Quick post

Well I'm two days post op and had a bad first night. I'll explain the horror in another post. My nurse was really bad and wasn''t on top of anything. It was really bad. Thank you all for your encouraging comments. They lifted my spirits. I'll post pictures later. I'm just trying to get settled in. It's ice to be home from the hoital.

This is really happening

I don't think I slept a wink last night. 12 more hours of all I can eat, and then the fasting starts. I can't believe by 3:00 tomorrow, I will be out of surgery. My mom is coming down today, to help out this week. I'm really excited to see her, she is seriously the best. I still don't have a blender... perhaps someone in my church will hear about it today, and have sympathy for me, and volunteer to be my blender lender.

 My stomach is in knots. I keep getting waves of excitement, but they are short lasted as the nerves quickly appear, and freak me right the heck out. I don't want to be nervous, but I totally am, and I can't seem to shake it. I know what I have been told to expect, but recovery is different for everyone, so I don't actually know what to expect. I think that has me scared. Not knowing how I will look, or if I will like it, also has me scared. Along with  not being able to breath well through my nose. I suffer from really bad, year round allergies. The Dr. told me I was allergic to the planet and should be in a bubble. And it is true. I am allergic to the most random of things, along with every plant, weed, grass, tree, and animal. Except horses. So my nose is always stuffed and my throat is always itchy. I'm scared for the surgery itself. I know I have a great surgeon, but I think it's still normal to get scared before any surgery.

I'm just trying to be more excited than scared. It's kind of like the feeling you have before you go on a really big roller coaster. I love roller coasters. A lot. But any time I am in line to go on one, I get really excited, and then the closer I get to my turn, the more nervous I get. The good thing is, I always have a good time. So here's to a good time! Hopefully the recovery will go by quickly and I'll love the results :) I look forward to your comments, and I'll be posting a lot. I'm hoping it'll help to take my mind off of the silence that comes with recovery from jaw surgery. See you all again form the other side!

Of course I'm healthy!

"Healthy female okay for surgery" Yeayeah!

So is anyone else all thrown off by daylight savings? Cuz this girl is! I feel like I have jet lag. I don't know what  George and Ben were thinking. But my, my am I ever sleepy. So anyway, at my last appointment the Dr. asked for my paper. I had no idea what he was talking about, and then he told me I was supposed to get a physical done before the surgery. He assumed I had done it already, as all his other patients have it done ahead of time. I don't know how I miss that bit of information, but I did! So I spent Thursday on the phone, trying to find a Dr. that would sign a paper giving me the ok for surgery. I had an appointment to see a Dr. on Wednesday, but I had to cancel. I was able to make an appointment with someone else, for yesterday, and as you can see in the picture, I passed.

The Dr. asked me why I was in there getting a physical, and why so quickly. I told him I was getting jaw surgery on Monday and he cringed. He couldn't believe how relaxed I was. He told me he would be a nervous wreck and would hate to be getting jaw surgery. He let me know he was glad it was me and not him. Jeez, thanks Mr. The truth is, I am a nervous wreck! I just have to remind myself to think of something positive I will get out of the surgery every time I start to feel nervous. It seems to have worked so far. Obviously you can't ignore the nerves completely, but reminding myself of something positive when I start to get nervous, helps me to focus more on the excitement of it, rather than the other part. I don't know. We'll see if I can keep it together until Monday..

 Most of my evening was spent on the phone with my hospital. Going over everything once more. It's nice that they go over everything with me so many times, but by last night I was wishing they didn't have to. I hate going over numbers. I think that's the worst part! I can't believe how much it costs. I'm lucky to have insurance. But still. I know it's actually very reasonable, considering it's a freaking surgery these people are performing! I just hate to spend money. I find myself thinking of all the people that need it more.
So while on the phone today, I got some information about the surgery.

 I must clean myself well the night before. Apparently Surgeons don't like to operate on stinky people. Imagine that.
I am supposed to wear comfy, loose, clothes. That's right. I am SUPPOSED TO. Lazy days comin' my way.
The surgery will  be about 2/12 to 3 hrs. long. I know, right? Whatanap!
No make up, hairspray, lotion, etc.
AND something I didn't know. While going over the required info, you know, smoking, drinking, possible pregnancy, we hit the menstrual one. And I don't know if you guys knew.. I didn't! But ya can't wear a tampon if you are having surgery. Yeah! I didn't know either! I actually never thought about it before to be honest. So I guess, if you're a girl, and you are having surgery, you might want to try to schedule around that dog awful time, lol. I know I would!

I found this picture from a while back. It really shows how bad my teeth were. I couldn't believe it!

Thank you all for reading my blog. I can't believe I only have a few more days until I'm slurping through a catheter (you'll understand if you read my last post) So the next time I post, just might be post op! It's super crazy! Good luck to all of you guys :)

Long update about my Preop.

That's me!
Follow along @bryttkramer

So I never wrote about yesterdays trip to the surgeon. It was awesome! Seriously such a load off. I really believe I have the #1 best surgeon. I know, he hasn't done the surgery yet, but I already know he's good.
I told him that I had done a lot of research online, and he said "Brytt! What was the number one thing I told you Not to do!" I don't listen very well. He told me NOT to look up forums, videos , images... wait for it... BLOGS! I know, I know.  But I like to do research on things before I do them! He told me not to because he said, none of those surgeons were him. He asked me to ask him questions I had (most were from what I have gathered online) and he looked at me and said "so ___ happened?" I would answer and then he would reply with things like, "Well that was not me!" "Well I wasn't their surgeon!" "Well they aren't my patients!" And then told me how overly confident I am.. saywhat! So anyway, not saying all the things I have seen online were bad. He just told me not to do research because you cannot judge how your  surgery will go, based on someone else's. He said that his technique is one of a kind. It is an art and he has his own style.

What I should prepare for:
My mouth will not be wired shut.
My surgeon has never had anyone complain/hate how they look afterwards. So that's sunny!
Most all his patients only need Lortab the first 2-3 days, so they aren't usually too nauseous.
I will have a bite splint in, but only up to 4 weeks. AT THE MOST.
I will only have four incisions (hopefully) on the inside of my mouth.
I will be on liquid foods for the first week, then smashed foods for a long time after that.
After a week, I will be able to take my rubber bands off for an hour each day. Increasing gradually.
I will have a tube down my nose (he said it'll be the size of my pinky "so not too bad." I think that's huge!)
I will have difficulty swallowing because of the tube. He said that I can't be mad at him for that, because he didn't put it in me.
I will not want to drink anything Especially while the tube is in. Apparently it is very difficult/painful. But I am too drink anyway. 6-8 glasses a day. He said not many surgeons tell you this, but it is pretty crucial for a good recovery.
I should only be in the hospital over night.
He and his assistant will meet me in a special room at the hospital, literally right before the surgery. He will talk through things with me one last time, and answer any last minute questions I have for him. I love that.
Apparently the big rubber tube at the end of the syringes we get/have to eat with with post surgery? Yeah those are actually catheters. I know, right?!
My nose will be clogged up with blood from the tube. He reminded me again, that I cannot be mad at him for that, because he didn't do it to me. So he will yell at the nurses with me. Lol

He sent me home with a book of recipes you can make while going through recovery. They have a lot of good sounding smoothies in it though, so I'll probably use those recipes even after surgery!
He gave me a pack of Nestle Nutrition Breakfast Essentials. He said to go to Costco and stock up on them. I'll let you know if they're any good after I try it. He basically spent the majority of the time, making molds of my teeth and explaining the whole surgery to me. Really in depth too, it was fantastic! Someone else was there for their 4 weeks post op and so he brought them in to answer any questions I had. It was actually really helpful and really nice of the guy to do it. It was nice to talk to someone in person, who just recently had surgery, and by my surgeon. They took more X rays too, but I wasn't able to snap a shot of those.

I'm planning on posting through that first miserable week after surgery. I know you cannot judge your surgery based on some else's. But it is nice to know of good tips and tricks for recovery. At least I think so. So thank you to all of my readers for letting me blog stock you. Your blogs are really helpful, and I love getting comments from you :) Remember you are all beautiful and strong! Don't be scared!

Only 4 more days!!

Getting close!

I honestly can't believe how soon this surgery is! I decided to make a video, which is something I have never done before. So bare with me as I figure it out. I really hate how I look in pictures, but I really don't like how I look/sound in videos. Are you guys like this or is it just me? The braces make it really hard to talk, and because of how long I had my Palate Expander in, my speech changed a lot (This was one of the major things my ortho screwed up) Now that it is finally out, I am finding it really hard to talk. I also find myself drooling on occasion and it sucks, lol. So! Final appointment with the surgeon tomorrow, and I am pretty nervous. I'm hoping he shows me a picture or something, of what he is expecting my profile to look like post surgery. Anyway, sorry about the video, I have no excuses.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lA01IwXn2mQ

Lucky number sleven

I went to the store yesterday and bought some food I've heard is good to have during recovery. I feel like I'm not prepared, but I don't know how I can prepare any more! Any advice?
What should I prepare mentally for?
 What should I expect at the hospital?
What should I have ready for when I get home?
I've got a whole bunch of stuff running through my head. I'm hoping I'll just sleep and sleep after surgery, but from what I hear, that doesn't happen. So here it is, my list of foods thus far:

• V8
• Ensure
• Naked Juice Drinks
• Kefir (amazing source of Probiotics)
• A Protein Plus
• Various baby foods in the squeezable pouches
• Soups
• Swiss Chard
• Avocados
• Frozen Fruit
• Dr. Christopher's Tissue and Bone. I used this while recovering from my tonsillectomy/deviated septum surgery, and it is wonderful. "Dr. Christopher's" is a really good natural line you can get from your Health store. I love the Health store!
• Prenatal Vitamins
• Calcium/Magnesium/Potassium Vitamin Supplements

This is stuff I already take/eat pretty regularly. So hopefully it will help me through recovery!
 I'm sure I'll be getting a lot more stuff too. Have any of you heard of Sqwincher Sqweeze Electrolyte Squeeze Pops? Basically Otter Pops for kids that are electrolytes! They are in the baby aisle at the market. I was thinking of maybe getting some after I am able to "eat" again. I didn't know if sucking on ice helped relieve some of the pain/swelling, or if it was just a horrible idea. Has anyone tried Popsicle type stuff? Well anyway, this post has turned in to a rather long one, sorry.

But on another note, I went to see Wreck It Ralph last night! It wasn't what I thought it would be like, but it was really cute. I had a really good day yesterday, and today I am going to church and then having an early Thanksgiving dinner, YUM!

Seven more days until my surgery, guys. SEVEN! I can't even believe it. 

Good luck to all of you!

You're all winners!

So because we are all here as unfortunate little souls with sad little teeth, I thought I would cheer you all up with some not so sad looking teeth! You're welcome. Perhaps I have too much time on my hands now that I am not working more than once a week. I swear all that I do at this point is make lists, read blogs, and try to find things to keep myself busy.  But this is good news for you! Why? Well since you are all my first (and only) six readers, I'm going to mail you a little handmade happy tooth! Super fun, right? Maybe? Well anyway, congratulations. You're all winners! You may claim your ever so awesome prize by emailing me at bryttkramer@gmail.com. Now I am just realizing that this may seem a little much like what a creeper would do. Sooo yeah... I promise I'm not! I mean, people do these giveaways, right? I'm sure I've seen these on blogs before. So email me if you want one, and I'll get it in the mail to you! I love getting packages, and who wouldn't want a little smiley tooth to take to the hospital for luck? Hope you all had a Happy Halloween! And if you're the praying type, please remember those on the East coast. Surgery seems pretty small right now, compared to all they're going through.