So the first two-weeks were so.much.easier than I ever expected. The past week hasn't been bad...except for the numbness and nerve regeneration. It's driving me crazy. It's odd really, because when you think numbness, you think that you don't feel anything. Right? And in about 1/2 my chin and lip, I can't feel when I touch, or when I drop food on it, or when my husband kisses me...BUT I can feel so much. I feel "pins & needles", "tingling", "burning". That feeling you get when your foot is asleep...I feel that in 1/2 of my lower lip and chin ALL.OF.THE.DANG.TIME. The sensations, for me personally, are worse than pain. I seriously want to sleep all the time so that I don't feel all of these sensations. I never thought that the nerve regeneration (I hope that this is nerve regeneration that I'm experiencing) would be the worst part. I guess I should be thankful?? It is a sign that I'm going to regain nerve function, which is a good thing.
What else?
I wake up stiff and sore in the bottom half of my face. It's annoying but improves as the day goes on. I'm assuming that it's normal, but I'll ask Dr. Z about it next week.
Most of the swelling is gone, but I still have some underneath my chin and on both sides of my jaws (where the screws are). Most people say that they don't notice the swelling, but I do. I'm assuming that it's that "10% of swelling that lingers". Remember when I said that it wouldn't bother me? Well, it does. Just being honest...but I'm still certain it's worth it.
I'm still sore around the areas where I have screws. It's not unbearable, just a little sore to touch.
Okay, so I thought I'd make a list of items that I've found really useful over the course of the past few weeks. I'm a bit of a minimalist and didn't go too crazy...that being said, these are the things I suggest having if you are undergoing jaw surgery:
- Recliner: If you don't have one, borrow one for a few weeks. I personally cannot remain upright in a bed when I'm sleeping. I just keep slumping and turning until I'm on my stomach and face down. That wouldn't have been good! The recliner helped me to sleep upright for the first two weeks to help keep the swelling down. And ya know, it kept me from accidentally sleeping on my face.
- Juicer: I have this one (though I paid significantly less than $99.95)...this thing has been absolutely essential for me personally. http://www.amazon.com/Breville-BJE200XL-Fountain-700-Watt-Extractor/dp/B000MDHH06/ref=sr_1_3?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1463114034&sr=1-3&keywords=breville+juicer
- Essential Oils: I've used Helichrysum, Frankincense, Copaiba, & Lavender multiple times a day since the moment I was out of the OR. If you have any questions about why/how I've used the oils, just leave me a comment.
- Blender/Immersion Blender: Having some kind of blender is absolutely essential. Does it have to be a Vitamix? No. (though I would really, really love to have one...shelling out the $500 just isn't worth it for me personally). I made do with my Ninja and a $20 Hamilton Beach Immersion Blender. I will say that the immersion blender is nice because it's so much easier to clean between the oh so frequent uses.
- Trader Joe's Soups: I know not everyone has a Trader Joe's nearby, but if you do they have some awesome pureed soup options. I bought some of each and have just cycled through them. They are yummy and convenient. My fave is the Roasted Red Pepper. It's delish.
- Waterpik: It just makes keeping your teeth clean (clean is a loose term) easier.
- Infant Toothbrush: because it's all that will fit in your mouth for the first few weeks.
- TheraPearl Sports Packs: These are great. You can freeze them or heat them for hot/cold therapy. I suggest having four. Two to freeze and two to heat.
- Jaw Bra: To keep the TheraPearl Packs on your face.
- Small Spoons: Either baby spoons or just small spoons that will fit in your mouth easier are really helpful.
- Young Living Lip Balm Trio: They are amazing. Must have.
- Coconut Oil: So many uses...moisturizing, oil pulling, cooking, adding to smoothies...
- Dental Wax: Let's just say, surgical hooks+incisions=ouch. Just make sure that you have some on hand.
- Facial Moisturizer: Splurge on something good. I cannot explain how dry/chapped your face is going to be. Then again, I live in a dry climate, so maybe it's worse here. But it was bad for me.
What have I been eating???:
- Soup, Soup, SOUP! I actually really love soup. It's quick, easy and there is a ton of variety.
- Avocado. It's my favorite food in the whole world, so the fact that I can eat it is AMAZING. I mush a whole one almost every day, add salt and pepper, and eat it with a spoon. Yum.
- Fried Eggs. Not my favorite food, but it seems like "real food", so it has recently become much more appealing!
- Fresh Vegetable/Fruit Juice. I juice fruits and veggies in my juicer. If I miss a day, I notice a huge difference in my energy levels and how I feel overall. I highly suggest juicing through this entire affair.
- Shakeology/Smoothies: Quick and easy meals. Peanut Butter/Banana with vanilla Shakeology is my go to fave.
- Mashed Potatoes. If you can eat mashed potatoes, you can survive. Am I right?
- Tilapia. I'm not sure if this one is technically "allowed"? But to be fair, it is soft and I swallowed it completely whole, so no chewing was involved.
- Peanut Butter and syrup. What can I say...I'm from the south. It has been a staple.
- Chocolate. It can absolutely melt in your mouth.
- Cookie Dough. Okay, so the raw eggs are frowned upon, but it's a risk I am willing to take.
Day 17 Photos
Day 18 Photos
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Day 21 Photos
At 3-weeks in, I'm still very much not used to having a chin. Maybe it'll grow on me ahem, I'll get used to it soon!
