Hi everyone! I can't believe it's been seven weeks since surgery! I've been back to work for about three weeks. It's been busy, which is good. When I returned, I was still completely numb on my left side from just below my eye down to my lips. I worried it might never get better because the nerves weren't coming back at the same rate as they were on the right side. But, apparently talking helps because as soon as I came back to work and started yapping, the recovery in that area picked up. I'm still swollen and my nose is still working its way back, but the numbness outside of my mouth is almost gone (my gums are still totally numb, but I think they take awhile longer to recover and I can't say I'm upset -- I mean, the numbness was a blessing right after surgery and is probably the body's way of helping you get through it)!
I also had my first post-surgery orthodontist appointment this week. It was nice to see them all again and they were excited for me getting over the surgery hurdle. They took off all my surgical hooks and wire bands, replaced the archwire, and put back on normal bands (the ones around the brackets). At one point, my ortho accidentally stabbed my upper left lip with the old archwire when tugging to pull it it (it was stuck in there!). I wasn't even that upset, though, because it was the first time I realized I could actually feel it! I have to wear elastics on both sides in the back now, but they're not so bad and it means I'm one step closer to getting the braces off.
I'm able to start trying to chew again. I'm still a little nervous and have been taking it slowly. I've tried a few things, but haven't been too adventurous yet. Last night was Indian food, which was great but still pretty soft. My bands are fluorescent yellow now from the curry, but I'm to wait to replace them and hold out until my next ortho appointment and tell people I did it in honor of St. Patrick's Day.:)
That's about all I have for now. I'm so excited to see everyone who got their braces off this week and others who were told they'll get them off soon. Also excited for everyone who is scheduled to have surgery in the next few months. Very exciting!
Hope everyone is well and has a wonderful weekend!
P.s. Not the best picture in the world, but I posted one from a wine tasting trip we did last weekend for a friend's birthday so you could get an idea of how much swelling is left, etc. at 7 weeks.
