Surgery update

[josh]

Hi everyone,

I am doing better, still no cpap, but still taking pain meds so I am still tired. LOL. However, I have no bags under my eyes, which is a first!! Also, I will be out of work for 6 weeks instead of 4, as I am still drooling and still having some pain, and I really don't want to drool on electronics .

The pain comes and goes, and my mouth still opens a little, about a half an inch or so. Lahey clinic in Burlington Mass was great, and so far I recommend them highly. I was very well taken care of while I was there. However I have only one complaint about my stay, and that was because a $50.00 claim for diagnostic testing was denied. I nurse poked hereself with one of my wires while I was unconcious and they called my wife at home. They asked her if it was okay to test me for HIV/aids because of the incident, and my wife said it was fine, if I was awake I would have said fine too...but I think that was what the charge was for, which of course I will fight that because it seems kind of silly.

As far as my diet is concerned, I can't really chew still...so I am having pureed chicken noodle soup, bread, Ensure shakes, milk, and I just had mac and cheese for the first time so far...I literally just swallowed it without chewing.

Also I can stay up later now without being so tired, but getting up has been difficult because i have been needing the pain meds before I go to bed.

I am doing a little bit more each day, but mostly my day consists of sitting in my recliner watching TV or playing the Wii. I start school next week at nights; this will be very interesting.

Of all I must say one thing...and that is that this surgery (the dual jaw advancement/tongue advancement) was a lot less painful IMO than my UPPP/deviated septum. Why? I can eat without the fear of throwing up...I mean drink. Don't get me wrong, it is painful, but not as painful as the UPPP. In fact, I would probably do the MMA again if it was warranted. I do want the braces off though...they are a PAIN!!

Oh my depression/anxiety has gone down some, I still have my moments but they are not nearly as bad. Which is a great thing...

If anyone is thinking about doing this surgery, and they are recommended for it, I would think about persuing it, as I have already noticed a big improvement. And the pain is not as bad as I anticipated, and trust me I am a baby. The one thing that helps is having someone around to take care of you, my wife left her day job and is only working a night job part time, so she has been wonderful to me in keeping me fed and sane.

Anyhoo...I just wanted to give an update...I plan on doing a sleep study hopefully by the end of the year (before my deductible resets), and I will post that when I get it done. Cheers!

[vdol52]

Of all I must say one thing...and that is that this surgery (the dual jaw advancement/tongue advancement) was a lot less painful IMO than my UPPP/deviated septum. Why? I can eat without the fear of throwing up...I mean drink. Don't get me wrong, it is painful, but not as painful as the UPPP. In fact, I would probably do the MMA again if it was warranted. I do want the braces off though...they are a PAIN!!

I'm glad you progressing well. Sounds like a rough surgery. I'm wondering if sleep apnea is pretty common in people with a recessed jaw. I was told by my dentist that I have a somewhat recessed jaw and that the surgery you had would help. He also said that I am a tongue-thruster and a mouth breather. This was an othodontist.

LOL with the rest of the recovery.
Victoria

[bdp522]

So good to hear that you are doing better. I hope the pain goes away soon!

Brenda

[socknitster]

Josh,

I'm thrilled to hear you are doing so well! I cannot wait to hear future details! I had my tonsils out 3 weeks ago or so and am currently doing well on a lower pressure--it sure would be nice to be cured. I hope that is where you find youself soon when you get your psg. Make sure you wait until all the swelling is completely down before you get it--that might take a few months. I know the swelling just now seems to be going away from my tonsilectomy and it was nowhere near as big of a surgery as what you did.

Victoria,

I fear you might be right--I too have a recessed jaw and have been recommended for this surgery. I was supposed to get a TAP appliance on Monday from my oral surgeon--he says the appliance is kind of a test, if it "cures" you, you should consider the surgery. The TAP appliance had to be sent back to the manufacturer because there was a mistake in the initial setting. I have only 50-60% range of motion in my jaw as most folks do, so their iniital setting would have been too painful. Anyway, recessed jaw and big tongues are a bad combination!

Jen