After a week of frequent voicemail checking and a lot pacing, the Patient Coordinator for Dr. Ochs finally called and set the date for surgery! June 22nd! It's just far enough away that I'm not a hot mess but close enough that I know it's a real thing now. Exactly a year ago this week I had my initial consult in Pittsburgh. I remember leaving the hospital feeling very overwhelmed and mortified. I'm happy to report I no longer feel overwhelmed or mortified (but still anxious). On a scale of Jaw Surgery to SCUBA diving, I would much rather have this surgery done than attempt SCUBA again!
I'll be getting another call either tomorrow or in two weeks to schedule the pre-op visit to take x-rays, molds, and the 3D Cone Beam CT to prepare for surgery. They'll actually use the 3D model to do a digital version of the surgery, as well as make all of the plates and screws that will fit almost perfectly to my jaw bones. Isn't technology cool?!
I have some questions that I want to ask when I get a chance, but it probably won't be until this visit.
Will I be banded shut? I've read blogs from some awesome ladies that went to the same Doctor as me and they were not banded shut. At my initial visit he said I would likely have to be banded shut.
How long is the recovery? I know I can expect to be off work 2-3 weeks and it takes 6 weeks for the bones to set, but when I will I feel like a normal human being again? When can I go to the gym again? Lift heavy things? Go to boxing class? etc. I read in other blogs and articles that full recovery is 6-12 months. AHH!
What kind of food can I have? Will I be able to breathe? What if I throw up? Will I regain feeling in my face? How much pain am I going to be in?... Just to name a few a more!
In the mean time, I've started on my shopping list. I've purchased Ensure for taste testing purposes and so far so good. I need to review some other blogs to come up with the rest of the items to purchase. I also need to come up with a list of everything to do before June 22nd since I think summer 2015 is going to be a bust physically. I will miss 6 AM boxing classes the most (believe it or not Rob!). I wanted to run a Spartan Race this October and there's a good chance I won't be physically capable by then, so I could potentially run the May race in Ohio now. I've heard that I can expect to lose 18% of my body weight and unfortunately a lot of the muscle mass I've gained over the last year. That is probably the most depressing part since I worked so hard to get back in shape. So realistically, running a grueling race in October is out of the question, and I probably can't go back to boxing until November or December. I'll cross that bridge when I get there though! For now, I'm just happy to have an actual date.
Stay tuned!
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