Answering Some Question!

Hi all my awesome followers! I am back for an update, and I will be answering some questions that were left on the last post, however, first I wanted to share with you a before and after that is pretty awesome!

God, thank you! I love it! ha.

Now for some questions!

Many people say jaw surgery changed the shape/position/appearance of their nose --and understandably so...but does jaw surgery affect your sense of smell? (I know this is weird- but I have a really good sense of smell [bad eyesight!ha] and I'm pretty worried about possibly losing that after jaw surgery.

No- it has not affected my sense of smell- however I can breathe MUCH better- that is one of the reasons that the surgery was "medically" necessary- for breathing- I can now breathe with my mouth closed and it is awesome! So no, not an issue- at first you will be so swollen that your sense of smell is pretty bad, but don't worry- just like everything else it will come back with a little time and Afrin nose spray- ha.

Do you play a wind instrument? ...I play the trumpet. Braces have already drastically changed my embouchure- I can only imagine the effect jaw surgery will have on my ability to play.

I do not play a wind instrument, HOWEVER... I would think just like eating feels different, and brushing your teeth feels different, playing your trumpet will be different... HOWEVER... I think you will compensate perfectly- it just will feel a little strange at first, but don't worry that TOTALLY goes away, because chewing felt weird at first, but now, I can't remember it before surgery. ha.

Do you still experience numbness or tingling?

Yes. I have numbness in my chin... that's it- and its coming back- if someone touches my chin it will tingle which is SUPER annoying, but I can feel the nerves coming back- its not like completely asleep like it was at first. So yes, I still have a tiny bit of numbness, but its coming back! :)

Does anything appear to be permanently damaged? Nerve-wise, everything is back to normal?

Nope- everything is basically back to normal other than my tingly chin- ha.

When the orthodontist prepared your teeth for surgery, did your underbite become more pronounced/worse or did braces continuously make your teeth gradually better?

WORSE WORSE WORSE! That is a terrible part about this journey- it gets worse before it gets better... here look...

Before braces...

After braces had been on a while...

Here is an animation that might help you see what I am trying to show... pay close attention to the part where they put the braces on and how it straightens the teeth...

I hope you see what I am saying... but yes- it def gets worse...

I got a bit worried, that maybe the surgery might leave me with a bit of a double chin, because as they're moving the bottom jaw back, wouldn't there then be too much skin there?

No no no no! Babe, that isn't an issue at ALLLL! You body reshapes to the bone... I promise- that is not a worry. haha. :)

I try really hard to make my diction better, but I think it might be to do with my bite!do you think that would get better if I had surgery?

More than likely it IS your bite- I had unclear diction and a lisp too, and that was one of the reasons my doctor said the surgery was "medically" necessary... It is your bite- once you have it fixed you will have MUCH clearer diction... You can compare vids on my blog if you would like of before surgery and after. :) I hope that helped answer your question.

Did your hair start to fall out after your surgery?

Actually yes, now that you mention it- I was shedding and thinning like crazy- and I kinda freaked out, but I was reassured that it was the anesthesia, so don't worry too much! It stops.

Thanks everyone for asking questions! :) I feel useful again! haha! I hope I answered well- and if not- ask so more questions and I will try my best to help!

Thanks!

And I am still taking questions! So ask away!

-Makay

Vlog

That's right guys! A Vlog (noun)- video blog.

ha.

Let me know!

Post some questions! :)

Love, Makkkkkay

Day 150...

Hey everyone! I hope you have all been well... I wanted to share my experience with eating after surgery...

At first it was really awkward and difficult, I drooled on my self, and had a hard time fitting a spoon in my mouth. HOWEVER, that all changed. Thanksgiving was recently and let me just tell you, it was fabulous... my bite was different and I could notice a change. When I bit my slice of celery my teeth met and I just bit a piece off, whereas before I would bite and my teeth would not go through all the way so I would have to pull and then it would string and it would be anything but graceful! ha. It was always embarrassing. It was so cool not to have to deal with any of those once "everyday problems" which I had become a-customed to. I just love my new bite, it is incredible what the surgery did to my entire face, the structure is all around comepletly different- a wish come true...

I stumbled across a few pictures of me, pre-op, and GOSH- I look so different, a totally different person honestly!

And now...

I love my bite! Thank you Dr. Turvey and Dr. Politano! :) I am so happy!

I am getting my braces off soon- hopefully earllllly spring... before April! :) I pray it is as soon as possible! I can hardly wait!

Let me know if you have any more question guys! I will be glad to answer!

:)

Love, Makay

Thanksgiving and Such....

Hey everyone I wanted to give you a couple update pics- I will be doing a huge post about my jaw- and all sorts of stuff soon- I just have to find time- DON'T WE ALL??? haha. :)

And I had my FIRST Thanksgiving without an underbite! YAYAYAYA... (more on that later I promise) haha...

I usually would have been angry for a side pic like this, but this year I LOVE IT! :)

I could eat everything with ease! Even ate some celery and it didn't get all stringy! :)

How are you guys!? Any news? Or questions? :)

Love, Makay

Update! :)

I went to the ortho- I have about 2 months left- they are trying to correct my slight crossbite to the right. :P

Here are some quick pics...

How are you all? What do you want me to answer? :) Ha.

Love ya,

Makay

Day 100!!!

I HAVE MADE IT! Day 100... quite the milestone.

So verrrrry sweet!

SMILE!

Just a "gaze", a normal look throughout the day... ha.

Oh, how I love my bite!

Last night was homecoming! Super awesome! Check out details and WAY more pictures on my other blog HERE!!!

I was gawking over how different I look compared to let's say my Sweet 16... And NOW (last night at homecoming)! AHHH! I LOVE IT!

What do you guys think!?

I just love my new smile, and I always show it off now!

Dan and I at homecoming! :)

DAY 100! WOOOOOO WOOOOOO!

Worth a celebration? At least a virtual one? I think so! haha.

Sooooo here is a video of my "transformation"...

So what do you think about my transformation thus far?

Any questions for me to answer?

I hope I still have followers... haha.

Love, Makay

3 months and 3 days! haha

FINALLY! My life is close to normal- I can eat almost anything, except apples and carrots and such... and I love my new bite!

Here is a before to ponder on...

Shizammmmm! ha. :)

How are all my FOLLOWERS!???!?!?!

Do I still have you? ha.

Love, Makay

Project UNBOUND (please read)

So this post is not really about my jaw, or my teeth (I promise I will answer your questions in my next post), however do not disregard this...

I currently am working to raise $6,000 dollars in order to fund 1,000 bibles to the persecuted Christians of India. Did you realize that every 3 minutes a Christian is martyred? If not, now you know, and you are aware, which makes you responsible to do something about it.

I am going to be raising money for this cause:

1.) Through donations, from generous people like YOU!

2.) Sponsorships

3.) My Benefit Concert, UNBOUND.

So you may want to know a little bit about my benefit concert, I am going to be hosting it November 13th, and I have recording artists, Day of Grace, The Alter, Written in Red, and The RETURN coming out! I am thrilled! It is going to be a rocking night and I will be raising the money as well!

As you can see in this picture, the red represent the Bibles that have been sponsored already by generous organizations, however the blue represents how many are still waiting for God's Word to reach them! You can help change that by Donating to Project UNBOUND!

Please consider giving a generous donation to this project! It is going to be impacting thousands of persecuted Christians, and inspiring others to make a change! Even a simple donation of $5 helps get closer to my goal! I know with the help of bloggers like you guys I can do it! Also if you have a business, and would like to sponsor the benefit concert and project with $100 + you will be considered an "official sponsor" and you will get your company name on the back of the shirt, and the shirts are the tickets into the concert! So it is great advertisement!

If you would like to sponsor, email me at kpiso@nc.rr.com... If you would like to contribute by purchasing a t-shirt please email me as well, they are $20 plus shipping an handling... and are SUPER cool (I can email you the design if you are interested)...

AND If you would like to donate, Do NOT hesitate! Do it now...

Thanks soooo much! I knew I could count on my awesome bloggers!

For more information please visit,

www.unboundbychrist.blogspot.com

Love, Makay

Update!!!

Hey everyone! I guess I haven't really told you much about my actual progress lately... so here it goes... ha...

First though! I have some update pictures! :)

I am so happy with my new smile, and I can hardly wait to get my braces off! I cannot believe it is all over! I mean I feel like I was just saying "9 more months!" It's crazy... when you are going through it- it feels like foreveeeer, but once you make it past the first few weeks, it seems like a distant memory.

I have been doing pretty well... I have 85% of my feeling back... All I need is for the nerves in my chin to come, but I can tell they are getting better, they tingle when I touch my chin... ha.

I have been wearing rubber-bands, fine tuning my bite... They are pretty thick, and they are moving my molars in the back, they make my teeth pretty sore, but not too bad... they are just annoying more than anything...

One thing I find extremely amusing is that the sizes of rubber bands are based on animals, so every time I go to the ortho I am like, "Soooo... I am I still wearing Impalas or am I going down to Pandas?" I sure do get a kick out of it...

I hope you are all doing awesome! Let me know how you are! Where are you in your journey? Anything you wanna know? Ask?

Love, Makay

"Um... noooo..."

So I was at Wyldlife, a Christian club for middle schoolers, we do ALL sorts of "Wyld" things, and well I am a high school leader! :) We are always victimized, and embarrassed. All is good though because that is why we go. Tonight was nerd night... a Mom came and picked up her son afterwards and I said "Hi I am Makay! Thanks for driving him over here we had a blast!" She said, "Oh, do you go to school with "Bob"?" hahaha... "Um, no I have graduated the 8th grade- I am a Junior in highschool..." haha... She said, "Oh really? You hardly look like you are in 7th grade!" WHATTTTTT!??!?!?!?!?!? Dang...

Maybe it was the outfit.... or the braces? HAHA.

Ever since surgery people have thought I look younger, which I guess isn't a bad thing... haha, but I don't know... I want to look like a junior, not a 7th grader... ha...

What do you think?

Never Gets Old...

DANNNNNNNNG!!!!

*Happy Dancing*

I love it! It was a bajillion times worth it!

Would anyone like to ask questions? Or comment? I am starting to feel like I am talking to myself? haha... I am here to help.

Love, Makay

Day 71...

HEY ALL MY JAW BLOGGERS!!!! :) I have missed you!!! Wanna see some update pictures?!?! *drumroll*

I missed blogging... I have been doing well... but do you have any questions for me to answer? Feel free...

Love, Makay

Questions and Answers...

Hey guys! :) I wanted to answer your questions before school tomorrow, otherwise I was afraid it would be pushed off till next weekend... so here you go...

Did you ever eat with a mirror?

YES YES YES. ha. My mirror was my best friend for the first 2 weeks. I found it helpful to eat with it, one- because I couldn't open very wide at first, and it helped me find my mouth haha. AND it helped me keep it less of a mess. Eventually I just got tired of it and I wanted to be able to eat in public, and without it- so it kinda gradually disappeared.

How do you open so wide?

Exercise! Seriously... make sure you are opening as wide as you can and stretching everyday. This is very important if you want to make it back to your original range of motion. You need to open wide, and push your bottom jaw forward and side to side. It will be very uncomfortable for a while, but it subsides. Trust me, it helps you in the long run. My doctor said "Do not worry, you are not going to break your jaw(s) they are bolted and held together, you are fine. Just make sure you are stretching." Do it.

Did you really get your maxilla widened or just moved forward 2mm?

It was widened! They cut the roof of my mouth in half through the inside and put bone graph in between- it was widened 2mm. My top jaw was moved forward 6mm. My bottom moved back 3mm. And my chin moved forward 4mm. The perfect profile, and bite! :)

Your nose looks wider. Do you think this is the result of the surgery or something else?

Nope, it is a result of the surgery... here I am going to try and explain it- so think about it... I had a bone deficency in my top jaw- They pushed my top jaw forward 6mm! That is alot. So my cheeks used to be shallow, and when they pushed it my top jaw forward it brought cheekbones out, which pushed my nose forward. However this is a benefit to me! My nose used to be very pointy, and very defined. I love my nose, and the results that the surgery gave me. Here is a picture for comparison purposes, it NEVER gets old...

Is there still swelling?

Yes, not enough to affect my daily activities, no one notices, but me. Most of the swelling occurs in the morning, and then it goes down throughout the day.

Shout-out to Rosa!!!

I have no regrets. This has made my confidence hit the roof, and it has made me so very happy! I can bite into anything, and honestly all the pain and burdens were 900% worth it!!! DO IT. Trust me you will not regret it, I know it is a HUGE life altering decision, but I say go for it. This was the best decision I EVER made.

(Would you mind letting me see your bite? Is it how mine used to be).

How long do you do the salt water rinses?

I never did them. :O haha. Other than rinsing my infection drain (but that is whole other story! ha).

Did you feel like your elastics were super tight?

Yep, it is normal, they put a lot of pressure on my teeth, and it even gave me headaches. Do not worry, it will be over soon. Just push through it.

ANY more questions? Go ahead! shoot. :)

I will answer.

Also I promised you all a food post- it is coming soon. I promise, oh, and so are some update pictures.

Love, Makay

Day 50...

WOO WOO! I have made it to a huge mark! Day 50?!?! Halfway to 100... crazy. It feels like it was just yesterday, but then I think about all that has happened and I realize it has been a while.

So I went back to school on Wednesday- and I have English with one of my best friends Wes and something HILARIOUS happened! A little embarrassing, but definitely something to laugh about- so I am sitting there- wes to my left and then I hear someone, "Pshhhh... Makay... hey..." I look over at Wes and he points to his chin, "you are dribbling a bit ky..." he says in a subtle whisper... Needless to say I had a trickle of saliva running down my chin and I didn't even know it- my chin is still completely asleep! ha. It was great- we both got a great laugh out of it.

I do not have much time to blog today, but I will post a lonnnng post hopefully this weekend answering all your awesome questions that you left on the last post. If you anything else to ask leave a comment and ask. :)

Love, Makay

Day 46...

Hey all my faithful bloggers! :) How are you? I have been so busy, and that is good, because that means life is becoming much more normal as time goes on. Today I had a meeting and we had lunch at a local joint and I bit into my first cheeseburger! WOWZER what a historic day in my journey haha. It was great. I just bit straight through with my front teeth. I hardly make a mess anymore. It is great. Of course the occasional crumb is left on my chin and I can't feel it- that's embarrassing, but that is the worst of it. Drooling has pretty much dissipated into a non-existant issue.

Look at the difference...

I mean really? What do you sayyy! AH. :D

So time to answer some of your questions...

Did you ever have any problems with your bands? Or was it not that bad?

They weren't too bad, aside from the headaches and the pain of having to change them all the time, but no not really- they weren't that big of a deal.

Were you wearing your bands the whole time you had your splint in(except for meals)?

Yeppity Yep... I still wear bands... but only one on my right side. Before I was wearing 2 during the day... and 3 at night.

So lower jaw was moved back and upper jaw was widened. Did they widen your top jaw?

Yes my upper was brought forward 6mm, bottom back 3mm, chin forward 4mm, and top widened 2mm.

If so, did it feel like your tongue was always touching your palate?

No. It is different, but once the swelling went down I had no issue. You have to wait it out. Trust me in a week or two it will be fine... you just have to be patient with the swelling. The roof of my mouth was swollen and made it hard to swallow- that gets muchhhh better. Promise. :) (Oh, and YEAH! scarf them pancakes down!!!! They are so good. ha.)

Oh, and Brent... I will answer your question in the next post... I have to think about it a little... ha. ;)

So questions anyone? Anything? :)

Also would you be interested in a food post? I can help. haha. I know your menu can get a little mundane.

Love, Makay

Happy 6 Weeks to ME!!! :)

I have made it to 6 weeks today! I am so happy to keep reaching new marks! 2 more weeks and will be 2 months. CRAZY- I mean it feels like I just had it done- like a day ago!

Today I had my first orthodontist appointment. They removed the AWFUL surgical wires which were so heavy and making my teeth sore, and also all the hooks that continually gave me ulcers! It was such a relief to get lighter wires- and no hooks. I am done with rubber bands... except one on my right side- she said my top teeth need to come back a little on that side- she said it is the muscles- you have to retrain them. We are just fine tuning at this point.

I have a chain on my bottom teeth- I have a small gap still between my bottom 2 middle teeth. Not a big deal. Honestly. I am pretty happy with everything. I am content now because it is like I am back to "Normal" other than not being able to eat anything I want- I am still on soft foods- well soft chew. But hey its better than no chew- right? ;)

All the ladies in the orthodontist office were Oooohing and Awwwing over my new bite, and we even took a peek at my before for comparison! :) All the women were amazed, and asking me questions. It made me feel good, because it was like they really "appreciated" or "understood" all I went through to get to this point, and made a big deal. It was fun.

Then afterwards my Mom and I went out to a local Mexican joint- San Fan- for some burritos. I even ate a few tortilla chips!!! *gasp* It was awesome!!! :)

Here look at my TEETH! No more spikes or surgical wires! I AM FREE! :)

PROFILE TIME! WOO WOO! :)

I am so happy with the results, and I am just one step closer to getting these braces off! :)

YAY.

So guys... any questions? I haven't gotten any in ages?

XOXO, Makay