I took the above photos yesterday ... there's still swelling in both cheeks (can't see it here) and the lower lip & chin area (I can definitely see it in the smiling photo). I think the next set of photos will be at the two month post surgery mark.
Recovery is going really well. This is my second full week back at work, I'm getting a bit more adventurous in my diet (thank you Taco Bell!), and my weight loss seems to have leveled off. Speaking of weight loss, we had a command directed weigh-in this past Monday and I couldn't wait :) . The last time we did this I weighed 180 pounds ... this time I was 164 pounds. No kidding, the last time I weighed 164 pounds was at least 10 years ago -- and I feel good. And before anyone says anything, my Body Mass Index (BMI) is 23.5 (normal is 18.5 - 24.9 for my height). I'm sure some of the weight loss was muscle mass so I know I'll put a few (hopefully)pounds back on once I'm given the go ahead to start running and hitting the gym again.
Sleeping has gotten a bit easier now too. Being that I'm only at four weeks post surgery I'm still hesitant to sleep fully on my side ... I kind of sleep so my jaws aren't pressed completely (if any) into the pillow. Oh yeah, I had a weird (sort of) experience Monday and Tuesday morning -- I woke up CHEWING ... and this is still a big no no. It's been seven weeks since the first surgery and this week is the first time this has happened. I'm not hungry as I'm putting something in my stomach every three hours or so ... maybe my body is trying to tell me something. Like I said, weird.
And that's it. The visible signs of recovery are slowing down and I know I'll need to work on being patient as I work my way through the healing process. My next post surgery appointment is a week from today and my first post surgery Orthodontist appointment is two weeks after that.
5 comments:
Wow Bill, you look great, you handsome devil you (oops, am I allowed to say that?). You really know how to bouce back, do they teach you that when you go to Marine school? Mary
Looking good my favorite uncle! I am so happy for you. I still think you tolerate pain much more than I could! I know that I could not stand not being able to eat, it drove me crazy enough last week not being able to sleep. Things are a little better there. I usually sleep about 5 hours on a good night now. My dad has been "baby-sitting" me all this week to make sure that I didn't try to lift anything heavier than a coffee cup. He thinks I can make it on my own next week! Thanks for calling. It is good to hear your sweet voice! Have a great weekend, and remember, we love ya! angel
Clearly...you were dreaming...of Taaaaaaaaaaaaaco Belllllll...
LOL! Mrs. Shanton, you're funny. :)
Bill - Glad the 2nd surgery went well and you're on your road to full recovery. It must be great to feel lighter, too! I'm 5'7" and usually weigh about 145 lbs. I knew I'd lose some weight after the surgery (1/31), so I ate everything I wanted during Christmas and throughtout January, and on the morning of my surgery, I weighed in at 152 lbs. It dropped to 135 post-op. Now I've stablized at 140.
I had a weird dream, too - where I was chewing a piece of gum, but it was sooooooooo sticky that my molars got stuck together. Of course, I woke up to realize that duh, my jaws were still wired shut. It's funny how our bodies and minds react.
One more thing - chiming in on what Mary said - you handsome devil DOG you! :P
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