more tweaks

A quick post to journal about my adjustment:




I am SO glad I scheduled an extra appointment with the OD. Today's 10 minute power chain exchange morphed into a 90 minute wire-bending party. Everything took so much longer than any of us had anticipated. I dashed out of the office at one point, retrieved my youngest toddler from a friend's house ( thank you dear Laura), and then sat her down in the chair with me for the last 30 minutes. The office staff absolutely dotted on my sweet Buttercup. Phew, my morning was completely shot, but at least my teeth are once again on the move.


Both steel wires were removed. New bends and such, new power chain, and a special something or other was added to widen my lower arch as much as is possible. It's painful but bearable. My OD also took a set of molds - and I may go in again next week for more tweaking.



I don't really understand why two weeks ago, the office was like, yeah, we'll see you in 5 weeks for your hooks, and now they are moving so much it translates to 1 appt a week. Oh, well.



At this point, I am ready for the whole orthodontic process to be over. That said, I'm not interested in postponing surgery. I'd rather wear braces for a year while pregnant than postpone that 3rd baby another six months....SweetPea needs another playmate to help her eat all that chocolate frosting. :)

It's also time I stop putting so much thought into my teeth. In the end, I'll become dust again no matter how perfect my bite is!

I am proud of my homemade birthday cake. I used a recipe from my grandmother's old Fannie Farmer cook book. It's a classic, with a torn binding and food spots throughout! SweetPea helped with each step, and based on the mess we created, I think she truly enjoyed her birthday.

My feelings are mixed. Today, I am once again apprehensive about surgery. After months of this self-focused jaw study, the good news, it that all I need to feel better is a glance at a bad picture. This one shows how my recessed chin follows me everywhere. Ha ha... I am immensely thankful that there is a re-/solution in the near future.

Dentofacial deformities

taken from Correction of dentofacial deformities with orthognathic surgery: Outcome of treatment with special reference to costs, benefits and risks by Karin Panula

"2.3.1. Psychosocial profiles of patients and their expectations regarding orthognathic surgery

Orthognathic surgery is a complex process leading to changes in the appearance and functions of the dentofacial structures, including respiration, swallowing, speech and mastication. These alterations take place in a single moment during the operation in contrast to the traditional orthodontics in children, which produces small, gradual changes during growth. Thus, orthognathic surgery may seriously challenge the patient's capacity to adapt. This adaptation may be easier if the psychosocial indications and implications are thoroughly evaluated prior to any treatment and also during the presurgical phase. "

I have been talking up my forthcoming surgery to just about everyone I see. It's been theraputic, kinda, though I think my need to tell everyone is to control how they'll react to my new face. Perhaps the new me will not look that different. And then everyone will really think I am crazy!

Besides the physical aspects of jaw surgery, this quote often comes to mind when I perceive an expression that says, "So, what's the big deal? Why are you talking about that jaw stuff again?"

No one has actually said this to me. :)

Certainly, this journey has given me more compassion for others in a state of waiting. My single friends, who long to be married, must grow weary of the "you dating anyone?"question. My childless friends, who long to care for children, must grow weary of the "are you getting any help?" questions. We all have some needy area in our lives. My hope this week is that when I find myself wallowing in self pity (which, trust me, I can do with the best of 'em!) I will seek true comfort...and be open to provide comfort to others.

scary braces

I think I scared off all my readers with the palin pic. I sure hope not...'cause while I was really psyched by her speech a week ago (though by no means blind to her weaknesses), this is still a blog about Babies and Braces. :)

Just spoke with my surgeon today. He listened to my concerns (again), and confirmed our dates are set for October. He was fine with the recent movements my ortho made to wires, bite, etc.

After some discussion, he explained why their office doesn't use the Dolphin imaging program to generate my new face. Don't have a server for it. Hmm. We brainstormed that the Ortho dept at MUSC, which does use this software, should be able to help us. We'll see. I know in the end it's the surgeon's hands I'm trusting, but I'd like one more peep at my proposed face. Of all the details of surgery this freaks me out the most.

Maybe it's better not to see the future? Maybe the future would freak me out more? When my hip bones rotated forward post baby girl #1, it was really weird. My pregnancy weight came off quickly, and one day I felt courageous enough to try on my skinny jeans. Surprise they fit, just not cross my hip bones. After another 9 months of body sculpting and nursing, I gave 'em to goodwill. They just didn't look the same as they had before la bambina.

And la bambina now? She turns three next week. Here is a snapshot of her on her way to the first day of preschool. I just had to dress her in my first sewing project...a very fine pair indeed.

Steel wires are back

I had a good adjustment yesterday. New steel wires were placed on both U/Ls. My OD shaved the wires near my front two teeth to "pop them out". He also put an upper type wire on my lowers, trying to pull the back molars out to a wider arch. When the technician cut the back wires, I swore I heard a molar shatter...thankfully, it only felt like it did. I'm beginning to think "regular ol' plastic surgery" would be way better than what I've agreed to.

Beware anytime you hear the words "torque" and "molar" in the same sentence. Owieee!

I pushed for one more adjustment appointment before my surgical wires are placed, just to make sure everyone is on the same page. Too much has been arranged at this point to risk moving my surgery date again. :)

I snapped some pictures yesterday which show how my two jaws line up Before surgery. The persistent gap was much improved going into my appointment, but within minutes of my teeth being strapped onto the steel wires, it opened back up again. Argh...It's true what everyone says, it gets worse before it gets better.

Orthognathic surgery before & after

This week I’ve been thinking A LOT about Before and After.

What will After look like? Feel like?

I have been pouring over the usual suspects (other blogs & archwired) to prepare for surgery. I named this blog Babies and Braces because that’s where I am right now. Most of my analogies link these two ideas. I feel just I did when I was 34 weeks pregnant with my first baby. Every physical sensation (i.e. chewing anything) reminds me that the Big Day is coming very soon. Excitement and anxiety collide in my waking thoughts. Just like reading birth stories helped me prepare for my labor, so has seeing others’ After photos. Thank you y'all for bravely posting your shots of swollen cheeks, bloody noses, and bizarre elastic configurations. Will I be as brave?

Here are links to a few of the Before & Afters I admired. (Of course, there are others, but I focused on the easy-to-navigate-pages for this post). If you have one to add to the list, please note it in the comments. I hope this will serve as a quick reference instead of scrolling through the yahoo group photos.

· Karl http://www.thisisjustwrong.com/
· Rachel http://breakrachelsface.blogspot.com/2008/08/one-woman-two-faces.html
· Kelsie http://orthognathicsx.blogspot.com/2007/03/looking-back.html
· Leah http://leahsjawsurgery.blogspot.com/2008/05/last-post-before-surgery.html
· Amie http://amiesjaw.blogspot.com/2008_07_01_archive.html
· Lisa http://s67.photobucket.com/albums/h287/npfieldhockey/jaw%20surgeries/?action=view&current=ca25e93b.pbw
· Tori http://www.archwired.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=27353&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=15
· Arvensis http://www.archwired.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=27529&highlight=pics

small bites

This week, my teeth are moving in baby steps, but as any braces wearer will confirm, a little change goes a long way. My bite now fits together in two different spots. The only way to describe it is that I'm beginning to "sense" what my final bite will be. If I push my lower jaw forward, the right side matches up. If I push my jaw & correct the asymmetry, then the left side matches.

It's exciting to feel movement and confirm that postponing surgery was a good thing. Overall, I feel general dental achiness shifting from tooth to tooth, plus some jaw pain and headaches through the day. I think the latter two symptoms come from clenching my jaw (especially when I try to pull my lips together).

Saturday I took the children to hear Lunch Money perform at our library. Marvelous outing. Though I couldn't eat any of the free popcorn, watching the children boogie to the music while wearing balloon critters was too cute. Rock on.

committment to loveliness

I have enjoyed reading Emma's posts, and so am adding some loveliness to our little household. My talents do not lie in the creative realm, but, my, how I have relished an outlet for homemaking crafts. Here is what I've been working on in July:

1. my first sewing project --reversible sister dresses - the tortoise shell buttons SO make the dress!



2. adding a fancy trim (discovered at $2/yd!!!!!) to our powder room shower curtain - I love how the trim ties the damask paper and silk fabric together




3. decorating the wall murals in our playroom with construction paper and elmer's

My next goal is to jazz up our den with some fancy pillows. It has only taken 14 library books, 6 trips to fabric stores, and my collection House Beautiful and Southern Accents mags to get started! Postponing my surgery date has had some benefits. :)

random thoughts

It's raining and thundering right now, dinner is on the stove, my children are hanging out with my husband while I catch a few minutes rest. It's been a busy day, a good day - I must be nesting in prep for surgery b/c I actually got excited cleaning today - even the baseboards and door frames sparkle.

For some reason, though, I feel insecure today about the whole surgery experience. Could it just be pms? :)

I've been daydreaming about changing surgeons, and returning to the swanky private practice in NC. Dr. T was amazing, and everyone has heard of him, but no one really knows my surgeon in SC. I know I have been through all these thoughts before. Perhaps it's time to call my surgeon for some reassurance. You know, at least share my concerns, etc. He's pretty cool.

I had a 20 minute og/gyn surgery two weeks ago and that alone has sent 11 separate bills for anesthesia charges. Though it's all to be covered by my insurance...cannot imagine how complicated jaw surgery will be.

It's is soooo good to have a place to jot down my concerns. I can tell my friends are already WAY BORED with jaw surgery stuff, and the fun hasn't really begun yet.