Today is Sunday. For the past couple weeks I have only been going to the first hour of church to take the sacrament. Then I leave. I can not risk getting sick or I can kiss the surgery good bye! It's crazy when I am so aware of "germs in the atmosphere" how confided and claustrophobic I become. I get nervous when a stranger sits next to me. Mentally, I yelp a little...just a little. I am more aware of the feel/smell of the air. If it does not smell and feel light and fresh, I feel like I am being contaminated and can't breath! Hah, I know, a bit dramatic..but hey, when you have waited over four years for something so important you'll do anything not to jeopardize it, then you can judge me!
When Tyson and I came to Vegas for Christmas with my familee, almost everyone had been sick very recently. So I brought Lysol with me and sprayed the crap out of everything. Gave Tyson a permanent headache for the weekend! I went Asian style and wore a mask over my face all weekend, especially when I was around my nieces and nephews who were sick. (For those who aren't familiar with the "Asian style", just come walk the strip one night, you're guaranteed to see a few Asians walking around with masks over their faces) Yup, that was me. :)
So tomorrow we leave! Then a short series of appointments, then surgery, then healing! Many have been asking what the healing process is. So, here it is:
- Immediately after surgery I am banded (not wired) shut 24/7 for 2 months
- Those 2 months are liquid diet..strained liquid. No particles of any kind. Yes, I will get skinny, yes I let myself get a little bigger before hand. No, I will not waste away. Once I can eat again, I will put it all right back on. No need to fret!
- After 2 months of liquid diet the bands come off!
- Soft diet follows for 2 months. Bands are worn only at night
- That should be the worst of it (hopefully). Full healing is 12-18 months. Some swelling can last that long.
- Full recovery is a year (on average). Back on meds for a year to stabilize the jaw in the new position
- No hard activity, sports, pregnancy for a year following surgery
