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 :)

Waiting...

Theres no one else here in the maxillofacial waiting room, hope I get seen soon!

Lipstick and Nervousness!

I still don't quite 'get' lipstick

 I love wearing it now, but I can't eat or drink anything without wondering if its moved from where I put it! I used to avoid drawing any unnecessary attention to my face at all costs, but now that I'm that close to fixing it, I just don't care - also, the braces are immediately in your line of vision so its not really worth trying is it!


I apologise for spamming you guys with pointless pictures, but I'm really restless tonight - I have my appointment at 11 tomorrow morning, and I neeeeed good news with this one!

Wish me luck, okay?

Nervous smile!  :/

Close Enough

I found this old video that I used to watch, before all of this, before I started this treatment. I used to show my parents and say 'this is what I'll need one day' they'd laugh and tell me to stop being silly, that I 'am fine as I am'. As it happens, this video is basically what I'll be having done in a few months. Isn't it weird how things turn out?

I need to stop watching it- I'm just depressing myself even more knowing its not happening yet.

I just want to move forward!!

First off, Congratulations, Terra on almost one month post opp! You look amazing!

I received the 'NHS-noreply text', reminding me of my appointment next Wednesday at 11.20am - like I could forget!

I'm feeling so restless - almost distressed from being stuck with no change in my teeth for the last 2 months - because there is no change left to do! I'm just waiting for my new orthodontist to give me the okay and hand me over to my surgeon and let him work his magic.
My new ortho is fine. Great even. I just can't help but resent her for making me wait unnecessarily due to a minor miscalculation with my last brace adjustment. I don't like to hold grudges, but I never had any set backs with my last orthodontist...

I just want to get it over with, I'm not scared of the pain and discomfort, I'm scared of what the timing of this surgery will do to my life:
- If I have surgery within the next 1-2 months, I could jeopardise my college work and fall behind, but the plus side is my boyfriend is still away on his exchange study until December, and as much as I miss him, I want him to come back to the brand new me.
- If I have to wait till December or after Christmas, he'll be back, and the 4 weeks he has here until he leaves again for the academic year will be spent with me being a big swollen mess - not much fun! But the upside is that I have a better chance of being in a good recovered state to continue with college.

It's all out of my control, I know. I'll just have to put up with this orthodontic-rut I'm in for the time being, and I just pray for good news next Thursday to kick-start this journey again.

Speak to you guys next Thursday!

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?

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!