Hello All,
You may have remarked a lack of posts over the past month or so. My original intention was to post monthly updates, however my recovery has been quite uneventful and consequently, didn't really call for multiple posts.
I'm just over 2 months post-op and I'm well on my way back to feeling 100%. Although I'm still quite a way away, I'm shocked and relieved at how easily and quickly my recuperation is passing.
As far as physical changes such as my swelling go, there isn't much to report. The changes are a lot less drastic and started to slow down around the one month mark. To other people, I just look normal, but since I know my face well, I can tell where I'm still swollen and puffy. The only problem I have with this is the fact that my jawbone must just be uneven as on one side, my jawline is a lot more prominent and looks more swollen than the other and it's quite visible in photos. Obviously this is a minor thing and in the grand scheme of things, is something I can live with!
Numbness is still a big problem for me and my bottom lip and majority of my chin are still fairly numb and tingly. My surgeon is still optimistic that feeling will eventually come back, but at this point I won't be surprised if full sensation never returns. Again, in the scheme of things, this really doesn't matter. My gums are still fully numb but I don't realise it anyway, and I wouldn't be shocked if that feeling never came back either.
I'm back to eating normally which is the best feeling ever! It's still difficult eating crispy foods or large foods (eg: big sandwiches) as I can't yet open my mouth more than two fingers width. I have put the majority of the weight back on that I lost over the course of my liquid diet, which is annoying but life goes on...
I suppose the most important thing is I feel amazing! My confidence has soared like I never would have imagined. I have a new job that I start tomorrow, bought a new car and getting my life together after finishing university. For the first time, I smile for the camera rather than turning away and I'm so happy with my bite now and how my teeth are looking. My orthodontist is confident that my brace work is progressing quicker than normal and that it won't be long before my braces are coming off!!! She has estimated 2-3 months so I'm keeping my fingers crossed for that!
One thing that's helped massively over the course of my recovery has been speaking to people who understand what I'm going through - whether it be general surgeries or specific jaw surgeries. I will update again soon with maybe a brace-free face!
