December 1, 2006

There is something new on my weblog's header. That is, there is a countdown ticker to my surgery date. It is (drumroll, please) Friday, December 1, 2006. I don't think the surgery date has really sunk in yet because I haven't started to get anxiety or panic attacks. Couldn't believe that there is something solid and that, after 31 years, this is really going to happen.

Continuing from my previous post, after speaking to my ortho, he confirmed that I am now ready for surgery. I then consequently scheduled an appointment and went in for a consultation with my surgeon at Kaiser today. I brought in my models, which looked OK, but my teeth are still not really aligned. The surgeon looked at my model and then talked to me a little bit about the surgery. I will have to get both upper and lower surgery, which means 1 night hospital stay. My teeth will be wired shut for 15-21 days, and I won't be able to talk nor eat. Liquid diets only. I can't lift anything more than 5 lbs. It sounded really serious, but all this time, the surgeon spoke of the surgery as something really casual ... kinda like "oh, you'll do fine," or "get over it." Of course, he's not going to be the one dealing with the pain and recovery afterwards!

The nurse then came in and asked if Friday, December 1 is OK. If not, the date will have to be pushed out until next year. So I said Ok, December 1 it is. She also worked out some pre-surgurical appointments for me, which is the Tuesday of the same week, November 28. This day will be comprised of 3 appointments for me, which includes (1) physical examinations, blood work, etc, (2) a class about after-surgery care, and (3) consultation with the surgeon. It will be a whole-day event.

So I will out of the office for 6 weeks, probably working from work the last 2 weeks. I'll be very bored at home I think, especially if I can't eat anything so I'll be very physically weak. I don't want to think about it too much, but it is a very BIG deal! I think when the time comes closer, I will get anxiety attacks! Wish me lukck!!

10th adjustment

Today's appointment was not really an adjustment per se, but I don't know how to name it any other way. I did my molds again today. I had someone else (not the same gal as before) so the molds were done in 1 shot. I still kinda barfed a little, but since I had nothing in my stomach, nothing came out. I hate doing molds. The nurse assistant put the same wires back on but new power chains. They're the metallic silver color ones.

I unexpectedly received a voicemail on my cell phone today and it was my orthodontist. His office number was blocked so I don't know when the message was left or when he called. I think it was probably late in the day. Anyhow, he told me that the models I did today look great and that we can move forward with planning the surgery date. I have to call him tomorrow to find out the details... since by the time I retrieved the voicemail, it was around past 8pm.

It's just so funny that I was thinking on the bus today (before I received the ortho's message) that how would I be just after the surgery. Will I be able to eat? to sleep? I was thinking that I would end up barfing if they have anything sticking inside my throat post-surgery. And if I had IV, will they stick the tube through my nose?! How would that feel? I would barely be able to eat anything, so my weight will drop like mad. How would my clothes fit? All these thoughts raced through my head and I don't know if I am beginning to get scared now?! I wanted the surgery so bad -- just to get it over with. So I'm ready but am I beginning to worry now? I think when the day comes, it will just hit me and I will freak out!!

1 year anniversary

It has been exactly 1 year to the day I had my braces put on. I wish that I would at least be on my way to surgery, but I don't even have a date yet. The lack of the date is by far, the most annoying thing that is bothering me right now. My teeth has straightened out considerably but still, with no surgery date in the horizon, I feel like I still have a long way to go.

Here is how my teeth looks like now:

September 17, 2006

Here I have silver power chains on, both upper and lower. It looks a bit odd with my upper white ceramic brackets but it works wonder against stains. I don't have to deal with yellow stained ligs anymore. I can't possibly give up coffee! I'm due for a visit to the ortho this coming Tuesday where I will do another mold. Hopefully, I won't hurl this time.