Jeremy's Jaw

Koi and Goldfish

2009-11-14T13:29:00.001-08:00

Costco Cupcake

2009-10-09T09:38:00.000-07:00

Super yummy Costco Cupcake! (No, I didn't eat the whole thing) :)

7 months post op

2009-04-02T12:48:00.000-07:00

So I am now 7 months post op. Here is a picture of my new chin...so long! I have had my mind eased about my gray tooth. I don't need to have a root canal! w00t! I am going to try to take more pictures of the gray tooth and the scars from the stitches...so nasty! LOL

4 month post-op check up

2008-12-11T06:44:00.000-08:00

I go on Tuesday for my 4 month post-op check up. I'm kind of excited for it. All of my swelling as disappeared and my orthodontist says that things seem to be settling nicely...we'll see what the surgeon has to say.

Orthodontist Update

2008-11-12T17:59:00.000-08:00

I went to the orthodontist last week and he informed me that we were going to have a "marathon" appointment soon. I asked what that meant...I should have never asked.

He told me that they are going to remove all of my brackets and wires and replace them all. He said "these did their job for before surgery, now we need to focus on after the surgery."

Oy!

2 New Obsessions

2008-11-12T17:06:00.001-08:00

Artie Lange's Too Fat to Fish

Phoebe Snow Live

This album is absolutely beautiful! The song to her daughter is amazing and moving.

X-Rays

2008-10-15T19:11:00.003-07:00

Here are two x-rays. Something happened to the others when I scanned them in. I'll post them as soon as I can.

Before

After

I ATE A CHEESEBURGER!!

2008-10-07T12:02:00.001-07:00

I ate a cheeseburger!! A real cheeseburger! Not in the blender...so amazing. I had been waiting for this day for so long now and it finally came. And I have to say, it was worth the wait!

3rd Ortho Visit Post-Op

2008-10-02T10:47:00.000-07:00

Today was my third orthodontist post-op visit. He added more rubber bands because my midline is off. It has shifted to the right. I have 3 H8 rubber bands on the right side (lower 6 to upper 2) and 1 H10 on the left side (lower 6 to upper 2). I see him again in two weeks.

I asked him how much longer I am going to be in braces and he said "Usually it's 4 to 6 months post-op that the braces stay on...let's shoot for that goal. "

OY!

Goodbye Blender, Hello Softies!

2008-09-27T15:03:00.000-07:00

Well, last night was my first blender-less meal in 5 weeks! I had a cheese omelet and the "not so crispy" parts of some hash browns smothered in ketchup. It was so good to use a real fork and to eat real food. And, it didn't even hurt! I am so pleased to finally get rid of blender food.

Day 25 Post Op

2008-09-17T14:49:00.000-07:00

So, I had my 2nd follow-up appointment with Dr. Clayman (surgeon) on Monday, September 15. He said everything looks great and that "if it holds at 80% I'll be happy-but it looks like it is going to hold 90%" Um, kinda freaked me out a little bit as I don't want to go through this again. I am happy I had it done and I like the results this far, but I don't want to do it again.

I am still on the blender/liquid diet for another 2 weeks, then I can move on to soft food for 1 to 2 weeks...then regular food after that! I'm still craving that cheeseburger from Wendys!

I am seeing the orthodontist tomorrow for the 2nd time after the surgery. Two hooks have broken already that are holding my rubber bands on...so annoying. One broke off today when the rubber band snapped as I was eating chocolate pudding. Luckily I have an appointment tomorrow to get it fixed!

I can't wait until I can get my braces taken off...I have to ask tomorrow when that will be!

Day 22 Post Op

2008-09-11T09:46:00.001-07:00

Day 22 and all of the swelling is gone. There isn't much more pain, just a little discomfort every now and then. I saw my orthodontist today (Dr. Bayleran) and he took the rubber bands off that the surgeon put on right after the surgery and put new ones on in different positions. I think he's trying to get my bite aligned. I have to change the rubber bands twice a day according to the dental assistant. I have never had to wear rubber bands with my braces before so this is a whole new feeling.

I am going to see the surgeon on Monday and I'm hoping he will move me into the "soft foods" category of eating. I have really had enough of the whole blender-food thing.

I still can't wait until I can eat a cheeseburger!

Day 11 Post Op

2008-09-01T15:19:00.001-07:00

I'm on Day 11 post op and I feel GREAT! The swelling is almost completely gone and it seems to be that the right side is all that is swollen now. My chin is itching like crazy...it's like the itch is on the inside and I can't get to it. I'm assuming that is a good thing because I have sensations in there-maybe there won't be any permanent numbness--w00t!

I am still tired of the blended foods and I want a cheeseburger so bad, but I don't want to put one through the blender because I'm afraid I might ruin the taste of it forever!

I have lost about 10 pounds since the surgery, which isn't that bad of a thing-I need to lose more, but not in this manner!

I still tire easily, but not like before. I have stopped taking afternoon naps, but those might resume when I am home alone again.

Chili Dog for Dinner

2008-09-01T15:18:00.003-07:00

The other night I got adventurous and did a chili dog in a blender recipe...it wasn't too bad.

Day 9 Post Op

2008-08-30T15:27:00.000-07:00

Day 9 Post Op and the swelling has really started to go down. I am still eating through a straw/using a baby spoon and am only eating liquid/blended foods...it can only get better from here.

First follow-up with Dr. Clayman

2008-08-28T07:48:00.000-07:00

I had my first follow-up appointment with Dr. Clayman (surgeon) on Monday, August 25, 2008, and he was very pleased with the progress since it was only 4 days since I had the surgery. My swelling was immense, but the pain wasn't too bad. It seemed like a dull ache from clenching my jaws too tight. The rubber bands are still on and they are very annoying. I go back to see Dr. Clayman on September 15, 2008 and he said that he should be able to take the bands off then, if all has gone well.

I go see the orthodontist (Dr. Bayleran) on September 11, 2008...he too wants to look at the rubber bands and see if they are holding my jaws together like they should be.

I am getting tired of blended foods/baby food, but it's all part of the deal. I did find a good corn chowder recipe. Of course it would have corn in it :)

Day 7 Post Op

2008-08-28T07:46:00.002-07:00

The swelling has started going way down in my bottom lip and the swelling is starting to redistribute across the rest of my face.

Day 5 Post Op

2008-08-28T07:46:00.001-07:00

Day 2 Post Op

2008-08-28T07:45:00.001-07:00

2 Days until surgery...

2008-08-19T12:15:00.000-07:00

and I'm getting more anxious then before. Just when I have become comfortable with it and push it out of my mind for a couple of seconds, someone asks me "are you nervous??" Then that makes me more nervous. I know it will be fine. I just don't want to vomit.

Eating should be fun!

2008-08-19T09:16:00.001-07:00

Food Bag

Jaw background

2008-08-18T12:15:00.001-07:00

I am having my lower jaw moved forward because I have a 7 mm overbite. I will also be having genioplasty (chin job) and liposuction to remove the fat from my chin/neck area because of the overbite. I will try to take pictures and post tonight.

I have been in braces (ceramic, not metal) since May 2004 and am ready to get them off, but that won't happen until well after the surgery. I haven't had any problems with them and am acutally quite used to them now, although they are annoying.

The greatest surgery support group ever:
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/orthognathicsurgerysupport/ . That is the place to go for any questions that you might have or advice that you need to get.

Jeremy

3 Days Until Surgery

2008-08-18T12:11:00.000-07:00

I am 3 days away from my surgery and am still somewhat calm about it. I still have to go out and purchase a few things.