36 days

I finally got my Christmas laptop in, which is long overdue. They sent me a broken one first and it only took them like 3 weeks to send me a working one. Oh wells. At least I have it now. So feeling is returning to my lower lip and chin but definitely not in a good way. It tingles and I have to say the sensation is rather unpleasant, especially when I brush my teeth. There is nothing normal about my mouth and the way it functions still. This is a really really long recovery. I fully expected it but the experience has to be from first hand. I truly cannot accurately describe it myself. School started back about a week ago right before my last post. It's been interesting being back. Everyone has questions about my surgery and wants to know the typical stuff. I definitely look different, I get that a lot from my classmates and professors. I'm just over five weeks post op and something I've noticed is that time really does go by so much quicker once you're able to eat semi solid foods. This is why most jaw surgery blogs usually begin to diminish after the first month. I can't say I won't be different, I do have a pretty busy life as a full time college senior. Something else I would like to address. I have not done a recovery timeline. Here's why: every single timeline I have seen on the internet is completely inaccurate after the first week. It always always always depends on what you're having done and who your surgeon was. I cannot tell you when you'll be cleared to eat or when you'll have your palate splint removed. I have to keep mine for 7 weeks due to the amount of expansion, so even with the same surgeon your answer will be different. I was doing things waaaay before other people and some things a little after according to their timelines. I fully recommend looking at said timelines BEFORE surgery and anything that you specifically want to know about should be brought up to your surgeon during your pre op appointment. Some people weren't drinking out of cups for at least 2 weeks and I was doing this on day 3. Anyway. I have no more to say on the subject for today. I hope everyone is having a splendid year so far. Keep in touch xoxo

29 days post op and second follow up appointment

Today I saw Dr. Sullivan for my one month post op appointment. I won't see him again for another 3 weeks on February 1st. That'll be the day they take off my palate splint. I no longer have to wear a front elastic. Just one on each side of my mouth. He also cleared me for orthodontics and said I can begin chewing after they change the wire on my top teeth. Things have been a lot easier. I do have a lot of teeth pain and I do have jaw joint pain occasionally but it's all easily manageable. Still cannot feel my lower lip or chin but I can control both, gotta be thankful for that at least. I'm happy with my diminished swelling results. I see the orthodontist on the 26th which will be an adventure of its own!

 I've come a long way since this... 👍☺

20 days post op!

some good before and after comparisons taken today! Don't judge my under pics. It's the only way I could show the extent of my overbite and how much it's fixed, I'm fully aware that this angle is not flattering haha

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2K17! I brought in my year with a kiss from the love of my life. Too bad I could only feel it with my top lip, hahaha not. Anyway, I made it into my 20s! It's like day 10 but better. I'm eating spaghetti os to celebrate. I'm still eating the same type of stuff but with more options I'm not hungry much and time goes by a lot quicker. My incision sites are bumpy and scarred. I have been doing exercises with my lips to help break down scar tissue and expand my ability to open my mouth. I hear these restrictions can be permanent if you don't exercise and work the skin a lot after the stitches are dissolved. I just smile really big and pucker my lips. I feel significant stretching and I personally believe it's helping. I started using listerine to help keep my mouth clean yesterday. I highly recommend waiting until AT LEAST 2 weeks to do this. Maybe even longer. The alcohol is not good for suture sites and could severely irritate it and you don't want that. I'd like to address something I read online. I read other blogs because I'm still going through recovery and although I'm doing better it's nice to see how my recovery correlates with others. Anyway, I saw a guy straight up say this isn't a big deal of a surgery and that people blow it out of proportion. Idk what he had done or when (or if he even did LOL) but I'd like to say that this is a HUGE deal. I'm doing a lot better now, but I still sleep most of the day and I'm still unable to chew for the most part. Maybe he had a single jaw surgery or something minor but he compared it to having your wisdom teeth out. I've had my wisdom teeth out too and yes the pain in the lower jaw can be comparable to an extent but this is so much bigger. I mean I was in the hospital for 36 hours post op. Oh well. That made me a little mad because it's really misleading. I wouldn't have survived without my family and Cody doing everything for me. Anyway, tomorrow is 3 weeks post op and I definitely feel good knowing I've made it this far. Finally. That's all I have to say.

17 days post op

My face is starting to form around what it's really going to look like and I have to say, I'm pleased. I've been eating more foods and experimenting so I'm no longer hungry. However, because my elastics have completely moved I'm starting to experience braces pain all over again. Also, my muscles are very sore since I'm working them to eat. So this has brought me back to my good pain meds. I usually take them and just pass out. Gets rid of the pain and kills the time I'm here in bed. When I eat I don't necessarily chew (I don't know how) but I make a big mess and definitely exercise my jaw. I have a new snack I'd like to share with those of you who are recovering and looking for snacks. I got a keurig for Christmas last year and I've probably used it more than ever since surgery. I make the donut shop blend, put in sugar cookie creamer and mix those big fluffy sugar cookies with the icing on top. The coffee softens them and it's easy to eat just like mashed potatoes. Next step is waiting for feeling to come back into my bottom lip and chin. My life will get so much easier.

15 days post op and first appointment.

Nothing but good news. I got cleared to ear mashed potatoes, soft pastas, eggs and things I can crush with my finger. It's awful eating though. It hurts only because my jaw is so stiff but other than that it's alright. It was really messy and I definitely will need to be patient with relearning how to do it all. I feel like a baby. I had noodles hanging from my numb lips bit too was so good. I had minestrone soup for an appetizer, angel hair pasta over done with marinara sauce and cheesecake with a mousse center for dessert. It felt wonderful to fill my tummy with solid food. I wore a bib and a lap napkin. Everyone at olive garden was cheering me on. Doc showed me my before and after x-rays, changed and reduced my elastics and let me brush my teeth. I don't have my back elastics and my front switched to move my top jaw midline over. They're also much less tight. Almost not even noticeable. He gave me a bag of extras to change them out now. Life is going to be much easier from here on out. I can brush all of my teeth and the inside of my mouth now which is beautiful. Drinking from a straw is still somewhat of a challenge but everyday I get stronger and better. I feel good still. I am so happy I had this surgery.

 new jaw, who dis?

my first meal. All I've dreamed of this whole time. See my baby cuts? Oh well. 

yum yum

the napkins I went through trying to remain civilized 

picked up my best friend and went out for starbucks! 

Tomorrow will be two weeks post op!

Wow, it really felt like this would never come. Things are progressing a lot slower than they were. I still can't feel my lower lip or chin. It's getting really old, but everyday is closer and I'm able to drink just fine so it's just more of an annoyance. I self graduated to lowering my front elastic and eating mashed potatoes. I don't know if my surgeon would approve, but it fills my stomach and I only do it when I'm really hungry. Also, I only did it once and i don't chew. If you decide to do this definitely only use your lips and tongue. You'll need to relearn how to eat anyway so this may help you with controlling your lips and tongue. You'll look like a baby when you eat  (literally) and I recommend using baby utensils since you won't be able to open your mouth very wide. Small bites, small utensils, mirror for guidance, and a hell of a lot of patience is necessary. Funny tidbit: I used my mickey mouse utensils from the 90s when I was learning how to eat. It was like nostalgia and frustration all at once. I wore makeup for the first time 2 days ago on Christmas eve. I also got my eyebrows waxed that day too so it felt amazing to feel good about myself again. Cody got me the naked 1 palette from urban decay so I just had to use it for his family Christmas. I'll admit, it was so weird putting on makeup where my face is numb. My lips look so much bigger due to the new placement of my face so my lipstick was bangin'. My first post op appointment is in 2 days. I'll update next with my surgeons instructions and thoughts on my healing. I still feel great, I'm just ready to eat more than broth, smoothies, protein shakes, and the occasional instant mashed. Feel free to email me or comment any questions. I promise not to hold anything back.

I felt so good about myself. See my new Kendra Scott necklace? Cody got the EXACT one I mentioned that I wanted. He's the best. 

Everything Cody got me for Christmas. He definitely made it wonderful considering the circumstances. I got the Naked Smoky palette last Christmas so I was thrilled to add the first one to my collection.  I love urban decay so much. Also, the movie was something I have not been able to find in stores. We actually looked all over OKC for it and couldn't find it. It's one of my favorites so he found it online for me. The Beatles thing is a zippo lighter than is 17 years old and has never been lit. It's a sweet addition to my vintage Beatles collection. He is seriously so thoughtful. & of course he knows I love Kendra Scott, glitter, and black. Best boyfriend ever. I hope everyone had a great Christmas this year, I know I did! 

Almost double digits update.

Hi! I haven't updated. That's because I'm back to my daily life. No pain meds, antibiotics, or all day bedrest. I still sounds funny when I talk but that's because of my bite splint. It feels like a retainer. I went to the mall and spent a lot of money on myself cause it felt good. The girls at victorias secret understood me and were great. I got a lot of compliments on my strength. It's nice to feel strong, really. My diet consists of smoothies and strained soup. I'm terribly hungry and it affects my mood. It makes it even worse that I have zero pain because my only reason for not eating is that it can affect the internal plate in my top jaw. I see Dr. Sullivan in just a few days and I'm really hoping he clears me for soft foods. My bottom lip and below is still completely numb and that's annoying, but I've felt worse before so I'm not complaining. My side stitches have dissolved, so truly I'm almost back to normal. I've already planned my first meal. I feel good, y'all. If you need jaw surgery and haven't seen a doctor I highly recommend Dr. Steven Sullivan. I give full credit to my superior recovery to him. He's the best in the area, no doubt. I've never been more pleased with a doctor and I've seen a lot. I'll update soon. I'll be spending the next few days pissed off because people are eating christmas dinner in front of me. I'll be okay. Wednesday isn't far and that'll be 15 days post op.