The ones up the top look a little longer as I can see 3 rings/holes but I think they are all the same, it just depends how they were inserted into my jaw. I am not looking forward to him put elastics on them next week!!!!!!
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Photo of my titanium anchorage plates
Here is a photo of one of the 4 titanium plates that were inserted during surgery. I have 2 on each side, 1 up top and 1 down the bottom. So I dont gross everyone out I thought a black and white photo was best for this one :)
The ones up the top look a little longer as I can see 3 rings/holes but I think they are all the same, it just depends how they were inserted into my jaw. I am not looking forward to him put elastics on them next week!!!!!!
The ones up the top look a little longer as I can see 3 rings/holes but I think they are all the same, it just depends how they were inserted into my jaw. I am not looking forward to him put elastics on them next week!!!!!!
New photos of my gap & bite
Here are some photos from today and some before photos. My bite has changed so much just from the expansion and you can probably understand now why I have trouble chewing.
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| Before SARPE |
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Gap today after 4 weeks of turning |
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| My terrible open bite now |
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| That's my pinky finger easily slipping into my mouth |
4 weeks post op update
Hey everyone
Just a quick update, it has been just over 4 weeks now since my surgery and I am pretty much back to normal. I still think I have a very very small amount of swelling but only I can really notice.
Eating is about 80% back to normal, there are still lots of things I can't eat yet or I just havent tried to eat. I havent tried to eat a steak as I think it would be too hard, I will try soon though. I also havent eaten any salads as lettuce is almost impossible to chew. Forget about sandwiches or bread rolls as my open bite is so big now I cant bite into it. I am finding since my expansion that I can only chew on my right back two molars which is really annoying. A knife and fork has become my new best friend, I find it so much easier to eat everything with them, its also impossible to eat some things without them.
I havent really noticed any change to my breathing yet, I thought I would have by now.
I have been a little concerned about my gap though as it doesnt look like it has increased in size the past week. I measured the gap, its 5 mm which is the same as last week, so I then measured how far the RME has expanded and its over 6mm. I noticed today though that I am starting to get gaps in between my front and second tooth, I hope it is normal!
Nearly all of my stitches have fallen out, only a couple remain.
What is really annoying me and sometimes getting me down is trying to decide what to eat all the time, especially when I am not at home. I can't just grab anything when im out, I am constantly eating rice or pasta as its the only option. I use to love eating, it was my favorite part of the day hehe - now I just hate it. I also takes me sooooooo long to eat a meal as I have to cut everything into small pieces, it gets cold by the time im finished.
Just a quick update, it has been just over 4 weeks now since my surgery and I am pretty much back to normal. I still think I have a very very small amount of swelling but only I can really notice.
Eating is about 80% back to normal, there are still lots of things I can't eat yet or I just havent tried to eat. I havent tried to eat a steak as I think it would be too hard, I will try soon though. I also havent eaten any salads as lettuce is almost impossible to chew. Forget about sandwiches or bread rolls as my open bite is so big now I cant bite into it. I am finding since my expansion that I can only chew on my right back two molars which is really annoying. A knife and fork has become my new best friend, I find it so much easier to eat everything with them, its also impossible to eat some things without them.
I havent really noticed any change to my breathing yet, I thought I would have by now.
I have been a little concerned about my gap though as it doesnt look like it has increased in size the past week. I measured the gap, its 5 mm which is the same as last week, so I then measured how far the RME has expanded and its over 6mm. I noticed today though that I am starting to get gaps in between my front and second tooth, I hope it is normal!
Nearly all of my stitches have fallen out, only a couple remain.
What is really annoying me and sometimes getting me down is trying to decide what to eat all the time, especially when I am not at home. I can't just grab anything when im out, I am constantly eating rice or pasta as its the only option. I use to love eating, it was my favorite part of the day hehe - now I just hate it. I also takes me sooooooo long to eat a meal as I have to cut everything into small pieces, it gets cold by the time im finished.
Friday, April 22, 2011
My mouth is quite talented!!! :)
Just another little random thing I am finding as my gap gets bigger is now my mouth is like a musical instrument!
When I talk and say some words my gap makes a whistle sound, its can be quite embarrassing actually haha
And when I push my tongue against the inside of my palate is makes a lovely clicking/popping noise. Noone can really hear it but me, but when I tell people about it they get pretty grossed out haha I think the noise is actually coming from my jaw moving and being a little loose from the bone being broken.
Oh well I have to have some amusement through the whole process............
For all the other SARPE patients out there, how annoying is it having to explain to everyone what's happened to your face??????????????? Seriously, I sound like a broken record and have a set answer for everyone.
When I talk and say some words my gap makes a whistle sound, its can be quite embarrassing actually haha
And when I push my tongue against the inside of my palate is makes a lovely clicking/popping noise. Noone can really hear it but me, but when I tell people about it they get pretty grossed out haha I think the noise is actually coming from my jaw moving and being a little loose from the bone being broken.
Oh well I have to have some amusement through the whole process............
For all the other SARPE patients out there, how annoying is it having to explain to everyone what's happened to your face??????????????? Seriously, I sound like a broken record and have a set answer for everyone.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Orthodontist Update
Hey Everyone
So I went for another quick check up last Monday and everything is still going well, no complications. I need to keep turning and go back in two weeks. At the next appointment he is going to put elastics on the anchorage plates to start changing my bite. I am a little anxious on whether it will hurt or be uncomfortable - ill soon find out!
On another note I am so glad its an extra long weekend here in Australia so I have 5 days off. I desperately need it as I am exhausted! My first day back at work last week was my first day in a new role within the company, on top of that I was still doing my old job. To make it worse I have had to train the new girl all of this week and do my new job which has not been kind to my mouth!!
The fact I have had had to talk so much trying to train someone has really made my mouth sore. I have had to take pain killers most nights and even sometimes during the day. I come home and my cheeks feel swollen and I start to slur my words as my cheeks are tired, its crazy. So I do not suggest having leave and starting a new job on your first day back from surgery, I am an idiot hahaha
Another problem I have had this week is migraines. I have been busy which contributes but I also know I am clenching my jaw during my sleep as it actually woke me up last night because it was causing pain. I really hope that I stop clenching and grinding once he starts adjusting my bite as I wont be able to handle getting these migraines again.
Well im off to enjoy my Easter and Anzac day, HAPPY EASTER & ANZAC DAY Everyone! Hopefully I will win at two up!
So I went for another quick check up last Monday and everything is still going well, no complications. I need to keep turning and go back in two weeks. At the next appointment he is going to put elastics on the anchorage plates to start changing my bite. I am a little anxious on whether it will hurt or be uncomfortable - ill soon find out!
On another note I am so glad its an extra long weekend here in Australia so I have 5 days off. I desperately need it as I am exhausted! My first day back at work last week was my first day in a new role within the company, on top of that I was still doing my old job. To make it worse I have had to train the new girl all of this week and do my new job which has not been kind to my mouth!!
The fact I have had had to talk so much trying to train someone has really made my mouth sore. I have had to take pain killers most nights and even sometimes during the day. I come home and my cheeks feel swollen and I start to slur my words as my cheeks are tired, its crazy. So I do not suggest having leave and starting a new job on your first day back from surgery, I am an idiot hahaha
Another problem I have had this week is migraines. I have been busy which contributes but I also know I am clenching my jaw during my sleep as it actually woke me up last night because it was causing pain. I really hope that I stop clenching and grinding once he starts adjusting my bite as I wont be able to handle getting these migraines again.
Well im off to enjoy my Easter and Anzac day, HAPPY EASTER & ANZAC DAY Everyone! Hopefully I will win at two up!
Friday, April 15, 2011
3 weeks post op
Well its 3 weeks post op today and I cant believe how quickly time has gone. I am feeling so much better now and feeling quite normal again. I think I will start to exercise again next week and see how I go.
I noticed today my eating has improved, I had some small pieces of chicken and lamb in indian food. I am getting over eating soft food and lack of variety. I would really love to just have some steak and salad one night.
My swelling hasn't completely gone and I look tired all the time but its definitely getting better.
I am probably about half way with my gap now and its not really bothering me. I find my speech is being slightly affected by the gap. I work in sales and do have to talk quite a bit so towards the end of the day I start to slur my words a little as my cheek muscles get tired. I still find it just physically impossible to prenounce certain words so I sometime spell them haha And people do find it hard to understand me and ask me to repeat myself occasionally- the joys of having an expander!!
I think some of my stiches came out today, but I still have most of them there. They are starting to feel a bit loose and annoying so im hoping they will all fall out in the next few days.
I am anxiously waiting for my breathing to improve, im hoping soon I can start to breath through my nose better. Some days it feels better already but I think I need more expansion before I really notice it.
I received my surgeon bill a few days ago (for any of the aussie's reading my blog). The surgery came to $4,500 ($1000 alone were the implants). I am still waiting for the anethestic bill but I am assuming its at least $1000. I will be able to claim some back from medicare and health fund so I wont be completely out of pocket. I am anticipating being about $3000 out of pocket.
I am seeing my orthodontist on Monday so I will post after that. Have a good weekend everyone!
I noticed today my eating has improved, I had some small pieces of chicken and lamb in indian food. I am getting over eating soft food and lack of variety. I would really love to just have some steak and salad one night.
My swelling hasn't completely gone and I look tired all the time but its definitely getting better.
I am probably about half way with my gap now and its not really bothering me. I find my speech is being slightly affected by the gap. I work in sales and do have to talk quite a bit so towards the end of the day I start to slur my words a little as my cheek muscles get tired. I still find it just physically impossible to prenounce certain words so I sometime spell them haha And people do find it hard to understand me and ask me to repeat myself occasionally- the joys of having an expander!!
I think some of my stiches came out today, but I still have most of them there. They are starting to feel a bit loose and annoying so im hoping they will all fall out in the next few days.
I am anxiously waiting for my breathing to improve, im hoping soon I can start to breath through my nose better. Some days it feels better already but I think I need more expansion before I really notice it.
I received my surgeon bill a few days ago (for any of the aussie's reading my blog). The surgery came to $4,500 ($1000 alone were the implants). I am still waiting for the anethestic bill but I am assuming its at least $1000. I will be able to claim some back from medicare and health fund so I wont be completely out of pocket. I am anticipating being about $3000 out of pocket.
I am seeing my orthodontist on Monday so I will post after that. Have a good weekend everyone!
Monday, April 11, 2011
Back to work today
Its been about a week since my last post and I went back to work for the first time today. I didnt last the whole day as I ended up very tired. Work has been quite good and said I can take it easy the first few days back, so I left at 3pm. I ended up having a little nap when I got home.
I also noticed how unfit I have become. I am normally quite an active and fit person and I was puffing from carrying my laptop from the car to my desk. I also weighed myself today and I have lost about 2 kilos, maybe even a little more.
Last week was a mixed bag, some days were good and others yuck and painful. I havent had any pain killers since Saturday night which is a good sign. I saw my orthodontist for the first time since my op on Thursday, he was very happy with my progress. He said I am healing very well and thinks I am talking well with the expander in.
I still cant really chew anything hard, even chicken or cooked vegies (unless they are mashed). I managed to eat a Maccas cheesburger yesterday which I was so happy about haha Its so soft you can just break it apart. Basically I still can't feel my front teeth so I cant use them to bite and trying to chew anything hard using your back teeth still hurts. I have just been sticking to rice, pasta, mince and bread (using a knife and fork).
My gap is definitely getting bigger and its about half way now (5mm). I have about 10 days more of turning. It doesnt hurt and the gap isnt bothering me at the moment as it doesnt look too bad. I will probably get more self concious about it once it gets bigger. My swelling doesnt seem to be reducing that much, if it is its happening very very slowly, so slow im not noticing. On Friday and Saturday it did actually feel and look like I had some more puffiness just under my eyes.
Here is a photo taken a couple of days ago.
I also noticed how unfit I have become. I am normally quite an active and fit person and I was puffing from carrying my laptop from the car to my desk. I also weighed myself today and I have lost about 2 kilos, maybe even a little more.
Last week was a mixed bag, some days were good and others yuck and painful. I havent had any pain killers since Saturday night which is a good sign. I saw my orthodontist for the first time since my op on Thursday, he was very happy with my progress. He said I am healing very well and thinks I am talking well with the expander in.
I still cant really chew anything hard, even chicken or cooked vegies (unless they are mashed). I managed to eat a Maccas cheesburger yesterday which I was so happy about haha Its so soft you can just break it apart. Basically I still can't feel my front teeth so I cant use them to bite and trying to chew anything hard using your back teeth still hurts. I have just been sticking to rice, pasta, mince and bread (using a knife and fork).
My gap is definitely getting bigger and its about half way now (5mm). I have about 10 days more of turning. It doesnt hurt and the gap isnt bothering me at the moment as it doesnt look too bad. I will probably get more self concious about it once it gets bigger. My swelling doesnt seem to be reducing that much, if it is its happening very very slowly, so slow im not noticing. On Friday and Saturday it did actually feel and look like I had some more puffiness just under my eyes.
Here is a photo taken a couple of days ago.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Bruising & Gap photos
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| Most of the brusing was on my left side, the swelling was greater on the left as well |
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| Gap after a few turns, you can see brusing also |
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| Trying to get some relief!! |
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| Tiny gap |
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| Gap a couple of days ago |
Finally some relief!
Hi everyone
I haven't blogged for a few days as I have been in some pain and not quite up to it.
I am about 9 days post SARPE now and feel like I have turned the corner. my swelling doesn't seem as bad and the pain is easing.
From day 5 - 7 was by far the WORST! I was having quite bad pain all across the sinus and top of my head and in my TMJ, it felt like a constant migraine for 3 days. The swelling didn't seem to change over those days and the plates were still digging into my cheek causing even more pain. I also felt like my jaw was heavy and all the muscles just couldnt hold it up. My neck and shoulders have also been really tight so my husband has been massaging them for me which helps. I considered calling my surgeon as I thought it was suppose to get better not worse, but I toughed it out and it was all ok.
I did have my first cry on Friday :( I think it just got all too much and I needed to release some emotions and I was experiencing a fair bit of pain that just wouldnt go away with meds.
But now I only have some pain in my top jaw and sinus but its not as bad. The numbness is getting better aswell.
Turning - I have been turning the key every day now and have a small gap, I will post some photos later. It doesn't hurt turning but I do feel a little pressure. I think part of the pain I was experiencing was from turning while still swollen, it increased the pressure in the sinus.
Swelling - Has definitely started going down. I am still puffy around my eyes and nose but the cheeks are subsiding and releasing a little pressure off my plates
Anchorage plates - I have mentioned this before but I think alot of my discomfort and pain is coming from the plates. I have little round marks inside my cheek which look like the pieces of skin will fall off because they have dug in so much.
Eating - I have been eating some noodles and even ate a lasagne with ease on Saturday. I still can't chew things like chicken yet as it is a little too hard
Jaw movement - I found that a few days ago my jaw was very stiff! Because I hadnt been chewing it feels like it starts to freeze. If I knew this I wouldve started trying to move my jaw earlier to relax the muscles. It has more movement now as I have been doing my own little exercises and massaging it. I still can't open it very wide but its getting better.
Anyway its getting a little long this blog so I will finish up. I have my first ortho appointment Thursday so I will update after the appointment.
I haven't blogged for a few days as I have been in some pain and not quite up to it.
I am about 9 days post SARPE now and feel like I have turned the corner. my swelling doesn't seem as bad and the pain is easing.
From day 5 - 7 was by far the WORST! I was having quite bad pain all across the sinus and top of my head and in my TMJ, it felt like a constant migraine for 3 days. The swelling didn't seem to change over those days and the plates were still digging into my cheek causing even more pain. I also felt like my jaw was heavy and all the muscles just couldnt hold it up. My neck and shoulders have also been really tight so my husband has been massaging them for me which helps. I considered calling my surgeon as I thought it was suppose to get better not worse, but I toughed it out and it was all ok.
I did have my first cry on Friday :( I think it just got all too much and I needed to release some emotions and I was experiencing a fair bit of pain that just wouldnt go away with meds.
But now I only have some pain in my top jaw and sinus but its not as bad. The numbness is getting better aswell.
Turning - I have been turning the key every day now and have a small gap, I will post some photos later. It doesn't hurt turning but I do feel a little pressure. I think part of the pain I was experiencing was from turning while still swollen, it increased the pressure in the sinus.
Swelling - Has definitely started going down. I am still puffy around my eyes and nose but the cheeks are subsiding and releasing a little pressure off my plates
Anchorage plates - I have mentioned this before but I think alot of my discomfort and pain is coming from the plates. I have little round marks inside my cheek which look like the pieces of skin will fall off because they have dug in so much.
Eating - I have been eating some noodles and even ate a lasagne with ease on Saturday. I still can't chew things like chicken yet as it is a little too hard
Jaw movement - I found that a few days ago my jaw was very stiff! Because I hadnt been chewing it feels like it starts to freeze. If I knew this I wouldve started trying to move my jaw earlier to relax the muscles. It has more movement now as I have been doing my own little exercises and massaging it. I still can't open it very wide but its getting better.
Anyway its getting a little long this blog so I will finish up. I have my first ortho appointment Thursday so I will update after the appointment.
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