Orthodontia is my middle name.

It's Been a While...

2009-04-05T12:18:00.001-07:00

HELLO!

It's April! Spring is here!! And I'm feeling better than ever!

I've been so busy at school that I actually forgot that I had this surgery blog. Then I saw my friend had updated hers and I remembered - oh yeah! - I have one too!

Okay, so this month makes it... almost NINE MONTHS since my surgery! Holy crap, I just counted that twice on my fingers to make sure. Wow. It seems like yesterday.

I got my braces off on December 17th, 2008. My teeth were so gross and yellow but I did look awesome, I'll be honest. A couple weeks later I got my invisalign retainers which I wear every night, and a couple packages of Crest White Strips later and I'm back to normal!

The swelling's all gone. I rarely experience pain but when I do it's usually when I forget to put my retainers in at night and grind my teeth. I don't have to go back to my surgeon until next January, so I'm guessing that everything on their end looks fine too.

I'm so glad I did it, I have absolutely no regrets. Six weeks of semi-misery and 10 months of braces was definitely worth the results.

I hope everyone else is feeling the same way! If you're in the recovery process, hang in there. Wear your jaw bras and pick up some Gerber baby applesauce!

I'll add a picture to show my afters =)

My teeth are "lined up like soldiers," as my dental hygenist says.

ENJOY THE SPRINGTIME!

Midterm Week!

2008-10-07T19:57:00.001-07:00

I took this picture just about a year ago in my dorm room. Pre-surgery, of course.

My skinny face! I miss it!!!

I decided to do a re-make of it, one year later in - where else? - my dorm room.

Still a little swelling, but we're getting there!

This past year has been a whirlwind. To think that in just about 2 months the braces will be off and it'll be over and done with is CRAZY! College is good, pretty stressful since it's midterms time. Besides that I'm loving it. Jason Mraz concert tomorrow!!! So excited. Hopefully I'll stick around afterwards long enough to meet him. Hopefully I'll be able to post some interesting pictures up from it!!

This is a really pointless post, haha. I just did that mini-photo shoot and decided it was a good chance to do a before-and-after type thing.

Ooh, weird - my iTunes is on shuffle and a Jason Mraz song came on!!!! <3

"You look beautiful!" - Best 3 Words a Girl Could Hear

2008-09-26T22:00:00.001-07:00

Week 10.

I went to McDontist (my ortho) today for the first time since my surgery! He grinned when he saw me -- which I loved because he's gorgeous! He said I couldn't look better.

I was in there for over an HOUR just talking, catching up, and discussing how everything's going. It was awesome. He took my surgical hooks off (PRAISE THE LORD!) and everything looks so clean and perfect now. I couldn't stop staring in the mirror with my mouth gaping wide open. I now look like those plastic teeth models in the dentist's office -- each tooth lined up like little soldiers! The good news: McDontist says just two more visits and the braces can come off!! I'm too excited to express!

Things got so much better from there. In the middle of our wondrously long visit, a young girl had an appointment for a consultation. He said 'excuse me' and went to talk to her while I waited in the chair next to her. The poor little girl was nervous and had a million questions. McDontist answered them all very well and, at one point, he pointed at me and said, "Caitlin over here got her braces on less than a year ago, and look how beautiful she looks! Perfect smile." My heart fell into my ass. Did he just call me beautiful?

Him saying that pretty much made the past year worth it. I'm flabbergasted to think that in just two months this whole ordeal will be over. It's been a nightmare at times, but honestly I'm so happy I did it. My overbite has been my biggest personal flaw for as long as I can remember. Now I have a smile that people wish they had. I feel like a movie star.

So, that's it. I just wanted to share my awesome day at the orthodontist. I have a surgeon's appointment tomorrow morning, and hopefully they'll agree with the 2-month deadline. If anything important happens there, I'll be sure to blog about it.

...He called me BEAUTIFUL!!! *sigh* :-D

Kanye West...

2008-09-10T17:07:00.000-07:00

Has anyone heard Kanye's song "Through the Wire" ?

Well, he got in an accident a few years ago and needed jaw surgery! And this whole song is about his struggle and I realized I could really relate to it lol. And he sings it WHILE his mouth is wired shut -- pretty impressive!

Here's the first verse:

"I drink a Boost for breakfast, and Ensure for dizzert
Somebody ordered pancakes I just sip the sizzurp [syrup]
That right there could drive a sane man bizzerk
Not to worry y'll Mr. H 2 the Izzo's back to wizzerk

I really apologize how I sound right now man
If it's unclear at all, man
They got my mouth wired shut for like I don't know the doctor said for like six weeks
I had reconstructive surgery on my jaw
Looked in the mirror half my jaw was in the back of my mouth man
I couldn't believe it
But im still here for yall right now yo
This is what I gotta say yo
Yeah, turn me up yeah"

I never thought Kanye and I would ever have anything in common!

Library Musings

2008-09-04T15:36:00.000-07:00

So I'm in the library for the first time since I got back, and nothing has changed. I always sit in the same place in this massive, 5-story building. Third floor, in a small cubicle behind all the bookshelves. I get my privacy here. It's right next to a big window and the sun shines through, which is a nice retreat from the florescent lights.

Here's a visual for ya:

My history teacher is mean and already assigned a paper due tomorrow. She mentioned it the first day of class, but of course I have procrastinated. Nothing's changed! Since very few people have a large workload so early in the year, the library's pretty much empty. In this section of the library, it's only me and another girl about 8 cubicles away. It's so silent, I can hear her iPod headphones playing "Bye Bye Bye" from N*SYNC from all the way over here. I wonder if anyone can hear James Morrison from mine?

While I'm here I decided to waste a little more time and give an update. I saw my surgeon on Saturday and he says everything's fine, except I should be opening my mouth wider than I am. He gave me an exercise to do: stick my fingers in my mouth and stretch my mouth as wide open as possible. It hurts the muscles but I guess it's nothing too impossible.

Rubber bands at night, which is getting harder and harder. I sleep more often during the day, and sometimes my friends come into my room to talk after I've put them in. To be honest, I've missed a couple days but I'm trying!

I finally scheduled an appointment with my (hot) orthodontist for September 26th! I can't wait to see his reaction; he's been waiting to see me since I've had the surgery 7 weeks ago. Hopefully he can give me a countdown for braces removal! How long have you guys had yours on after your surgery?

Okay, back to work. Hope everyone is well! :-)

Oh, hello!

2008-08-27T08:37:00.000-07:00

It's been a while!

Things have been HECTIC to say the least. I moved back into college! Yay for sophomore year! I'm quadding with my good friend Bridget and we share a bathroom with Sara and Nikki, two really nice girls.

We moved in on Saturday and unpacked all our stuff, and the end result looked like this:

...but we didn't like it. Too plain! So we literally moved our furniture around 6 times in 4 days, each time still feeling unsatisfied with the room. Finally tonight we found an arrangement that gave us the best floor space and the nicest appeal:

(my bed's the pink and green plaid one.)

And yes, that is James Dean above my bed. What a nice vision to wake up to, right? And that's Bridget doing her homework lol. She wanted to be the model I guess.

----------------------------------------

Seriously, it's unbelievable how long ago the surgery seems, when in reality it's been little more than six weeks. Life is back to normal. I can honestly say I don't think I've ever been so happy in my life! It's a great place to be in, and I'm not taking it for granted.

I'm basically eating everything now, just very very slowly. I try not to overestimate my strength by chowing down on steak or anything. Still wearing the rubber bands at night, brushing like a fiend about 5 times a day, and thoroughly enjoying my Gerber applesauce despite friends' confused faces.

My next appointment with Dr. Pavone is on Saturday and I'm really upset about the thought of going home again. Can't I just stay here? It's funny how last year as a freshman I would be brought to tears thinking about how much I missed home -- and how one year later the thought of leaving Scranton makes me want to cry!

That's all for now... my US History class starts in 15 minutes and I have to leave 10 minutes early. Hope everyone else is doing well! Also, wish me luck -- I applied for a job at the Hilton Scranton and I reaaallly hope I get it!!!

Here's a little message from me to all my fellow brace-wearers:

The many positives of Orthognathic Surgery

2008-08-10T06:27:00.000-07:00

It's not just my face that's improved!

1.) My nails look awesome! I've been a biter my entire life, but since I can't really chew anything I had to quit cold turkey. Three weeks later they're nice and long. I got a mani/pedi yesterday with my mom and they look oh-so-pretty.

2.) Weight loss, woohoo! Ten pounds so far. Plus I notice my appetite changing. I'm drinking more water which is always a plus, and I feel hungry less often. And I don't care what my friends think; I'm bringing my Gerber Baby Applesauce to college with me! =P

3.) My teeth are healthier. I've become a brushing fiend, and I rinse with mouthwash daily. I can't wait to go to my regular dentist and show off my hard work!

4.) I'm more organized than I've ever been. Making lists for thank-you notes, keeping my room nice and clean, and keeping all my medicines in order... this is so UNLIKE my pre-op self! And I like it!

Needless to say, my decision to go ahead with this surgery was definitely the right one. I notice my quality of life improving each and every day. So if you're considering the surgery, I say GO FOR IT! It only invades a snapshot of your life - after that, it's all gravy baby.

Begone, Chubby Cheeks!

2008-08-08T14:25:00.001-07:00

UGH!

A Revelation, 19 Days Late

2008-08-06T10:13:00.000-07:00

So I went out to dinner with my parents last night and they disclosed an incident that happened at the hospital soon after my surgery was finished.

Apparently, once I was fully awake and projectile vomiting blood (sorry, graphic) my heart rate was alarmingly high, like 160s or something -- can't remember. However high it was, it was SO intense that one of the nurses called for a crash cart to come into my room!

For those who don't know what a crash cart is, picture a scene from any of those hospital shows when the doctor grabs those paddles and says, "Charging... CLEAR!"

Yah! My heart almost stopped!! Like, dead!

Also, my mom said she heard one of the nurses say to another, "We need help. I've got a girl in here and I don't want to lose her." Scary stuff! My parents didn't tell me this after it happened because they knew I'd freak out. I'm notoriously seasoned when it comes to near-death experiences, so it was probably best that they didn't tell me about this experience. It would only freak me out while trying to recover.

---------------------------------------------------

Speaking of recovery, I'm doing well -- almost too well. To the point where I think something's wrong. I'm talking normally, eating a lot (pizza for lunch) and swelling's nearly gone for good. I still have my chubby cheeks and I really hope they're not permanent! I go back to the surgeon in about a week, so I'll check back after then unless there are any important updates.

I feel bad for people trying to research their own surgeries reading my blog -- I'm sorry it's boring! But I do hope that people about to get the surgery done have a similar experience as mine. I was out of the hospital on day 2, talking by day 4, and going out dancing by day 13!
Can't get much better than that!

I'd take pictures of myself right now but I just woke up a little while ago and don't look so hot. Maybe later when I'm up and about I'll slap one on this blog, if I get the chance.

Two weeks!

2008-08-01T16:15:00.000-07:00

Yay!

Last night I drove into the city with my brother (he's a year older than me) and we hit the bars with a few of the cousins and some friends. It was so nice to be out and about and back in the scene! My friend's cousin who had the same surgery as me was amazed at my progress; she couldn't believe I was bar crawling after just 13 days. I'm a freak, what can I say.

I feel great. Like, back to normal great. I saw Dr. P again two days ago and he says things are going along swimmingly. Now I only have to wear my rubber bands at night, which is nice because it's made me more adventurous with foods. (I just hope I don't push myself too hard!) Last night I ordered manicotti at an Italian restaurant. It took 45 minutes to gum down, but MY GOD it was amazing.

Today I lounged on a float in the pool and relaxed all day. I didn't go swimming at all, because I don't know what going underwater would do to my sinuses and whatnot. Wasn't worth the risk. But I got some decent color out of it, so it was pretty nice.

Tonight I'm going to see "Step Brothers" with my friends. I'm thinking I'll put the rubber bands in once we're in the theater just in case =) Hope everyone enjoys their weekend!

I found my aviators and just put them on. Here's a shot for ya.

Day 10

2008-07-28T15:26:00.000-07:00

My orthodontist called today. I answered and he asked if I was my mother. I said "hey Dr. W, it's Cait!"

His response: "My god, you sound fantastic!"

Yeah, I'm healing really well. Swelling continues to go down by the day, but verrrrryyy slowly. Besides that, I'm great! I'm pretty much off my pain meds -- I'm down to amoxicillin 3x a day and hydrocodone at night if I feel any discomfort before bed. Congestion's my main issue now. Since I can't blow my nose, I'm hawking loogies (sp?) constantly. Thick, bloody mucus. Nice.

No updates besides that. My friend's on her way to pick me up to see a movie. It's my first night out with my friends!

One Week PostOp!

2008-07-25T12:57:00.001-07:00

We did ittt!!

So I made it through week one. Not to sound cocky, but I'm pretty proud of myself! I saw my surgeon this morning and he said everything is going really well. He said I was some of his best work in his entire career, and that says a lot coming from the highest-recommended surgeon in the county!

Here's a self- Q&A to answer any questions people considering the surgery might have.

Am I happy with my results? To be honest, not yet. My face is still very swollen, which my surgeon says is normal since I'm petite and fair-skinned. He said by the end of next week the swelling should subside, with full results ranging anywhere from 2 to 5 weeks from now. Yikes. Patience is a virtue.

What's my daily post-op routine? Boring life. I wake up around 6 or 7 just to take my pain medication and usually fall back asleep til 10 or 11. My dad made up a chart so I can track when to take my medicine, so I follow that throughout the day. I spend all of my time sitting up (Dr. P says it helps drain my face for swelling) watching movies, chatting online, or writing thank you cards for the many many flowers I have received -- seriously, my room looks like a funeral parlor. I walk around when I can but I don't strain myself. I eat when I'm hungry and drink CONSTANTLY, and I try to brush my teeth at least twice a day, with saltwater rinses after I eat. I usually sleep about 8 or 9 hours a night, which is an improvement from my first couple nights home when I'd wake up every hour.

What do I eat? I've always been a picky eater, so I have a strict meal plan that I stick to. Mornings, I blend up a Carnation Instant Breakfast milkshake or drink a chocolate Ensure. Mid-morning I have some Gerber applesauce and drink a Gatorade, for the electrolytes. If I'm craving something like a biscuit from KFC (mmm) I have to break it up into tiny pieces and force it through my teeth. It's a long and sloppy process but totally worth it. Water, water, water all day everyday. Lunch and dinner my mom usually makes me a fruit smoothie with strawberries, banana, yogurt, and cranberry juice. It's delicious AND nutritious!

I tried eating mashed potatoes last night but couldn't bear it. My jaw got tired and started aching. That was a sad moment for me, being 100% Irish and all. Being denied your favorite food is not a happy feeling.

Am I icing daily? Nope. I threw my jaw bra in the drawer two days ago. The surgeon says constant ice helps only the first couple days after surgery. Now it wouldn't really do much. I am going to try making smoothies with pineapple in it tonight, because I heard it helps with swelling. Pina coladas, anyone?

What's oral hygiene like? I'm anal when it comes to brushing, so the first couple days when I couldn't brush my teeth were unbearable. After 48 hours I sucked it up and took out my rubber bands. I bought a toothbrush with only two vertical rows of bristles -- no thick brushes, because you have to be delicate. I carefully brush the fronts of both tops and bottoms, being careful not to irritate the gumline. I haven't mastered flossing yet, and probably won't for a while. I try and get behind my front teeth but it's hard to fit the toothbrush past my teeth, since I can't open my mouth very wide. But I try. Then I rinse with saltwater and put the rubber bands back in.

That's pretty much all I can think of right now... Pain is almost down to nothing. It just feels like my teeth are clenched all the time, which is weird! But I usually take medication for pain every 12 hours or so these days.

So that's it! If you have questions, comments, or suggestions please send them my way! This network of surgery blogs has really gotten me prepared for all this, and I want to thank everyone for helping me out. You guys are the best!

I'll leave you with a couple pictures I took on my Mac last night. It looks like I'm storing nuts for the winter lol!

Enjoy your weekend!

Check out the profile.. hottt =)

This is a positive post, I promise.

2008-07-22T19:32:00.000-07:00

No more of this "glass-half-empty" shiz.

Day five, still alive! I'm exhausted so I'll keep this short.

Things are relatively the same, my swelling hasn't really gone down and my lips are chapped and crusty; that's frustrating. But I have a great new food option that beats the hell out of broth! My aunt bought me Gerber applesauce (shouldn't your baby be a Gerber baby?) At first I was all, gross, I fed this to my kids at the daycare I worked at. But I tried it and it's exactly the same as regular applesauce, just easier to go down. It's amazing and I'm all stocked up.

Does anyone else have better food options? I'm really running out of ideas here.

Pain has really diminished these past couple days, which is great. My only main issue right now is this immense swelling. Any quick fixes for that?! These rubber bands are a pain in the ass too. My surgeon said I should keep them on whenever I'm not eating and when I'm sleeping, but I pretty much keep them in 24/7 and change them once a day. I also do saltwater rinses after every time I eat. Brushing's tough... yesterday I accidentally irritated a suture and my mouth was bleeding a bit. I guess I have to take it easy...

It's not even 11pm and I can feel my eyes drooping. All my friends are out being crazy and I'm here all cuddled up ready for bed!

Here's to another good day tomorrow. Take care!

So my new nickname is "Jaws."

2008-07-20T20:21:00.000-07:00

My siblings are insensitive, and now they call me Jaws.

Day three -- feels like fifteen -- has been frustrating. I don't remember a whole lot about today because it mainly involved doing a whole lotta nothing. I would set up a niche on my couch or my bed, and then my mom would make me stand up and walk around "so you don't get blood clots in your legs!"

Chicken broth tastes AWFUL, by the way. I wouldn't be surprised if I never had a bowl of soup again in my life. I had one bottle of Ensure today (not the worst flavor, but tastes a little medicinal) and broth. Lots and lots of broth. Even the word sounds gross! Between that and my awful tasting medicine, my appetite for the good ol' days has grown. It's hard to imagine that just four days ago I could have a big, juicy filet mignon or even the simple mashed potatoes! And is it just me, or are there a lot more fast food commercials on TV while recovering from jaw surgery?

Bottom line, I'm friggin hungry. I've been trying to suppress my appetite by getting down as much water as possible but it doesn't seem to be working. Oh, and my congestion is back. Like, full blown. It's frustrating not being able to blow your nose or even wipe it properly. I'm gonna try another shower again in the morning, I heard the steam helps. But if it doesn't I don't know what I'll do.

I sound like a big ol' heap of cranky today, sorry. I haven't slept much and I'm afraid to go down tonight, since it's almost a certainty that I'll wake up in throbbing pain. Such is my life!

But I guess it could be worse, right? I'm alive, aren't I?

No pictures today. I can barely look in a mirror without dry heaving.

Yeouch.

2008-07-19T17:55:00.000-07:00

I'm home from the hospital. I'm swollen and wiped out and pretty doped up.

Let's take it from the beginning.

I got to Good Samaritan Hospital at 6:15 on Friday morning. I had been really nervous about this surgery for the past week, but the minute I walked into the hospital I was completely calm. I can't explain how my nerves just completely went away; call it surrender. Anyway, they took me into a room to change into my gown and socks with treads on the bottoms. I hugged my dad and brother goodbye and my mom came in with me to the pre-op room. An anesthesiologist named Rudy came in and told me everything about that whole process. Then I was hooked up to an IV and the rest became a blur. The last thing I remember was Rudy putting monitor stickers all over my body. He accidentally put one on my gown instead of my back, so the last thing I remember saying was "Rudy, I'm pretty sure you missed." Then the lights went out. I didn't even get to count back from ten!

I woke up in recovery which was pretty intense. My heart rate was reallyyy high (I think I remember the nurse saying 130) and she wanted to get me down to 90 before being taken up to my room. After 15 minutes I was down to about 110 and I couldn't wait any longer. I slept a lot up in my room and suction helped get a lot of blood out of my mouth.

Amazingly, my surgeons didn't have to wire me shut. They told me that rubber bands have become state-of -the-art and wires weren't necessary for my recovery. But I was wired shut during the actual surgery. Also, they said they didn't have to reconstruct my chin! I'm really thankful I'm in rubber bands because the first 24 hours after my surgery, I vomited blood four times. Not fun at all.

I stayed in bed the rest of the day, and this morning I was rested enough to walk around the hallway and was drinking fluids by lunchtime. But man, am I swollen. I look like John Travolta's character in the movie "Hairspray." By 5pm I was ready to go home, and here I am. Watching Grey's Anatomy DVDs and praying to God that I don't vomit blood again.

I took a bath earlier which made me feel a little better. It helped with my congestion and spent what was left of my energy so I can go to sleep.

So far, breathing isn't really an issue. It was in the recovery room because my nasal passages were completely congested. But since this morning I've been breathing through my nose fine without being supplied oxygen. My throat's been killing me because of the tube that went down my nose during the surgery -- that hasn't stopped yet.

Nausea's down to a minimum now. The reason I had it was mainly because of the blood that trickled down into my stomach during the surgery. While being transported to my room, all that stuff got moved around in my system and had to come out. Sounds awesome, I know.

So now I'm home. I took my medication and antibiotics and I'm just about ready for bed. There are lots of flowers and balloons in my room and they're fun to look at whilst on this magnificent medicinal high. Hopefully these bunny ear icepacks on my face will help the swelling go down by tomorrow. My surgeon said the worst of it happens within the first 48 hours after surgery, so we'll see.

All in all, the first day after my orthognathic surgery was uncomfortable and draining, but I guess some aspects weren't as bad as expected. Goodnight, and thanks for all the thoughts and well wishes!

Whoops! almost forgot.. PICTURES!

Day One - PostOp

Day Two (this one's a winner!)

TOMORROW?!

2008-07-17T19:48:00.000-07:00

Jesus, that went fast!

So it's 10:48pm and I just took my sleeping pill so I'll keep this short. Tomorrow's the big day, at 8am. I'm starting to feel a little anxious but I guess I could be a lot worse. My room has been converted into a one-room hospital, with medications sitting readily by the bed and stacks of DVDs ready to be watched.

My phone has been bombarded with calls, texts, and voicemails. I love my friends, they're honestly the best. However I did warn them that if they try to visit me at the hospital they will be bounced. I'm gonna be very un-pretty and I don't want that to get around.

I seem fine now but I know once I set foot in that hospital I may lose it. Thank God for pain killers.

Goodnight!

P.S. Here's some before pictures of my massive overbite. Ew!

When I push my lower jaw forward, I smile like this...

Can't wait to show the afters!

Crap

2008-07-12T23:11:00.001-07:00

Today's my sister's 24th birthday. I went out to the bar with her and her friends and I'm a little drunk right now. I realized that I won't be able to go out for a looonggg time after the surgery -- which is in FIVE DAYS, by the way.

Kinda sucks. But it's worth it, right?

First post!

2008-07-10T00:46:00.000-07:00

Hello! It's like 4 in the morning right now! haha. Where to begin... my name is Caitlin, and I'm going into my sophomore year at the University of Scranton. I'm 100% Irish and very proud of it. I love hanging around my town, watching movies, and the occaisional party. =)

The main reason I created this blog is because in eight days I'll be going under the knife! I have a severe overbite which causes my jaw to click and lock up. Very painful. Not so pretty. So after some serious consideration I decided to sign up for orthognathic surgery! -- pretty sure that's how you spell it.

My surgery's July 18th, then it's about six weeks of rest and recovery. I've heard this time can be really tough to get through, since my jaw will be wired shut and I'll be swollen like a hot air balloon. The surgery will also suck out what's left of my summer vacation, so I'm creating this blog as a form of therapy/entertainment while my mouth heals.

If anyone's had this surgery before, or knows anyone who has, please let me know! I'm reaching the point where I'm losing sleep over it (hence the 4am first blog!). I've enjoyed reading some that I've found so far, but I'd love to find more. It's good to get someone else's perspective on something so serious. I've never had surgery before so I'm freaking out just a bit...

So there you have it. Blog post #1. Numero uno. Did I mention I'm a loser?