I'M BRACE FREE AND SOO FRACKING HAPPY!

So here we are, it's over, finally! I almost can't believe it. I'm just so so happy...

I'll shake off the euphoria just so I can tell you how de-bracing went.

 I was still terrified, expecting the worst which would be being told I can't have them removed that day. I wore my elastics in the car and took them off last minute so that my teeth would be in the right position for sure, and when Dr  Shaarh said 'Shall we take them off then?' I almost cried as I nodded a reply as his hand was still in my mouth.

DE-BRACING HURTS

I wasn't expecting this to be honest, I thought, they would use that solution which disolves the glue, they used it to clean up my mouth when they first fitted the braces to removed excess glue, but no, they just PULLED.

My god it hurt. and then came the scrapping of the glue! very painful on sensitive teeth but I just screwed up my eyes and grasped my hands together in my lap and it was eventually over. Felt like hours but honestly took about an hour and that was with impressions made too.

RETAINER 

As soon as they'd scraped the glue off and I'd had a quick look in the mirror, they took 4 impressions of my teeth - two top two bottom. Then it was off home, until half 4 when I#d go back to retrieve my retainers. 

I was praying I would have the hard plastic type that you only have to wear at night.

Everything had gone my way that day :P

These are clear plastic, and just to worn at night every night for the first year, then every other day after that. I have to remember to buy some retainer brite to clean them with, otherwise soapy COLD water is fine (not hot as they will melt and they're only going to replace them within the first year, after that I have to pay at a dentist!) I got to chose this nice pink box too :)

I'm all moved in to my new place for uni now, living with Tom and 3 others, I'll take some photos soon and show you my room. I'm so so grateful that my braces were removed just in time for freshers' week to start! I haev the choice to tell people I meet from here on out that I had my surgery or not. Cause theres no way to know, and I like that, I look normal. 

This was the last photo taken with braces, and as happy as I was in that photo, I'm certainly more complete, more content with myself in the next few :)

So there you go, I'm pretty much done here, I'll be having a check up in 3 months, and then this time next year a meeting with my surgeon to see how I'm getting on and then I'm not going to see them again - I bought them a thank you card lol.

I'll post relevant things soon and let you know about numbness and other jaw related things, and I'm always looking at your progress - it makes me happy to see everyone getting on so well.

But for now, I'm gonna focus on smiling and going out and building back some of that confidence I've been missing all these years!

See you soon 

x

One Month been and gone! Day 32 Before and Afters Photos!

Well well well, one whole month

I can't beleive how fast this has all gone! 

This time one month ago, I had been home for 4 hours and was sitting comfortably on the seate with a bag of frozen peas on my face trying to fit a yogurt frube between my swollen lips! 

So much has happened since then, I've had ups and downs in recovery, thankfully mostly ups, I've learnt to eat with a babyspoon and drink cups of tea through a straw, I've had my teeth pulled about with elastics and the best of all I've been told a date for de-bracing!

Pain, chewing, numbness, swelling and smiling to date

Right, I've actually had a little pain recently! I think it has something to do with being back at work and having to take orders for 8 hours straight which strained my jaw before surgery let alone now. I think I over did it on the chewing too so I'm stepping back to softer things - i don't mind really at all.

I'm starting to get feeling back in the right side of my chin and lip which has been the most numb so far - it's very annoying as it's tingly and itchy - but when it itches and i go to scratch where my brain thinks the itch is..it's not there! So I have to go hunting for my itch, and scratch all of my face. But it's good -it means its healing.

Learnt something interesting about my swelling!

As has been clear from day 1 post op, I have has significantly more swelling on my left than my right. My left side is quite hard and still swollen in comparison to my right which feels thin and sort of lumpy (where the metal/ plates are)

My surgeon told me that my left is larger right now because it's all the muscle which was left over - they shortened my jaw but obviously can not remove muscle! So right now it's sitting there like a bunched-up rug on the floor, waiting to be smoothed out - or, settle down as he put it. So in time, my left side will lose muscle mass and hopefully my right will gain it as it works in rhythm with my left. Neat huh! :)

I feel comfortable to smile again - I do it all the time and to everyone. I forget when I'm out now that I ever had surgery, because I feel normal, not vulnerable  and even with this little muscle/swelling I know that no one can notice.

So I thought it's time for some before and afters - I haven't really looked at any of these since last year, and I can really tell the difference - 4 mm makes a heck of a difference! I have no teeth photos from pre-brace era so I've started from about a year with braces- as that's when my teeth changed the most. Enjoy!

BEFORE

2012-01-26 - braces for about a year

2012-05 about - underbite just developing

2012- 09-13 - starting my new university as a braceface :(

AFTER

2013-08-15 - one month post op!!!! swelling is still present, but I can completely feel and see the difference

I'm still so happy with my results, even if some people can't tell (I've been told I don't look any different by some people) And I'm so happy that the majoriety of my brace bloggers' surgerys are moving forward! I can't wait to hear your experiences. 

My posting has slowed down, but I'm still reading all of your stories, and I'll letcha know if anything important happens! 

Those of you who aren't working, enjoy the weekend! And if you are, I feel for you!

x

Day 25 - BRACES ARE COMING OFF IN 27 DAYS!?!

Just a quick post - I start back at work tomorrow morning and I'm stressing like crazy at how I'm gonna manage to afford to move in to my house in 3 weeks for uni as I've been denied sick pay! I know it's ridiculous after they told me weeks ago I was eligable. Now I gotta try and claim it from the Job Center. Effort.

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

I got a phone call from the hospital as a reminder about my appointment. ''I said, yeah the 13th? I know''. They said ''No no, on the 5th of September in the Dental department!!!''

So I think this is it! I will (not to tempt fate) be brace free in 27 days!!!

I hope everything goes to plan, I need to start wearing my elastics better - I've been leaving them off for hours at a time after I've eaten...tut tut!

It's so great to see bloggers finally having a surgery count down - I'm so excited for all of you!

Right, time for bed, my next post will be my first before and after pics, as I feel I'm looking alright with the swelling! 

Night Night x

Day 19...I missed like, 7 whole days!

Woahhh it seems I've missed a few days huh!

Well, I went to Peterborough For a few days for Toms Birthday, and didn't have my laptop so I couldn't blog and it's useless using the app on my phone. But I'm here now! with a bunch of pictures and some awesome news!

I'm getting my braces off in less than a month!!!

I had my appointment yesterday, to see how my teeth are coming along with using the elastics. They're so annoying - they snap when I'm eating and fly off in all directions so I started just taking them off to eat and clean my teeth, otherwise the two are very difficult tasks.

I honestly thought I wouldn't have done a very good job with them, considering how many I broke and how many hours I spent with out them in! But it's good all round really, he says there's just one small gap on my right back teeth that needs closing so I can bite better, but they all keep saying they can't believe how well I've recovered, and that they'd have never guessed I'd had surgery 18 days ago. He says he told me originally I'd have my braces off in 9 months minimum cause he honestly thought it would take that long, but he says they're ready so it's the best news ever - I'll be moving to my new shared house, and starting my 1st year of uni with no metal in my face besides my piercings!

All my bruising has gone, and I have next to no tenderness to touch, and no pain at all in the mornings - I've been off pain killers for a week now, just took a few when I first started wearing my elastics as they hurt so bad - like when we first start braces treatment and have to wear spacers, that kind of claustrophobic pain. But that's gone now, and I only have to wear my elastics a little longer as I have an appointment on the 13th August with my ortho and my surgeon - probably to discuss getting my braces off and to make plans for a retainer and such. I also had some Xrays taken but I'm assuming all is fine and nothing has moved or broken in my face as I feel fine and they hadn't contacted me.

I still have some swelling as you'll see in the photos, but I feel great and have started being able to chew other foods - still no luck with vegetables as they don't seem to grind up lol but its going well! And I've tried to be good and stick to my diet as I'd lost over a stone in the first few weeks, which has managed to stay off - I'm gonna start exercising as soon as I can.

Numbness is still there - feeling is coming back very gradually. I can feel all of one side of my bottom lip, and next to nothing of the other, and my chin is still pretty numb - not numb enough that my spots don't hurt though!

My stitches were driving me crazy as they were really long and got in the way when I ate, so I trimmed them down, and now they're falling out anyway which means I'm almost healed inside. My gums at the back feel pretty gross and lumpy but hey, I'm not complaining as they're not hurting me!

All in all, I'll still say it - It's been no where near as bad as I thought it would be!

But I know that everyone is different, and everyone recovers at different rates, and I also know that only having one jaw done as opposed to the double jaw surgery I was originally going to have makes a huge difference in terms of swelling and bruising etc.

So there you go, not a lot has happened - unlike Natasha! with your new house! That's brilliant! xxx

Keep blogging - I love reading about how you're all getting on! 

Swelling on my left is still very annoying as it doesn't help my face look symmetrical! But I know that it is now cause I can feel it :)

Still so so happy, and still believe it's all been worth it!

Day 9/ Day 10/ Day 11 - Elastics fitted

Hey so I've been posting next to nothing as there's honestly not been much to report!

I had my appointment at Newcross - where I had the surgery, and my surgeon was really really pleased with his work, no I mean really pleased. He kept standing back and staring at me and smiling - it was as if I'd done a painting and was proud of my work, which is fair enough really - I'm proud of his work!

He said everything went well, the reasons I have a larger swelling on my left side is due to a haematoma when they were cutting (this is just a collection of blood which made a swelling as it bruised). he says my stitches are healing fine and he was happy with my recovery. So they've discharged me from that hospital :)

Today was the first day where I've taken no tablets as I've woken up :) I'd been off the co-codamol for a few days now, but still had ibuprofen in the mornings and at night to help me sleep, but today I woke up with no headache, no jawlock - it was bliss!

I had my appointment at the manor hospital - where I've had my orthodontics done for the last 2 years, and he is really pleased, again, and said that there's not much more to do on his end, as he tried to do as much as he could pre-op. 

I've had to have some elastics though! 

He put one either side...not too bad as I could still open my mouth fairly good. Then he added two more closer to the front - I wanted to cry, I felt so distressed - I couldn't even open my mouth to speak let alone would be able to add any food in there!

He then showed me them in the mirror, and told me the outer ones stay on, but the front ones I have to put on myself just for night time. 

I was so relieved! 

I felt devastated thinking I've only just been able to open my mouth and chew some foods and now this! But it's going to be okay - If I can manage to put the bands on!  But on the bright side I might have my braces off soon! He said he will do it as soon as I can open my mouth fully!

So, this is me, day... 11 I think? That's what my count down says anyway!

Can't wait for the last of the swelling to go so I can really see the results!

Here's the elastics which will stay on until my appointment next week maybe? (hopefully!)

This shows me where I need to put the elastics.. Wish me luck - They're so fiddley! 

This is as wide as I can go with these elastics in!!!

This is now my favorite side. My new 'good side' even with swelling I'm so happy with it.

All in all, I'm still a very happy customer! 

It's still worth it :)

Hope everyone is well, hang in there, whatever your circumstances, I feel it'll change your life for the better - just 4mm has made me so happy and given me so much confidence!

Enjoy the weekend! 

Day 7/ Day 8

Good evening bloggers,

Day 6

so... not much happened today except that I felt ill! Not even jaw-pain ill, just sick ill, and I was really worried about being sick, as I really don't want that when I can barely open my mouth!

Pain is minimal again which is good, and I've been on paracetamol and just 2 co-codamol tablets which is good.

I've been very stir crazy today as I've been bored and just wanted to sleep through the nausea and also feeling very sad and helpless as my 12 year old, seizure-prone cat, Biddy is missing, She wandered off and is generally very disoriented so she is unable to find her way back. I hope she's okay but I'm not full of confidence.

Day 7

I spent a good chunk of the day searching my neighborhood for my cat as those of you in the UK may have experience, we had horrendous thunderstorm, which woke me at 5 am, and all I could think of was the face that she's out in that - if she's still alive...

The doors I knocked on, those that answered, I could see them straining to understand me- my family have become tuned in to my clumbsy undefined speech but to strangers I found myself compelled to defend myself and blurt out 'I just had jaw surgery!' Most were understanding.

Today I had no jaw pain or discomfort when I woke, except a headache and I could feel my pulse in my gums where my stitches are.

Speaking of stitches.... I've found something strange! Where the stitches in my left side come over my gum where my wisdom teeth once were, there is a plastic like, cellophane kinda material just attached by stitches! I didn't notice this before as I didn't have enough movement in my tongue or mouth to feel that far back but I honestly have no idea if it's supposed to be there or not. I'm half expecting to be told at my check up tomorrow that they stitched some packaging in my accident!

So yeah, appointment at half ten tomorrow, hopefully they'll be pleased with my recovery and healing and they'll be nothing else that I have to have done.

Here's my latest on swelling and bruising - it's still very confined to the one side - which is irritating as I've just got rid of asymmetry and now I have it cause of this lol!

My chin is starting to regain feeling- it's very very itchy! my lip is going down now, and doesn't feel so poofy, but is still mostly numb.

Oh, and I've officially lost a stone now! I don't feel any different really.... ~I'll keep it up though! I needed this as a boost!

See you tomorrow, hope you're all well x

Day 6 - It gets better

It definitely gets better!

Yesterday I left the house for the first time since coming home from hospital, Tom and I took the dogs for a walk in the woods at 8pm so it was quiet and I didn't feel self-conscious.

 This was the first time I felt I looked normal, I'm still all lumpy, bruised and swollen but I have some definition to my jaw unlike all the previous days. 

Today I managed to brush all of my teeth properly- it was pretty gross! 

But I also found my stitches! They run along side my gums to the back of my mouth, and my right side has started to bleed a little- probably just due to the movement I can do now.

My jaw keeps locking- as it has done post-op, but until today I'd left it along as I'm scared I'll do some damage, but I'd had enough of the stiffness so I just cracked it.

Omg

The relief of being able to open my mouth a little wider was amazing. 

How I'm doing!

Pain

Pain in one way is at it's lowest today, as I slept right through until 11am, as opposed to waking to have my next pain killers at 6am as I have been doing. My stitches are throbbing today, and it kinda stings when I use my antiseptic mouthwash. despite this, I've only had two co-codamols and no ibuprofen inbetween, so it must be getting better.

Food!

I've eaten the most as of yet,
-half a slimfast shake
-1/3 wheatabix
-cups of tea
-soft bits of bread with houmus + soup
-and kind of a roast dinner with my family, which was mash potatoes, gravy, and cauliflower cheese 

I weighed myself and I've actually lost 11lbs since last sunday! Nice little bonus, I'll try and keep it up!

I have 2 appointments coming up, one next Wednesday, 24th July at the hospital I had my surgery at for a check up. Then on Friday 26th July at the manor- where I've been having my ortho work done.

Hopefully I can open my mouth wide enough for them to see in by then!

Right, Tom went home today so I'm gonna have an early night.

See you later!

1 DAY TO GO

So this is my last night in Peterborough- I went to visit my boyfriend for a few nights.

I go home tomorrow morning and then after the 2 and a half hour train ride home I'll be going shopping with my mom for any last minute things I'll be needing.

Tom had been amazingly supportive- taking my mind off of surgery as we watch back-to-back episodes of sons of anarchy and battlestar galactica, and then also listening, allowing me to whiter on with my nervous word-vomit when I get scared-which is alot I might add.

I'm gonna miss him for the few days after surgery until he comes down to look after me.

Right! I'm being anti social now- Tom's waiting for me to go to the shop and buy dortitos ;) I'm gonna make the most of it- god knows when I'll be able to eat them again!

But yeah I miss you guys! I'll upload a video post tomorrow night.

Good night brace bloggers!

X

Here's a few things I've bought whilst being here, I love rusks :)

Surgery in 7 days!!/ Post-opp-Inventory?

So, this time next week, hopefully it will all be over, and hopefully despite the swelling and pain, I will be happy :)

I'm very nervous - I got very overwhelmed and cried on webcam to Tom the other night, but that's just between us okay?

But, thinking more logically now, I need to start preparing for post opp life

So, I know a lot of you after surgery posted a list of things you needed, used and didnt use during recovery and other than Frubes (cause they're delicious), I haven't really got anything yet!

Any suggestions?

I could very easily live off of these :)

14 days to go!!!

So this time tomorrow, surgery will be over with- or maybe I'll still be under the knife, I'm not really sure how long its gonna take, but I have one last appointment come though with my surgeon for this Thursday 4th July where he will make any final adjustments and answer any last questions  I have, like how long will it take etc.

So, this is pretty trivial, but if any of you have seen my previous irrelevant posts, you'll know I love piercings. I have 19 of them, and worry about a few which I feel will heal up fast if left out - I have to practically re-pierce my nose if I forget to put it back in after work! I might be stating the obvious, but I don't think they'll even let me keep in plastic retainers whilst I'm in surgery - I know its for my own safety, and I'm sure I'll have better things to worry about, but when I come to, the first thing I'll wanna do is put my piercings back in!

I'm getting pretty nervous right now...I'm probably driving my family and friends crazy as I'm always talking about it. My boyfriend is being great about it too - he wants to come down immediately after I'm out of surgery, but I hate feeling vulnerable and I'm gonna look and feel like shiiiite so I don't know about that yet.

Bottom line is, I can't wait!

I'll post on thursday and tell you all what my surgeon has to say :)

Have a good week!

x

It's Very Very Real Now!!

I love getting mail, especially when it consists of letters telling me the time of my surgery!

First letter was titled notification of pre-admission, and is a pre-operative assessment for 9th July.

My actual surgery letter is 15th July at 7am. I'm instructed not to eat anything after midnight and drink only water up to 7am.

Both the assessment and the surgery are performed at my local hospital which is a 10 minute walk so I won't be travelling miles to the Manor Hospital where I've been treated so far, until after surgery where hes requested I see him every Friday for at least 6 weeks.

I'm so excited I just want to get on with it. I'm really scared I'll have terrible luck and get sick before hand! I can't afford to have this postponed so I'm gonna really look after myself!

It's so close I finally feel relief :)

I'm fashioning some new brace-bling....surgery ready!!!

Today was so exciting!!!

Had my last adjustments made today! Was my longest appointment ever, took about an hour.

• I had my pink bands removed 
• My wire was taken out and some very attractive surgical hooks were added
• I had two sets of impressions taken - first lot failed cause the room temperature was too high and the clay set before it was properly done
• Two of my back molars were filled down....this came as a shock as he didn't discuss this with me, just started fillin' away! But apparently they were too pointy and would have dug in to my teeth once aligned
• I had to bite on to a kinda wax/clay mould whilst holding a metal frame over my head and some new guy came in and turned lots of dials and screws and then wrote down said measurments and then fitted this to a frame which apparently is to made this 3D 'wafer' 

The 15th July is DEFINITELY mine! All mine!

I will be seeing my surgeon once more in 3 weeks after this 3D thing is made, and then that's it! All systems a go :)

I'd forgotten what my teeth looked like under all that metal!

My wires had not been removed since before CHRISTMAS! It was so nice to get them properly cleaned!

The finished result of the day - I'm full of metal - no bands, just wires and hooks! They hurt like hell against my lips right now! But it's okay! This is a good pain cause it means I'm almost there :)

Now! I'd better go as I've got a little packing to do as I'm spending 2 weeks at my new boyfriends house whilst his family are away ... yup, I'm pretty loved-up right now :) I can't wait for this surgery also, so that he can come down and look after me, I told him he needs to provide me with those yogurt things I had as a kid called 'Frubes' and give me lots of attention whilst I feel sorry for myself :)

Tom doesn't seem to be phased by my metal mouth!! 

Have a good weekend everyone!!! Keep posting cause seriously, you guys get me through the days with your progress and your stories! xxx

Surgery prep begins!!! :D

Good Afternoon, you beautiful braced-bloggers!

I'm in a significantly amazing mood as I came home yesterday to find a letter containing my next appointment which will consist of a bunch of pre-op preperations!

I think I am getting my surgical braces on (YAY) I just wish I could still have my pink rubber bands on!

I know for sure that I'm getting more X-rays and impressions made to create a 3D 'Wafer' or whatever that is.

And I will find out for SURE if July 15th is my date :)

I see you're all coming along so well! post opps- you're healing nicely and looking great! and those of you like me know its not too far away now! 

So, Friday 31st May I will update you as soon as I leave the hospital!


Speak to you soon!

Coming out of Hibernation

[ Corrinne! I hope you're alright, your braces look awesome btw. We gotta catch up when your hectic-ness has settled :) ]

Wow, seriously, I've been away from you guys so long, you've all come such a long way in a few months - I'm extremely jealous by the way!

So, as you know, I've been absent for a while, mainly because I was literally waiting for my meeting with my surgeon which was so far away, and I didn't want to bore you guys with my day-to-day life.

But, at last! It's here! I have a meeting with my surgeon tomorrow, and I swear to god, if he doesn't give me a damn good reason why I've not been seen since January, I'm gonna punch him in the throat.

Hopefully I will get a surgery date, but I've learnt not to be too optimistic - but I'm gonna tell him how it is, how disappointed and miserable I've been, having to wait so damn long.

So, as soon as I leave his office I will update you all immediately :)

In other news, I have a new boyfriend ^_^ I'm very very happy. And he's so understanding with my surgery - he even wants to come look after me when I'm post op - I said hell no - let me recover in peace and then come out with my shiny new face when I'm all healed up :)

So wish me luck! You've all been so busy with your braces - I gotta catch up!

Night guys!  

So, I've been laying-low for a while...

I didn't write anything about this cause I just didn't want to post another depressing, moaning story and bum you guys all out!

But yeah, literally straight after I told you guys how I was gonna get an earlier appointment and that my surgeon wanted to see me soon, I got a call from his secretary saying he can't. So I must stick to my original joint-clinic appointment which isn't until May.

I felt so low, I cried on the way home on the train. And for the first time ever, I thought,

'I wish I'd never began this whole process.'

But of course, as soon as I thought it, I removed it from my mind because this is what I wanted, and I have to accept that it comes with is downsides.
But, its been over a week now, and I'm just accepting it as there's nothing else I can do!

Except wait and wait.....

You're all cheering me up with your amazing progress though... 

I'm not at all resentful and bitter at all.... haha! No really I love the vibes that come from a positive post. We seem to bounce of each other and it feels good. So here's a happier post. ish.

So I'm not gonna be in recovery as soon as I though. Big deal. the main thing is, it's gonna happen. and I've decided to stop waiting around for it - I can't put my life on hold!! I've booked tickets for a bunch of gigs which I was hesitant about incase it fell on my surgery lol! So I'm seeing Ill Nino this week, and Killswitch Engage in a few and I'm gona head of to a few theme parks and.....

Anyway you get the point :)

Hope you're all having a good Easter, And don't tell your ortho's you're munchin' on all that chocolate!!! x

Things are coming together

First off, congratulations, Esmerelda on your surgery! All our love with you, and hope you feel okay! xx

Finally some good news! 
So after being concerned at how far away the appointment for the joint clinic was (May 2nd!) I called my surgeons secretary at the hospital where I will be having surgery and explained to her that no one was giving me any information and I didn't know what to do. 

She was a lovely lady, and told me she'd go find my surgeon and find out whats going on and get back to me Monday. She then called back after just an hour and told me that my surgeon said he has no idea why my orthodontic hospital would set an appointment so late, and that he's told them to send over my files and he will see me before the end of the month with a bit of luck!

This is just the bit of positivity I needed to get through this week. 
I hate to be 'that' patient who calls every week, but hell, it worked!

Good night guys!

Goodbye, blonde! Needed a change to celebrate my good news