Week 7

Last Friday I was freed from bands (temporarily!) and this past Tuesday I went to the Orthodontist for my first post-op with him.  He was very pleased with the results of the surgery.  He took out 13 hooks and changed the wires on top and bottom.  He also started the process of making some more final adjustments to my teeth.  My two front teeth (upper) have been uneven for a few months now so he fixed that and also did some work to try to adjust that molar that was bothering me for the past few weeks.  Then, he gave me the dreaded bands again... they are looser but they still hold my teeth closed and I have to wear those 10-12 hours a day.  I put them on sometime after dinner and take them off before breakfast.  It isn't too bad but it is a few hours a day that I am restricted again.  Not sure how long I will have to wear these.  He described them as my "insurance policy" to keep my teeth where the oral surgeon put them.  I am happy to wear them if they help insure that my teeth stay where they should!  The other bit of good news from the orthodontist was that they were all amazed at how little swelling I still have.  I assumed I was typical but they said some people remain quite swollen for a much longer time.  I still see/feel the swelling but I am very pleased with how it has gone down.

I guess the only other news is that I ate a salad... my first salad since September!!!!  Woo hoo!!  Leafy greens :-)  Chewing is still awkward and weird but at least I am able to chew lettuce again.