3 Week Post Op Appointment

Rachel was desperately hoping that today would be the day that Dr. Martin would remove the splint. She was prepared to turn on the waterworks if he said otherwise. Thankfully, no tears were needed, he was happy with her bite and he removed the splint! 

With the splint gone, now she just has rubber bands that help keep her jaws in alignment. We were taught how to apply news ones if they break and how she should be resting her jaw. 

She remains on a soft food diet, but was given the okay to use a straw! Last night was the first night in 3 weeks that she slept the entire night in her bed. Otherwise, she's been sleeping upright in a recliner that we moved into her room. She woke up a tad bit more swollen, but the good nights rest was worth it and she actually had Steven move the recliner out of her room and back into our living room. 

We return for another post op appointment in 10 days. 

2 Week Comparison Pictures

 It's been two weeks since surgery. Here is the latest set of before and after pictures.

And here are the front view pictures: 

She still has quite a bit of swelling. She's continuing to sleep upright in a recliner to help with the swelling, but maybe at this point, it'll just take time for the rest to gradually go away. 

2 Week Post Op Appointment

Tomorrow will be two weeks since Rachel's surgery. 

Recovery is moving forward without any complaints, other than the fact that Rachel is tired of eating the same few things and the fact that she's just done with the splint in her mouth. She's only taking Advil or Tylenol about once a day at this point, no more round the clock pain coverage. The last two nights, she has slept the entire night through in the recliner! She's doing really, really well. 

We had an appointment today with Dr. Martin. Rachel was really hoping that he would remove the splint today, but he did not. She was pretty disappointed, but hoping that next Monday will be the magical day. 

He looked inside and said everything is looking really good, healing, putting her teeth into the splint nicely. Some of the questions and concerns we had he said were all normal. I'm thankful for the weekly post op appointments!! 

We made a stop at the grocery store on our way home for a restocking of soft foods. And a stop off at Miguel's Jr for a couple of bean cups. Up until now, I'd been concerned about making her smoothies with yogurt and frozen strawberries because of the seeds getting in places that aren't healed, but I asked about that today and Dr. Martin said things were healed and strawberries would be fine. Perhaps having something new to eat will help her get through another week!

Rachel's Surgery

So what exactly what did they do to Rachel?? 

I can tell you in simple terms they repositioned her upper jaw and moved it forward to match her lower jaw. 

However, I found a video on YouTube that shows exactly what they did to Rachel. There are several videos of actual surgery footage, but I found a computer generated medical video that is less gruesome. 

After watching this video, it helped me better understand exactly what, and how, they did Rachel's surgery.

For a larger view, select the "full screen" mode 

once you have started to play the video.

Oral Splint

Rachel came out of surgery with a splint in her mouth. This is what it looks like. 

Throughout the day she is supposed to be putting her teeth into the grooves in the splint to train her jaw the new resting position. 

When we asked at the time of hospital discharge how long the is in, the resident said a couple of weeks. Rachel is hoping that because Dr. Martin said at her post op appointment this past Monday that she is ahead of the game, that perhaps he will remove it next week. She is hoping that is the case!!  

Feeling Stir Crazy

Other than an outing for a smoothie on Sunday afternoon and her Post Op appointment on Monday, and our drive to Chick Fil A yesterday, Rachel's been pretty much home and resting the last week. She's going a little stir crazy. 

Rachel was for anything at this point, even if it meant going to Hobby Lobby and Target. Of course lunch was involved.

She started off with wearing a mask, but soon decided it was just too hot and took it off. She's wearing a little bit of makeup today, swelling down some more,  and really looks good!

Post Op - 1 Week Since Surgery

It's hard to believe that Rachel had her surgery 1 week ago today. One week of recovery under her belt and one week closer to things getting back to normal for her. 

She's pretty tired of protein shakes, applesauce, mashed potatoes, and yogurt at this point. She can have macaroni and cheese and really anything that doesn't involve chewing. Basically things she can squish on the roof of her mouth. This morning we tried chicken dinos, just for something different and for some substance in her stomach. I cut them up into the smallest of bites so that she could just squish them and then swallow. It worked out great, only problem is because she eats so slowly right now, the pieces got cold and hard before she could eat them all. Next time we will only cook a dino or two at a time. 

Around lunch time we went to Starbucks for a chocolate chip frrppacino and to Chick Fil A for french fries. We figured she could break the fries into the tiniest of pieces and eat those. I got chicken strips and was able to tear them into small pieces for her and she loved that.

Enjoying her frappacino with her baby spoon (NO straws allowed).

Her pain is starting to lesson. When I ask her what her pain is, today it's been a 2. She's more irritated and ready to have the splint removed. We're still giving over the counter Advil and Tylenol as needed for pain/major discomfort. She has some numbness to her lips, which they say could take a couple of weeks to come back. Swelling is starting to lesson as far as I can see. My parents saw her yesterday and said the swelling was down quite a bit since they saw her on Thursday.  When you see her everyday like we do, you aren't so quick to notice any difference. 

Before surgery and 1 week Post Op. 

It wasn't until I put these two pictures side by side that I could see just how different her face looks at this point - only 1 week out! There's still swelling. But what a difference in her nose, and the amount of space between her upper lip and her nose. It looks like Dr. Martin made her face longer, but I know he didn't. It's amazing just how much a jaw deformity can shape ones face. And how fixing it can redefine the face! 

Post Op - Day 6 and a Post Op Appointment

Rachel is now 6 Days Post Op. 

Last night was her best night yet. She slept through the night. Still sleeping in the recliner, in an upright position to keep the swelling down. She's not been sleeping well the last several nights, and I was willing to try anything, and then it came to me to try some lavender oil and that worked!!! It's amazing how much better you feel when you get a good night's sleep. 

We had our first Post Op Appointment with Dr. Martin this morning and she's doing really well! Dr. Martin said she's actually ahead of the game and is farther along than most patients. He wasn't too impressed with her swelling, apparently it can get pretty bad. He looked inside her mouth and at her bite into the splint. Everything was great. He answered my list of questions and they took pictures and we return for another appointment next week. 

Rachel's very self conscious about how swollen her face is, so she wore a mask into the doctors office, and a the grocery store on our way home. It's one thing to post and share pictures on her blog, but another to be out in public and have people possibly stare at you. 

Post Op - Day 4

Another day of recovery and things are still going well. 

Rachel slept a little bit better last night, going back and forth from the recliner we moved into her room, to her bed. Swelling is still there, nothing too impressive. No bruising. 

We are managing her pain with just over the counter Advil and Tylenol. We have just a few more doses of the pain narcotic left that I am saving for when things are really hurting. But she only every says her pain is at a 3-4-5 on a scale of 10. We learned when she was little, that she has a VERY high tolerance for pain. And it's proving to be that way still. 

I took this picture this evening out in the sunlight. Rachel tries to avoid the sunlight right now to avoid any possibility in sneezing!! 

We've spent today lounging about watching movies and just relaxing, and in between Rachel's been trying to write an essay that's due tomorrow night (she's in summer online courses). 

** picture posted with Rachel's permission

Post Op - Day 3

Rachel had a bit of a restless night, some pain, swelling was bothersome. 

But she's doing well today, starting to talk better, more understandable. Still really swollen. Eating soft foods and drinking well. She's in good spirits. 

Her "good" pain med won't make it many more doses, and since it's Friday and the weekend is upon us, I called our Plastic Surgeon's office to see about a refill. They suggested stacking Advil and Tylenol now and saving the "good" stuff for when the pain is really bad. So that's what we will do. 

Post Op - Day 2 Evening Update

After spending two very long days at the hospital, it was nice to have a relaxing afternoon.  The girls and I lounged about watching television. 

I wanted to share this picture, a side by side comparison. I did one just a few hours after surgery and the results we saw then were simply amazing. So I'm going to be doing a few of these in the weeks to come. The top is before surgery, the bottom was taken this evening, a little over 48 hours Post Op. 

Look at the difference in her chin!!!! For years, she hasn't really liked her chin, as it's so pointed and stuck out (some of it is the Fraser genetics). We knew her chin would be pulled in a bit, but the difference is amazing!! Same with her nose. This surgery has made her nose perkier!! It will be interesting to see how her face looks as the swelling subsides and everything settles down, which could take weeks.

Her face is pretty swollen this afternoon. No bruising. 

Gramma and Papa made us dinner tonight and brought it over, it was soooo good and it was so nice to have a home cooked meal. Gramma made Rachel pudding, which she is very excited about. 

Looking forward to hopefully a good nights rest for everyone. Rachel needs some good sleep and uninterrupted rest. So thankful to be home. 

** pictures posted with Rachel's permission

Post Op - Day 2 She's Home!

Steven and I wanted to be at the hospital when the doctors did their rounds this morning. So we got to the hospital around 6:15am. Visiting hours don't start until 9:00am, so we had to be sneaky and go in through Urgent Care and work our way through the halls. We made it all the way into Rachel's room before we got stopped. 😂 Only one of us could sit bedside until the doctors came, and at that point the other could be texted to come  and talk to the doctors. 

The Plastic Surgeon Resident came at 7:00 and looked in Rachel's mouth and after answering some questions, was going to recommend discharge. We walked out of the hospital just after 9:00am. 

So we are home! She was happy to take a shower! Into clean comfy clothes and is doing really well. Pain is manageable. Swelling about the same as last night, and is drinking and eating soft foods. First Post Op appointment is Monday morning. 

Post Op - Day 1 Evening

It's been a long day of waiting and anticipating a possible late afternoon/evening discharge. 

Rachel has been doing all the things that had been set out for her to accomplish (pain managed, drinking/eating, up and about walking). However, in the last hour, after speaking to the Plastic Surgery Resident, they want to keep Rachel for one more night of observation for possible "respiratory distress." 

So it's one more night in the hospital, thankfully she has a good roommate, which makes it a little easier. 

She's doing really well! Her pain has been pretty minimal considering (4-5 on a scale of 10). She's up and about without any help, walking the halls, drinking a ton, doing everything she can to recover quickly. 

Here is a picture from this evening, about 18 hours after surgery. We expect the swelling tomorrow to increase, as it usually does 2-3 days after surgery. But she's doing good!!! 

* picture posted with Rachel's permission

Post Op: Day 1 - Morning

 Rachel had a good night. She slept off and on. Pain is under control. Got unhooked from the IV in the night. Up and walking on her own. And is in her own comfy clothes rather than a hospital gown!

The Plastic Surgery Resident came by.  She said Rachel looks good, and is doing good, and really doesn't see why she couldn't go home today, but will need to talk to Dr. Martin. She'll be back this afternoon. 

Todays goal: drink, eat some soft foods, up and walking, and keeping pain under control. 

* Picture posted with Rachel's permission

Surgery Day: Finally in a Room

 Seven hours after surgery ending, she is finally in a room. 

The post op nurses were very attentive and took such great care of Rachel. Steven, Hannah, and I took turns switching out and keeping her company. 

She is experiencing some nausea and vomiting this time around with anesthesia. So she's getting meds for that. We are also very actively trying to make sure they stay ahead on her pain control. 

One of the things Rachel noticed this afternoon was how perky her nose became. Now we can't unsee just how different her nose looks. Will be interesting to see how much her face changes in the coming weeks. 

Because Rachel was stable, and a non emergent case, she was transported to a smaller hospital (same hospital organization, just a small surgical hospital down the street). She went via a medical transport so a nurse could monitor her the mile trip. I was able to accompany her. 

Upon arrival, she did experience more nausea and vomiting and was time for some pain meds. She is sleeping and resting comfortably now. 

She is in a room with three beds, but scored the window bed with french doors that open out to a little patio. Tomorrow we will get her up and out in the sunshine. Dr. Martin says being upright is good for keeping the swelling down. 

Visiting hours end at 9:00pm. So we both will head home then. It will be the first time we leave her unattended following any surgery. Things are different when your kid is now 18 and considered a legal adult. But we've made sure to let the night nurses to please check on her frequently in regards to her pain. 

Thank You everyone who has been checking in on Rachel today via her blog, through Facebook, and through texts. We truly appreciate all the love and support. 

We will continue with updates tomorrow. 

** picture posted with Rachel's permission