Just a quick update, since it’s been a year since my last post. Everything is going fantastically!
Swelling: Nonexistant.
Numbness: Small amount, but ignorable.
One strip that runs from the corner of my lip, down my chin, about 1/4 wide. It’s not fully numb. It’s actually hypersensitive to light touch, and semi-numb to deep touch. Light touch feels like a million tickling feathers, but it feels normal otherwise. And the gums in the upper dental arch (just the part that houses the teeth) is about half-numb, or half-sensitive. Overall, totally ignorable.
Pain: None.
I can poke and feel all the parts of my face that were once broken and it just feels normal.
Sleep: Fantastic.
I sleep regularly now, as in I am sleepy enough to fall asleep at the same time each night, and I wake up 8-9 hours later totally awake and feeling good. I still sleep a little longer than average, but still well within the range of normal. Gone are the days waking up each day feeling like I have the flu. Gone are the 2-3 hours of zombie-me wake up sessions that started each day. I’ve gotten exactly one cold in the last year, and 3-4 headaches, most of which were due to allergies. I used to get sick 5-6 times a year and have headaches most days of the week. Also, I can travel now! Even if I get crummy sleep in a hotel, it’s still so much better than the sleep I used to get. Traveling doesn’t mean feeling desperately unwell; it’s actually pretty fun.
All in all, if you’re considering the “overwhelming” cures for sleep apnea, I can tell you without a moment’s hesitation that the result is worth it. Whatever you have to do to get there, you won’t regret it.
Was your surgeon Dr Desai? Did you have CCW rotation? How much advancement? Desperate to find a surgeon
My doc was Dr. Nikhil Desai. My upper jaw was not rotated, but the midlines of the teeth were adjusted with braces after surgery. The mandible was advanced 10mm and the upper arch was moved 6mm. (Hence needing the teeth adjusted to make 4mm of extra space for the lower to move before the surgery).
Thank you so much!