All downhill from here

Today was a really good day! I didn't hurt bad enough to take any pain medicine during the day, although I am taking some right before I go to bed because my pain at night is a little worse, and it will help me sleep. I couldn't breathe through my nose at all today, which is frustrating to say the least, but it will get better! Swelling has gone down as far as my jaw and chin go, but my nose is more swollen. This will decrease with time also. 

This last week of laziness will be more tough than last week because as I feel better and better, I'll want to get up and do things, but I am constrained to my chair to watch the horror that is daytime television. But at least I won't be in much pain! I'll just have to remember that it's for the best that I take it easy! I still feel slightly weak, so I need to regain my strength! 

I'm more than thrilled that the worst part is over. That first week was rough, but now I look forward to healing more each day and, after a few weeks, getting back into the groove of things!

I'll continue to post photos to track the process of the healing!

Thanks so much for reading! 

No More Splints! (Week after surgery)

Appointment with jaw surgeon

My jaw surgeon said everything looked really good! He examined my incisions and took a look at my bite. He was very pleased. As I mentioned before, I am now on to the mushy food stage, which I am stoked about. I've lost about twelve pounds, so my body will definitely be pleased with better nutrition. I look forward to not feeling so weak! 

Ortho appointment

My orthodontist took pictures and x-rays to track my progress. Everyone in the office said I look great, which I didn't really know how to take because I'm, you know, puffy-faced. But I guess they're used to seeing these cases and have a good idea of what the final product will be. (That's one of the hardest things of this kind of surgery-- not having any idea what you're going to look like due to swelling and bruising. But patience is my medicine on this one.) 

Plastic surgeon appointment

My plastic surgeon wasn't in the office today, so another one of the doctors removed the splint on top of my nose, which actually wasn't too painful. Kind of like removing a big band-aid. However, removing the splints inside of my nose was a whole different thing. The doctor stuck these pointy tweezer things in my nose and cut the stitch holding the splint in. When she pulled the splints out, (one in each nostril) I couldn't believe they had been in my nose for a week. They were these weird oval plate things that were about two inches long. It was weird. Then she stuck a suction thing up my nose and removed all the gross stuff in my airways, which was a bit uncomfortable but not too bad. Now I can somewhat breathe through my nose! Although, my passages are still inflamed, so I am still having to breathe through my mouth.

And nowwwwwwww, here's my nose! (It's very swollen, along with the rest of my face, so the final result won't be visible for up to six weeks, especially from the front view.) 

(dazed and confused?)
you can kinda see here that the bridge and the tip
is swollen

before and after

Exciting News

Real food <3

I have now received the okay to add mashed potatoes and soft mac and cheese to my food choices. I am beyond thrilled. I almost cried when my doctor told me.

I'll post again today after all my appointments! (I'm a little nervous about the rhinoplasty one...but excited to finally see my nose!)

Sixth Day After Surgery

There really hasn't been much to report in these past few days. 

Well, except yesterday morning, I nearly passed out when I was walking to the bathroom. My stomach hasn't been feeling so nice, so I hadn't really been getting proper nourishment. Today, my mother was very adamant about my eating schedule, so today was a bit better. I had about five or six tea cups of soup. Speaking of nutrition, I lost another pound. But hey, one pound in two days is better than the ten pounds in five days. My diet will soon include more actual foods like runny mashed potatoes, which will hopefully curb the weight loss.

Tomorrow, my mother and I embark back to my three doctors for three different post-op appointments. I'll be stopping by my orthodontist for x-rays, my jaw surgeon for more x-rays and examination, and my plastic surgeon for a more tedious occasion. He'll be removing the splints inside my nose and the one covering my nose. I'm a little nervous about this part because it probably won't be too pleasant. However, I am excited because I might actually be able to breathe through my nose and, you know, get to see my nose. I'll be excited to post about tomorrow's events!

Thanks for reading! 

Five Days After Surgery

I slept all through the night last night, so I'm counting that as a small victory in my recovery process. (I could definitely use some victories.) 

Yesterday was nice because all sorts of friends came to see me, and it really made me happy. Company is always nice and helps cheer me up!

My pain is a bit more intense than it was yesterday, but it's not too bad. Also, when I say pain, I don't necessarily mean sharp pain. It's more like aching and intense pressure. 

Nothing really to report today thus far! 

Thanks for reading!

Update: I was curious, so I weighed myself...Lost ten pounds so far. Scary. 

Four Days After Surgery

fun

Feeling a bit better than I did yesterday! Swelling is about the same, but today, I am also yellow due to bruising. I think I've also dropped a few pounds. I feel a bit weak. 

But I'm looking forward to the rest of recovery because apparently the third and fourth days are the worst. 

I was able to brush my teeth today with a little baby toothbrush and my prescription mouth rinse. I also drank some of a protein shake for breakfast. My appetite hasn't really come back yet, though. 

Thanks for reading! 

Three Days After Surgery

Everyone usually says that three or four days after the surgery is the worst.

Thus far, they are right. Today has been pretty rough as far as pain goes. The swelling is still the same as it was yesterday. My dad made me a protein shake, and I was able to drink a bit of it.

I am not a happy camper today, but I'm looking forward to the better days ahead. 

Thanks for reading!