It's 2:30pm, and I've already seen two doctors who asked me to "open wide" (ahhhh), "now, bite down" (*feeble attempt*). First, I saw my orthodontist, who changed a few rubber bands and sent me on my merry way. Next, I saw the surgeon.
It seems as though there was a bit of confusion in the communication between the orthodontist and the surgeon. Namely, the orthodontist was supposed to take and send impressions so that the surgeon could get a good idea of how close my teeth were to matching up. He didn't have any such thing, and therefore could tell me little (other than exclaim, "how do you eat!?" which was oddly assuring). His assistant took impressions.
Obviously, I've had impressions taken before, but never with braces. That was ohmygod nasty. There was the pink gunk in my braces, and the top one made me gag... ew. Those should be finished tomorrow, and the surgeon will give us a call to tell us how they look.
We also discussed dates. His first comment was, "so, you're looking to have the surgery this summer?" ummm, no. I've been planning February in my mind. It's the perfect time for me, really (other than last summer, but what's done is done...) I have a week-long school vacation the week of the 18th, and I would rather be out from school for 3 weeks than 4. Also, I will be in my second semester of senior year, so I won't have nearly as much work to do, and I'll be generally less stressed out. Also, the sooner the surgery is done, the less time I'll have to spend in braces in college. The surgeon said the surgery can probably be done in February whether or not I'm exactly ready, but I'm hoping I will be!
Before we left, my mom and I talked to the amazing woman at the front desk. She's been dealing with our insurance company, and she did a great job. She called the hospital and got me a tentative surgery date of Thursday, February 14th.... Valentine's Day! There was a little confusion about whether I'd be in the adult or pediatric OR (I turned 18 a few days ago) but it looks like I'll be in pedi. I think this is a mixed blessing. I'm betting on better care, but more noise in recovery.
Amazing Woman also passed over all the preoperative paperwork, which is completely overwhelming. I'm lucky that my mom is going to take care of most of it! I need a physical, blood tests, an appointment at the blood bank, and a pre-op consultation with my surgeon at the hospital. I'm getting really excited! Not nervous yet, but I'm sure I will be...
I hope everyone had a very wonderful and happy Christmas...
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5 comments:
HEY THERE! CONGRATS on a surgery date!! I sure hope that I can have mine around the same time so that we can be miserable together!
Those impressions are the worse aren't they?! I didn't have a pleasant time at all that's for sure.
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas too!!
Shontell
Congrats on the date. Now comes the waiting part!! It's funny hearing your story and remembering what I went through as well. I got the whole 'how did you eat' comment too! I do not miss those impressions either. Not fun. When I went to the hospital for blood work (same hospital that I had the surgery at) the nurse there said to me 'so you'll be in pediatrics then..' I looked at her sideways and said 'what!? I'm 29 years old!' She looked up from her paperwork shocked and laughed and said 'well I guess that's a no, then huh?!' Weird thing is, people say I look even younger now!!
HOLY CRAP ALLISON GUESS WHAT?? My surgery date is Feb. 14th too!!!
Allison,
Hey there, sorry if this is random, but I was searching blogs under the word "Braces" and "college" and found you. Sorry to read you will have to spend time incarcerated when you do go. BUT, I'm a college sophomore who is getting braced tomorrow, only to return to school for the spring semester as the ONLY person in a dorm of 500 in braces. If you don't mind my asking, I have a few questions for you:
- Since you, like me, wear the braces a bit late (most people I knew had them in middle school, GRRR!), are you having a hard time with them? Do strangers comment at all?
- What kind of surgery will you be having? I am likely to need surger (I'm a borderline case) and they'll assess after a few months in the braces.
- Did it take long to adjust to the braceS? Is there pain involved? I know these darn spacers are KILLING ME!
Oh well, sorry to intrude. Im' Eric and go to NYU.
-emarshmallow@gmail.com
Hi Eric,
I'm happy to answer your questions, but I would rather do so through comments here than by email. If you don't comment back here in the next day or two, I'll send you an email.
In any case, here are the answers to your questions:
1. For the most part, I haven't found having braces now anymore awkward than it was in middle school. I get a few comments here and there, but mostly just from other teens and adults with braces (we compare notes!) You may get some comments from your friends the first few days, but in my experience, it hasn't been too bad.
2. I am having surgery to correct my underbite (my bottom jaw is a lot bigger than my top jaw). You can see my diagnosis here: (http://gumchewersguide.blogspot.com/2007/07/report-from-surgeon-and-braces-update.html)
Though I don't know exactly how the surgery will be performed, it will probably include shortening my lower jaw and lengthening my upper jaw, as well as changing my chin to make my face proportional. The general term is "Orthognatic Surgery," so if you Google that or look around at other blogs, you'll get a pretty good idea of what's involved. Stop back after Feb. 14 for my own experience!
3. Spacers are a killer, but I haven't found braces to be that painful in general. Maybe a little sore after adjustments, but usually, my only problem is that they rub my cheeks and give me little sores and cuts. Different people have different experiences with braces and pain, though.
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