Great hospital

I also found out that I will be in Austin Surgical Hospital for my procedure. This is great. It is in a really nice part of Austin and is an awesome facility. My doctor works out of there because it is smaller and has a really great nursing staff. I'm so glad I won't be one of the major hospitals downtown. I've had a stint in the ER once or twice and remember how gross it was. Doesn't look like this will be to shabby. I hope everyone had a great Easter.

Both docs in one day

Yesterday was quite the day of doctors. I saw my ortho in the morning to get my last set of wires before surgery. They aren't that much thicker, but they sure are tight! I got the powerchain off on the bottom which feels better but I did like the fact that it toned down the glare of all that metal down there. He said everything looked great and that my teeth finally stand straight up instead of turned inward. Looks like I'll be eating soup again for the next couple of days.
Then, I went to see my oral surgeon, Dr. Q. We took a side view x-ray so he could show me how much he will be removing from each section. He made the final decision that definitely will not have to have my lower jaw done, just the top. He is still going to decrease the chin a bit and move it over to the left. As far as the top goes, looks like about 5-6mm will be coming off. We are hoping that by moving the jaw up, it will open up my nose a bit. I have a really hard time breathing through my insanely small nostrils. Good news is that we finally set a date!! It makes seem like its finally happening. July 2nd is the big day. The only thing that sucks is that I'll miss July 4th weekend on the lake but I'm sure there will be plenty of lake time before surgery. So, the countdown is on. Its very exciting.

106 days until surgery
52 days until graduation

I'll update with some pics after this weekend, school is definitely keeping me busy. I can see the light! I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter weekend.

Adjustment #5

This time was a whole lot easier then the last. My two powerchains on the bottom did the trick and they left the top alone. I now have one powerchain on the bottom across all my teeth to pull them back a bit. Hopefully, it will give me more space since my bite is pretty tight. I turned 27 yesterday and really hope that by this time next year I'll have my new face and be brace free! My next appt with the ortho is on 3/18 which is the same day as my appt with the oral surgeon. I'll be getting my "surgical" wires and set the surgery date! Pretty exciting.

Face Pic

So, as you can tell, my chin isn't quite in the middle (neither is my nose as my doctor pointed out, but that will have to wait). Also, there is a bit of gum on the top. I actually have to think about it when I take pictures not to smile too big or else its all gums and no teeth. This is what will change the most after surgery. It will so nice to genuinely smile big in pictures and not have to worry so much that it will be all gums.

Update from Dr. Q

Good news! Dr. Q was "amazed" at how much my teeth have moved. I really wish I had taken pics when I first got my braces on, but oh well. He couldn't believe that so much has happened in three months. I can, for as much as they hurt, they had better be movin'! So, apparently, they have moved sooo much, that he thinks that I might not have to have lower jaw surgery done at all. I would still have to have my chin moved over since it doesn't quite line up in the middle. If I could do without the extra cuts on the bottom, I'm all for it! Less is definitely better in this circumstance. He said that it is totally feasible for us to go ahead and plan on surgery mid-summer which is perfect. I finally graduate on May 9th, and then on to my new face! He told me that the crowding on the bottom is what caused my teeth not to fit together, but now that they are almost straight, it is much better. I will still have to have all the junk done to my top jaw, but recovery should go much smoother. We'll make that final determination the next time I see him which is in March.

Adjustment #4

I can't believe how quick a month flies by in between adjustments. So, we looked at my pics from before I had braces on and there has definately been some major movement within three months. My crooked tooth on the bottom is almost completely straight and my teeth have almost stood up straight. My top wire was replaced with a much thicker one that is supposed to make my teeth move out even more. The bottom wire was also replaced with a thick one nd two power chains were put on. Man, they aren't messin' around! I woke up this morning and thought my teeth were going to fall out! I'll definately be pounding the Advil. At least I'm over the flu some I'm not double miserable.

Waterpics are awesome

So I forgot to mention that I got a Waterpic for Christmas. This thing is the best invention ever. This one in particular has several attachments including one especially for peeps with braces. It gets out everything! My teeth feel like I just powerwashed them all the time. Its pretty sad that I'm so excited about it, but it gets out all those pesky little bits that get jammed in my brackets. Now that I can do it without spraying water all over the bathroom mirror, its just great.
Next adjustment with the orthodontist is already next week again. I feel like I just went. I think I had some major movement in the last four weeks but I'm sure they crank them super tight again. I also have another appt with my oral surgeon in about a week. I can't believe its already been three months since that last time I saw him. Months are flying by so fast! I've already been braced for three. It feels like it was just yesterday that my mouth became bejeweled. July will be here before I know it. I just hope we stay on track for me to have my surgery then.

I hope everyone had a great Christmas and a safe New Year!