jaw surgery; 6 weeks on

I apologise for this post being 6 weeks and a day on, however I have been to the hospital this afternoon and wanted to keep you updated on what occurred there. I was hoping that they would let me take my elastic bands off my brace, but unfortunately they haven't. Instead I've been given elastic bands of a different size and I'm going back again in 4 weeks. Hopefully they will take them off then as they are annoying me so much; I don't know how something so small can be so irritating!

As you can see, my face looks pretty much normal now, although I still have a little swelling under my chin and along my jaw line, but that is to be expected considering what the procedure actually entailed. I have seen a video on youtube of someone else undergoing the same procedure as myself, and even as a person that is not usually bothered by things like that, I did feel a little squeemish and astonished with how rough they can be. For those who are interested, you can watch the video here, but I do warn you, it's gross and not for the faint hearted.

Other than the swelling, I am pretty much back to normal. I no longer get tired, I have very little pain anymore although my jaw still feels a little fragile, and I am over the moon to say that I can eat normal meals again. Eating takes a long time as chewing is weird with my new bite, but I am improving. Hopefully now I can start to put some of the weight that I lost in those first few weeks back on. I had a bit of pain last week after my mum elbowed me in the jaw accidentally but that has thankfully gone now and no lasting damage was done. My chin is and lower lip is still slightly numb, but my folliculitis is getting better and the rash is clearing up nicely.

In these past 2 weeks I have seen a lot of family, and most of them were amazed with a) how much of a difference the surgery made and b) how quickly the swelling has gone down in such a short space of time. Both are something that I too am impressed with. I would also like to thank my family and friends for all the support they have given me over these past weeks, without which I wouldn't have been half as optimistic about my recovery as I have been.

Six weeks post op seems to be a pretty big milestone, as this was the period I was told originally that things would seem like normal. I am absolutely made up with the results of surgery and already my confidence is on the up. I would certainly go through it all again for the same results!

jaw surgery; 4 weeks on

It's scary to think that my operation was nearly a whole month ago! Time in some ways has flown by, as it only seems like yesterday that I was shaking in the anaesthetic room without being put to sleep without being told. However, I do feel as if I have been swollen, sore and generally run down for a lot longer. It's funny how time drags when you feel like poop.

More improvements again this week, as life starts to be slowly getting back to normal. I have a lot more jaw movement now, so can smile more naturally, laugh without being in pain. and chew a bit more, although the latter still hurts. It also hurts when I yawn, sneeze or cough. Looks wise as well I look a lot more like me again (minus wonky jaw and "bad side"), however I still do have a bit of swelling still. I finally feel ready to start doing more things with my days, as simple tasks such as popping to the supermarket with dad no longer tire me out. I have still been bored, but a trip to see my cousins last week certainly cheered me up!

I am still suffering though. There is a constant dull throb in the areas where my jaw bones were cut which, while bearable, is annoying, and those pesky elastic bands keep catching the inside of my mouth creating ulcers. Also, I went to the doctors last week after developing a rash along my jaw line, under my chin and around my neck. I was concerned as it was really itchy and localised to the area of surgery. Not only that but I'm pretty sensitive, being allergic to antibiotics and some detergents which give me a similar rash. The doctor diagnosed it as folliculitis (inflammation of the hair follicles) and prescribed me some cream. She thinks it could be a reaction to the iodine or some sort of soap they used to scrub me up before surgery, hence why it is on my neck. The cream hasn't really improved the appearance of it yet, but its got rid of the itching thankfully!

jaw surgery; 3 weeks on

Another week, and more improvements. I wouldn't say there has been a reduction in the swelling since last week, but I have a feeling this last bit is going to take an age to go down. Everyone I have seen this week though has commented on how well I'm looking, and what a difference they can see in my face.

I saw the orthodontist last Wednesday, and he was happy with my progress. He was even surprised with how well I am looking considering I was then, only 2 weeks post surgery. He has got me changing my elastic bands twice a day, which I prefer as I feel more supported when I have fresh ones. I also got my hands on some more brace wax which has done my ulcers wonders.

A big breakthrough this week is that I have started chewing again! Granted its only soft stuff like over boiled vegetables, but it feels nice to be able to start to use my new jaw. I've been eating the same food as mum and dad but blitzed up so it's got the consistency of mush, but it's tasty and hopefully I won't lose any more weight.

Towards the latter part of this week though, I have been feeling really fed up. It's irritating how whenever I see people, they always look at my face to see how its improving, and ask how I'm feeling etc. While it's nice to know they care, I just wanted to be treated like normal again; a human rather than a face. Boredom has also set in, and I am at a loss with what to do with myself. I'd really love to go on a bike ride but I just know it would knacker me. It's really hard to find things to do which don't involve exercise or eating (or spending money) which get me out of the house. I'm even becoming bored of the Sims, which I thought would never happen! Yesterday I booked tickets to London to stay with Gem for a few days at the end of the month which has given me something to look forward to!

july in instagram

sunny day at the beach | nicholl's famous ice cream | gem's visit | after jaw surgery | get well soon flowers from my uncle stan | throwback thursday to celebrate mamma's birthday