Can We Move Any Slower

So here we are...two weeks post expansion ( almost four weeks post-op). I don't feel like the gap has closed at all! I guess it doesn't help when I get the whole "Oh my Gosh, what happend to you?" question everyday. I have to admit...I probably sound pretty vain. The pain isn't that bad, my brusing was a breeze, but this dang gap is killing me!! I swear my confidence level has went from about a 7 before braces to about a 1.5. But hey my arch has gone from small to 6+ mm. So at least my numbers are getting bigger somewhere! :)

My swelling in my upper lip is still noticeable (to me only probably) I don't know if it is swelling or numbness... probably both. My energy levels are getting better. I can't say that eating is getting any easier. I am still on a very soft food diet, and I don't see that getting better any time soon. I am still eating soups, a lot of pastas, ice cream, stuff like that. But...I did have one wonderful meal last weekend. PIZZA!! Yes I can eat the toppings and the top of the crust. Talk about yummy. I don't eat fast food...but pizza is my one treat. I can't wait to be able to eat a whole piece again.

Well to sum up last week I had 90% of my sutures taken out on Tuesday (two weeks and six days post op) I also had an x-ray of the lovely empty space in my upper palate. I will go see Dr. S tomorrow. He will take out the remaining sutures, and hopefully tell me I am done with him for a while.

Other than that life is starting to get back to normal. I did a full week of work last week, and am beginning to somewhat get back into my work out routine. I worked out about 4x last week, and am slowly regaining my strength and endurance. I did about 15 miles on the bike this morning and really could feel how much I have really lost. Hopefully the doc will release me to start running again. I'm sure that will be the biggest challenge. Nothing like feeling your jaw bounce around when you are walking/running. Hopefully that will go away soon also.

Now that I mentioned going away soon....Boy-Howdy I can't wait to have this RPE out!! I hate it! My tougue feels like mini-landmines exploded in it all day. I can't talk, and I drool all over the place. And to top it all off, I can't drink wine or beer. This thing is by far the worst thing a ortho can do to a person. I am a changed woman I tell you...I will never again be unappreciative of a raw veggies, a nice cold beer, or my fav....a nice glass of wine.

Okay...now for the part that people really care about. My pics!!


5August 7 Aug ( 3weeks pot-op)





14 Aug(2weeks post-espansion)