Three years of dental purgatory later…
Since I’ve been repeatedly asked to post a picture of myself sans hardware (read: braces and appliances), I’m updating this fancy little blog one last time.
I had a date with my orthodontist earlier this week where she kindly removed my braces for me. The entire process took no more than 5 minutes and was relatively painless. I was shocked that something that was such an inconvenience could be eradicated in mere moments. My teeth felt extremely slimy at first, but I later realized that I’d simply forgotten what smooth teeth actually felt like.
Following that, she made a couple of molds of my new mouth so their lab could fashion me a sporty new retainer! (Note: I’m not actually excited about having a retainer. I’m just making my best effort at staying positive.) I received the retainer a few hours later and learned how to snap it in and take it out. Then, upon shaking the hands of all of the lovely ladies who have taken care of me in that office for the past 3 years, I walked out the door for the last time.
I’ve created a little storyboard intermission for those of you who would rather forego reading altogether and just look at pictures.
Guess what, folks! I have big news!
I got rid of my braces!
Now I’m subjected to wearing this retainer…
…but it’s going to keep my teeth super straight! (Now that’s an unflattering shot!)
Wearing a retainer is frustrating at first because your speech is slightly lispy and you need to take it out every single time you wish to eat. It only took a day or two before I learned how to speak while wearing it and realized that removing it to eat is hardly an inconvenience, considering I can now smile at the table while I eat. It’s quite a brilliant thought! I’m supposed to wear this retainer every day for a year, then every night for two months, and then 1–2 nights per week for the rest of my life.
I wonder what’s waiting out there for me and my new smile…
Following my orthodontist appointment, I went to donate blood with a friend for the first time in my life. Now, despite having 5 years’ worth of tattoos, I’m actually horribly afraid of needles. I finally manned up and committed to donating only to learn that you can’t be a donor if you’ve had dental work performed in the past 24 hours. I still had the privilege of eating free cookies though, so it was a worthwhile trip.
“Would you like another plate of ribs?”
Later that night, a few friends and I went out for unlimited ribs (despite the fact that my orthodontist explicitly told me not to eat ribs for three days until the glue on the permanent wire on the backs of my bottom teeth was fully set). Folks, eating things like ribs and apples again is quite amazing. I felt like a bit of a glutton afterwards, considering I ate 5 plates’ worth. It was a celebration though, so I’m exempting myself for that one night only.
I’ll be driving to New York in a couple of weeks to experience New Year’s Eve in Times Square. I plan on doing something crazy, so look for me on TV! I’ll be the crazy Canadian running around finding cameras in a mad attempt to flash the entire world… with my new smile!
April 22, 2011 at 6:46 am
Hey Graham!
Great blog! I read every update and comment, and learned a lot as I prepare for my double jaw surgery next month to fix my Class 3 underbite. I’ll be operated on by a Dr. David Psutka at Credit Valley Hospital in Mississauga, Ontario.
I’ll be in ICU the first night, and then a regular hospital room for two more nights. My jaws will be wired for 6 weeks afterwards. (The surgeon offered my the choice of just rubber bands or being wired, but explained that the risk of permanent numbness is lower if he wires my jaws, since he doesn’t then come so close to certain nerves.)
If you can help with any of these questions, I’d be truly grateful:
1. Would a portable suction unit be helpful to have at home, so I don’t always need to hover over the sink when there’s blood or mucous to drain? I can rent one for only $50/month. (http://www.devilbisshc.com/personal_healthcare/suction_therapy/7305_vacuaide)
2. What type of heat/ice pack would you suggest? I would get the gel packs that are freezable/microwavable, but what sort of cloth holder? Most sold are too short to go all teh way round the head. Some people buy one called a “Jaw Bra”.
3. Is it very important, do you suppose, to sleep on your back after this surgery? I’m a lifelong side sleeper, but that puts my jaw right on the pillow. I guess if I have to, I could sleep in a Laz-y Boy recliner (was thinking of buying a lift chair version) — then I am physically unable to roll over, plus I get the benefit of my head being elevated at night.
4. Are the syringes and feeding hose a huge hassle to eat with? Some people suggest using plastic condiment squeeze bottles instead, the kind with the fairly long nozzles used for ketchup and mustard.
Your smile does look great now, Graham! Hope you’re flashing it a lot!
Thanks, Peter.
March 25, 2011 at 2:30 pm
Hey Brad,
My surgeon told me that the bone in my face would be completely healed 3 months after surgery. In fact, his exact words were: “If someone punches you in the face 3 months later, the results will be the exact same as if someone hit you in the face before surgery.” Comforting thought, right?
I would try not to get hit in the face with something like a soccer ball for at least 2-2.5 months following the operation. I took a frisbee to the mouth 2 months post-op and, while I swelled up a bit from it, it didn’t actually damage my face in any way.
Just take it easy for a few months. That’s my best advice. =)
March 25, 2011 at 11:57 am
Hi Graham
Im waiting for my operation date for the exact same surgery! I cant wait to have it done and this blog has given me a insight into what recovery really is like!
Congratulations on the final results your smile looks great 🙂
Just one question, as i play alot of soccer im worried about taking a knock to the face a year later and it damaging my results. Have you been hit in the face and if so how did your new jaw take it?
Cheers
Brad, Leeds UK
March 3, 2011 at 10:07 pm
Oooh, Chile! That’s a new one! All the best for the rest of your recovery, Claudia. 🙂
March 3, 2011 at 1:05 pm
This blog is awesome. Im on my 35th day after my surgery, and im feeling good, hopefully everything will get even better now that ive readed your advices 😉
Greetings from Chile, Graham!!
March 1, 2011 at 4:27 pm
Hi Suzanna!
Glad my ramblings gave you something to read while you’re waiting for the opportunity to eat real food again!
It’s such a blessing when you start to hear good news from your surgeon. Looser bands would be a fantastic start to your day. Just wait until they tell you that the bands are no longer necessary!
I hope you’re not getting as sick of Ensure as I did. 🙂
March 1, 2011 at 3:02 pm
I found your blog a few days ago and just finished reading it all. I’m 25 years old from Ontario and just had upper and lower jaw surgery 2 and a half weeks ago. The first 5 or 6 days were brutal but it got a lot better from there. I’m still on a liquid/no chew diet, I’ve tried things like pasta, fish, mashed potatoes, and of course every imaginable creamed soup you could think of. I’m still doing ensures for breakfast just because its convenient.
My swelling has gone down a lot but it’s still quite noticeable and I’m still numb on my inner cheeks, nostrils, upper lip, lower lip and chin.
I see my surgeon again tomorrow and I’m really hoping he puts looser bands on, I still have the same ones I’ve had on since I had the surgery. Thankfully my bite fit together well enough that I didn’t require a splint though.
Anyways enough about me, I just wanted to say thank you Graham for posting about your journey. It’s so nice to read that other people are going through the same things you are and that there are people you can share your experiences with. Plus your blog is really funny too so it was entertaining to read :p
Suzanna
February 20, 2011 at 9:39 pm
I’m from Ontario, you’re from Alberta right? I was hoping you were from Ontario because then you’d know all about OHIP :p Yeah its amazing how many issues bite problems cause. For years I have been trying to change the way I do everything else, not knowing it was my jaw causing all these issues. Oddly enough I’m pretty excited to have this all corrected for once.
The worst part is that everyone is so surprised to hear this. They think, “oh you have straight teeth, why would you want to do that?” So it’s getting pretty time consuming explaining to people that its not all for cosmetic purposes.
p.s. its funny how your pictures seem to gradually get happier as you neared the end of your jaw recovery, seems like a long recovery
February 20, 2011 at 9:39 am
I’m working on their Way to Health project for the Faculty of Medicine. Have fun this fall!
February 19, 2011 at 9:44 pm
Ah! So I might not even be ready next year! :/ That’s depressing – but you’re right I’d hate to have to go through the surgery twice…
I’ll ask again but I think he told me the surgery for widening my upper palette is far less exhausting and consequently would somewhat speed up the healing process for my actual jaw surgery come next year…
That’s so funny – what project are you working on at Penn? As for me, I chose Penn because it was one of the few schools among its peers that had a generous financial aid policy for Canadians. Thankfully, things worked out, and I can’t wait for this fall…
February 19, 2011 at 9:25 pm
Hey Joseph,
I waited until I was 25 because every orthodontist and surgeon I talked to since I was 18 years old told me to wait until my jaw stopped growing. I went in for annual panoramic x-rays and they consistently showed that my jaw was still moving around.
If you undergo the surgery before your jaw is finished growing, you’ll relapse and you may have to redo the entire process. Trust me, that would not be fun.
I’m not sure of the reasoning for splitting the surgery into two separate instances. Having the entire operation completed at once is most certainly exhausting, but I’m rather only have to recover and last through the no-talking and no-eating stage once. You should ask your surgeon why he wants to take this path.
As for Philly, I’m down here for an internship as part of my engineering degree back home. In fact, the project I’m working on is for the University of Pennsylvania right now. I meet with them every single week!
What made you choose Penn?
February 19, 2011 at 8:49 pm
PS. What are you doing in Philly? Funny how much us jaw surgery patients have in common…I’m going to be a freshman at the University of Pennsylvania starting this Fall!
February 19, 2011 at 7:16 pm
Hey Gra-Yum,
I stumbled upon your blog last night while trying to google some info about orthognathic surgery before my consultation today. Read the entire thing in one sitting…
First of all, can I just say that your surgeon seems to have done an amazing job? Your teeth and bite look perfect. I’m utterly jealous – I have another year to go!
Just a quick question for ya – is there a reason you waited ’til you turned 25 to undergo the treatment? I’m 19 right now, and much to my disappointment (and contrary to my orthodontist thinking I was ready), I was told today that I should wait another full year! His reasoning was that males’ bones don’t stop growing until around age 20. I guess it’s better to wait than to risk relapse, eh?
I see that you also had to get your upper jaw widened…my surgeon wants to perform 2 separate surgeries – first for the widening, and then the real deal. What do you think of this?
Anyhow, awesome blog…you just might have inspired me.
Sincerely,
A fellow double-jaw-surgery-bound Canadian (from BC)
February 19, 2011 at 5:58 pm
Hey Terra,
I watched your YouTube video and I can sympathize! Open cross bites are no fun at all!
Where in Canada are you from? I wonder if we’re neighbors!
Best of luck with your surgery. It’s a time-consuming ordeal, but it’ll be worth it. 🙂
February 19, 2011 at 4:44 pm
Hey I’m at the early stages of correcting an open cross bite. I have to say I am so thankful to have your blog to refer to, it answers so many of my questions regarding what is to come. I’m sure it will be a huge help when I get closer to having the surgery done 🙂
February 15, 2011 at 8:14 am
My best advice is all listed on the Recovery Tips page. If I were to go through it all again, I’d follow that page whole-heartedly. 🙂
February 15, 2011 at 6:22 am
thank you 🙂 is there any other advice you could give me about the recovery! i have no idea really what to expect apart from what the surgeon has told me xx
February 14, 2011 at 7:56 am
Good luck next week, Nicole! Try to eat and drink enough–it’ll save you!
February 13, 2011 at 11:44 pm
graham, you are an inspiration :o) reading your blog has put me a bit more at ease about having my double jaw surgery next week :s eeeek! im not looking forward to it, but still, reading your time line and your blog has made me feel more positive about it, and for that i am very gretaful xxxx
February 10, 2011 at 7:44 am
Wow, you’re lucky! I couldn’t drink from a cup for 2 weeks straight.
I know your pain when it comes to cracked, swollen lips. I tried my best not to smile or laugh because it hurt quite a lot. It will be such a blessing to be able to laugh again!