day 7 following 2nd surgery

Today marks one week since undergoing my second jaw surgery. I saw my oral surgeon yesterday, and it was a good appointment. I'm going to fashion this post a bit different. I'm going to put my questions and his answers. These answers are not word for word, and at some points are my interpretation. I asked him the following:

1. What did the lump I had consist of? What was I feeling? Answer: I was probably feeling the bone plate. The tissues surrounding it were swollen. 
2. How bad was the infection? Answer: There are stages of infection. Mine was in the beginning stage, where there is no puss, but just cellulitis. It was probably headed towards a raging infection.
3. Will the swelling return to normal, and will that side match the other when I am fully healed? Answer: Yes, the side that had issues will match the other side when the swelling subsides. If the swelling gets worse or doesn't go down all the way, it would be because of my tooth decaying (if it's in fact decaying).
4. Were you able to see the root of my tooth and check it out? Answer: You can't see the root because it is inside the bone. He doesn't know whether or not the tooth will need a root canal.
5. When should I see the dentist again? Answer: Because of how swollen and tender I am, I should wait about 3-4 weeks before going to a dentist unless I really want to.There's no harm in it. (I am going to go to a dentist, but not for a cleaning. I'm going to have them give me their opinion on my tooth so that I don't have to worry about it.)
6. When can I begin eating things like popcorn and steak? Answer: I can eat whatever I want now. I need to be careful not to get things caught up in my stitches though.
7. If you had to guess how long will it take for the left side to return to normal and match the other side? Answer: He can't give a definite timeline, but if he had to guess he said that it should be back to normal by 2 weeks post op.
8. When do I need to come back and see you? Answer: I only need to come back and see him if I am swelling again, or if I am still swollen by the end of next week. If I am unsure whether my swelling is normal, I should come back also.
9. What really caused all of the swelling in the first place? Answer: He doesn't know this for sure, but he thinks that it was the combination of the loose screw and plate as well as the beginnings of infection. The screw could have been loosened by a hit to the jaw (I have a two year old that wacked me a couple of times) or my body could have been naturally pushing it out. I am the first person he has had to take hardware out of as early as 9 weeks.

That is all of the questions I can remember asking him! Today I am still bruised and tender, but my swelling is improving rapidly. My feeling is continually getting better in my chin and lip, although there is still a great deal of numbness there. I believe when it is fully healed it will be pretty darn close to 100% if not perfect!

Comment please! :)