SARPE surgery nerves

[Bellemaree]

Hey there!
I've been reading through a few posts and thought I would make my own to hopefully put my mind at ease about my upcoming surgery.

I'm only just starting my journey, and have my SARPE surgery coming up this Thursday.

I am not so much worried about having the surgery, but I'm terribly anxious about having the expander plate. I get it installed this coming Monday.

I've read some people say that their speech does not improve the entire time of having the device.
Being a 23 year old who works in customer service I am absolutely petrified of having a terrible lisp and an excessive amount of saliva while serving customers...

Does anyone have any advice on coping?
I can't wait to just get it in so that I can start trying to adjust!

[jaime]

I'm surprised to hear people said their speech didn't improve. It definitely gets better as you adapt to it. The same day I had mine installed, I went out to a sport that I play and nobody had any idea something was different. I thought I had a horrible lisp but my teammates all said they couldn't tell. So IMHO, we sound worse to ourselves than to others.

My advice is to give yourself at least a day in private to learn how to talk with it. Singing or reading aloud will get you used to it, too. But above all, realize that 1) a lisp isn't a huge deal anyway and 2) most people will not be able to tell.

[Bellemaree]

Thanks for your advice, Jaime.
I'm relieved to hear your experience wasn't bad! Perhaps I'm just remembering the bad stories I've heard!

That's a great point too, I'm sure I'll notice much more than anyone else!

Fingers crossed that I adjust quickly but either way I'm excited to start the journey

[daycard]

Another one here. Your speech will become better with timw. There will be a time the expander will have become part of you and you won't notice it and people won't notice your lisp.

[Bellemaree]

Thanks daycard!

I've just had the appliance installed today! So far, not so bad. Although I do keep gagging and dry retching. I guess I'm just learning how to swallow properly?

I'm talking as much as I can in hopes it will help me adjust faster!

Surgery in three sleeps - counting down!

[daycard]

Yeah, I remember my first day with the appliance I was constantly drooling, and eating was a nightmare. But since you're having surgery you won't have to worry about this because I guess you'll be with a soft food diet. Best of luck for the surgery! It's not as bad as it seems

[Bellemaree]

Had my surgery yesterday and all went well!
Time is going so slowly - I feel like I've slept hours and wake up and it's only been 10 minutes.
Can't wait to be seen by the surgeon this morning and go home!

Can't stand having to be escorted to the bathroom to do my business..

No pain yet really. Everything is numb. Had a nose bleed as soon as I got back to my room but it stopped quickly!

Looking forward to getting a bit more feeling in my face... but all good!