Tuesday 21 May 2013

Video Vlog #5 (10 Days Post OP)

 
Hi Bloggers,
 
 
Swelling has gone down tremendously, however... Right after this Vlog I encounters an infection. I will update progress on my next video Vlog
 
 
 
 


Thanks
Eric

Video Vlog #4 (Day 6 Post OP)

 
 
 
 
Hi Bloggers,
 
Sorry for the delay in my updates, I have been trying to take it easy and rest to speed up my recovery.
 
 
 
 
 
 




Video says it all, thanks for stopping by. :)

Eric

Thursday 2 May 2013

1 week post op!!! Yahoo

Hi fellow Bloggers!!!!

What a journey it's been this week alone. I've cried, laughed,bleed, fought, and finally succumbed my situation.

I can definitely say, there is no way of 100% preparing for this surgery. Everything you think you know, or you think you can handle changes the moment your in recovery.

The first 3 days...

The first day was more like a blur in time, I remember people coming and going, nurses checking me often, and kept
Asking "do you need more morphine" why yes please ;) trust me, take all the drugs they give you, no need to suffer through all that.

When I finally came to my senses it was late in the nite, early morning. I honestly felt like I was going to die! I couldn't breath through my nose, my mouth was wired shut, my swelling was soo tight on my cheeks I could barley get air through my teeth.

And to top it off, my mouth was as dry as a dessert. Luckily my wife left me my white board. So I paged the night shift ICU nurse. I explained to her I was thirsty, and I needed water. She denied me water and said she would have to asked the doctor.
I then asked her to rig up some tubes/straws she could rig up between my cheeks so I could breath (I seen this on YouTube) and she denied me that. This nurse was brutal! I honestly thought I was going to die!! So she jacked me up on morphine and Ativan instead :-S

Finally the next morning came, I was alive!!! It was a Miracle. I was then introduced to my day Nurse Lisa. What an angel!! She thought my idea of the straws was a great idea and hooked me up right away. She also provided me all the water I could handle.
And apple juice!!! My overall care experience from those next 2 days where very pleasant!

Day 4 coming home...

So it's day 4 and I get to go home, I figured I would be thrilled to be able to come home and sleep in my own bed. Boy I was wrong!! I missed out on all the hospital perks like instant pain relief, humidified air mask (these are so good) mouth sucker. So non the less thing got a little tougher, but we have made due.

Liquid diet sucks, but I am enjoying the fresh smoothies. I definitely recommend you try and mix Boost or Ensure into any of your meals. You need all the vitamins you can get to encourage a quick recovery.

Day 5 and 6 where by far the worst for pain for me, but with a steady supply of solid pain meds and lots of ice and sleep got better.

As I write this, I'm slowly falling asleep!! Lol it's hard to keep a solid energy level just on liquids alone. But overall today was a great turning point for me. My swelling has gone down a lot, the pain is now just a mild throb. I shaved for the first time and could kinda see my new face below all this swelling and it made me happy.

Anyways nap time and I will leave you with my 1 week smile

Take care
Eric

Tuesday 30 April 2013

Day 5 post Op

Hi Bloggers,

Sorry for my messy blogs as of late! I'm sure you can tell my life has been turned upside down!!!

Where to start... Had my double jaw surgery April, 25th (5 days ago) my surgery was scheduled for 4.5 hours. While in the OR my surgeon had issues inserting a breathing tube, and because I'm an older patients things didn't want to move so easily.

After 6 hours in operation, I was brought up to ICU. Don't really remember much, just I was really thirsty, and I had this huge breathing tube rammed in my nose that killed!!! I managed to tell him to take it out, and what a relief... In till my nose started filling up with blood, which completely blocked my nasal airways.

I remember the night shift ICU nurse was just horrible, she wouldn't get me anything to drink, wouldn't saline my nose, wouldn't even offer tubes to help prop my swollen cheeks open to get some air. She just kept loading me with morphine and Ativan.

But that next morning on the switch shift, I must have been given an angel. My ICU nurse Lisa. She mediately cut straws to stick between my cheeks to breath, offered me water!!! Yes water!!! It felt so good on my throat. She washed me, made me feel like a person again.

I was released from the hospital on April, 28th. It's been pretty emotional. It's hard to live with you face in so much pain. My face feels like it's as hard as a rock. Eating is such an effort because your putting liquids Into the only hole that's offering air into my lungs. I'm having a hard time finding pain relief. I was given a small amount of liquid morphine as well as a non narcotic pain killer "Trometh"

lets just say it's not working so well, the Trometh can only betaken every 6 hours, and the morphine every 4 hours (with the intent of me being taken off the morphine) none the less, the pain is just to unbearable, so now I'm getting demerol. To add into the mix.

Getting tired now, will update further as we go along. Take care.

Eric



Sunday 28 April 2013

Day/night 4 post op 2:30am

Well.. It's 2:30am, sleeping has been a come a thing of the passed. Instead filled with late night hungers.

Yesterday, or shall I say a part of tonight was my worse pain yet. My face feels like a stone statue. Because I can't breath through my nose, I breath through my mouth. (Heavily coated with Medex lip balm) but then the inside of my mouth gets dry and hurts when I swallow.

Later today I go back to my surgeons to make sure all the parts are where they are suppose to be. My scheduled 4 and half hour surgery turned into a 6. Jaw surgery, good times :-D

Saturday 27 April 2013

Day 2 post op

Here I am, I made it through the surgery. I spend 2 nights in ICU due to breathing problems, but all in all I feel pretty good!! I just wish they would let me go home now! I don't want to take is in hospital another minute.

Just a quick up date. Till I get home to update more.

Saturday 20 April 2013

Tick tock 5 days till Surgery

Hey Bloggers,

As the days get shorter, so does my ability to control my anxiety. The BIG day I have been waiting for, the moment that will change me forever, the thing I have wanted most...But why am I so scared?!?

My emotions have been up and down, I sometimes find myself second guessing this surgery was the right decision!! I'm sure many Jaw surgery patients all get this moment.

But then I read all of the wonderful blogs posted on how Jaw surgery has changed there life, and I think...this could be me to! I'm sick of this bite, I'm sick of this smile, I'm sick of living my life like this for so long, I'm sick of the lack of confidence I gave up, and all the missed opportunities .
And I get stronger!

It's amazing how we let something as simple as our bite/teeth control our emotions. For so long I lived as a shy person. Why? Because society judged me by my appearance, people assumed I wasn't confident, which in turn made me the way I am (or was)

Since braces, my life has changed. My teeth are now straight. People look at me differently, as a confident person. I've changed. I'm out going, confident, I feel attractive, I've received opportunities.

The way I look at is... Jaw surgery is the finale step to complete my transformation, to welcome the new me. I embrace this change with open arms. This is what I wanted. An then things get easier. I remember how strong I am to conquer this small hurdle in my life.

I'm grateful of all the open blogs,YouTube and active websites for support. It's nice to talk to people going through the same life changing events as yourself. As much as your family and friends offer support, they still don't fully understand why we do this. Always so many questions, why would you do that to yourself? Isn't that cosmetic surgery? There's nothing wrong with your teeth!!! And it goes on and on.

That being said, I thank all the individuals who have been there to offer support, even though we have never physically meet, I feel as if we have been friends for ever. And anyone else looking for support advice. Just holler :)

Till my next blog.. I leave you with a smile.

Thursday 11 April 2013

Video Vlog #2 "Mixed Emotions"

 
 
 

Hi Bloggers!!!
 
Here's my second video vlog, sometimes I find it easier to just say what I'm feeling rather then typing :P
 
So the count down begins, getting pretty pumped up for the road ahead of me, I've never felt more ready for anything in my life. I have my ups and downs. Not gonna lie, I have had a few melt downs in my car driving home from work.
 
Its going to be crazing to thing, the face I have known for all my life will not be the same! to look into a mirror at an unfamiliar face just seems surreal. How do you coupe with that!?! Its just hard to say goodbye to the old me, and welcome the new me. Talk about an identity crisis!! lol
 
All jokes aside, I am ready for this, this is something I use to dream of, now its becoming my reality. So weekend is ahead of us, I plan on doing some shopping for all my baby supplies HA baby tooth brush, spoons, baby food.... Hey what going on here, I have found the fountain of youth. lol
 
Well bloggers, Till next time
 
Eric

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Monday 8 April 2013

First Video Vlog

Hi fellow bloggers!!!

Title says it all,

my first video vlog, just touching base on how braces have changed my life and my opinions on jaw surgery.

Saturday 6 April 2013

Step In The Right Direction

Hey Bloggers!!

So after writing my epic story, I'm on a roll to continue telling my story.

So as I mentioned in my last blog, 2 years ago I started my journey towards correcting my teeth/bite. What a ride it has been, my poor mouth has not taken so much abuse in my entire life...But it has been all worth while to say the least.

Okay where to begin, oh yes...preparing to get my braces on. sounds easy enough right?!?! Wrong!! lol. Before I could even start getting my braces put on, I had to see my surgeon first. This was to have my wisdom teeth extracted and to have a consult on my course of action. During my consult is was decided I would only require lower jaw surgery...but this has now changed since my recent consult to double jaw with geno.

So yes back to my wisdom teeth extraction. I booked an appointment the following week for the extraction. I was planning on just using gas for the procedure (I have had gas before and man its great!! Ha) So I show up on the day of surgery, the doc has a look at my x-rays and says NOPE. I looked at him with the rocks raised eyebrow, and said huh?

He continued to say that my wisdom teeth were so impacted below the jaw bone, I would need to be put out. So long story short, I rebook for the following week, was lightly put under (still awake) was like riding a cloud, with a jackhammer on it! lol. everything went well, was waiting in recovery room to go home, feeling great I would like to add ;)

So I make it home, still pretty high, thinking this isn't bad at all!!! then the freezing wore off. Let just say, I felt my heart in my mouth. Luckily I was prescribed some great painkillers to help me along.

2 weeks later, I had my first appointment with my orthodontist to start getting my braces on, putting on my braces was a 3 week process, the first week was just adding spacers between 4 of my back molars (they are called donuts) basically what these are for is to make space around your teeth so they can but steel bands around them.

Let me tell you, if your doing this process, be prepared to be on soft food!!! I couldn't eat anything other then mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs and soups for 2 months while getting my braces on. Have to take in mind, your teeth have never moved before, and now they are being evicted from there home! this are pissed!! lol

So on the second week, yet again....more spacers...but now this glued on my brackets to the front of my teeth. So now I'm on soft food, teeth are crazy sore, and now I have these metal brackets tearing the inside of my mouth up. All I can say, wax is your friend, and kanka to help mouth sores.


Day 1 of Braces
Third week, they installed the bands around my back molars, and placed my first wire in for adjustment. I attached a picture (and I apologise for the grossness lol) So what can I tell you from my experience in braces now over 2 years. Be prepared to have sore teeth and be on soft foods for at least 2 months, take Advil before an adjustment (its helps) wax will help from your lips and the inside of your mouth getting all cut up. here is a list of things are a must when wearing braces.




  • Tooth hygiene bag (bring this with you everywhere, sucks having salad stuck in your teeth when your in public) plus you have get your brushing in on the go.
  • Wax
  • Tooth picks, (G.U.M makes soft little ones with rubber on the tip feels great on the gums)
  • Sulcabrush (this is a tiny brush that will help you get all around those brackets)
  • Kanka (this will help for mouth sores, and trust me you'll have lots of them till your mouth toughens up, and it will)
  • G.U.M Brush (this is a tiny brush that fits right between the gaps in your teeth)
  • Threaded Floss
  • Water Pik this is a MUST!! this was the best 60 bucks I ever spent. its like a power washer for your teeth. this puppy gets everything out.
  • Portable Water Pik- (easier to travel with)
  • Oral B Power Tooth Brush
Let my say, after the 2 to 3 month bench marks, braces become a walk in the park. Your mouth toughens up to all that metal in your mouth. You may not need the wax anymore (I don't) adjustments become easier and only hurts for a day. If you have any questions at all about braces, just give me a knock.

So I'm now 2 years into braces, everything has been going great. to be honest, Doing this has changed my life. I'm much more confident then I was before. I'm able to conduct myself in group meetings at work without being nervous. all in all its been a life changer for me. I will continue on tomorrow about the effects this has had on my life in more detail. but I will leave you with a few pics of my transition through braces.

         6 Months into Braces 
 
 
 
           8 Months into Braces
 
 
 
 
               My Teeth Now
 
 
 

My Story

Well, as I’m sure you've guessed, I’m Eric, and I’m 30 years young. I enjoy long walks on the beach (Hahaha just kidding, but not really I do love a nice beach).
 
Me at age 10
Growing up was tough for me.  I was teased a lot as a kid/teenager due to my teeth (buck teeth).  My parents were not in a position to have my teeth fixed. I’m the oldest of 3 children.  I remember when I was 13, my dentist told my mother that there were some schools that would take on a selected few to practise on to fix their teeth. I was so excited!!  However, my case was too severe and they could not take me on. I was absolutely crushed, but life goes on.
 
 
 
 
Me at 16
When I got older, moved out on my own and started my life, I went to see a different dentist and discovered that I not only had Buck Teeth, but in fact my lower jaw stopped growing as a kid, while my upper jaw continued to grow, causing my bottom teeth to go directly behind my front teeth (which is why I had buck teeth).   So my dentist recommended that I see an orthodontist.  After my consult, the doctor explained what procedures would need to be done and pricing, (take in mind I just started a job and got my own place), so I was in no position to go through all of that at this point, giving me a price tag of 7 grand for just braces. However, I am fortunate that because I live in a country that provides health care, the entire surgery would be covered under OHIP due to medical reasons.
 
 
 
Me at around 21
 
 
So I said I have lived my whole life like this, what’s a few more years!  Six years had passed and my mouth issues had become worse!!   My bottom teeth were now driving right into the roof of my mouth and my eye teeth are being hammered (fractured one of them).    Now in a better financial position, I contacted my orthodontist again and made another consult (this was over 2 years ago).    He explained everything again, that I would need to wear braces for about a year and a half (I’m now over 2 years) and then at that point I will need to get lower jaw surgery to bring my lower jaw forward.
 
I decided to go through with it, as I have wanted this my entire life!!  To finally correct this mouth of mine was the best feeling ever.  I got my molds done and then went to see the surgeon for my consult. I absorbed a lot of information on this visit and he really took his time explaining everything to me.  I knew the journey that was ahead of me, as he made me feel very comfortable.   He has been doing this for over 30 years so I felt like I was in good hands.
 

 
After this I made my appointment with my ortho so he could explain what steps the surgeon and ortho have decided, (they thought at the time I would have to do upper and lower but it turned out I only needed lower YAY!!).   After this I booked an appointment to have my wisdom teeth removed (this was about a month and a half ago) and  ever since then, it has been a roller coaster in my mouth.   Two weeks after my wisdom extraction, I started to get my braces on (took 3 week steps to get my braces on).   I was on soft food for over a month since the extraction!
Pre Molds of my mouth (2 years ago)

 
 
Stay tuned for my next blog “Step in the right direction” which I will cover in finer detail, the steps involved in planning to climb this huge mountain. I will touch base on my meetings with my surgeon, preparing for braces, and life as an adult with braces.

Thursday 4 April 2013

The Purpose

Hi Everyone,

First let me first start by saying, welcome to my blog.

I am creating this blog to capture my journey through my transition to my new smile. The content of this blog is to serve as an educational documentation for anyone who will be having Orthognathic surgery.

So... you may ask, what is Orthognathic surgery? here is a brief description.

Orthognathic surgery (Greek “orthos” means straight and “gnathos” means jaw) is a single or double jaw surgery which is performed to reposition the jaws. During orthognathic surgery a correct jaw alignment and occlusion, as well as, facial harmony is achieved. When the jaws are moved forwards or backwards, up or down, or rotated, the facial soft tissue in the chin, cheeks, lips and tip of the nose move accordingly. Therefore, once the jaws are correctly positioned a harmony between the facial features is acquired which results in a beautiful profile.

So that's pretty much it (in a nut shell) I would elaborate a little more... but this is suppose to be fun too right!?! Plus there are tons of great websites to explain in more technical details :)

Throughout my blog I will be sharing some pretty personal information about myself. I ask this information to remain my privacy, and to only be shared with my permission.

I will touch base on "My Story" who I am, why I decided to proceed with Orthognathic surgery, wisdom teeth extractions, preparations for braces, offer tips and advice while rocking that metal mouth :-D and share some before and after pictures.

I am scheduled for my surgery on April,25th 2013. So I will be documenting my progress from pre-op till recovery for your enjoyment and education. And offer advice while I go through my transition.

So I will leave it at that finale note, and stay tuned for my next blog on "My Story"

Thanks for stopping by
Cheers