When you're smiling.... Day: 276/ Shout-outs for Corrinne, Amanda and Natasha!

So I recently got asked about my surgery by a girl who will be having her surgery at the end of this month (Good Luck, Sarah!) and talking about it again made me think I should do a little update.

What can I say, I'm really happy, I feel good, no, better than good I feel NORMAL! I'm making eye contact with my peers and lecturers at university and no one has said to me 'GOSH You've had jaw surgery!' (sounds stupid but this was at one point a fear..' 

Nope, no one suspects a thing ;) But don't get me wrong, I'm far from embarrassed about it. I needed it. I wanted it, and it's helped me, and so many more people like me, not look better - that's just the bonus, but feel confident enough to walk in to a room full of people and to know that whatever thoughts pop in to their heads, it's not about your jaw!

I've had some big presentations since being at university- group and individual, and I was able to stand at the podium and look each person in the eyes, and not feel the burning stare I used to get as they tried to assess what was off about my face!

Jaw Stuff? Oh right I forgot that's what you come here for!

I am almost 10 months post opp and honestly, my only complaint is again, numbness. It's still there in half of my chin and all of my lower lip - and the gums are the worst. My surgeon still swears there was no disruption of the nerve so because of this, even he doesn't know when I will regain sensation, he just says I should.

I know its a little far gone to be talking about swelling, but there is kinda still some there. My right side of this photo, is still 'thicker; than the other, which is due to the mass of muscle, which has been described to me as 'shifted in to a pile' when my face was rotated, so the thinner side is thinner literally because it has less muscle on it. the thicker side will settle down with time, but even if it didn't I wouldn't be bothered.

(On a side note, I got hit in the face at a concert the other month and OH MY GOD it hurt - I can feel the metal in the sides of my face, and around them was a sharp shooting pain and it swelled a little the next few days.)

Despite not posting, I still visit here probably 5 times a month to see how y'all doing, and I must say theres some amazing results you've got!

Natasha! (awimpsguidetoorthognathicsurgery.blogspot.co.uk)  You look happier each time I see your updates! Hope you have fun in Germany!

Corrinne, (jawsurgery-journey.blogspot.co.uk) your de-braced smile is beautiful :)

and Amanda (bracefacethesequel.blogspot.co.uk) You're glowing! Good luck with your family!

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

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 :)

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!  

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! 

Pretty-Pointless-Post

Today I felt like I'd had enough, of braces, of waiting, of everything. 
They make me so claustrophobic sometimes I just wanna rip 'em out of my mouth!

Next month I will have had these braces for two years. 

My dad said today, ''Its really flown by, hasn't it?''
I said ''I hope that's sarcasm''

I have to call the hospital tomorrow, cause I'm yet to have my appointment for the joint clinic come through, and yes, I am selfishly growing impatient, I'm now wondering if this wait will leak in to June? July? Perhaps I'll end up with surgery for my birthday in August, cause one things for sure, its not happening this Month. I very much doubt the next too.

I want to move on... its like, okay, I've done the whole braces thing now, that's enough, let me look like an adult for once - because since being an adult I've had these stuck to my face. 

Maybe I'll have better news for tomorrow. 

But for now, have a great night, my Brace-Bloggers, and I hope all is well with everyone!

Sick of calling this my good side....

My first V-Day Single/ Look over there, its another Gap!!!

My first valentines day single in 7 years

...Its actually not so bad :)

There might be a guy...But it's too early for that story! >.<

But back to business!

Gap Gap oh and did I mention gap?!?!
My last post was me complaining about a gap which had appeared in the center of my bottom teeth. I booked an SOS appointment, got it sorted, its gone. But because they've shoved some more powerchain on me, it has now created a gap at the side where the powerchain ends!!!

ARGHH When will it end???

So I don't know whether I should call up or not, because I don't want to be a nuisance but I also don't want to be told I have to be postponed again due to my teeth not being ready.

So, I probably should screw my need to please people and just call, right? Besides, I'm only due one more ortho appointment before I'm refereed to the joint clinic, and I don't know when that will be.

Hope you're all well and being spoilt rotten by your guys ;)

Happy Valentines day! 

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

Receding Gums?????

Okay, I'm freaking out.

I noticed this whilst I was checking my teeth on the train after eating some candy - and I noticed this dark 'ring/outline' around the bottom edge of one of my teeth.

I thought ugh maybe I'd not brushed properly there somehow but when I scratched with my nail it didn't move. It's like a stain.

I showed my mom and she thinks my gum has receded!

I'm terrified and don't know how to prevent/stop this or even why its happening. I have an appointment on Friday to fix this gap I mentioned the other day, and I'm definitely going to talk about this. 

I'm so worried. I look after my teeth crazy well - why is this happening now?

It's hard to see, which is why I've blown this lovely image up so large. It's literally a dark outline on my bottom canine. 

If you click on the photo and zoom (its not pretty, I know) you can see what I'm talking about

Has anyone else experienced receding gums? what happened? why did it happen? and did it stop???

arghh I need to calm down and sleep. Good night Bloggers! x

'SOS' Brace Appointment

Hey so after being unable to get in at the emergency dentist over the weekend to get the wire which had slipped in to my gum cut down, I spent 2 days in agony. 

I finally managed to get in at the hospital to see a locum orthodontist at 12.20pm yesterday. I already had a hospital appointment at a different hospital at 10.15am to see a consultant about the tinitis in my ear.

They are miles apart so it was a push to make them both. I waited over 2 hours at the tinitis appointment and still hadn't been seen, so I had to leave and ask to be rescheduled. what a waste of time.

I made it to my SOS brace appointment just in time, and was seen by the same nice ortho/surgeon as last time. he changed my braces and also let me know that .....

THERE'S NO MORE ADJUSTMENTS TO MAKE!!!

I have a double appointment booked for the 16th!! 1.30pm for my impressions to be taken, then back at 4pm to get the results and decision from my surgeon!!! I'm so excited, its given me that little boost to stay positive, and I really hope its still ready for February like they said.

Happy New Year, Guys! :)

Face update - 1 year 10 months with braces

In march I will have had these braces for 2 years, and lately, my tolerance for them is wearing thin.

Its the little things that annoy me now, silly things which aren't a big deal. Its the way people treat me, and don't understand - I do explain why they're necessary to the surgery, but most of the time I get 'Oh when I had braces it was a piece of cake...they were off within 6 months...' I'm like, yes well this is different... but they don't get my frustration!

[In the convenience store]

Shop assistant - 'Do you have any ID for that?'

Me - 'Yes, I'm 21, and this is a scratch card...'

[At work on break]

Me - 'can I have a knife and fork, please?'

Manager - 'why? you're eating a sandwich.'

Me - 'I know but its easier on account of my braces..'

Manager - 'Lol, You're so weird, haven't you had those braces for like, forever?'

Me - '....forget it.'

[My local pub]

Me - 'Hey, I'll have half a cider please'

Bartender - 'Okay can I see some ID?'

Me - *Shows ID* 'I'm 21, and you went to school with me!!!'

Bartender - 'Oh well its cause of the braces...'

[Flirting with hot guy]

Hot guy - 'Erm...I really like you Sophie, but I think you're a little young for me, maybe if you were a little older..'

Me - 'I'm 21!!!'

Hot guy - 'Oh really? You know I wouldn't have guessed, you don't expect someone your age to still have braces!'

Me - 'I don't still have braces, I - ...never mind.'

I know I'm being excessive here, but I think I'm just bitter from being postponed.

END OF RANT - Back to braces!

With my hair straight you can really see the shape of my face.

My teeth alignment hasn't really changed much, I think thats why I'm getting so wound up - nothing is changing!

This, again, is my good side... I'm smiling, but you really can't tell

This is my bad side, which actually isn't much different from my good side, except I try to steer clear of photographs this side. Hate that downwards line by my mouth - makes me look sad I think.

I really want my appointment to come through soon! It's been over 6 weeks for sure! I called and they said I'm waiting cause I don't have a set orthodontist, as mines gone of to have a baby, so its just whoever is around and available for me.

The waiting game - a pre-op's worst nightmare

The Ortho-Store!

I've always suffered with ulcers, and having braces only exacerbated the problem! Here's what I do!

• For pain relief I use Anbesol - great numbing liquid, I find it works faster and longer than bonjela. You can get it in most drug stores here and US for about £1-4 depending on size. 

• As you all know, wax is the savoir when it comes to braces rubbing, but it might be cheap, but its not the best. I've even resorted to using chewing gum to cover my braces! Until Blogger Cathy told me about Gishy goo. Its a little more expensive than anything else, at £14, but its a crazy thing, it produces 2 substances which when rubbed together create a soft, but firm texture ( a bit like the stuff ortho dontists take moulds of teeth with) and it lasts a long long time. NOTE: for all you 'adults', like me, you might want to get the white colour - the green is very very green!

• Mouth guard - This I bought on a whim, but its the best investment by far. When looking for gishy goo, I found 'comfort covers' they are basically a light mouth guard used by people who perhaps play a brass instrument, or light activity. Its two plastic strips which you cut to size, they clip in to place around your braces, and VOILÀ, no more rubbing ANYWHERE on your mouth. I use them to sleep in and at just £5, they are amazing. Highly recommend. comes with a little case too!  

So there you have it! its only taken 2 years but I've finally found my 'brace survivor pack' 

I found out about these on www.orthostore.co.uk

go to 'Patient Comfort' and have a look. If they don't ship to your country/ area, look on Ebay and Amazon.

So glad I can share this with you guys! Natasha, I hope this helped! x

Tongue, just pick a spot, then stay put!!!

Its been 3 weeks since I last had my braces tightened and oh my god what is wrong with them!?

I mentioned that my new orthodontist had removed my plastic chain runners and provided me with some lovely, discreet wire versions (which won't change colour when I eat curry!) 

So although I'm loving this in comparison, I think I've swapped my eye-sore for a whole-mouth-sore!
I'm prone to ulcers anyway - for no reason, but this is the worst ever - and its not even my usual 1cm+ ones! They've covered the sides of my tongue because I've ended up biting it with the brackets when trying to avoid hurting my lip. 

 This photo doesn't do it justice! Its dark, and angry looking, and its making my life hell!
I couldn't speak in class all week, and can't eat. I've plastered my teeth in wax as you can see but nothing helps! I'm out of Bonjela, Anbesol, and every other useless remedy I could think of.

I just wanna brush my teeth without having to hold my lip stretched out with my other hand!

Now, I know this is nothing compared to how I'll feel post-surgery, but at least that's a good reason to be in pain - this isn't! 

My jaw has also been locking at least 7 times a day - think this is because I've been clenching my teeth without realising it due to the discomfort of this damn ulcer - it has no idea what trouble it's causing!

Bit of a Tight Fit!

As you know I had my appointment for adjustments and what-not on the 7th November.
Now, sure I expect my teeth to be sore, I even expect to not be able to eat particularly hard foods that week. But what I didn't expect is for it to have been 14 days later and still be struggling with a sandwich!!

Nice, sweet soft cupcake...ruined as my stupid teeth couldn't grind down those crispy sugary bits on top!

Still, I'd chose these overly-tight braces over the plastic chain-runners I had any day!

Hope everyone's having a more eventful week than I am!

At least I know where I stand (appointment update)

 I've just got home, appointment went well, other than it not being my last, but I had (another) new orthodontist, he was very nice, and straight to the point. He told me that I will definitely only be having my one jaw operated on, as there is only enough 'movement' for the bottom jaw. He promised me this will be enough to fix the symmetry, and showed me this on the moulds taken back in may(!), how that if I really wanted my upper jaw done too, they'd have to remove 2 pre-molars and this will extend my waiting time by another year! So I told him straight way 'whatever gets me there quickest!' He said only having the one jaw done will also cut my recovery time down, so that's a positive.

Clever little metal-chain-runner; you're almost invisible :)

So, I'm at the point where in 6 weeks I will have a double appointment where photographs, moulds and X-rays will be taken and they can decide what will actually be done during surgery. He says that my teeth are doing great, I've kept them nice and clean which wasn't easy with the chain runner across them, so to add the finishing touches and close off any little gaps, he's made me a new type of chain, which you can see in the photograph is made of wire this time, not plastic, so it won't discolour, and its more hygienic.

I was a little disappointed when he told me about the next appointment, but I says for my actual surgery, given that nothing goes wrong, will happen early next year, latest February - which will give me some time in the half term to recover, saying that, my course year finishes in April  so I could even wait till then.

All in all, it was good. I got those horrid plastic, stained runners off, and got my nice new clean pink bands back, so my smile doesn't look so scary now. I can be patient, its all coming together, very slowly :)

Almost Two Years

On Christmas eve 2010, I received the best news of that year - I had been accepted on to the treatment program which would eventually lead up to my long-awaited jaw surgery.



I've had many ups and downs since then, but when I think about how close I am to the day my orthodontist tells me I'm ready for surgery... well, its all been worth it!
Every toothache from tightened braces, every ulcer caused by the wire, every embarrassing moment when I realise I've spent half my day with lunchtime's salad, woven between my metal-covered teeth....

You get the idea. The point is, I'd do it all again in a heartbeat, knowing all this is contributing to fixing my lop-sided smile and my clicky, locking jaw.

So, as I was feeling down lately due to the delaying of my surgery date, I thought I'd remind myself how far I've came, and that whether its next week or next year, it will happen.

Stay positive!