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

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 

No news was good news/ 2 years with braces

Many people dislike Mondays, but for me, the last couple of weeks, I've wished the weekend to be over so that Monday will come and I can call the hospital to find out if I have a date to meet my surgeon. I call so often we're on first name terms now.

Well for 2.5 seconds, today felt like my big break.

The Receptionist told me 'oh, yes actually you do have an appointment!'
'Oh thats brilliant, when is it?'
'May 2nd'
'.......'

May 2nd. Just to meet with the guy, then god knows when my surgery will be. I actually cried a little once I hung up.

So I called my surgeon's secretary and begged her to find out why this is taking so long - I don't understand how last year they were certain it would be January, then this year they've assured me it would be March.. and now possibly not even May?

Today also marks the 2 years since I've had braces, and if the date for my appointment is anything to go by, I've got another good 5 months with these attached to my face. If you're a blogger who reads my rants regularly, you'll know that a common complaint of mine is people mistaking my age due to my braces. But it's not all bad - as yesterday, bowling with my family, I passed as a 15 year old and got a child's ticket! knocked 6 years off me!

All in all, not a good start to the week. The secretary said she will gather my case file and speak with my surgeon and get back to me within a few days. I'm praying for good news.

Also, May is exam time - just my luck to have my face broken then.

Hope your weeks start off better, have a good day, bloggers!

Could it be...?

Good evening, or, if you're here in the UK with me, good (early) morning! I've just finished work and thought I'd let you know how my appointment went.

[SOS brace appointment to sort out the gap which had formed]

So I had my 'favorite' locum orthodontist, and okay, I will actually admit he was nice to me last week, and I think there's a mutual agreement to surrender any grudges and misconceptions which we may have had for each other - or maybe its cause we both know we'll never have to see each other again! aha!

But on an amazing note, after he sorted the gap, by adding 2 elastics either side of my bottom teeth, my mom asked him if he had any idea when my surgery would be (she wants to book a holiday....) and he looked surprised and said, 'oh, haven't you received your joint clinic date yet? because your surgery is all planned here (gestures to my file)' 

I was like, No. Fracking. Way.

This means, that my surgeon has put in to writing/drawing/whatever, what I am having done! I don't know what this plan is yet, but its real! and its there! and its going to happen! I'm litterally just waiting for a meeting with him, so he can share this with me - I have a good feeling that it has been posted to me and I will receive this next week. so...

I could be having surgery this month?!?

I'm feeling good about this - I'm confident, and optimistic and I just know it won't be much longer, I mean, my teeth are done now, so they can't keep them in this limbo of not moving much longer! This is such a better feeling than last week, and I promise, even if I get let down again, I'll stay positive cause you guys really know how to help keep me going - I need to get my ass in to gear and do the same for you!

So for all you Brace bloggers, who, like me, are quickly approaching the 2 year mark...

Hang in there, it's gonna get better, I promise!

(I Was so happy, I went for a walk and smiled to myself whilst listening to some very positive music :) )

FYI - I never did find out what was causing the blood/metallic taste, and Google says a common cause is pregnancy, but I'm ruling that one out as I appear to be missing one key act for this to be a possibility... >.<

Pessimism/ Tasting Blood?

For the past few days now I can taste that distinctive metallic taste of blood, specifically to the one side of my mouth, the left. I have no cuts, sores, and I feel fine, I haven't had a nose bleed, nor do I feel I'm going to have one, so I really have no idea why this is - its very annoying!

Unrelated (I think) I may have chipped one of my molars which has the bracket around it, coincidentally also on the left, as the middle of my tooth feels rough since I was munching on some sherbet pips (totally worth it!) - but there is no pain, no sensitivity, so I'm writing this off to not being connected to the blood-taste.

I'm still borderline concerned about the taste...I will mention it on Thursday at my SOS brace appointment with Mr Clumsy-Hands-Locum (joy!). I'm also prepared for him to tell me there is no gap and that I've wasted an appointment slot, but I know I'm doing the right thing.

So here's a few photos, just to show I'm not seeing things - there IS a gap which has decided to squeeze its way in, which hasn't been there for a long time, from early last year to now. 

Enjoy!

27th April 2012 - GAP (and when I still had hope for surgery in 2012)

24th January 2013 - NO GAP (Surgery in February??)

Tonight - GAP (All hope is gone...)

General Face Update

I'm not even sure which is my 'good side' today..

(It's meant to be this one btw) 

          

What would I do without you guys? :)

 [Corrinne & Cassie, Thank you both for your words, you've snapped me out of my selfish mind set that day!] 

Hey! sorry for the late reply (but not really cause I had the best night ever, but that's for another time ;p)

As you know by my recent rant that I'm not happy with the speed in which things are going at the moment and feel I'm being strung along!

I called up and explained to them what the problem is and why I'm concerned. They then got the locum doctor to call me back, and he said he's happy to NOT see me (you and me both, pal) but I insisted that the gap I had before was less than this when they told me it had postponed my surgery! so I'm scheduled another SOS brace appointment for next Thursday at 9.10am.

Apparently I'm still on the waiting list for the joint clinic to see my surgeon, and they don't have an answer for how long this could take. But in the mean time, I'm just gonna keep holding on to all of your kind words of encouragement and just know that I'm not alone!!!

I seriously don't know where I'd be without this blog, without you guys, and I know we're all doing this for our own reasons, but we're all going through pretty much the same crap each day in the hope to achieve this. When I look on the bright side, yes, these past 2 years have gone quickly in some respect, but there's still a damn long road ahead.

Be well! 

I Feel in Control Again :)

Hey guys, My emergency appointment went well, I got stuck with mean big-handed locum ortho again, who fitted me with my 'best friend' - the plastic power chain >.< But if it closes this reoccurring gap then I'm all for it. 

He said I shouldn't worry about the receding tooth at the moment, and that if it got any worse, they would have noticed.

I felt a little insulted, as he told me I had some slight tartar build up in the gap I talked about. I'm just a little sensitive about it as I pride myself in taking care of my teeth, but my mom made the good point of that since I've had my braces, (almost 2 years) I haven't been to the normal dentist for a clean, so I must have done something good so far!

So now I have to book in with my dentist for a clean and polish or whatever they do - trouble is I haven't renewed my HC1 form, which as a student, entitles me to free dental care and prescriptions, so until this gets sorted I'd have to pay which I'm not gonna do lol.

Now, I'm off to have a bath, good night, Brace-faces :) x

Let's try this again, shall we?

Right! 2nd time lucky, maybe? After my dis-appointment (ha) I'm now feeling very optimistic about my next, and dare I say it, my last brace adjustment appointment.

7th November, 11:20am I will find out if my teeth are ready for my surgery-braces. I'm incredibly anxious, and really just don't want more bad news and delays.

I've come back on here to read about so many of you being able to not count down, but count up from surgery, and its so exciting to be able to see your journeys. You've all shared such useful information, I feel so prepared for the painful road ahead.

I want this to hurry up, but I really hope it fits around my new course at uni - I'm having such a good time!

Peace! x

There they are, still gleaming away!

Also, does anyone have Tinitus - ringing in their ear(s)? I have had it all my life - only just found out what it is, and have been told its connected to TMJD, and I've been recommended SSRI - anti-depressant(!) to help with my anxiety and somehow, the Tinitus?

My Count Down Begins?!

Ola! I've been on holiday in sunny Portugal being really lazy at the beach and by the pool, but a part of me couldn't wait to get home and check the mail for my next, and second from last appointment with my orthodontist. So on Monday, I will be receiving more impressions, photographs and a different type of wire. After this I have hopefully one more appointment and then meetings with my surgeon. I can not wait to hear the exact date for my surgery, feels like only yesterday I was making this blog, admiring those who were where I am right now.

Thank you all for the advice and support, I hope I can do the same for others.

See you on Monday! x

Josh and Me in a cocktail bar :)

4 to 6 Months Till Surgery!!!

Hello! I am excited to tell you all that I will have a new face in time to eat my Christmas dinner!

After my appointment last week I've been told I have only 2 more brace adjustments and impressions and then I meet my surgeon once more to discuss the FINAL plans for my surgery, and then I'm predicted to go under the knife between September and December!

SO! Here's a few pictures from early May, to last week with my new PINK braces - I'm told I won't be able to have a colour when I have my pre-surgery brace on so I thought I'd make the most of it.

So my underbite is fairly prominent now... I can't bite my nails at all now, and my chin seems to sick out alot more now, so I rarely keep my lips pursed >>>

So there you go!
I'm so excited, Theres finally a light at the end of the tunnel!
I'll be posting soon!

It's about time!

I've had some very bad luck the last few months.

Firstly, after not receiving my next appointment when I was supposed to, I called the Manor Hosptial, and was told that my LOVELY Dr has left the department. When I asked 'so when will my next appointment be?' I was told very bluntly 'youll get one when you get one' followed by the buzz of the receiver as it was abruptly placed down.

Great.

But finally an my appointment has came, Im incredibly excited as this will be the one which decides whether my surgery is this side or Christmas or next year. I will have a number of X-rays and impressions taken and my braces finally changed.
My other disappointment came when I was turned down from the paediatrics nursing course I had applied for for next January due to it being FULL. But I think is is a blessing in disguise, as this means I will have more time to recover from surgery and can start the year after with a NEW FACE!

I'll let you know how it goes next week, more photos too! You are very lucky viewer!!! X x x

Almost One Year

Hello Strangers! I know its been a while, but there's been not much to report and I didn't want to bore you all with stories of my life between appointments.

I had my braces changed last week, the 18th, and I'm back to having a thicker wire, to help my back teeth get in line. I have another appointment on February 27th, and then in March it will have been one whole year since I first got my spacers inserted to make way for these little bits of metal which would take over my life for the next two and a half years.

My underbites' really coming along now, but my only complain would be that my lip feels rather huge now, as it has to stretch to cover my bottom teeth, and when I relax my mouth, as you'll see in a momment, its not a pretty sight:



General Smiling - Still Awkward!

I have decided to go with my surgeon's original idea and have my upper jaw moved forward slightly, as I think this would help my profile.

Relaxed Mouth - Silly lip!

So there you go, not much else to say, but again, if there's any double jaw surgery patients I would be happy to take any advice you have off your hands!

Also, I've just had my 11th piercing in my ears, to all the pierced-post-opp people, will I have to take them out for surgery? 

A mouth full of metal!

Last week I was fitted with 4 elastic spacers, put behind the teeth that have the brackets, and today was the day they were to be removed and my braces changed.

I was worried because on Friday, 2 of the spacers came out, and I was unable to get them back in. I wasn't able to call anyone until Monday morning and then it was too late to fit me in, so there was a big possibility that I wouldn't be having the treatment today as the gaps made by the spacers would have closed.

LUCKILY! there was just enough room. So now I have 8 brackets, which means the wire covers all of my teeth. This is to straighten my back teeth, as my bite is uneven after my wisdom tooth removal. My orthodontist told me that this wire is thinner than the last, but I don't know what difference that makes. I won't have to return to the hospital until the new year.

I'm so relieved that last week wasn't a waste of time. The last thing I need is to be set back 2 weeks, especially as I've got so far to go yet!

Look what I just did!

This here is my stitches, or whats left of them.

The one from the photo of the blog below was pulling and ripping through my gum. So I reached for my craft knife and scissors and snipped away.

I think I swallowed the rest.

It was oddly satisfying unthreading it from my gum!! I feel so much better now.


Next dental appointment is next Tuesday, 22nd for my spacers to be added.

Good night!

Couldn't Resist!

Not the prettiest of pictures, but I do want to record everything that goes on through out this journey!



 On the left here we have the deepest of my wisdom tooth excavation sites :), but aside from putting my phone in my mouth, this is as good as I could get.

Please excuse my unsightly tongue colour.

Now on my right is where I had my stitches. This freaks me out to touch, and I keep trying to brush it away when I clean my teeth!

So there they are, I couldn't manage a picture of my upper gaps, but you get the idea.

Hey theres something missing...Oh yeah 4 big fat wisdom teeth!!!

Hello! I've finally found the effort to turn on my laptop! Thank you for the lovely comments yesterday, my teeth removal went great!

Never been under anesthetic before, but I have to say, my experience was pretty sweet!

Woke up to my surgeon telling me to lie back down cause he needed to wipe the blood off my face, and with numb lips I think I thanked him... bit fuzzy there.

I was so tired when I woke, but I have to say I felt great! I just wanted to sleep but I made myself sit up and stay awake, after all, sooner I'm home, the sooner someone else can have this bed - they were crazy busy!

One of the lovely nurses' actually offered me a sandwich though. A sandwich right now? Really?

But no, all in all a great experience, only 2 stitches and no immediate pain other than jaw ache.

OH! and before I went in, I met with my surgeon, who'll be doing my corrective jaw surgery. He now is talking about doing my top jaw too?!?

Any one having bi-jaw surgery? Thoughts are REALLY welcomed!

x