Day 32: Need to be patient . . .

I am kind of fascinated with seeing the evolution of my face since my surgery, primarily because I hope to see daily changes as the swelling decreases and all of the changes in my jaw, cheeks, lips, chin, etc., start to settle and I can finally see the final product :)

Although I have taken photographs of my face everyday since my surgery, I very rarely have taken pictures of my profile as I figured, what's the point, given the swelling I am experiencing and how it affects the look, shape, contours, etc., of my face. I mean, let's be honest here, I presently have a chipmunk face. It is OK, you don't have to disagree - enough people tell me daily that I understand this is how I look presently . . .

Plus, if I am completely honest, I didn't want to be disappointed in my profile and not like it. I know, I know, patience, patience, patience, but it is easier said than done occasionally! So what do I do, given that I hit the 30 day post-surgery anniversary I decide to take profile picture and surprise, surprise, I don't like my profile! I think I look like one of those old fashioned boxers you used to see on TV with a flat face. I think my previous profile was better!

I am laughing really because I understand that in 8-12 months it will look great! Patience has never been a strong point what can I tell you! Once the swelling subsides and the Orthodontist does his magic, I will look like a million dollars (or at least $100?)

Moving on, I was good today about not wearing my bands according to the surgeon's schedule which allows me to take the bands off four times a day for two hours each time. I also exercised my jaw as he instructed me but let me tell you, I presently have the biggest headache and it feels as if I have weights attached to my jaws, pulling them down! Seriously aching and throbbing. I ended up taking a few Ibuprofen because it was bugging me so much.

The positive side to this however is the movement of my jaws and the fact that I can open my mouth more and more; I actually managed to fit a normal spoon in to my mouth today! You might think I celebrated this by eating a gourmet meal but alas not. I keep telling you that I am addicted to instant pudding and mashed potatoes :)  

But, in my defense, the potatoes were an upgrade from the normal variety we buy! Soooo tasty. That said, I really need to branch out and experience the post-surgery culinary delights that I keep reading about! For example, garlic mashed potatoes! :)

I have given up trying to shave with a normal razor, it just takes sooooo long and given the fact that really cannot fell anything in my chin and around my mouth, it makes it rather a difficult proposition to ensure that I do not hack away the skin on my face. So I reverted to an electric razor and voila, it was much easier! Nobody every mentioned the difficulties of shaving where the recovery period was concerned . . .

I continue to push my scar tissue in the hopes that I will not keep biting on it and although it was easy enough doing it yesterday, the scar tissue today seemed a lot more sensitive and it was somewhat irritable every time I touched it with the gauze pad. Plus the fact that the gauze pad kept getting caught on the surgical wire as well as the brace wings and I had to either pull and rip the gauze pad out of my mouth or else get a pair of scissors and cut the threads! There is always something to laugh about where this recovery is concerned. . .

My weight continues to go down but I am fine with that as I am sure it will rebound once I am eating and chewing normally. Except, when will that be? . . .

So, my goal for tomorrow: eat a different food that does not involve potatoes. I am not making any promises where instant pudding is concerned . . .