Started my list of questions for my surgeon.

I finally started writing down some questions I have for my surgeon about my surgery and I thought I would share them with you guys and if there is anything you think I should add to my list please let me know!

1. Will I have drainage tubes?
2. Will/How the surgery effect my nose?
3. Will my airway increase as a result of the surgery?
4. What's the timeline regarding numbness?
5. What will be my diet restrictions? Will I have to be on a clear liquid diet at first?
6. What medications will I be prescribed?
7. Will I only be staying in the hospital for one night?
8. Will I only be rubber banded shut for the first night?
9. What are my after care instructions? Saline rinses, mouth washes and tooth brushing.
10. Will I be given any syringes?
11. What are the measurements of my jaw movements?
12. Will I be needing to get a bone graft or will I be able to get my implants installed?
13. If I need to have a bone graft, where will it be coming from? From my upper jaw or maybe my hip?
14. How many plates and screws will I have in my face?
15. Can you go over the risks of the surgery again?
16. How long to I have to be off work?
17. Since I am only coming back for a 4 week post-op check, what do I do if I have a problem before that appointment?
18. Are there any special skin care instructions?
19. Will my stitches be dissolvable? If so, how long do they take to dissolve?
20. Will my top jaw be widened and result in needing to have a splint after surgery?
21. What are the restrictions with exercise? Running vs Walking.
22. How long does residual swelling take to go down?
23. At what point in the recovery would I start doing jaw exercises? What about jaw massage?
24. How long does nerve regeneration take? What parts take longer?
25. How long after surgery do people typically drool in excess? Weird question I know.
26. Will I have a screw put between my eyebrows or whatever that thing is called?
27. My orthodontist asked if I'm getting my chin done, is that a possibility?
28. Is it possible to result in a deviated septum? Can that be prevented?

Purple Splint?

I had a dream last night that I was going to have a purple splint, but not just any regular splint, but one that also cover the roof of my mouth too. I guess I really have jaw surgery on the brain. From what my surgeon has told me I won't been needing a splint after surgery unless he has to widen my upper jaw, but I don't think that's the case, at least I hope! I wonder if the would ever made colored splints? I think some people would go that route. The clear ones turn kinda yellow after time, just like the clear ties I use with my braces.

I just have two more weeks until my pre-op appointment. My surgeon's office called me today. I wasn't expecting them to called so when she started talking about Dr. Bloomquist not being in the office, I was so scared she was going to cancel my surgery!! Luckily she just had to reschedule my post-op appointment from March 27th to April 3rd. Huge relief!!

My dentist's office also called me today to update me on my molds/implants. She said that they were going to send them to my surgeon so that he can know at what angle he needs to put my implants. She was also saying something about them sending an appliance that I need to wear after he puts the implants, say what?! That was news to me, but getting the implants put in during surgery is still up in the air until I talk to my surgeon or possibly even until my surgery when he cuts me open!

32 days to go!
 

35 days to go...

Yesterday I found myself wanting tons of YouTube videos on people getting their braces off. I don't know why I am doing that to myself, I haven't even had my surgery yet for Pete's sake! I can't believe my surgery is only 5 weeks away. I'm starting to get really nervous and I hate it! I have two more weeks until I go up to Seattle for my pre-op. I still haven't heard back from my dentist or surgeon regarding the need of a bone graft or not. I am still hoping that they will be able to put my implants in during surgery, but hopefully I find out before my pre-op. I'm just starting to plan my jaw surgery supplies.

For those that have had their jaw surgeries already, where did you buy/get your "jaw bra"?

Now I might need a bone graft too, wait what?

Yesterday I had a consultation with the dentist who I was hoping would do the tooth part of my dental implants and he told me to prepare myself for the possibility of not getting my implants placed during surgery. I was banking on that so that I would be able to get the tooth part placed around the time my braces would be taken off and I would get a normal retainer, not one with fake teeth to fill my gaps. The dentist was telling me that I might need to get a bone graft where I'm missing my tell because I might not have enough bone for the implants. Talk about messing up my plans.

I had to go to my orthodontist's office to have them take molds of my teeth without my pontics so he could have a look at the space or something like that. I just need to remember to breathe and not get so worked up. No matter what I will get implants, maybe not the way I thought it would happen and it might prolong my time with braces and having to wear a retainer with fake teeth, but I will get them. I just don't like not knowing what's going I happen.

After I finished getting my molds done I was talking to my orthodontist about the bone graft and he didn't seem surprised. He agreed and said I don't have enough bone there. It would have been nice if he would have said something earlier so I wasn't blind sided.

My orthodontist is kind of a dork. Last time I was in for an adjustment we were talking about my surgery and he tells me, "you're going to be hot, you're already hot, but know you're going to need an extinguisher." Only an older man can say that without sounding creepy.

Yesterday when I was getting my next appointment he asked me if my surgeon had talked to me about doing my chin. I'll add that to my list of questions for my post op. I really don't want them to do my chin because that will effect my recovery and numbness.

I'll update you guys when I know more.

61 days to go...

With 2013 finally starting I have found myself thinking more and more about my surgery. In a month in a half I have my pre-op appointment and in two months I will be having my surgery. It's starting to become more real and I'm getting more and more excited.

Since my pre-op is in February I need to start thinking about any questions I have to ask my surgeon. I know I want to ask him about numbing, eating, recovery and all that, but I need to make a list.

What questions did you guys have before your surgery that you needed to have your surgeon answer?  So many things to think about.

I finally have a surgery date!!

There are a few key dates during a jaw surgery journey that we can't wait to know and yesterday was one of those days for me. I called my surgeon's office to see if I could schedule and after a couple bumps I was able to schedule my surgery! I will be having my surgery on Monday, March 4th, 2013. Even though is it still almost four months away I'm glad to have an actually date and not have to tell people that I don't know or sometime next year. I have my pre-op appointment on February 13th to have my records taken and sign all the forms. Now I'll have to do is wait until February to really start prepping for surgery!!

Almost there....sort of.

Sorry guys, long time no blog. Just wanted to do a quick little update on the status of my surgery. I still do not have a date for my surgery, but I am getting closer. Today I received a letter from my new insurance saying that they have approved my double jaw surgery! I wasn't worried that they won't approved it, but it's nice to see it in writing that they did approve it. Now I just have to wait for my surgeon's office to update my financial estimate, mail it to me, sign it, mail it back and finally schedule my surgeon!

I'm thinking that I will probably schedule early March even though I'm technically ready for surgery now. Part of the reason being my surgeon's schedule is already filled for December, the winter weather and I am finally transitioning into a new position at work. My new job is going to be working with families and I don't want to be there for a little bit and then be out for a month. Only time will tell what the actually date will is going to be, but I'm excited to get to that point in my pre-op journey.

To all my fellow bloggers, are there any other bloggers that are still in the pre-op stage or know of anyone who is? I know that there were a few that had their surgeries not that long ago and some that will be happening in the winter time.

Until next time folks, hopefully with a surgery date!