Thank you for your interest in my experience with orthognathic surgery. I apologize for the amount of detail included for certain aspects; I originally intended much of this information to be a personal log of sorts on which to look back later. I hope that you will find some parts of it useful.
Glenn
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Aug. 29, 2001
8:00 A.M. Surgery. Upper jaw raised, chin
reduced and advanced.
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Sept. 29, 2001
Exactly one month ago, I underwent my surgery. In many ways, it seems like a distant memory. I am very glad that I decided to keep this log, as it helps to remind me of that first week following surgery. Without a record like this, I could very easily forget a lot of what it was like. That would be a shame.
I feel great. My jaws feel essentially as strong as ever, and I perform my everyday tasks without hesitation. I enunciate my words as clearly as I ever have, although my grin is still only about 3/4 of its fullest extent. I am eating everything that I used to eat prior to surgery, including "tougher" foods like steak. I put food inside my mouth and chew without thinking twice. For foods like chicken drumsticks and sandwiches, I still cut them into smaller pieces rather than incise; then again, this was my modus operandi during pre-op orthodontics as well.
The only noticeable swelling that remains is in the chin area, as predicted by my surgeon prior to surgery. This residual swelling, and the temporary loss of function in some muscles in the area, are causing a slight lower lip droop. This means that in a truly relaxed state, my lips do not meet. However, it takes me very little thought and effort during the day to bring my lower lip up to meet the upper. I am also confident that this situation will improve as time goes on.
The functional benefits that I have derived from this surgery continue to amaze me. As I described in my previous log entry, my primary motivation for undergoing this procedure was to improve my respiratory physiology. I am breathing better, sleeping better, and finding myself less tired during the day than ever before. It has been truly remarkable. Esthetically, the result has been an excellent bonus. Being able to walk around during the day with my lips together is, in itself, an incredible benefit. Interestingly, I feel more in control of myself and even of my surroundings than before, when I used to spend all day with my mouth open. It is something that is difficult to describe, and can only be understood when one has experienced both states.
There is one confession that I must make. Remember those cautionary words from your surgeon about refraining from engaging in contact sports for at least three months post-op? For the past two years, I have played softball with my university. Since softball is not exactly the roughest sport, and I was feeling as good as new anyways, I was not about to stop playing this year just to allow a fractured jaw to heal properly. (No, this was not one of my brighter hours). The first tournament this year took place this afternoon. For the first two games, everything was wonderful; I took my at-bats, ran the bases, and fielded my position without incident. I play third base, which -- for the non-baseball enthusiasts out there -- is often referred to as the "hot corner" for both the frequency of balls hit towards the position, and its proximity to home plate. Midway through the third game, as I was fielding my position merely 50 feet or so from home plate, the opposing batter smashes a line drive right at me. Instintively, I got my body in front of the ball's trajectory. It bounced once in the dirt a couple of feet in front of me, took an unexpected bounce, and hit me square on the collarbone and part of the throat. It was actually quite painful, and I could not talk for several minutes. I immediately thought of my partially healed bones, and felt my jaw line for any abnormalities, of which there were thankfully none. I ended up with a deep bone bruise on my collarbone. I was fortunate. If the ball had skipped and hit me a couple of inches higher than it did, I could very well be planning for a second surgery right now.
Moral of the story: when you find yourself post-op and undecided over a course of action -- think about what Glenn would do......... then do something else.
I do have some good (and surprising) news to report. I saw my orthodontist earlier this morning, and she informed me that as long as everything looks good again the next time I see her (in three weeks), the braces can be removed at that time. I asked her twice just to make sure that I heard her correctly. According to her, my occlusion looks perfect, and the surgeon has ascertained that everthing appears stable. I might ask my orthodontist to leave the lower braces on for an additional month or two in order to straighten one incisor that is slightly crooked. However, I have circled the date of the next appointment (October 18) on my calendar, and I look forward to it eagerly. I would be de-banded merely seven weeks post-op, and I am finding it difficult to complain.
Ah, to once again floss without having to contend with archwires. I ran out of orthodontic floss a few days ago, and I have not had a chance to go to the pharmacy since then. In the meantime, I have been trying to use regular dental floss, and have had very limited success. To me, trying to use regular dental floss on braces-encumbered teeth is like riding a stationary bike with a metal seat: it is a pain in the ass, and it never gets you anywhere.
It has occurred to me that a part of me will miss these braces once they are gone. Post-orthodontia nostalgia, if you will. From all the trials and tribulations during the past 20 months, I have learned a great deal from this experience. What I have learned extends far beyond the realm of teeth and jaws; I have learned a lot about myself as a person. Indeed, no regrets.
One side effect of the orthodontic/orthognathic experience, as discussed at the Yahoo! Club earlier, is the heightened awareness of other people's teeth and profile. I believe that I have gotten so proficient at this that, when I see someone on the subway or on the street, I can fairly accurately judge, within a few seconds, the relative proportions of his/her nose, jaws, chin, and enveloping soft tissue. Then I would wait until the person opens his/her mouth to talk/yawn/laugh, at which time I would quickly assess the archwidth, shape, crown exposure, and (very roughly) the occlusion. Practice makes perfect.
Now, there are those who would say that this is a bit pathetic -- and I suppose there are much more productive ways to spend one's time. Perhaps it is also a rather judgmental activity in which to take part. I figure that as long as I keep the thoughts to myself and refrain from pointing, it is just a harmless addiction. Some people smoke, some people gamble, and some people assess the facial proportions of complete strangers.
Besides, just imagine what goes through the minds of our
surgeons when they look at people. My surgeon is married to
my orthodontist, and I am convinced that they gossip about their friends'
teeth and jaws. Not exactly foreplay material in the bedroom, but
definitely good fodder with which to bash an unpopular member at the tennis
club.
Cheers,
Glenn
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