Yesterday marked 8 months post op. It really is crazy how quickly the last 8 months have flown by compared to the 8 months that went by leading up to surgery. I feel like that took FOREVER. So, where are we at 8 months post op? We're getting to a point where there are no earth shattering major changes. I feel like around that 6-7 months post op I dropped another bit of swelling around my nose. I've got some puff left, but it's really not much and in all honesty, it's getting to a point where I have to wonder what is puff and what is just additional weight from the extra 10-15lbs I am still hanging on to that need to be lost. For the most part I feel pretty good. Still sore/stiff some days, especially days where I start early for work and/or do a lot of talking that day. My opening is pretty much back to normal and has been for a good while now, but still have some stiffness/hesitation cranking open sometimes. Both discs have been happy and I only get a little subtle crunching every now and then. I'm eating pretty normally for all intents and purposes. Still taking it easy on the loose front teeth. My surgeon peeked at my latest pano last week and he said we're not completely filled in yet on the bone healing, so we're still chugging along there. And those upper plates/screws that bug me to the touch he is still agreeing to take out after the year post op mark. Like everything else in this process, all of this just takes time.
Speaking of my surgeon, I am heading in on Mon to get my first implant. Should be straight forward shot on my already missing back molar. Luckily I've got some soups frozen still from jaw surgery, so I'll just use some of those for a day or two and be good to go. I need to stop at my orthodontists office on the way home and have him shave down the fake tooth they have keeping the space for the implant. I asked my ortho to make me a hawley retainer for my top teeth too. I've given the essix almost two months now, and it's been 5-6 weeks of clenching and headaches. I don't think it's going to work for me. It will be great to have as an extra retainer on hand, or to wear in situations where I don't want the wire of the hawley showing across my front teeth, but otherwise I am very much looking forward to having the hawley and allowing these teeth to breathe and let the chewing surfaces of the top and bottom teeth be able to rest together naturally. After that I'll probably check in with my surgeon to check on the implant site, and then I have my two month retainer check with my ortho the third week of Oct. I am not sure when my next jaw follow up with be... or if there will even be a formal next appointment of any kind for it. If not, then I'll be seeing Dr. Karas beginning of Feb 2017 to address taking my upper hardware out. Can't wait to get those screws out of my under eye!!
Speaking of my surgeon, I am heading in on Mon to get my first implant. Should be straight forward shot on my already missing back molar. Luckily I've got some soups frozen still from jaw surgery, so I'll just use some of those for a day or two and be good to go. I need to stop at my orthodontists office on the way home and have him shave down the fake tooth they have keeping the space for the implant. I asked my ortho to make me a hawley retainer for my top teeth too. I've given the essix almost two months now, and it's been 5-6 weeks of clenching and headaches. I don't think it's going to work for me. It will be great to have as an extra retainer on hand, or to wear in situations where I don't want the wire of the hawley showing across my front teeth, but otherwise I am very much looking forward to having the hawley and allowing these teeth to breathe and let the chewing surfaces of the top and bottom teeth be able to rest together naturally. After that I'll probably check in with my surgeon to check on the implant site, and then I have my two month retainer check with my ortho the third week of Oct. I am not sure when my next jaw follow up with be... or if there will even be a formal next appointment of any kind for it. If not, then I'll be seeing Dr. Karas beginning of Feb 2017 to address taking my upper hardware out. Can't wait to get those screws out of my under eye!!
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