Meryaten, thanks for walking Michelle through the imageshack. I'm in no shape to walk anyone through ANYTHING today!
dubnobass, the surgeon on call from my surgeon's practice (he was the one I called Friday night during the worst of my most recent episode) said that we could go back to Class Three elastics, but if it was not the natural position of my mandible, it would not help in the long run. If by this morning I was not better (and I am!), I was going to go in to the office and have him do that for me (my surgeon is on vacation this week--wouldn't you know!).
At my last visit with my surgeon ten days ago, my surgeon did change my elastics back to something a little stronger. I don't know if it's helped me any or not. I wonder if I would be having this many problems now if I had been tightly banded in the beginning for TWO weeks instead of one.
And another warning to all--narcotic pain relievers are good when you need them (and last night I did), but beware that your body may suffer the consequences afterwards. I have been sicker than a dog all morning, and I have no doubt as to the cause.
Post-Surgery FUN!!!
Moderator: bbsadmin
Hello, all!
Today, I'm doing much better. No narcotics last night! Just one Tylenol PM to help me sleep.
HERE is the contraption that is making all the difference. It's called a THERMIPAQ. It's squishy, so it's comfortable, has a strap so I can fit it ever-so-snugly around my jaw, and heats up quickly. Thirty minutes of THAT, and goodbye spasms!
So, this is my personal endorsement. It's making all the difference for me!
Today, I'm doing much better. No narcotics last night! Just one Tylenol PM to help me sleep.
HERE is the contraption that is making all the difference. It's called a THERMIPAQ. It's squishy, so it's comfortable, has a strap so I can fit it ever-so-snugly around my jaw, and heats up quickly. Thirty minutes of THAT, and goodbye spasms!
So, this is my personal endorsement. It's making all the difference for me!
Meryaten,
Here's the link to the product website.
http://www.thermipaq.com/
If you click on the "Where to Buy" option, there's a whole slew of stores including Target, and a variety of drugstores.
Very good product. I just finished using it again, and it really makes me feel better.
Here's the link to the product website.
http://www.thermipaq.com/
If you click on the "Where to Buy" option, there's a whole slew of stores including Target, and a variety of drugstores.
Very good product. I just finished using it again, and it really makes me feel better.
Well, I've had an interesting morning!
As I was brushing with my BIG BOY toothbrush this morning, my elastic on the right side popped off! I called the office and they said it wasn't a big deal, and I could wait until my scheduled appointment on Monday to have it taken care of, or I could come in today. I chose to come in today. Of course, my surgeon is still on vacation, so I saw a guy with the warmth of a snow pea, who kept telling me I "looked good." I swear, every time he asked me a question, I might as well have started reciting the Declaration of Independence, because he totally ignored what I said. And to boot, he didn't put the triangulation in the right place! Even I, the novice, could figure this out. Unfortunately, I didn't figure it out until I looked in the rear view mirror a ways down the road. All I can hope for is that it doesn't do me any harm over the weekend, but I don't suppose that it will. And if it starts killing me, I swear I will just take the blasted thing out, maybe BOTH of them out!
Here's a picture to amuse you all. Anyone can see that it's not in the same place as my left side. So what was that man thinking???
As I was brushing with my BIG BOY toothbrush this morning, my elastic on the right side popped off! I called the office and they said it wasn't a big deal, and I could wait until my scheduled appointment on Monday to have it taken care of, or I could come in today. I chose to come in today. Of course, my surgeon is still on vacation, so I saw a guy with the warmth of a snow pea, who kept telling me I "looked good." I swear, every time he asked me a question, I might as well have started reciting the Declaration of Independence, because he totally ignored what I said. And to boot, he didn't put the triangulation in the right place! Even I, the novice, could figure this out. Unfortunately, I didn't figure it out until I looked in the rear view mirror a ways down the road. All I can hope for is that it doesn't do me any harm over the weekend, but I don't suppose that it will. And if it starts killing me, I swear I will just take the blasted thing out, maybe BOTH of them out!
Here's a picture to amuse you all. Anyone can see that it's not in the same place as my left side. So what was that man thinking???
Hey Phil,
Your bite looks great! I wish mine was that even. You do have some interesting happenings, though
Sorry to hear of your stress-filled visit. My elastics were changed and didn't match on both sides, either. But, if you know yours is wrong, maybe you could put it back where your doctor had it? My OS told me I could change mine myself. I have this little plastic hook from Denta-Kit that works great!
Lo
Your bite looks great! I wish mine was that even. You do have some interesting happenings, though
Sorry to hear of your stress-filled visit. My elastics were changed and didn't match on both sides, either. But, if you know yours is wrong, maybe you could put it back where your doctor had it? My OS told me I could change mine myself. I have this little plastic hook from Denta-Kit that works great!Lo
Hi, Lo!!!
Thanks for the compliment about my bite.
Wonders never cease with these guys, though. I think surgeons live in another world, and it is definitely not mine!
Believe you me, if I thought I could successfully do the job, I would move that triangulation in a heartbeat. My surgical hooks are SO TIGHT, though, that the surgeon this morning had a lot of trouble getting the elastic on, and he had an assistant helping him! I'm sure I couldn't fare better.
Oh, well, I will see my surgeon on Monday. Onward and upward!
Thanks for the compliment about my bite.
Wonders never cease with these guys, though. I think surgeons live in another world, and it is definitely not mine!
Believe you me, if I thought I could successfully do the job, I would move that triangulation in a heartbeat. My surgical hooks are SO TIGHT, though, that the surgeon this morning had a lot of trouble getting the elastic on, and he had an assistant helping him! I'm sure I couldn't fare better.
Oh, well, I will see my surgeon on Monday. Onward and upward!
Hello, all!
I just got back from the surgeon. Having to deal with his colleagues in his absence made me appreciate him!
Here's the scoop:
1) My bite is about 1mm out of whack. So what do we do? Put on TIGHTER elastics!!! He seems to think that the elastics can put me back where I belong, HOPEFULLY.
2) I can now use my Waterpik. HOORAY FOR BETTER HYGIENE!
3) I am to continue with my blended diet--as if I could eat anything else!
4) Moist heat is good.
5) 400mg Ibuprofen every four hours is good, if my stomach can tolerate it.
6) What I thought might be a slight swelling on the right side of my face may just be facial asymmetry that I never noticed before. He's not sure.
7) When I see the orthodontist on Wednesday, my surgical hooks/wire will probably come off, so the elastics configuration is going to change. Who knows what will happen!
That's all for now. I'll keep you posted!
I just got back from the surgeon. Having to deal with his colleagues in his absence made me appreciate him!
Here's the scoop:
1) My bite is about 1mm out of whack. So what do we do? Put on TIGHTER elastics!!! He seems to think that the elastics can put me back where I belong, HOPEFULLY.
2) I can now use my Waterpik. HOORAY FOR BETTER HYGIENE!
3) I am to continue with my blended diet--as if I could eat anything else!
4) Moist heat is good.
5) 400mg Ibuprofen every four hours is good, if my stomach can tolerate it.
6) What I thought might be a slight swelling on the right side of my face may just be facial asymmetry that I never noticed before. He's not sure.
7) When I see the orthodontist on Wednesday, my surgical hooks/wire will probably come off, so the elastics configuration is going to change. Who knows what will happen!
That's all for now. I'll keep you posted!
Hi Phil,
Your teeth look really good!
Are those hooks as uncomfortable as they look?
I hope those elastics work on your bite. I had surgery 4 months ago and my teeth still have a ways to go, so don't feel alone! I have not had to endure elastics, but at my last appointment my orthodontist ground some enamel off my teeth to make them fit better. I don't like the sensation of having my teeth ground but the bite feels a lot better now.
Good luck and hang in there!
Your teeth look really good!
Are those hooks as uncomfortable as they look?
I hope those elastics work on your bite. I had surgery 4 months ago and my teeth still have a ways to go, so don't feel alone! I have not had to endure elastics, but at my last appointment my orthodontist ground some enamel off my teeth to make them fit better. I don't like the sensation of having my teeth ground but the bite feels a lot better now.
Good luck and hang in there!
Wow Phil! I really did miss a lot! First I have to say that you look fantastic. The change in your profile is nothing short of spectacular - you must be over the moon. I am sorry to have read about all the glitches that have gotten in the way of a smooth and pain free recovery, but at least the worst is over and you have only good things to come.
ohmyjaw,
The hooks are not really uncomfortable. I need to give my orthodontist's assistant a BIG HUG--she really tucked them in nicely, so they haven't really bothered me at all. It's good to hear from someone else who didn't have a "near perfect" bite after surgery. I have a real long way to go before things feel like they "fit."
Delag,
Welcome home! Hope your trip was nice.
I wouldn't exactly say that I'm "over the moon." I've had days where I'm ready to SEND someone to the moon, that's for sure! Really, having a sense of humor helps. I have had some really big changes with surgery, though. Ultimately, the result will be good. I just have to get past these muscular adjustments, and I don't think they're going to resolve quickly.
Oh, and by the way, I have NOT had any pizza yet!
Still on blended diet, which is even more necessary than ever, with my mouth banded quite tightly right now. I did manage to down a bowl of blended beef stroganoff (with some steamed cabbage thrown in) for dinner tonight, though! At least I can still fit the teaspoon in there, and luxury of luxuries--I used my Waterpik after dinner!
The hooks are not really uncomfortable. I need to give my orthodontist's assistant a BIG HUG--she really tucked them in nicely, so they haven't really bothered me at all. It's good to hear from someone else who didn't have a "near perfect" bite after surgery. I have a real long way to go before things feel like they "fit."
Delag,
Welcome home! Hope your trip was nice.
I wouldn't exactly say that I'm "over the moon." I've had days where I'm ready to SEND someone to the moon, that's for sure! Really, having a sense of humor helps. I have had some really big changes with surgery, though. Ultimately, the result will be good. I just have to get past these muscular adjustments, and I don't think they're going to resolve quickly.
Oh, and by the way, I have NOT had any pizza yet!
Still on blended diet, which is even more necessary than ever, with my mouth banded quite tightly right now. I did manage to down a bowl of blended beef stroganoff (with some steamed cabbage thrown in) for dinner tonight, though! At least I can still fit the teaspoon in there, and luxury of luxuries--I used my Waterpik after dinner!Phil,
I'm glad you're hanging in there with a sense of humor! It's funny how you notice asymmetry and others can look at your picture and not see a thing. I think we get hyper-sensitive. I know I do.
It looks like you have the same hooks I do and I'll get my uppers off on Wednesday, too! I got the lowers off last week and the Ortho put on just two Kobayashi hooks that you can't hardly see. Right now, I have about nine on the top and they're just an added pain to keep clean.
I know how you feel about the elastics. Mine are kinds tight, too, and they're more in the front than yours. They really have helped my jaw to get more centered, I have to say. I am almost even now. I think so anyway - I'll have to wait for the Ortho and OS on Wednesday.
Lo
I'm glad you're hanging in there with a sense of humor! It's funny how you notice asymmetry and others can look at your picture and not see a thing. I think we get hyper-sensitive. I know I do.
It looks like you have the same hooks I do and I'll get my uppers off on Wednesday, too! I got the lowers off last week and the Ortho put on just two Kobayashi hooks that you can't hardly see. Right now, I have about nine on the top and they're just an added pain to keep clean.
I know how you feel about the elastics. Mine are kinds tight, too, and they're more in the front than yours. They really have helped my jaw to get more centered, I have to say. I am almost even now. I think so anyway - I'll have to wait for the Ortho and OS on Wednesday.
Lo
Lo,
Glad to hear that your elastics have been helpful. MINE BETTER BE! Right now there a pain in the posterior!
I have had several people comment on what they thought was swelling on the right side. I suspect that it's just a result of the rotation of my mandible. Now we get a different view of it, and we're seeing parts we didn't notice before because of my enormous chin! That's OK--it's a huge improvement over my former asymmetry, which had my chin pointing 3mm port--or is that starboard?
The hooks haven't bothered me, but just the same I'll be happy to forever bid them adieu. It's just one more mile marker on my journey to full recovery.
Glad to hear that your elastics have been helpful. MINE BETTER BE! Right now there a pain in the posterior!
I have had several people comment on what they thought was swelling on the right side. I suspect that it's just a result of the rotation of my mandible. Now we get a different view of it, and we're seeing parts we didn't notice before because of my enormous chin! That's OK--it's a huge improvement over my former asymmetry, which had my chin pointing 3mm port--or is that starboard?
The hooks haven't bothered me, but just the same I'll be happy to forever bid them adieu. It's just one more mile marker on my journey to full recovery.