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!