Countdown to surgery, preparing body and spirit

[bodybuilder1958]

Hi,

Yes, surgery, now 9 days away and I'm ready. Body, soul, spirit, faith, prayers, conditioning, nutrition, fluid balance and eager.

I've had a serious jaw problem since I was 15, braces were done but not done correctly. Moved overseas during the treatment and when the braces came off no retainer to keep teeth in place. Age 21 first real symptoms of TMJ appeared. I've consulted with specialists before but it wasn't until May 2009 that I found a orthodontist with the skill and knowledge to fix my jaw with a combination of braces/surgery/braces.

My surgeon was amazed that a side-profile of my face is perfectly normal. Why, I was told when I was 22 by a surgeon to train my jaws to keep open as much as possible. So even though my upper teeth came down past my gums on my lower teeth it wasn't obvious.

So I guess the training I've done all of my life has paid off.

Wed. Sept. 29, I will be wheeled into a surgical center where they will surgically split my lower mandible. Advance it 4-6mm plate and screw it, put in a upper temporary plate, wire that to the surgical hooks already in place. It's a long, long surgery, 6 to 8 hours, I have a small face so more than likely it will be closer to 8 hours.

I don't look forward to the swelling, the pain, unable to eat. But my jaws won't be wired, I will be able to talk but not eat. But I'm ready, let's go, c'mon, the 29th can't come soon enough.

Physical today, my personal doctor says that I'm in excellent health. I'm only worried about how much weight I'll drop. 112lbs currently, I had been warned that if I was below 108lbs that they wouldn't do the surgery.

Prayers are always appreciated, welcomed, felt. But I am so very, very ready. I am so very, very grateful to live in a country where I can have this done.

BB

[Bummer Knees]

Prayers for you Body Builder for a successful surgery.

Stay well and limit your time in public before the surgery. I took my daughter to the doctor this morning and the office was full of sick patients, lots of viruses out there.

[bodybuilder1958]

BBQ at my oldest's school on Friday, camping Sat-Mon. Trial splint, discussing surgery on Tuesday, arrive at surgical clinic 0530 on Wed, home Thursday afternoon. Surgeon today stated that the least amount that he'd move out my jaw is 6mm. Left jaw swings to the right (nice to have a politically correct jaw), he thinks he'll be able to correct that. So we'll find that out on Tuesday. Final say will be 10 weeks after surgery.

Went to see my dad today, he's so sad, depressing. Sleeps way too much, not enough joy in his life. Got to get him doing more

BB

[jayne]

Prayers for you here.....lots of junk going around here also....stay well