Saturday photos

Here are the photos from today... I see major improvement over the past week and lots of people at work have been commenting on how much the swelling has gone down.  For the past week, I've had lots of popping and crackling in my left ear.  I finally called the surgeon's office yesterday and the PA said that it isn't likely related to the surgery. I was surprised because I assumed the swelling/irritation had aggravated my Eustachian tube and that was causing the popping.  She recommended Sudafed so I am now taking that.  Seems to be helping.  I am fighting a cold so that may be a part of it, too.  I have also had popping in my right jaw even with movements as small as swallowing (can't be much movement when your jaw is banded shut!).  That seems to be going away-- much to my relief.  PA said that typically goes away with some jaw exercises and when the jaw joint gets lubricated again (I guess from use/movement?).  My final issue of the week is sore teeth on the lower jaw. I am attributing that to the pressure caused by having my teeth closed 23+ hours a day.  I hope/assume that will be gone once I am open again or once the orthodontist starts moving my teeth into a more final position.  My final question for the PA was about when I get these bands off.  She said typically 6-8 weeks.  I see the Oral Surgeon at 5 3/4 weeks so I may be disappointed at that appt... might have more time banded shut.  But, we will see.  Many of his patients are on liquid for 6 weeks and I only had 3 weeks so maybe there is hope for getting these bands off on the earlier side!!!   Either way, I am almost a month post-op and that is really exciting!