3 Months and 2 Weeks post-op

Hello hello....I know, it's been a while. Today marks my three months and two weeks post- surgery date. Does it seem like it's been that long to you? Sure does to me...life with braces tends to crawl by. I do have a few updates, though:

1. As far as my jaw goes, I can eat whatever I want. I can chew as well as anyone I suppose
2. The muscles around my mouth are still adjusting to my face's new 'layout.' When I chew something really chewy...like gum..I still have difficulty keeping my mouth shut while I chew. It's weird and makes me choose very carefully what I will eat in front of people


3. I still do not have feeling in my lower lip/chin area. There is a constant tingling, so I guess that means it's healing, but it's really driving me crazy. I can't wait til it feels normal again. How long will that take? Could be a few more months...could be never. Only time will tell. If my feeling never comes back it's going to be really depressing.


4. My teeth are looking great- straight as straight can be, I suppose. Went to the orthodontist for a check up yesterday and was told I might be braceless by June.


5. Did I mention that I CRIED during my ortho appointment? Seriously. 12 year old girls can get braces and be just fine, but I ended up tearing up? It was so embarrassing. The lady that was changing out my wire was having a lot of difficulty and kept putting a lot of pressure on me....and I guess my teeth are just uber sensitive post surgery, cause it made me cry. I was so embarrassed. The lady felt really bad about it, but I don't feel bad about her feeling bad. I've had most of the ladies in that office mess with my braces, and she was by far the worst as far as trying to make sure I wasn't in pain. For a second, I honestly thought she was going to break my jaw. I'm not kidding.


6. So yesterday I got out of my thicker wire and into a smaller one...my last wire before I have none! This wire doesn't hurt or anything, so that's good.


7. The worst part about yesterday is that Dr. Smith put me in 'ostrich' rubber bands. For those of you who haven't had braces, the bands now have animal names...I think so that people will remember what they are in? Who knows. Anyway, ostrich rubber bands are really long and really skinny so that they can connect several teeth at a time. On each side of my mouth, I have to start the band on the back, top tooth and zig zag it (connect to lower one, the up and over, then the one under that, then up and over, etc etc) across like 8-9 teeth. By the time I get both bands on, my jaw might as well be wired shut. I can't even open it wide enough to get in an advil! My back molars need to turn up and connect with my top teeth a little different...that's what the ostrich bands are suppose to accomplish. THEY HURT LIKE HELL...and I have to wear them all the time (except meals) for the next two months. I'm sooo not excited. I kept waking up in pain last night, and when I woke up this morning I wanted to cry. It felt like I had pushed my teeth together as hard as possible all night long. Again, I don't know how little kids do this! I feel like such a wuss!


8. So, I do the bands...keep cleaning well...and go back to the ortho in May. I'm suppose to get my 'braces off' date at that appointment...I can't wait. I'm going to have a huge party when this is all over with. =)