5 Days Later

So originally I intended on making this blog a daily thing but I quickly realized I wasn't up to blogging (or much or anything the past 5 days). Instead I'll just do an update every few days or so or if something significant happens. Well the surgery went extremely well I was told. I however did not feel well at all. Honestly probably some of the roughest days of my entire life but its all in the past now. I'm basically past the first week so its all downhill from here.

So a little bit about the actual procedure. I had my upper jaw cut into 3 pieces and widened. I had my lower jaw basically rotated up is the best way I can describe it. My profile already looks significantly different even with the swelling. Laying on that hospital bed right before they take you into the operating room... yeah not fun. I've never been so scared in my entire life. Don't let this discourage you as I read way too much into the procedure and was seriously overreacting. When I woke up I could barely breathe. I could definitely feel the change in my face but it didn't feel as strange as I thought it would. You're basically completely numb and just kinda weak feeling. I've have a tendency to get nauseous from anesthesia so you can guess what happened. Yup... threw up with my jaw wired shut. Not cool. Luckily I was so out of it that it really wasn't as bad as it could have been. The nurses kindly sucked everything out using one of those suction things they have at the dentist. That thing was a life savor. I kind of wish I had one at home. The first day now that I think about it is kind of a blur at this point. I wasn't so knocked out that I was unaware what was going on as some blogs have suggested. Worst part about the hospital stay was the liquid pain medication. It tasted so bad it was making me sick and of course I couldn't just throw up, cough, or anything like that. You just have to get over it and keep that stuff down because the difference really is night and day. The only reason I'm able to be on the computer right now is because of my pain meds.

I came home from the hospital Friday morning. Friday has easily been my worst day so far. Not because I came home but because that morning in the hospital they came in at 6am as usual to give me my pain meds and for some reason that stuff just really messed me up for the whole day. I felt much better the next day and since then each day is better!

Before I had the surgery on Wednesday I weighed in at a modest 192 pounds. Keep in mind though that I'm about 6'5" so this is actually pretty skinny. Today (Monday) I weigh 178. About 15 pounds in less than a week. Hows that for a miracle diet? I always knew a liquid diet would be challenging but you really have no idea until you do it. I'm already craving almost everything. Just the mere thought of biting into anything at this point even if its something I didn't like before sounds just euphoric right now.  I also realized about one out of every three commercials on tv is about food and its starting to get a little bit depressing. When I'm fully healed I'm going to take all of my friends out for $20 steaks on me! Probably not, but you get the idea.

Heres a picture of me trying my hardest to smile looking like an idiot in the process (thats seriously the most I can move my face right now)

 Heres a side shot of my profile. If you knew me before you can see how my chin has been raised up a good bit. Despite the swelling im already really happy with how it turned out.

My parents and everyone I've seen so far keeps telling me how good they think I look. For all of you horror movie fans I saw this picture today and it made me laugh. It pretty much perfectly captures how you feel the first couple of days. Extremely claustrophobic and not in control, kind of like a jigsaw trap. Hope anyone reading this has a sense of humor haha.

ps: It's really not that bad

Till next time

- Eric