Just a quick post to comment about something I just discovered in the past few days. Motrin is GREAT for reducing swelling. My surgeon had recommended I use Motrin but I didn't use it much at first because it didn't help the headaches so I used other things like Tylenol, etc. -- things that didn't contain the same anti-inflammatory component. In the past two weeks or so, though, I've been having a hard time sleeping through the night. So, I went to the store to buy something to help me sleep. The Motrin PM was cheaper than the Tylenol PM, so I went with that (as a side note, I quickly learned to take it before going to bed and NOT after midnight when I woke up -- talk about a drowsy morning!). The next morning, while washing my face, I noticed that it didn't hurt as much (when I wash my face it hurts a bit when I put pressure on it to massage in the soap). Didn't think too much about it at first. Then, for the rest of the day, people kept commenting that my face looked less swollen. I've started to pay attention and it's true! On the days when I don't take it, my face looks more swollen than it does on the days when I don't take it. I know it's not all that scientific, but I thought I'd throw it out there in case it might help someone else.
Hope everyone is well!
Monday, February 21, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
One-Month Update
Hi all! Gosh, I've been a horrible blogger! I had every intention to post regularly but got busy with work, etc. I only have a few minutes to type right now but wanted to give a few updates and post some pictures (posts below this one).
To answer a few questions . . .
I'd say the second week was probably the most difficult. The first week was a haze of sleeping and drugs. It was definitely difficult ("eating" your meals through a syringe is such a weird concept) but the second week was more emotionally challenging. That's when reality set in and so did my anxiety. The headaches were also really bad. Fortunately, the anxiety and headaches decreased sometime in the third week. From everything I've read, that is normal and I just had to get through it.
I'm no longer wearing bands. They were putting too much pressure on my teeth so my surgeon decided it was better to go without them. That helped a lot with the headaches. I still can't open my jaw very wide. It's funny how you don't even realize it. When the surgeon first asked me, I thought I could open wide. Then he measured and it was only 10 mm. The low-end normal is 35 mm. So, I'm working on my jaw exercises. Such a weird concept.
I'm still on a no-chew diet and will be for another few weeks. Kind of boring but I'm getting used to it. Lots of soup. My new-found soft food is polenta. I've always loved it, but it's fabulous now that there are so few good options. Add a little marinara sauce and it almost seems like a normal meal.:) I still haven't been released to run yet -- that'll be another several weeks. But, I did learn this week that I can try pilates in a few weeks as long as I'm careful. Running is such an emotional stress relief for me. I'm hoping pilates can help with that a little until I can run again. I'm not very coordinated, so it should be interesting.:)
I go back to work next week. I've been working from home for the past two weeks are so. I'm excited to get back to the office, but also nervous. I'll keep you updated on how that goes.
Anyhow, I hope everyone is well. It's great to see how many people have May surgery dates (it'll be here before you know it!!!) and it's great to see how everyone who has already had his/her surgery is recovering so well. I love our little jaw surgery blog community!
Hope everyone is well!
To answer a few questions . . .
I'd say the second week was probably the most difficult. The first week was a haze of sleeping and drugs. It was definitely difficult ("eating" your meals through a syringe is such a weird concept) but the second week was more emotionally challenging. That's when reality set in and so did my anxiety. The headaches were also really bad. Fortunately, the anxiety and headaches decreased sometime in the third week. From everything I've read, that is normal and I just had to get through it.
I'm no longer wearing bands. They were putting too much pressure on my teeth so my surgeon decided it was better to go without them. That helped a lot with the headaches. I still can't open my jaw very wide. It's funny how you don't even realize it. When the surgeon first asked me, I thought I could open wide. Then he measured and it was only 10 mm. The low-end normal is 35 mm. So, I'm working on my jaw exercises. Such a weird concept.
I'm still on a no-chew diet and will be for another few weeks. Kind of boring but I'm getting used to it. Lots of soup. My new-found soft food is polenta. I've always loved it, but it's fabulous now that there are so few good options. Add a little marinara sauce and it almost seems like a normal meal.:) I still haven't been released to run yet -- that'll be another several weeks. But, I did learn this week that I can try pilates in a few weeks as long as I'm careful. Running is such an emotional stress relief for me. I'm hoping pilates can help with that a little until I can run again. I'm not very coordinated, so it should be interesting.:)
I go back to work next week. I've been working from home for the past two weeks are so. I'm excited to get back to the office, but also nervous. I'll keep you updated on how that goes.
Anyhow, I hope everyone is well. It's great to see how many people have May surgery dates (it'll be here before you know it!!!) and it's great to see how everyone who has already had his/her surgery is recovering so well. I love our little jaw surgery blog community!
Hope everyone is well!
Day 28 Pictures
Here are some pictures from Day 28 (after my first haircut since the surgery) . . . I tried to get close-ups of my bite.
Day 27 Pictures
Here are some pictures from Day 27 (tried to get a profile; smiling as wide as I can in the bottom one) . . .
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