Today is day 42 (or 6 weeks) post op for me! This is a huge milestone, as my orthognathic surgeon has released me into my orthodontists care. He has also given me permission to begin chewing again. Mind you, soft foods only for another week and a half, but it's a start!
I attempted to chew some pasta tonight, and I quickly discovered that I am going to have to retrain myself to do this simple task. Not only do I not know how to chew in my new bite position, but my muscles are sore now after eating one plate full of pasta.
It's only been six weeks, but I can't help but wish that my transformation was complete. My smile is a little bit odd and will need some training of it's own. I also have a "bone bump" on the left side of my face that may or may not smooth out over the next 6 months. If it doesn't, I plan to have my surgeon shave it down. I appear more swollen on that side and I don't like it. I am so ready to feel normal and pretty again! This will come in due time, but I am not a patient person by any means.
I am still numb on my left side. The feeling has returned in my right and it is split right down the middle. My surgeon has advised me that if the feeling is not back in 6 months to a year, it's not coming back. I would do the surgery over again even if I had known before I wouldn't regain feeling. The only real inconvenience with the numbness is the difficulty putting on chapstick and missing crumbs on my chin when eating.
I no longer have the elastics my oral surgeon equipped me with, although I do have some from my orthdontist. Strangely enough, from a comfort stance, I prefer to wear rubber bands. I feel odd without them in my mouth. The "good" news is I get to wear these for another 6 weeks or so.
As promised, I have another picture for you. I think there is quite a difference here than in my original picture. I HOPE there is.
I promise I'm not as angry as I look in these pictures. But as you can see, there's a good bone bump on that right side. I HATE this and truly hope it will go away as soon as possible. UGH. Looking at these pictures is discouraging.
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