It's Been a Year... Wait, What?!?

Yesterday, April 3, marked one year since surgery.  Since I slept through most of that day, I decided today was the real one-year anniversary.

It's been a busy year, with a new job and wedding planning, and I've just learned that I received a grant to go to Japan this summer, but even with everything that has been happening, recovery was not nearly as bad as I ever dreamed it would be.  I feel like the one-year mark kind of wraps up the journey - unless there is a complication down the road, I've pretty much reached the final result.  There are days when I get achy (but I do talk all day), and I occasionally get a little buzzy feeling near my ear and left temple, but I know nerves take the longest to heal.  The dermatologist has given me an ointment to use to reduce scarring/raised skin, but the scar itself isn't very noticeable anyway.

I'm certainly better off today than I was a year ago!

10 Months Later

It has been 10 months since surgery.  There's nothing really new to report.  I don't have to wear my retainers during the day now, and since I only wear them while I sleep, I basically don't even notice them.  My scar is still a little raised and visible, but most people have to be looking for it before they even notice it.  I'm not worried about it at all.

Today also marks the day, seven years ago, that Dave and I went on our first date.  Coincidentally, we spent the evening viewing our engagement photos.  I still pick photos of myself apart because I know exactly where to look for the misalignment, and I will probably always do that, but I'm happy with the way they turned out.  The photos were taken a week ago on a 60+ degree day, nearly unheard of in January!  We got lucky because it is currently 34 degrees and we are awaiting a snow storm.  I'm glad we had great weather for our shoot!  Here are a couple from the album.  One is more of a face-forward shot while the other shows a profile.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! The Braces Come Off!

Today marks 9 months since surgery day AND the braces were removed this morning! I was fitted with an Invisalign retainer for both top and bottom that I am supposed to wear continuously for 2-3 weeks and then at night only after that. What a great way to end my Christmas break! I may even stop subjecting you all to selfies :)

I do have official before and afters that I will try to scan in and upload soon.

Merry Christmas!

Stationery Card

View the entire collection of cards.

8 Months Post-Op

Just wanted to add a couple of pictures. My 9 month update should be braces-free!!

6 Months Later

Today marks six months since surgery. Dr. Bowman was sure to say - repeatedly - prior to surgery that a more final surgical result would not be visible until this point. I guess these pictures are as good as it's going to get :)  Really, though, I'm happy with the result. I'm not totally symmetrical, but I was never going to be.  I feel like any residual swelling is basically gone, but I'm still a little stiff and tender at times, particularly in front of my left ear and under my left cheekbone. My main scar is healing nicely.  At a checkup with the orthodontist last night (Yes, the braces are still on…more on that later), we measured how wide I can now open my mouth. He stated that normal was around 40mm and I measured right around 35mm. He suggested that, for me, this was excellent, and he felt 37-38mm may be my eventual maximum. 

The braces - ugh. I'm so over them at this point. I have spaces that refuse to close up, and I have a perfectionist for a doctor.  It's like my teeth and my doctor are in some weird power struggle and neither will give. As a result, I am subjected to "power thread" and "c-chain", both of which are supposed to pull the teeth together but essentially just make me cranky. I know, I know - we've already come this far…but I really do need to get engagement photos taken and I don't want braces in those photos. I was originally told I'd have braces for about a year. We're closing in on two years at this point.  I'm tired of the constant sores in my mouth from all the pokey bits that they can't seem to make go away. I really don't remember my first bout with braces being this unfriendly to my cheeks and lips.  

Ok, whining is done!

20 Weeks/First Day of School

It has now been 20 weeks since surgery! Today also marks the first day at my new job. It was a busy, crazy day with a lot of talking, but I survived. It appears I have a great group of 7th graders!