Double Jaw Surgery w/ Dr. Arnett 10/4

[treevernal]

you're arent supposed to brush your teeth for a few weeks or more depending on the incisions. they dont want you messing up the incisions because everything is so vulnerable. you'll go through the power point presentation (unless they have upgraded their tech) the day before surgery or whenever your pre-op is about the 8 rinses a day saltwater/peroxide etc..

also cant balloon your cheeks during the rinses, you have to move your head side to side slowly which is hard to get used to.

but this is gunson, maybe arnett has his own philosophy i don't know.

Ok thanks for the info!  Hows the swelling been btw?

[CK]

Ok thanks for the info!  Hows the swelling been btw?

no more visible swelling as far as i know.

[treevernal]

no more visible swelling as far as i know.

Good to hear!

[CK]

Good to hear!

i guess.

[Marisama]

Are you a natural pessimist or is it just regarding jaw surgery?

[Kristen]

Yeah it's hard to do though! I resemble something like a potato head at this point. Hopefully tomorrow is the day!

Oh my God.....I am half laughing and half crying at that statement.   
What is BMP.?  And what is it used for?

[znewton]

Oh my God.....I am half laughing and half crying at that statement.   
What is BMP.?  And what is it used for?

It's a protein that Dr. Arnett uses to help induce bone growth amongst other synthetic bone materials.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bone_morphogenetic_protein

[Antbee]

I was told DR A was lowering my nasal floor and would use that bone to graft the CCW, but he mixes it with BMP to make a mush and then mixes in blood plasma as the 'glue'.

[CK]

He used a combination of my own bone, cadaver bone, platelet rich plasma, and the BMP. Yikes!

cadaver bone...wtf?

[znewton]

Here's some pictures for all of you -

Just before I was rolled into the OR


This was taken after getting out of recovery and into my own room on surgery day.



Day 1 @ Cottage Hospital


Day 5 (I believe) - I had really extreme swelling.


Peak swelling on Day 6.


Day 7


Day 8


Day 9/10


Yesterday - Day 13- on the way back from Dr. Arnett's


Today - Day 14


Left Side (swelling is WAY down)


Right Side (cheeks are still very puffy!)


Comparison - I know I'm not comparing the same sides but my right is to swollen to really use as a comparison at this point. Left picture is from final records @ Dr. Arnett's.

[Antbee]

Thanks for posting these Zach!! Gives me hope that its normal to still look very swollen and not like your end result on day 7. You look awesome!!! Congrats!!

[treevernal]

Wow, you are going to look great!  The swelling has really come down a lot already.  You have me more hopeful about my surgery with Arnett in January

[Marisama]

Thanks for sharing! Things are looking good. That swelling has me so nervous!

[CK]

Thanks for sharing! Things are looking good. That swelling has me so nervous!

not everyone swells up like, all depends on what is done. more manipulation with the upper jaw+HA (Z had a lot) can affect swelling. I had the same thing taped to my head, except I was still dead asleep. Why do you have that thing around your heard? Because of the hair?

[Antbee]

What thing around his head? I had the same head wrap and plastic drool-catcher and natty blue hat too! Plus I've swollen almost as much I'd say. I had all that HA though too- probably why.