I've been waiting to post these pics for a long time! So, here's the pre-op scan:



And here's the post-op scan. Notice on the right side (your left) the jaw is shortened and screwed together. Where the bone overlaps, the joint is stronger. On the left (your right) the jaw was slightly lengthened, but since it was turned a bit, there's also a slight opening between the two parts of the jaw. So, it's screwed together both in the back, and on the side with a plate.



If you look at the scans, you can see how the molars line up, top and bottom, and how the bottom ones are now properly aligned. You can also see the screws and plate - and how the lower jaw was adjusted to fall in line with the upper. Neato!

As for progress, I still have some slightly odd swelling in the right cheek that is mostly soft tissue. We'll keep an eye on it, but considering that's the side that was shortened, it's more likely that the muscles are adjusting to their more limited space. The slight stretch on the other side isn't as much of an issue, so there's less swelling.

Yes, I've lost a couple pounds, but nothing to worry about, so I think I've been good from a dietary standpoint. I'm going to try going back to work tomorrow and if I can make it through the whole day, I won't have to sit around at home anymore, which will be nice. I still won't be able to chew for over 5 more weeks, but I think if I've made it three so far, I'll survive.

Sad side note: I was finally able to open my mouth far enough today to stick my tongue out. It looks awful. Due to a heavily modified diet and some prescription-grade mouthwash, it looks like a raked lawn, and almost that green. That's not the sad part. The sad part is that beer doesn't taste good to me now. Eventually, that will heal, too, but having beer taste like crap is a serious downer. That may also mean I have a problem, but I'm willing to overlook it.

This Wednesday is the big day. At 1:00pm on May 2nd, I'll finally have the reconstructive jaw surgery my folks and I were introduced to by an orthodontist 27 years ago. One exciting tidbit: I finally learned the name of the diagnosis. Let's hear it for copies of medical records, eh?

It's called mandibular hyperplasia. I only know what that means because I have it. But, you all do too, because I've inundated you with it. So, here are the last skeletal images before the procedure. I'll post new ones once it's all done so you can see the comparison.

( Cool shit beneath the cut! Do not click if you don't like x-rays, though... )

Before I go, though, I want to give a shout out to the lovely Rachel Flynn, who will be transporting me to and from the hospital, as well as communicating with the surgeon about the details while I'm all loopy on drugs. She's also agreed to baby me through those first couple days of recovery. She is a jewel.

Thanks everyone! And, I'll see you on the other side!

I know a few people have been intellectually curious about what I'm having done to my face. So, here's the final, actual, nitty-gritty of what I'm having done.

The procedure is called a "sagittal split with rigid fixation." Yes, the word "split" is used in the technical description of what they're doing to my lower jaw. However, it's not as creepy as it sounds. Here's an image of what they're doing, though technically in reverse:

What the image shows (and what is the more common surgery) is what they do for someone whose lower jaw is too short. They cut the lower jaw on an angle and pull the segregated half forward to meet the teeth on the upper palate.

In my case, what they'll be doing is somewhat different, but the graphic still applies. My lower jaw is nearly a centimeter longer on the right side than the left and the whole thing is slanted on a "cant" to the left. So, they'll be making a similar, angled cut on the right side, removing some bone tissue, and screwing it together while making the cut on the left side but mostly just adjusting the angle.

The end result is to have the lower jaw brought back so it lines up like the diagram to the left.

The surgery does run very close to the nerve, and can cause short to medium-term impact to sensations in the lower jaw as a result. Believe me when I tell you, this was disclosed to me from the beginning.

One other departure from the diagram is the protrusion on the chin. As I already have a prominent lower jaw, no such adjustment should be necessary, and I'm not being billed for it, so it's certainly not happening.

With all this being said, the nuts and bolts are this. They're going to cut my lower jaw into three pieces (the two sides and the front), re-align it using a splint, and screw the whole thing back together such that my teeth meet up properly. And that would be for the first time in my entire life.

It's a little thing, and something that would definitely fall under the heading of "first world problems" but I eagerly anticipate being able to cut and chew food like a normal person. Granted, I'll need to learn how, but it's a small price to pay. Also, speaking of price, I've discovered that I saved appropriately to meet my out-of-pocket maximum, and that the surgery will not set me back in any way which is financially uncomfortable.

Annnnnnnd... SOAP BOX! I'm having this surgery now because I'm covered. I have dental and medical benefits that allow me to do something that most people would not be able to have done. It's in no way cosmetic, granted, and is a medically necessary procedure, but it's the kind of thing that ALL people should have access to, not just people who have generous corporate benefits. This is one aspect of the surgery that I will NEVER take for granted.

Dismount soap box.

I will be out of commission for a full two weeks to start. Talking on a regular basis will be allowed after that. After about three weeks, I'll be able to move from liquid food to soft food. After six weeks (or maybe shorter, depending) I'll be able to start chewing. The allowance for total healing is upwards of nine months, with orthodontia continuing throughout. I'll have retainers for the rest of my life. Quite frankly, I wouldn't be interested in any woman who wouldn't find them cute anyway, so this is a sacrifice I'm willing to make.

Right now, management and I are discussing four weeks as my time frame for a return to work. It may be shorter, it may be longer, but we've been in discussions since the beginning and they're fully in support of my medical needs. I have to admit, I generally have a great deal of disdain for corporate America, but I really like where I work, and particularly my department and the people I work with. It's a good place.

So, as of May 2, 2012 I will have a new face! Sort of. In any case, I'll get to learn a shit ton about healthy smoothie eating.

The One T LiveJournal blog would like to congratulate Shelly Moore on her candidacy for the 10th Senate District seat in the state of Wisconsin!  If only I still lived in Wisconsin I could vote in this landmark election.

For more information, you can go to Shelly's campaign Facebook page or the official campaign website.

Best of luck in the election, Shelly!