Wednesday, August 12, 2009

DAY 2 - Can't Sleep

Hi, everyone!!

Going into day 2 after surgery, and feeling/looking incredibly swollen. It's so funny how much my face can expand. I have no feeling in my chin and bottom lip, but my tongue is all tingly and coming back to life.

The surgery went very well! I arrived at the surgery center yesterday morning at 6:45, filled out some paperwork and was taken into the surgery waiting area. Had my blood pressure measured, an IV put in (ugh), peed in a cup and changed into my lovely hospital gown. At around 7:30 I was wheeled into the surgery room, and there were like six nurses in there, all of whom were very funny and friendly. They put stockings and warm blankets on me. My anesthesiologist was awesome, and before I knew it one of the nurses was asking me a question I couldn't answer because I was drifting off to sleep...

And then the next thing I remember I was waking up, and the lights seemed so bright to me. I wasn't in any pain, but I could definitely "feel" the numbness in my face. I had been wheeled into the post-operative area, and there was a nurse there who was making sure I was comfortable. Apparently Dr. Vetter was there (i don't remember that) and he told me I had been trying to smile when they were first waking me up, hahaha. Another thing I could feel with my weirdo tongue was my teeth... the bottom ones were behind the top ones, something I've never felt in all my life!! It was awesome.

I had put my anti-nausea patch behind the ear the night before, and I never did nor haven't yet felt one inkling that I may throw up, which is honestly what I was terrified of!! The nurse helped me put on my fentanyl patch, and a few minutes later I was wheeled into my little room/curtained off area. I had multiple nurses and doctors peek in as they were walking by and tell me how happy I was going to be for getting this surgery, and that I had such a great attitude. Yay.

My mom and boyfriend were let in to see me, and at this time I was not really swollen at all. I wore a humidified oxygen mask the entire time I was there, and it felt good on my sore throat.

So glad I bought a dry erase board.. my mom laughed when I first told her I was buying one, but I'm pretty sure she found it useful when she couldn't figure out what the hell I was trying to grunt/mumble/say. I asked for the time when she came in, and it was only ten! My surgery only lasted two hours.

The nurse came over and told me that if I continued to do that wonderfully then I could go home at two! I was so excited, as the IV and oxygen mask and pulse reader thing were making it incredibly difficult to sleep. I dozed off probably half a dozen times, but each time I woke up I was in a little more pain. I told the nurse at around noon that my pain was at about a 4, and they gave me morphine three times (which didn't seem to work right until the last dose). The nurse helped me get dressed around 1:45, and I was home and sitting in my couch recliner by 2:30.

All in all, I am very happy with the surgical center and Dr. Vetter. Everyone was so nice and helpful, and it doesn't hurt that they were telling me how beautiful my results are.

Swelling increased dramatically throughout the day and night, and I had to take a bunch of naps. I had two chocolate Boosts and some protein water, and I think I might have another breakfast Boost here in a bit. Just now when I woke up I felt like my bottom lip was taking over my face... I honestly look like the nutty professor!!

They gave me three ice packs, and I've been filling them with ice constantly because it feels great on my chin. Today I will start my antibiotics.

I'm soooo happy right now. I can't really tell too much about my results because I'm so swollen, but not having an underbite anymore is such a wonderful feeling. I finally have a normal bite!! I am banded shut pretty loosely, and I can open my mouth more than I thought I'd be able to (enough to get a pill through, most definitely).

Hoping my zip n squeeze bags will get here today from Stephanie, whom I am incredibly grateful toward. Thanks, girl!!! :)

Here ya go, day 2 pics:



I can't feel when I drip stuff on my chin. Wah!



Starting to bruise...



2 comments:

Anonymous said...

CONGRTULATIONS!!!!!!!!! YAY! You are on the other side! I'll meet you there in 9 days! :)

Melissa M. said...

Yay, I'm excited for you! It's so nice to have the surgery over with!!