /></a></p><p align="center">Thanks again to all my friends and family who have helped so much!</p>Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00589341261154907179noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2921473458236391652.post-83470467065332637652010-08-24T19:56:00.010-06:002010-08-24T21:27:29.362-06:00My "Bad" side<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">No, I don't mean the little devil who sits on my shoulder occasionally, or even an evil twin. When I took the "date" pic with my hubby last week, I got into position on his right side. I'm ALWAYS on his right side for pictures, because that's my "good" side. That's the side I've learned to disguise my bite. He looked at me and said "now you don't have a 'bad' side". Oh how I wish that were the case! Now, it is true that in the next 6-8 months as my face settles into it's final shape, things could change - and it's also true that my swollen cheeks show up much more on my "bad" side - but I think I will forever stay on Jared's right side in pics. Here are some examples from the past. I had to search high and low for the "bad side" pictures because it is so rare that I am "caught" on that side! The difference with my "bad" side is that my face looks concave. My chin is reeeeally pointy and there is kind of an empty gap where my teeth are supposed to be, but my pallet is too narrow for them to be seen on that side.<br /><br />Good side.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/THSH-tG6SFI/AAAAAAAACqk/1jazMXhox48/s1600/me+and+Jared.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 288px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/THSH-tG6SFI/AAAAAAAACqk/1jazMXhox48/s320/me+and+Jared.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509177755511179346" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Bad side.<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/THSH-Vu1h-I/AAAAAAAACqc/X8HI_fLRsvQ/s1600/mothers+day2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/THSH-Vu1h-I/AAAAAAAACqc/X8HI_fLRsvQ/s320/mothers+day2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509177749236189154" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Bad side.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/THSH-JLwRcI/AAAAAAAACqU/yo6f7f9Bmdk/s1600/5b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/THSH-JLwRcI/AAAAAAAACqU/yo6f7f9Bmdk/s320/5b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509177745867818434" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Good side.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/THSH987uBZI/AAAAAAAACqM/K4Vp8JWyYVI/s1600/sftuFamily1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/THSH987uBZI/AAAAAAAACqM/K4Vp8JWyYVI/s320/sftuFamily1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509177742579336594" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Good side.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/THSH9iU2k3I/AAAAAAAACqE/Oh15lp6Oj1I/s1600/favorite1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 236px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/THSH9iU2k3I/AAAAAAAACqE/Oh15lp6Oj1I/s320/favorite1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509177735436997490" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Good side. Notice a pattern here. Always on Jared's right!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/THSHlYZHFmI/AAAAAAAACp8/5fsbSwTfY8I/s1600/abest.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 255px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/THSHlYZHFmI/AAAAAAAACp8/5fsbSwTfY8I/s320/abest.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509177320453641826" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Bad side.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/THSHlOH2fRI/AAAAAAAACp0/pAMYZn1ARA8/s1600/on+the+train.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/THSHlOH2fRI/AAAAAAAACp0/pAMYZn1ARA8/s320/on+the+train.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509177317696896274" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is straight on (which almost NEVER happens) and you can clearly see my crossbite.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/THSHk97sJeI/AAAAAAAACps/kynuIc-Omnk/s1600/crooked.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 319px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/THSHk97sJeI/AAAAAAAACps/kynuIc-Omnk/s320/crooked.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509177313350919650" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Bad side.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/THSHkoR6KQI/AAAAAAAACpk/C-ViI50RulY/s1600/at+the+pool2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/THSHkoR6KQI/AAAAAAAACpk/C-ViI50RulY/s320/at+the+pool2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509177307538532610" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Good side. Oh, to be young again!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/THSHkf-5P4I/AAAAAAAACpc/b-HyY9Yr2jE/s1600/AAAJ%26T2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/THSHkf-5P4I/AAAAAAAACpc/b-HyY9Yr2jE/s320/AAAJ%26T2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509177305311297410" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Bad side.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/THSNXb_tJ1I/AAAAAAAACqs/fS61RUTxdfM/s1600/BS1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 297px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/THSNXb_tJ1I/AAAAAAAACqs/fS61RUTxdfM/s320/BS1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509183677972424530" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I think I may forever have to live with a bad side/good side to my face, but at least I've practiced my whole life on how to have a good side!<br /><br />Moving on....<br />This is what I eat every day for protein. It has the consistency of snot. It is delicious! THANK YOU to my friend Chandie for bringing soft taco's for dinner one night. I looked at all the food and decided that I could eat the refried beans - but they were still a little chuncky. So, I purree'd them and melted cheese into it and stirred a little sour cream around...and they were AMAZING! Easy to eat and delicious! I asked her how she made them and she told me the secret was Rotel's diced tomatoes (original spicy) which gave the flavor. So I promptly went out and bought a TON of refried beans and Rotels. And now I eat it. Three times a day.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/THR5KQU8wXI/AAAAAAAACpE/qaaVjMy87yI/s1600/100_2458.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 288px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/THR5KQU8wXI/AAAAAAAACpE/qaaVjMy87yI/s400/100_2458.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509161461269447026" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Pics from Saturday. I don't know that I'll EVER get rid of my "head tilt".<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/THR5EpgbGEI/AAAAAAAACo8/BtOmnK6o980/s1600/100_2463.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 287px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/THR5EpgbGEI/AAAAAAAACo8/BtOmnK6o980/s400/100_2463.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509161364949243970" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Instead of a profile pic, I wanted to see from an angle. These cheeks make me look like I have jowls. sigh.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/THR5EUbmzhI/AAAAAAAACo0/UCfPqrCrdL8/s1600/100_2467.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 333px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/THR5EUbmzhI/AAAAAAAACo0/UCfPqrCrdL8/s400/100_2467.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509161359291895314" border="0" /></a><br /><br />My BAD SIDE! Do you all see the difference!? I'm not crazy! How many of you have a "bad" side, and you are aware of it and try to disguise it in pics? It's not just me, right?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/THR5EDDhoSI/AAAAAAAACos/qgfBQ2f3P3g/s1600/100_2466.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 318px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/THR5EDDhoSI/AAAAAAAACos/qgfBQ2f3P3g/s400/100_2466.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509161354627490082" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Physical therapy. Last week I worked on getting my pinky fingers all the way in between my back teeth without feeling like I was actually biting them. I mostly accomplished this. At my 3 week post-op today, he told me it was time to try my index fingers. It hurts. In this pic I am opening my mouth as wide as I possibly can.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/THR5DyEms7I/AAAAAAAACok/6vG4XOod2Iw/s1600/100_2476.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 227px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/THR5DyEms7I/AAAAAAAACok/6vG4XOod2Iw/s400/100_2476.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509161350068614066" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And today. The swelling is still going down sllooowlly. The best news I got at today's appointment is that for the next 2 weeks, I get to have my bands off 4 times a day for TWO HOURS each time! 8 hours a day! Last week was a total of 4.5 hours a day so it's almost doubled. Bliss! Also, he confirmed that I'm getting my splint off in ONE week! Yeessss!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/THR5DukLr3I/AAAAAAAACoc/cXvC3h48qPY/s1600/100_2478.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 316px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/THR5DukLr3I/AAAAAAAACoc/cXvC3h48qPY/s400/100_2478.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509161349127319410" border="0" /></a><br />To finish this post - after 21 days of antibiotics (1 day in the hospital, then filling two 10 day each prescriptions) I am OFF of them! Last night was the first night in 3 weeks that I did not use a decongestant and/or nasal spray. I survived. The only meds I'm currently on is 800 mg of Ibuprofin twice a day. Not too bad! I'm speaking more clearly with my splint - when my bands are off. I've even taken to answering the phone! It's a good thing because I have a presentation for work on Thursday, and I'm hoping that everyone will understand me!<br />Lastly - Jared took us to dinner tonight at IHOP. I got the stuffed french toast and scrambled eggs. After an hour, I got through almost half of it and only bit my tongue twice. Practice, practice!<br /><br />To all you jaw surgery patients out there (or those considering it) - do it. I guess it's a little like labor where you forget pretty quick just how much pain or discomfort you were in - only that the end result is great. I'm still waiting for the full end result, but I'm past most of the pain and am excited to finish the journey. Please don't hesitate to ask me any questions!<br /><br />That's all.<br /></div>Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00589341261154907179noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2921473458236391652.post-89630074347597137312010-08-20T13:22:00.004-06:002010-08-20T13:28:00.376-06:00Before/After two weeks<div style="text-align: center;">I probably won't be posting every day from here on out since the changes now are so gradual. I continue to regain a tiny bit more feeling every day which just equates to discomfort or pain. When I laugh - I pop stitches in my mouth, which hurts but feel nice to get those stitches out. I've gained a couple more lb's back - I think I'm at 128 right now, which is where I'd like to stay and no, that's not too skinny for 5'9". Here are my before and afters at the 2 week mark (click to enlarge). I'll probably do another one at the 4 week mark, sans splint, and the 6 week mark, sans rubber bands. Ortho is still saying I'll have the braces off by the end of the year, but we'll see. Don't want to get my hopes up yet! I do think I look a little younger in my after pics - but I think that's probably due to swelling. I just want to look 29 again. Well - forever.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TG7W6yTDNrI/AAAAAAAACoM/1HgiRVLA2Bg/s1600/Before%26After+at+TWO+WEEKS+post+op+copy.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 279px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TG7W6yTDNrI/AAAAAAAACoM/1HgiRVLA2Bg/s400/Before%26After+at+TWO+WEEKS+post+op+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507575699743127218" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00589341261154907179noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2921473458236391652.post-7413670645747031772010-08-18T17:50:00.004-06:002010-08-18T22:25:41.485-06:00Real Live Date!<div style="text-align: center;">Me and my hub going on a date! We're going out to frozen yogurt (something I'm willing to try to eat in public) and to see the new Steve Carrell movie. I'm sure it'll hurt to laugh. I don't care! I even bought Junior Mints to snack on during the movie - so I'm all set! Since I can have my bands off for 1 1/2 hours - that should be perfect!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TGx6CzUgGBI/AAAAAAAACoE/XEzhYMrpSVc/s1600/Ethan%27s+arm.+Tam%27s+mouth+023.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 360px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TGx6CzUgGBI/AAAAAAAACoE/XEzhYMrpSVc/s400/Ethan%27s+arm.+Tam%27s+mouth+023.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506910632921798674" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Today's pic. Swelling is down a bit. Yay! (and yes, I know I'm wearing the same outfit as last week. So shoot me.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TGx6C-UvgkI/AAAAAAAACn8/0yqI4v4zvH8/s1600/Ethan%27s+arm.+Tam%27s+mouth+005.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 307px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TGx6C-UvgkI/AAAAAAAACn8/0yqI4v4zvH8/s400/Ethan%27s+arm.+Tam%27s+mouth+005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506910635875598914" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Left profile. So, the swelling is mostly gone on that side, and look - I have a pointy chin again. HOWEVER - it's not as long as before, so I'm still happier with it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TGx6CUalX-I/AAAAAAAACn0/Ck8Jjjz2NCA/s1600/Ethan%27s+arm.+Tam%27s+mouth+009.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TGx6CUalX-I/AAAAAAAACn0/Ck8Jjjz2NCA/s400/Ethan%27s+arm.+Tam%27s+mouth+009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506910624625811426" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Right profile. Forgot to smile with my teeth.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TGx6CPn_tZI/AAAAAAAACns/zaJLShFti7c/s1600/Ethan%27s+arm.+Tam%27s+mouth+012.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 208px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TGx6CPn_tZI/AAAAAAAACns/zaJLShFti7c/s400/Ethan%27s+arm.+Tam%27s+mouth+012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506910623339885970" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Ready to see something scary/funny? I mean - really, truly horrifying/comical!?<br /><br /><br />Wait for it....<br /><br /><br /><br />Keep waiting....<br /><br /><br /><br />Scroll down....<br /><br /><br />Arg! It looks like a Julia Roberts smile when she was 14 years old. How did my mouth get so wide? Anyway - picture that with perfectly straight teeth. There is now a light at the end of the tunnel.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TGx6Bx3YXOI/AAAAAAAACnk/f_CrjIhnWP0/s1600/Ethan%27s+arm.+Tam%27s+mouth+007.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 358px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TGx6Bx3YXOI/AAAAAAAACnk/f_CrjIhnWP0/s400/Ethan%27s+arm.+Tam%27s+mouth+007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506910615351352546" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Time for date night!<br /></div>Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00589341261154907179noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2921473458236391652.post-47621251808510748502010-08-17T10:15:00.007-06:002010-08-17T10:42:36.694-06:002 weeks notice<div style="text-align: center;">Mark the date. On Aug. 31st I will be free from this splint! Two weeks from today! I've already scheduled with my Ortho to get my new arch wire later that same day and plan to eat some very soft pasta! I'm now allowed to take off my bands 3 times a day, for 1 1/2 hours, instead of just an hour. I also have to start physical therapy, which consists of using both pinky's on either side of my mouth in between my teeth and sliding them towards my back teeth as far as I can - to stretch the muscles and help me open my mouth better. Next week I have to use my index fingers and by the 4th week, it will be my thumbs. After that I have to do "scissors" with my fingers - which sounds terrifyingly painful, but if it will allow me to have that Western Bacon Cheeseburger at the 6 week mark - I'm all for it.<br />I think I woke up with a fatter face today. Maybe because it was so hot yesterday I'm more swollen? I'm starting to get discouraged about my fatty jowls and have to keep reminding myself that things will still change.<br /><br />My neck is still a little sore with just a bit of bruising left.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TGq4Y9IJ8wI/AAAAAAAACnc/Ts0cVpy-UWc/s1600/Getting+better+036.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 356px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TGq4Y9IJ8wI/AAAAAAAACnc/Ts0cVpy-UWc/s400/Getting+better+036.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506416233278993154" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I also still have an "almost" double chin. Extra fat/fluid/something that normally isn't there along with the rest of the swelling in my cheeks.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TGq4Y753nZI/AAAAAAAACnU/5H7rayPLOOw/s1600/Getting+better+035.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TGq4Y753nZI/AAAAAAAACnU/5H7rayPLOOw/s400/Getting+better+035.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506416232950635922" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Not thrilled but still documenting. Even my lower lip looks lopsided in this. I'm wondering if I'll still look crooked after the swelling goes down- simply because for most of my life my skin/lips have stretched to the side so they don't know how to be normal. The muscles in my right cheek feel like they are being stretched - as they should since that was the side that my chin went to, and they haven't need to stretch for years. My left side muscles hurt like they are being bunched up - which makes sense because they have been stretched further for so many years and now don't need to stretch so much.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TGq4YXTpCoI/AAAAAAAACnM/NVfEbspmu7M/s1600/Getting+better+029.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TGq4YXTpCoI/AAAAAAAACnM/NVfEbspmu7M/s400/Getting+better+029.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506416223126620802" border="0" /></a><br /><br />That's it.<br /></div>Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00589341261154907179noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2921473458236391652.post-52536662007447946552010-08-16T22:51:00.002-06:002010-08-16T23:05:46.913-06:00raw tongueI wonder what the heck my doc did to my tongue when I was "under". It's so beat up. It's had shooting, burning pains in it since I got out of surgery, and now that I can open my mouth a whole centimeter - it looks completely raw. Like I put a teaspoon of sugar on it and just let it soak in. Well, only half of it hurts. The right half is still numb. I can't tell you what a strange sensation it is to have a half-numb tongue. It's a good thing though - because I keep biting the right edge of it. My whole jaw used to be shifted to the right, and so for the last 18 years or so my tongue has learned to help process food off to the right. Now when I eat, my tongue is still edging over to the right and ...CRUNCH! I bite it. Luckily, it's getting bit between my bottom teeth and my splint so it's not that bad - I haven't tasted blood yet anyway - and also that side is still numb - so no pain.<br /><br />I stopped by my Ortho's office today. He's just up the street and I didn't have a formal appt., but I wanted to let him know that this splint should be off in 2 more weeks, and then he can put a new arch wire in. Everyone in the office couldn't believe that I wasn't still black and blue or hugely swollen. They haven't seen someone heal from this type of surgery so quickly before. Really - I feel like people think it wasn't as major as it was, simply because I'm healing so quickly. News flash - it was major surgery. My face was broken into 7 pieces - 6 of which were put back together like a puzzle. I just happened to be very, very blessed. Prayers work.<br /><br />My face is tingly! You know when your leg is asleep and you want to stamp on it til the pins and needles go away? That's how I feel about my face. I want to slap it or knead it until those dang painful, tingling pins and needles go away. I know this is a GOOD thing though, so I'm trying to be happy about it. :)<br /><br />A stitch came out today. They are dissolving, and I'm brushing my teeth on average 10 times a day in an effort to spit the stitches out instead of swallowing them. Gross.<br /><br />I went back to work today. I spent most of today putting together my new website: www.mbellishdbytamara.ning.com. I've been spending most of my time lately on Miche stuff, but it's time to get back to the M.Bellish'd. I ended up talking a lot today as a result of both work and family. My jaws are extremely tired. It's hard enough to talk with my bands off - but except for the 3 hours a day when that happens (which are usually spent with me consuming food) I have to talk with my bands on - and it is very exhausting to do that. Picture having peanut butter - or glue - holding your teeth together, but you HAVE to talk to your kids or work or whatever. It's absolutely essential that they understand you - so you try to articulate everything as clearly as possible while struggling to actually put air between your teeth. It's exhausting!<br /><br />I haven't spoken in 3 hours now - since the kids went to bed. It has been utter bliss. I'm going to go put my hot pack on and chill out til I fall asleep. G'night!Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00589341261154907179noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2921473458236391652.post-16852858216419949322010-08-15T20:30:00.002-06:002010-08-15T20:44:11.207-06:00Almost 2 weeks<div style="text-align: center;">I went to church today. People were surprised. The Mia Maid adviser didn't recognize me and said that she was wondering "who the new girl was". I think my face looks more swollen/lopsided in person, but here are today's pics.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TGikGLJm1RI/AAAAAAAACms/59Owxuo7Mu8/s1600/Getting+better+004.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 207px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TGikGLJm1RI/AAAAAAAACms/59Owxuo7Mu8/s400/Getting+better+004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505830970439685394" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TGikF8PoASI/AAAAAAAACmk/lVV57p3fp64/s1600/Getting+better+003.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TGikF8PoASI/AAAAAAAACmk/lVV57p3fp64/s400/Getting+better+003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505830966438396194" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Things are starting to look more proportionate (nose, lips) but everything still just doesn't look quite right. The knot is almost gone, so it will be a relief when there is no more swelling. It's almost completely gone on the other side though.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TGikFiheBQI/AAAAAAAACmc/0OPsIJ2GPSY/s1600/Getting+better+002.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 343px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TGikFiheBQI/AAAAAAAACmc/0OPsIJ2GPSY/s400/Getting+better+002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505830959533917442" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I'm still taking 800 mg of Ibuprofin 3 times a day. This morning at 4:45am I woke up because I couldn't breathe. I didn't take any kind of decongestant before bed last night because I felt clear enough to fall asleep. When I woke up gasping, I took off my bands and took some decongestant, then took 2 extra strength Tylenol and went back to bed. About 2 minutes later, I realized that the decongestant I took also has the equivelant of 2 extra strength Tylenol, and so I just took 2,000 mg of Tylenol! I jumped on my computer and didn't like what I googled, so I called poison control before I went in to liver failure (according to google). They said that since it was a one-time thing - I was fine. Phew. I couldn't fall back to sleep until almost 6am because of the decongestant but then slept til 7:30 when it was time to get ready for church. I'm tired!<br />I also ate in front of people for the first time. We had dinner at my inlaw's tonight and while everyone munched on BLT's I sat eating my soup and applesauce. I hope I didn't make too many disgusting noises - I was trying to be quiet!<br />Now it's time for more pain meds, ice cream and a movie with my sweetheart. TTFN!<br /></div>Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00589341261154907179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2921473458236391652.post-41655645900830393252010-08-13T16:44:00.004-06:002010-08-13T17:05:10.567-06:00The knot and a nice stranger.<div style="text-align: center;">I've been using a lot of heat on my right check (over the knot) and on my neck and the swelling/discoloration has improved slightly. I've also gained back 2 lbs., so now everyone can stop hating me! Sheesh! The reason my hair is always back/up in every picture is because I don't have my extensions in, and frankly - my hair sucks.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TGXLZjW5ELI/AAAAAAAAClw/OpoqD-Eg-tE/s1600/Getting+better+007.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 260px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TGXLZjW5ELI/AAAAAAAAClw/OpoqD-Eg-tE/s400/Getting+better+007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505029759378722994" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Left profile. I have to keep reminding myself that my "new face" won't be set for another 6-8 months. Still some swelling and the bones need to settle into place. I have no idea what all will change.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TGXLZRpPDWI/AAAAAAAAClo/zUP_eYSn7B4/s1600/Getting+better+013.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 273px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TGXLZRpPDWI/AAAAAAAAClo/zUP_eYSn7B4/s400/Getting+better+013.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505029754623823202" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Right profile. I drew a circle around the knot. Pushing right there allows you to feel it. It also makes it push into my splint on the inside of my mouth. And that hurts. So please don't touch it. :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TGXLY9eDkXI/AAAAAAAAClg/NsQUA05tYHg/s1600/Getting+better+008.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 210px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TGXLY9eDkXI/AAAAAAAAClg/NsQUA05tYHg/s400/Getting+better+008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505029749208224114" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here is a great story about a random act of kindness. I went to our local ice cream shop, Iceberg to get my favorite shake - their Lemon custard extra thick shake. It's expensive. It's HUGE, but I wanted it. I have a little note that I carry around that says essentially "I just had double jaw surgery last week and my teeth are wired shut making it difficult to speak". I have used it a lot. Today was no exception. I handed it to the teenage girl and then struggled through saying "Lemon custard shake". She smiled and rang me up. Then, a very nice lady in the cooking area was asking if the lemon custard shake was mine. I smiled and nodded and she went on to say how it was so good, her favorite, ect, and I just kept smiling and nodding. She looked perturbed as to why I wouldn't speak. I finally struggled through "I'm sorry, I had surgery" and she suddenly changed. She said "Oh! I thought you were mad"! (how did she get that from me nodding and SMILING?) Then she said to the cashier "You didn't charge her did you?" And the cashier looked sheepish and nodded her head. So this nice lady proceeds to return the $4.50 to my credit card and said "you don't need to pay for this - you just worry about getting better."<br />SO NICE! I love random acts of kindness and it's a good reminder for me to do the same.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TGXLYVPKlGI/AAAAAAAAClY/JuHU0NfrkEk/s1600/Getting+better+016.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lVruMIZbJSk/TGXLYVPKlGI/AAAAAAAAClY/JuHU0NfrkEk/s400/Getting+better+016.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505029738408350818" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Me and my super giant FREE shake that will take me 2 days to eat! :) Love it!<br /></div>Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00589341261154907179noreply@blogger.com0