Day 14 Post Op SARPE

Back to work today December 23, 2009. Christmas shopping was a hassle as I am not allowed to carry anything. But I sit down and work at my job, the swelling is down and the bruising is faded enough where I can put makeup on and not really see it.

Trying not to get too upset about the upcoming holiday and have come to the realization that it is OK to let everyone else do all the (heavy lifting) work for me. Got a call from my two boys saying there was too much snow on the roof and it was beginning to leak inside. Came home to find both boys on the roof shoveling 2 feet of snow off the roof. Almost had a heart attack !

When I yell my teeth rattle... it is a bizarre feeling .. But when I caught them on the roof , I YELLED....

Day 10 Post Op SARPE

Went to the chiropractor today , told her about my dizziness when I put my head back and she FIXED it... come to find out during surgery is when it must have happened... A vertibrae in my neck was pressed up against my artery so that when I put my head back in a certain direction it was pinching and causing my dizziness. It was like a miracle and I feel so much better!

Day 9 Post Op

Well looking back the pain was not as bad as I thought. Advil works fine and keeps the swelling down.

Went to the Oral surgeon thinking I was getting stitches removed to find out they dissolved... Got some terrible tasting mouth wash think it was because I ate scrambled eggs before I left and he probably thought I wasn't cleaning properly because I found some egg stuck in the pallet extender after my appointment ugh.

Great foods for this surgery are pancakes, scrambled eggs, frozen fruit, ensure, ice cream , and yogurt.

Lost almost 10 lbs already.... which isn't a bad thing.

Day 4 - post op SARPE - LIGHTS OUT

Woke up to almost seeing my breath.. We had a bad ice storm and the power is out. Time to pack up and go to my mothers. Not exactly the best time for me to be driving since I am still on pain killers .... Made it to her house and found every bump in the SUV made my face kind of hurt.

Like most mothers , mine likes to feed me.. Well combine a lot of soup, a rocking chair and my head spins that is a recipe for an upset stomach .. I lost my dinner really quick. Oh well. I wont do that again.

Day 3 - post op SARPE

Woke up with some real swelling got a little scared , did not realize that I had to sleep with my head propped up the swelling was so bad that I couldnt see through my eyes.

Day 2 - Post Op SARPE

I have no feeling in my upper teeth, they feel like wood. No feeling in my gums and began to use the pallet extender.. That was an experience as tilting my head back to get the little pin into the hole to crank the extender caused me to have dizzy spells. Real spins! I have to tilt my head a certain way that I dont spin and then my son can get the pin into the extender to push the crank. (not so good times)

Surgery for SARPE

My appointment to go into the hospital was at noon. I filled out piles of paperwork , said goodbye to my husband and off I went. The surgery took like 45 minutes and I was in recovery. I was surprised with the pain immediately after it was the swelling under my nose and gums that hurt. Once the anistesiolgist gave me the appropriate pain medication, everything was fabulous ... that was until i moved around... then I was last one to leave recovery . I got really nausiated and they made me stay until 6pm.

Pre-Op for SARPE (surgically assisted rapid pallet extention)

Went to the Oral Surgeon and he thought the pallet extender looked fine and I was all set for surgery on December 9, 2008. He told me that the pallet extender will actually not only extend my pallet but also stablize my upper jaw. Getting nervous about the surgery as I never had surgery before but my family is being very supportive and I should not miss much work so I am ready.

Pre-Op for SARPE (surgically assisted rapid pallet extention)

In preparation for my SARPE on December 9,2008 I needed to have a pallet extender inserted on four molars on the roof of my mouth. I describe it as a torture device and right before Thanksgiving.... ugh.

The orthodonist had a difficult time getting it to stay as of course my upper pallet is small as it is this is the reason for this first surgery. Once my upper jaw is broken the pallet extender will need to be cranked open until my upper jaw is wide enough.

I did not realize how difficult it was going to be to eat! Everything and I mean EVERYTHING gets stuck up there. The worst part was my speech... I talk on the phone for a living and I sound like I am hearing impared. I can not say the vowel "E" like eat, feed, sea, or even be... My son makes fun of me, he is lucky he doesnt need one!