Hi all! I'm not sure if anyone is still reading this, but I just wanted to give an update. It has been almost TWO YEARS since my surgery. That is crazy! In some ways it seems longer, in others it seems like it was just yesterday. It has been over a year since I got my braces off and I have been wearing my retainer since then. For the first year, I wore it all the time. Now, I wear it at night and to the gym. I initially paid extra for the "clear" retainer, which is like the teeth whitening trays. But, I learned quickly that it doesn't let you close your mouth, still looks funny (and made me sound funny) AND isn't as good as traditional retainers at keeping everything in place. So, I usually use the traditional retainer.
There has also been another development. A year after my surgery, I got engaged and earlier this fall I got married! I met my husband a few months after I got my braces -- during a time when I was certain I wouldn't meet anyone (I mean, really, I was in my 30s and wearing braces). He saw past them and I fell in love with him almost immediately. We had so much fun planning our wedding and the day was a blast (one of my bridesmaids even had Invisalign!). I feel very blessed to have met him -- he makes me smile and show those teeth/that jaw that I worked so hard to fix!
Wishing everyone a fabulous holiday season. For anyone considering braces/jaw surgery, I recommend it!!!
