Fresh Out of Surgery...

Here I am just out of surgery and in my room. Don't remember much about the ride to my room or surgery for that matter. Last thing I remember was being given some "funny stuff" before they rolled me into the operating room and I watched Dr. Wood tearing tape that he would be using on my chin and that was the last thing I recall.

Remember very little about recovery other than my jaw hurting. Surgery went really good...that's what I was told by Dr. Wood. Dr. Wood and Dr. Smith did my operation and I they moved my jaw forward about 6mm and my chin back 6mm and he was very pleased with how everything went. They didn't put the splint in as he didn't like the way it fit...which I'm not going to complain because I was having a hard enough time with swallowing and my tongue being a bit swollen so there didn't seem to be enough room for anything else in my rubber banded mouth. I was happy to see I was just banded with rubber bands but the surgical hooks in the front a few were broken which Dr. Wood wasn't happy about.

12 Hours....oh NO!!!

Wow...hard to believe I'm just twelve hours from acquiring my fashionable blue and white checked hospital gown and getting a brand new jaw and chin!! Wow...what more can one ask for with the New Year rolling in??!?!?! I'm just sitting here actually looking forward to getting on with this much anticipated event! Yes....I'm nervous, I was actually in tears most of the morning trying to work out all the financial details that were thrown upon me at the last minute by the hospital...but I'm feeling quite better now.

My girlfriend and I went out for "the last supper", actually we ate at Scholsky's Deli and it was deliciouss! I love my turkey whole thank you...not put in a blender so I won't be looking to blend my turkey and mashed potatoes anytime soon...Ha! Ya...ya...that's what I think, right??? Well, I just might have to get use to the look of my turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy and corn all in one quick easy to blend meal after tomorrow...but hey...I get lots of pudding and ice cream, right???

If you don't already know...I take my camera everywhere and it will be going with me to the hospital tomorrow. My girlfriend is in charge of capturing me from the neck up...LOL...no jammy shots please!!! I will be praying and I hope all of you will too that everything goes as smooth as silk and I will be home before you and I know it!! Depending on how much morphine they give me, I just might want to hang out a bit longer...LOL...only kidding!!! I'll post again on either Friday or Saturday depending how I feel. God Bless and see you all soon!!

"Surgery Day" Countdown Begins...

Wow...three days seems too quick...or not quick enough...wow...it's finally almost here. Am I excited??? Uhmmm..well I wouldn't say excited as much as I'd say a bit nervous right at this point. I've still a bunch of things to get done before Wednesday so I'm writing lists like crazy. I still have to submit some pre-surgery paperwork, pick up a few things at the grocery store so when my son gets home on Friday he'll have something to eat besides pureed soup. :)

I have a wonderfully sweet girlfriend who will be getting herself out of bed at 4am in the morning to come over and pick me up as the hospital is about 45 minutes away and I was told to arrive by 5:30 am with all the other surgical patients for that day. It must be quite a sight seeing all these sleepy people walking like zombies into the hospital to get operated on even before their completely awake...only to be put back to sleep again. Maybe that's why they have you come so early, figuring you're still half asleep and you won't know what's going on and what's to come as soon as they inject that sleepy serum and have you start thinking of being on a beautiful sandy beach with a handsome hunk....or if they think you don't look like a beachy kind of person, they'll have you counting backwards from 10, 9, 8, 7....until you drift into nothingness.. *sigh* wonder if you dream when you're put to sleep??? I'd like to dream about what I'll be able to eat after weeks of slurping down pureed soups, runny mashed potatoes and smoothies. Maybe I'll dream that I never needed the surgery to begin with. :)

Home w/ Tissues, Vicks and Tea...

I made it home from the great northeast with a nice headcold but having enjoyed my time spent with my family. I was hoping to get through the next two weeks without any sickness as my surgery is on Dec 31st but that didn't happen. I arrived into Tucson with a four hour delay through Vegas so that put me home at midnight Christmas eve. Christmas day my favorite spot was parked on the couch in front of the TV with my quilt, klenex, vicks and chapstick. It was a very quiet Christmas but a well rested one which was just what I needed. I'm staying home from work today and just resting over the next few days before I go back to work on Monday.

Let It Snow...Let It Snow....

Well it has been snowing up here in upstate New York since my arrival two days ago. This is the first day that is clear with no snow but as pretty as this scene is of my mom's log cabin it was freezing outside...I think it was probably about 15 degrees out with windchill that made it feel below zero. We had probably close to 10 - 15" of snow over the past few days and it sure does look pretty outside.

Off to the Snowy Northeast...

My son and I are flying to upstate New York today. We're hopeful that the weather will cooperate as we were expecting some storms here in Arizona...ya...I know...snow!! We do get snow in southern Arizona as we're at 5,000 feet but usually only once or twice a season and it's usualy melted by noon time. The Albany area was hit with some ice and snow storms over this past week and it's not letting up. We're traveling on a good day because they're expecting another 7 - 10" tomorrow...and then another storm is coming right behind that one...I just might not make it back to Arizona on Christmas Eve if this keeps up. I'll have some good snow pictures I'm sure so I'll post a few over the next days...cya in N.Y.!!!

Surgery Hooks are Shiny

Went in for my last orthodontist appointment before my sugery day on Dec. 31st. They put in some very strong wires and can't seem to get rid of those powerchains so they're still part of the scene. Hey...but look at my new hardware, my very own set of surgical hooks on top and bottom...I think they add a bit of bling bling...HA! They sent me home with a lot of wax so I'm ready with my wax but so far not a big issue. I'll let you know how they're doing in a few days!

Mentoplasty Reduction Surgery

Mentoplasty is actually a surgery on chin reduction. It basically promotes the reconstructuring and the reformation of the mentum of the face. Mentum refers to the most anterior region of the jaw or the mandible. For some people, the jaw region is prominent, this is called macrogenia. If the jaw is somewhat deficient or receding, then the condition is called microgenia. With mentoplasty, the mentum region is aesthetically enhanced to make a better profile to the face.

During the mentoplasty surgery, the surgeon usually makes an incision in one or two possible location. He may either do the cut under the lower lip inside the mouth or under the chin in an inconspicuous location or in both. The procedure uses a bone burr or a drill, which is an electrical instrument, to change the shape of the bone in the chin yet still give it a natural appearance. For problematic fat chins, the same procedure is applied. After sucking or melting out the fat, the surgeon will stitch the incision or apply a tape to suit up the incisions.

I will be having this done when I have my lower jaw advanced. I'm a bit nervous as I would like to see my chin before he finsihes...LOL..so I can tell him whether I like it or not. I also would like to try to negotiate the charges for such surgery. My doctor is wanting to charge me $4,000 for this surgery and I feel that is a bit much for this procedure and for what I've been researching. Has anyone ever negotiated these types of charges??? Let me know because I really can't afford that much and as part of my jaw surgery I think it should be inlcuded with a small fee. What do you think???

My Son is Brace-free

Just thought I'd post a picture of my son, Schuyler who just had his braces removed less than a month ago. What a beautiful smile. Dr. K did a great job.