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!
November 21, 2011 at 6:15 pm
I just wanted to say this is the BEST blog out there about jaw surgery. And its hilarious.I’ve laughed my butt off several times. I am a student at Lethbridge College but will be receiving double jaw surgery December 21 back in Saskatchewan. ( merry Christmas) and I am getting nervous and excited. Your blog has offered more to me then the surgeon has. Thanks so much! hope all is well with you and its not too cold up in Edmonton! 🙂
November 21, 2011 at 5:19 pm
Hi Lindsay!
That’s great to hear that you’ve got your surgery date booked. The feelings you listed all describe this adventure perfectly. =)
I’ll be sure to follow along with your blog updates as soon as you’re in the recovery phase.
P.S. +10 points to you for having your own dot-com.
November 21, 2011 at 3:54 pm
Graham,
Just wanted to drop in and say thank you for the encouragement you’ve shared in the last few months! My surgery has finally been scheduled, and insurance IS covering it, after several years of battle. I’m excited/nervous/relieved/eager/scared/hopeful!
I think it’s amazing how you’ve connected with people over your surgery, and how much encouragement and humor you’re able to share with the world of jaw-pain-survivors!
I’m keeping my blog regularly updated as I prepare for surgery (37 days!) and recover.
Hoping you’re well and enjoying life!
Lindsay of Musings of a Lockjaw (www.lindsaylackey.com)
October 2, 2011 at 5:01 pm
Jenny, I don’t think there are any exercise you can do to speed up nerve reparation. The reason you’re numb is because your nerves are bruised due to being touche during the operation. Your feeling will come back as those bruises heal.
I’ve been told nerves often take up to six months to heal completely.
October 2, 2011 at 4:48 pm
It’s been two months since my surgery, Do you know if there’s any exercise i could practice to help my numbness gain back its feeling?
September 30, 2011 at 1:38 pm
Hi Kevin!
I, too, was amazed at the lack of information available to patients on the road to undergoing this operation. I feel that surgeons should be preparing their subjects a lot more aggressively than they are.
Glad you found my writing somewhat useful. I’ll be sending healthy thoughts your way during these first few weeks!
P.S. I actually lived in Australia for 6 months back in 2005. I stayed in a small town in the Blue Mountains, just south of Sydney. Hope you’re enjoying spring!
September 30, 2011 at 1:00 am
Hi Graham,
Not sure if you still watch these messages or whether it’s all too long ago but in case you do still check this site I just thought I’d drop you a message of appreciation. At 48 I am much older than you and older than most if not all others that have left comments here. I am now day 3 post op (maxillary and mandibular advancement) and first read through your blog about 2 months ago. I have been a doctor for 24 years but even with the knowledge and experience I’ve had over the years, it was your blog that prepared me better than anything for the procedure. Reading the comments left by others, it’s obvious you were a similar help to them.
Once again, thanks for this site. It made a difference!
Cheers from Australia, Kevin.
September 16, 2011 at 12:04 am
Emily, being wired shut for two months would be so frustrating! My father had the same surgery over 30 years ago and he too was wired shut. He lived off soup and milkshakes for a few months.
Thank you for the kind words.
September 15, 2011 at 6:01 pm
Thanks for the quick reply! Will definitely recommend it to him as soon as I go in which is this coming Tuesday. Best wishes from Toronto!
September 15, 2011 at 3:11 pm
Hey Graham! Great website. I too am a double jaw surgery survivor. I had the surgery when I was 16, 10 years ago this summer! If only there had been a website like yours back then. Seriously so helpful, and your experience was a lot like mine, although I can tell they’ve come a long way with the procedure. (When I came out of surgery I was so swollen my parents didnt recognize me- probably the most frightening day of my life.)
I had a class 3 malocclusion as well. They removed bone from my lower jaw and took bone from my hip to use in my upper jaw that was brought forward. Eight hour surgery because of complications, Two days in the ICU being closely monitored. 4 more days in a hospital room. Two months with my mouth wired shut. My story is pretty ridiculous.
Anyway, I just wanted to say how wonderful I think you are for writing all of this down for anyone going into surgery. I’m sure so many people have found your website very helpful. Thanks again!
September 15, 2011 at 10:23 am
Glad this blog has provided some comfort for you, Ateeb! Thank you so much for your kind words.
I remember having to forego laughter for the first month or so–it was so frustrating! Trust me, you’ll be smiling more than ever once this is all over! Better start planning your first few meals. They’ll taste delicious.
p.s. Perhaps you should recommend this site to your surgeon to get the ball rolling. =)
September 15, 2011 at 5:11 am
Hey Graham! Just wanted to thank you immensely for this super informative blog. Got my surgery done a week ago and this blog helps me stay focused on my recovery and not get all caught up with how different I look at the moment. Your results turned out fantastic and I’m super happy for you. Seriously though, I can’t even put into words how thankful I was to have found this, as this blog has helped me a great deal. Not only now while I recover but especially the months leading up to the surgery, you just gave me such hope. I’m trying my best to stay positive and have a good sense of humour about my situation at the moment because let’s face it, a week after, I’m still looking pretty funny. Even I have to stifle a laugh (because that would be so painful) when I look at myself in the mirror. I think that every surgeon should give this website to their patients as an additional recovery tool because it really is very comprehensive. I constantly come back to check where my progress is in relation to where yours was, like today for me is day 7 and my lips are crazy huge as well, especially the top one! Anyway, hope all is going well with you, just wanted to express my gratitude. In addition, I am always so impressed by the communal atmosphere of jaw surgery patients, we are a tight nit group and it really shows. Just got a few months to go!!!! Watch out food!!!!!!! Going to start making my list of foods to eat later today, just to tease myself hahaha.
September 11, 2011 at 11:47 pm
thank u so much 🙂 i wish you the best in life 🙂
lots of love.. take care
September 10, 2011 at 11:24 am
Nice to meet you mrinmayi!
Most of your swelling will be gone a month from now, so you’ll be back to your normal self. Happy birthday in 35 days!
p.s. I fully approve of your love for Glee and Modern Family. =)
September 9, 2011 at 8:05 pm
hey graham!
im so glad i got to read you blog, made me happy to know there are others out there like me 🙂
it has been about 42 days since my surgery ( and it was also a twin jaw :)) and im just waiting for the swelling to go!
thanks to you all i did for one month was watch glee, modern family and castle 🙂
i cant wait for my braces to come out , i had them for about 5 years!
but thanks so much for sharing your experience.. you made this bearable 🙂
tc
p.s any chance that the swelling can go in a month?
i dont want it for my birthday which is on oct 15 🙁
September 4, 2011 at 9:37 pm
Hi Crystal!
Life is slightly boring during those first few weeks, isn’t it?
My only suggestion is to find a television show you like and pick up (read: download) a few seasons of it. I watched so much TV during my first week, it wasn’t even funny. I recommend How I Met Your Mother, Big Bang Theory, Modern Family, Community, and The 4400. =)
Also: walk. Always go for walks.
Stay happy! You’ll be back to normal life in no time at all!
September 3, 2011 at 2:28 pm
Hey Graham,
I actually commented somewhere on your blog a few months ago. Just updating to say that I’m on my 9th day of recovery. Honestly, I went over this blog so many times to help with what to expect and especially how to handle everything emotionally and mentally. I appreciate that you’re still checking in on this blog to help pretty much EVERYONE in the world who is getting this procedure done. Every time you Google anything about jaw surgery, this blog will pop up and it’s a GREAT resource.
Anyway, time is flying very slowly for me. Any advice on how to get the time to pass? plus, I’m craving REAL FOOD and i think that’s what’s making it really tough. Tougher than the actual discomfort! haha well I hope to hear back from you soon! Take Care!
September 1, 2011 at 5:42 pm
Trust me, in a few months, you’ll be out-smiling me for sure. Guaranteed!
September 1, 2011 at 3:26 pm
I had double jaw surgery on July 27th and my recovery has definitely plateaued. Whenever I need a little encouragement I visit this site to see your beautiful smile, and it makes me feel better!
August 18, 2011 at 8:20 am
Two of my rear molars on the left side of my mouth fail to touch, but it doesn’t affect me at all. I can still chew perfectly alright on both sides of my mouth. The right side of my bite closed up perfectly, and I have faith the left side will still come together.
I appreciate your use of the word “eh.” If only the world would accept that fine point of speech, the world would be a happier place, hehe.