Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Better than Ever, Except...

Hello World... 

How am I doing after surgery?

Well. It has been over a year now, and honestly it feels like some distant memory. I honestly have trouble remembering those first few weeks after surgery- all I remember was how awful it was, drooling on myself incessantly. Other than that I don't remember a whole lot. It seems like it happened once upon a dream, which I suppose is great news for some of you, especially those of you who are going through it right now. 

I have been doing great except I am currently getting my upper two wisdom teeth and those little buggers hurt! I have to get them out, there is no date on the calendar yet, but you can be sure I will be blogging about it... it is part of the jaw-journey... 

Because of my history with surgery I have to get them extracted by my surgeon, Dr. Turvey, rather than my dentist... which although it is a bit of a hassle makes me MUCH more comfortable with the whole situation... 

I thought I might as well share some pictures with you all from this past weekend up to the mountains, it was incredibly beautiful up there! 





Sometimes life is like a wind that just brushes right by, and honestly this past year has gone by at a rapid speed... I reach to grasp it, and hold on to my youth, but it will be gone before I know it... 

Let me know if you have any questions... any questions at all! 
And if you leave your email, I may be able to respond quicker, nevertheless I will respond. 

Have a blessed day! :) 

Makay

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

De-Braced and Can't Stop Smiling

 Hey everyone, it has been forever. I realize that, and I apologize, but that just goes to prove that after surgery life goes on. The experience only remains in your distant memory. At times though it seems like just yesterday...

I have great news (which may be obvious due to the title) my journey is complete! I have been de-braced! The bars were removed and I was set free 2 days before my Junior prom and I couldn't stop smiling... My teeth felt so free! 



I just got back from a mission trip from Alaska, and I was thrilled to continually smile the entire 3 weeks! My dearest friend Mari was my smily partner on the expedition! 




Life without braces, and a normal jaw is sweet, and honestly I wouldn't even think about it or appreciate my smile if I hadn't of had to go through my jaw journey! 

Does anyone have questions? :) 

I missed you all! I hope you are doing well. 

Love, Makay

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Some Photos and Some Love...

Finally.

Finally I can live the way I want.

No insecurities about my bite... they have dissipated-

Bring on the profile shots...


Shining my super big smile incessantly (can you find me? not hard.) haha!


No underbite! :) This is amazing!


Look at that bite! Perfection!


Finally! FINALLLLLLY! :D



So I know this wasn't informational, however I pray it is inspirational... I went through hell to get where I am, and I am so glad I did! Every second was worth it!


Stand in the Rain all my lovelies!

You will make it through this storm!

This is where the healing begins! This is the journey... to a better you!

Let me know about any questions and or concerns you have! I am here to help! (Leave me your email in the comment box if you want a faster response! I will get back to you asap that way!)

Love Always and Blessings,
Makay

Monday, January 24, 2011

Delayed Update...

Hi all my lovelies! :) How are you?

I am fabulous. :)

I am sure you want to see some update pictures... since I haven't posted in forever...



Compared to a month or two ago my face has gotten a more "heart" shaped feel rather than a circle- swelling is basically 100% down, and I am just so happy!


I'm going to amaze you with another set of before and afters... :)

Shizamm! :)



I am stuck with braces for a while longer, hopefully they will be off by April- that's what we are praying for...


I was wondering if you had any questions, or any concerns...

Or any topics for me to post about...

I guess my posts right now are sort of dry... :)

LET ME KNOW! :D

Love, Makay

Monday, December 20, 2010

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


Friday, December 10, 2010

Vlog

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

ha.



Let me know!

Post some questions! :)

Love, Makkkkkay

Saturday, December 4, 2010

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