Jaw Surgery Day 4

Ok. I am counting the day I had surgery as day 1. That was October 18th. Today is the 21st. I had lower jaw surgery to correct my open/over bite (it is was a little bit of both). I am glad I only had to have surgery on one jaw. I can't imagine having to deal with all my upper face being swollen/immobile too! This video does a pretty good job of explaining what I had done: BSSO and Genioplasty

I wanted to blog a bit about my experience because it is hard to find blogs that deal with an open/over bite like mine. The majority of blogs out there seem to be about underbites.

Delicious steak the night before my surgery! Mhmm!!! 

Walking in to the hospital at 5:30am. We are a little tired. 

Getting ready. 

I wasn't really nervous until the point where they were wheeling me away on the bed, but by this point they had started some drugs in my IV so I wasn't really aware of what was going on. So, I was was only nervous for like a second.  I don't really remember what happened after this point. I didn't wake up  till I was already in recovery. I remember being in some pain and crying. I think a nurse was telling me not to cry because I'd make it worse. I guess I got some pain meds then. Idk. I don't know how long I was in recovery. After awhile they moved me to a room. I was there for a little bit until Dan came back (he had to go to class while I was in surgery). 

I threw up twice the first day because of blood in my stomach I think. Throwing up was something I was really worried about, but it ended up being fine. Thankfully Dan was there to grab something because both times there was no nurse around. No mess! Yay! Then I was given some anti-nausea meds. That helped for sure. Also, I kept to warm liquids. 

I don't think if this next picture is from late in the first day or early on the second day. But the swelling really wasn't too bad yet. 

I talked a lot that first day. I was surprised by how much I talked! It started taking it toll though. So the second day I was writing things down a lot more.  Now I am talking a lot less!

Dan stayed with me the whole time I was in the hospital. I am really glad he did. 

Here is a pic from on the way home from the hospital. This was around 4pm I think. I was feeling alright. But after walking around Target (picking up my prescriptions) and the long drive home I was not feeling so well anymore.  The swelling was up for sure by the time I got home. I don't think you can tell from a pic, but it was making everything more difficult. 

Yesterday (day 3) was the worst so far. The swelling was pretty high and  all the meds were making me really nauseous. Dan went and talked to a pharmacist and got me an anti-acid. I took that late in the afternoon and it helped some. Then Lisa (my little sister is here to help out) and Dan were eating some spaghetti and meatballs. It smelled so good! All I had been eating was sweet smoothie like things. I didn't know I was going to miss regular foods so bad so fast! I insisted that Dan blend me up some spaghetti. He thought it was going to be really gross, but finally did it for me anyway and conceded that it actually tasted good (yeah, he tested it for me). 

Here is Dan with my blended spaghetti and meatballs. Oh! I picked up these cups on a whim when we got my prescriptions after surgery and I am so glad! They are very helpful. I can't use spoons yet (can't open my mouth enough), but I can drink out of a cup without spilling. :)

On the third day I took a bath (well.. Basically Dan gave me a bath. I was pretty out of it!), but didn't wash my hair. Started using ice. Omg! I never loved ice so much! It really helps! I didn't want it in the hospital because my cheeks were so tender I didn't want any pressure on them. Maybe I should have let them put ice on me, Idk. 

No pictures from the third day because I looked especially gross. 

Anyway, today is day four and thanks to the anti-acids I am feeling a lot better today. Swelling and pain is still pretty much the same as yesterday. I took a shower with Dan's help and did wash my hair. The bruising is starting to become more apparent. It is all down my chest. I think you can only see a bit on my lower cheeks/chin in the picture though. 

So far this experience has been better then I expected in some ways and worse in others. I am doing alright. Just taking it one day at a time. Eating (well... drinking broth and juice) was a lot easier the first and second day. Yesterday and today it has been pretty difficult, but I am keeping up. Hoping for the swelling to do down soon! 

For the last couple hours my lower lip area has been really tingly. It is a good sign I think, but omg it is annoying! It is pretty much the same kind of tingling as if your leg or hand fell asleep, but for HOURS. Nothing could have prepared me for this. Oh well. I am kinda glad I went in to this not knowing what exactly to expect. Going through it now I don't think I would choose to experience this, but at the same time it is not too terrible. I don't really know how to explain it. 

Ok. I guess I will update again later. :)