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!
August 17, 2011 at 12:55 pm
Allllright well I just found this page which answers my question of ‘did you get your braces off yet?’ so… ignor that post on day 8.. or 9? … but the question still remains if your bite is still open. your teeth look fantastic. You are one good looking canadian ‘eh’ 😀 Hope your doing well! – Heather
August 7, 2011 at 5:58 pm
Finally, some backup! “I don’t and have not for even one second regretted going through the entire process.”
Congratulations on achieving your newfangled smile, girl! Your video made me laugh. Dance parties should be a legally required daily activity in a post-braces world. =)
August 7, 2011 at 6:46 am
hi graham,
i just wanted to post a link to my latest and last blog post on my jaw surgery blog (http://metalmouthmonologues.blogspot.com/2011/08/day-i-dont-know-epic-photo-post.html) in which I ‘bravely’ show way too many of my very unflattering pre-surgery/ post-surgery photos. This chapter of my life is officially closed (got my braces off 2+ weeks ago!), and I’m thankful but I’m hoping that my pictures/ story can maybe help out our potential jaw surgery comrades.
if a 5’1″ cowardly asian girl can survive this, anyone can! 🙂
July 28, 2011 at 11:04 pm
Peyton, knowing what’s coming is definitely a big help, but you’ve still got to be prepared to take life slowly at first. The key to maintaining your composure is to take one day at a time (though that probably applies to more areas of life than just jaw surgery).
Good luck in a few days!
July 28, 2011 at 5:28 pm
I know you must get this all the time, but I really appreciate each post from your journey as well as the many tips you have provided. My double jaw surgery is in 4 days, and you have given me a realistic idea of what to expect in the weeks and months to come. I think being able to anticipate the obstacles and frustrations will make them slightly less devastating when they do indeed occur for me.
Thank you!
July 27, 2011 at 8:23 am
Here’s to hoping it goes well for you, Kevin!
July 26, 2011 at 2:19 pm
heyy! wow, three years later! Everything looks so natural now! 😀 i cant wait to get my surgery!!!
July 22, 2011 at 12:23 pm
Ray, I can’t recall perfectly, but I believe I met with my surgeon at the 1-week mark, then again at about 3 weeks, and then every month following that.
There were fewer visits than I anticipated.
July 22, 2011 at 12:03 pm
hey just curious – what was your post-op checkup schedule like in the first month?
June 21, 2011 at 11:27 pm
Well, aren’t you just a sweetheart! I’m glad this random assortment of information has helped you out thus far.
I read through the posts you have up on your site already and it sounds like you have a solid outlook on this whole thing. You’re going to walk away from this with a flashy smile, Nichole!
June 21, 2011 at 2:23 pm
I know you’re probably so ready to move on and talk of anything other than jaw surgery. But, I must tell you, that you have been my hope and my inspiration to continue on towards my surgery. So lame, I know. But its true. I appreciate this blog of yours so much. I was desperately seeking the honest to God truth about what to expect before I made the commitment to have my head disassembled. Your information, honesty, and humor, (OH THE HUMOR!) have helped me wrap my head around it all. I hope to have the positive outlook that you have kept throughout your recovery. And I hope my physical changes are as positive as yours. You look fantastic!!!
I could just hug you 🙂
~Nichole
June 12, 2011 at 8:39 pm
Hey Evelyn! Glad to hear you’re already eating soft foods. How lucky are you?!
You sound like you’re totally racing through recovery, my friend. Let me know how your first post-op appointment goes!
June 12, 2011 at 5:09 pm
Hi Graham,
I wanted to thank you for making such a thorough and encouraging blog! I am on day four of jaw surgery recovery and have been using your blog to reassure both myself and my parents. I got double jaw surgery and along with it had my two wisdom teeth removed, deviated septum cleared out, and top jaw twisted and expanded. So far the worst part was having my nose filled with blood, and that is already over! Your blog has been keeping me positive, especially because you managed to maintain a good attitude while on liquids for so long. I was able to move on to very very soft foods by day three (my doctor didn’t wire or elastic me shut- I’m actually not sure how some of me is staying together), so I figure I have no reason to complain. Anyway, I have to go spend a couple hours on dinner, but I’m sure I will be back reading more of your tips soon!
June 12, 2011 at 6:52 am
LOL Hi Aimee – Thanks for the advice. I’m using a syringe only to drink stuff. Seems I get less on myself. 🙂 I am able to eat with a spoon for everything else. Woo Hoo! I’ve graduated! I’m getting pretty creative with the vita mix. Today was ice cream, fresh mango, milk, and a dash of carnation instant breakfast (ok – half the pack). It’s like eating in Paris. LOL! Bona Petit! I’m 7 days post op and my taste is getting better, thank god! I have to be creative, because I just can’t stomach the Ensure. Makes me want to ralph just thinking about it…lol
June 12, 2011 at 3:27 am
I must admit, I was simple (read: lazy) and stuck to Ensure and blended soups, but Aimee lived a far better life than me during her recovery with regards to culinary adventures. You can blend absolutely anything, as long as you can get past the texture of certain things.
I’ll follow in Aimee’s footsteps, though. There’s no reason to forego to gift of taste just because you can’t chew for a few brief weeks. 🙂
June 11, 2011 at 6:22 pm
Ha! You’re not kidding! LOL It will take a good bit of time but you WILL feel normal again. I thought the same as you – I was convinced that I would feel horrible forever.
Words of advice…get creative, especially with your taste buds. I know you said you don’t feel so great and nothing really sits right. Try your hardest to begin eating (drinking..lol) things now. Are you using syringes to eat? Just curious. Tell you what….and I posted this elsewhere the other day…Ensure was my friend for a long time. But….that was until I got creative and tried some things. Would you have thought you could have a burger while banded shut? How about spaghetti? How about chicken fettucini with broccoli and black olives? Even better – pizza!!!!!! You can have ANY of these! Get your food processor out, man and here we go!
Burgers – make the burger as you normally would. Cook it on the stove top, cook it on the grill. Whatever works. Put it in the food processor. Along with it – the works – whatever you would normally put on a burger! Oh, don’t forget the bun! On top of that, begin by adding a little beef broth. Puree. If it’s still pretty thick, add some more broth….and so on and so forth, until it’s a consistency you can drink or put in a syringe. Then, strain it (there will be some chunky stuff in it) and voila, a burger! You’d be surprised at how wonderful it tastes! Pizza? Same thing! Make or order your pizza. Put it in the food processor, along with some spaghetti sauce and even a little bit of beef broth (beef and chicken broth should be your best friend through all of this). Puree. Again, strain it. Then eat!
Maybe this will make your belly and taste buds happy again!!!!!! 🙂
June 11, 2011 at 6:12 pm
Hi Aimee – thank you for the advice. It really does help when you’re going through this. Feels like I’m never going to be normal again…lol oh or eat…:)
June 11, 2011 at 8:55 am
Ahhhh, I’m sure Graham will agree with me when I say “Yep! Stuff just doesn’t taste right”. LOL Friend of Graham’s here…went through essentially the same surgery just over a year ago and you’re right, it’s a combo of the meds and the anesthesia going through your system. It’ll pass – promise! Make Gatorade your best friend so you keep yourself hydrated. 🙂
June 11, 2011 at 8:39 am
Hi Graham – Not sure if you remember talking to me a while ago – I was originally scheduled to have lower jaw surgery and genioplasty – my doctors however decided that I needed to have upper jaw done as well. I’m 5 days post op now. Lets just say surgery was no walk in the park. Whoa! LOL I remember reading your energy was weak. That’s what I notice the most. Trying to eat, I mean drink everything I can, but just can’t get the ensure down. Everything seems to be making me sick. Not throw up sick, but things just don’t taste good.I’m pretty sure it’s the antibiotic they have me on. This discomfort will go away right and I will be able to eat again normally?
June 5, 2011 at 4:03 pm
Frank, get used to those cans of Ensure. They’ll be your best friends for the next few weeks of your life. Hopefully you can eat soft foods early on!