Orthoganthic Surgery / 7 May 2011
The detailed version of this post had been sitting in my draft for I suppose, 4 years! It had been 3 years since I removed my braces and not my teeth had already shifted because I wasn't diligent in putting on my retainers. :( I am wearing my top row retainer to salvage the situation. As it had been more than 4 years ago, for documentation sake, I shall write a brief account.
Pre-Braces
I've previously written about my dental issues. In a nutshell, I want a perfect smile and for it, I have went through a wisdom tooth surgery, and next a jaw surgery. Jaw surgery wasn't as bad as I had expected. :)
My issues with my teeth are:
- Middle front teeth are not in the middle as it had shifted to the side because one tooth was grown between the rest of the teeth
- Overgrown lower jaw resulting in an ugly side profile
On Braces
In that 1.5 years, my teeth became really straight but my underbite was more pronouced. The gap was more than 1cm wide. It was really hideous, I cringe when I look back at the pictures and wondered how I lived through those days. I worry about how people look at me, worry about the 'right' angle when taking photos and have trouble eating certain food (because I couldn't bite properly with an underbite).
The Day
The nurses at KTPH were really friendly. Answered the routine questions and talked a little with the surgeon. Got to know that the surgery will only take about 2 hours and this eased me quite a bit.
The anaesthetist came, and in went the IV tube into the vein at the side of my wrist. It hurts so badly. The bruise was still clearly present even after 3 weeks. I turned tense, but I was asleep shortly after I was in the operating theatre.
***
The next conscious moment is hearing the nurses call out and talk to me while my eyes refused to open. I was given a pen and paper to write down what I want to say. Pain at this moment was bearable. The nurses were asking me about my pain level. Shortly, I was told that I would be pushed to the ward. On the way there, my face felt so fragile. I could feel the two "containers" coming out from my mouth (!!) used for draining the excess blood dangling. The whole day I was just in and out of sleep, with my head being absolutely heavy.
I stole a glimpse of myself using my iPhone: I was hideous. A tube in my nose and with two containers of blood coming from tubes inside my mouth. A swelling face and lower lip to boot. Around evening time, the surgeon came and have the bloody containers removed - feels like the removal of stitches. The tube in the nose when removed is pretty gross because it seemed so long.
I was so thankful for the IV tube then, because I was on a drip and also had antibiotics through it (painless and not oral medicine). I also chose to have injection for painkiller as soon as I feel a bit of pain coming because I don't want to be suffering from pain. Between the intervals of the injection, I was only allowed tablet painkiller (grinded - eww!) but the effect is slower.
Hospitalization
Some experiences that ain't something I want to go through again:
1. I used a bedpan because I am too giddy to walk to the toilet
2. There was this suction that was performed everytime I feel that my mouth is filled; what's sucked out from my mouth - blood and slivia
3. Got out of bed for the first time at 9pm to go to the toilet, and vommited right after (it looked so sympathetic because my teeth are tied together and the vomit couldn't even get out!)
4. Given dissolved pandadol after I complained of pain (but the time for injection painkiller is not up) but after one small sip I had nausea (too bitter!)
5. Given some water and soup (using a syringe of course) but my throat hurts, and decided not to have them
6. Had blocked nose, yet I can't breathe through my mouth. Was given oxygen through the nose.
By the end of the first day I still can't drink and have difficulty breathing, I was really wondering what will happen after I get discharged.
Post-surgery lifestyle; Upon discharge
1. Liquid diet - I only need a syringe and a cup.
2. More than 10 syringes of (grinded) powder everyday. Mixed in fruit juice to enhance taste.
3. Favorite food: chocolate milk
4. Swelling got worse
5. Stole some Coke Zero after 4 days without it - Coke Zero + syringe is just like drinking air.
6. By Day 6 (of the surgery), I looked normal enough (just with a overly chubby face) to leave the house
7. By Day 6, I stopped taking pandadol (initially scheduled for 2 times a day in addition to the 24-hour painkiller) as I really hate the taste. There was slight pain - like that of the jaws being squeezed and the pain extends till the ear bones.
8. By Day 8, I am void of all energy to do anything. Mostly I am just in a daze.
9. I even threw my antibiotics away because I can't take in anything bitter anymore. Hungry to the extent of nausea.
10. I couldn't sleep well due to the hunger. I woke up every two hours. Then every hour. Even in the night.
11. I begged for watery porridge for me; and I was so disappointed to know that I can't even have that.
12. I was hungry, but I have lost the appetite to eat. Unbearable.
Post surgery Appointment
I was so touched the wires were removed and for the first time I saw my proper bite along with my almost aligned teeth. It made me feel like the surgery and the past 8 days of hunger were worth it. Every single bit of it.
I thank my surgeon for the awesome job done! :)