here goes nothing - a second jaw surgery

Well today I noticed that the swelling had begun to spread to my cheek. I am taking the antibiotics, but I called my oral surgeon to make sure that was normal for the swelling to increase. He decided to go ahead with the second surgery. So, in about 3 days, I am undergoing my second jaw surgery in the last 3 months. He is going to drain the infection and remove the hardware. He'll hopefully cut out any excess bone growth if there is any and smooth out the bump once and for all. 

I continue to second guess myself. I wanted to have the surgery now because I want to get it over with rather than to wait until May (which was my plan before the infection)...so I saw this as an opportunity to get it out of the way. A co-worker also noticed that the swelling was moving into my cheek, so I don't know why I continue to question whether I overreacted. If she can see it after only 24 hours, then surely I am not seeing things. 

He wants me to continue my antibiotics until surgery. I am guessing that he wants as much of the infection to go away as possible. I don't think he anticipates that the infection will improve 100%, and if it does, I think he expects it to return (as do I). 

I am totally concerned and terrified of relapse from removing hardware this early on. The surgeon says that it will make no difference because the bones are fused together (you can see it on the x-ray), but my personality is to worry constantly and so I am. I spoke with my orthodontist though, and he reassured me that I will be wearing my elastics for quite awhile as he originally planned, and they will help to keep everything in place if there is any residual healing to be done. I hope that there won't be any abnormal bone growth after the second surgery. I don't want to have a third, but I want my face to be even after all of this effort and pain. 

UGH...I truly wish I could stop stressing about this. I intend to ask all of my questions before the surgery so as to make me feel better. 

Feel free to share your experiences. :)

                                      Sunday                               Tuesday

               At first glance, it almost appears like my "lump" was larger on Sunday, although if you look close enough my cheek surrounding it is actually puffier today than it was a few days ago, hence the additional swelling.