So what was supposed to be just a “Bye-Bye Braces” post is now a “6 Month Post-Op Recap” post as well because I just realized that today is exactly the 6 month anniversary of my surgery (I should take myself out to dinner). I thought this would be a good time to post some comparison pictures of myself pre and post operation. What makes this post even better is the fact that I got my braces off 4 days ago (after 14 months their prisoner) and I couldn’t be happier. This entire process started in August of 2015 when I got my first x-rays is now ending over 2 years later. It feels like the braces were the final obstacle I had to get over for my recovery, and now that they are off, this surgery chapter of my life is finally done.
Pre-Surgery, Pre-Braces:
Pre-Surgery, Braces:
Post-Surgery, 6 week all liquid diet:
Post-Surgery, Braces:
Post-Surgery, Braces-Off:
Getting My Braces Off:
The morning of Nov. 22nd, I was extremely nervous because I was not sure I was getting the braces off that day. 2 weeks prior, my orthodontist said it was extremely likely that I would need to keep them on longer, so I shouldn’t get my hopes up. Too bad my hopes were already up. I was ready to cry whether or not they were coming off that day. But thankfully, I got the ‘okay’ for the debanding and literally burst into tears in the chair from happiness. Right before thanksgiving too!
I’ve had braces before this, but somehow I had forgotten how PAINFUL it is to take these off. Like the orthodontist assistant literally just ripped them off my teeth with these plier things. If I had known that was all it took, then I would have just done it myself a long time ago. My gums were super inflamed so trying to pry these wires off my teeth was horrible. After that madness was over, I got to brush and that was when I could not control the tears. It was so weird looking in the mirror and not seeing those wires. My mouth looks naked. I feel bad because I was at the brushing station and this tall kid was next me was flossing between his wires and said he had at least another year with braces. Poor kid… but cannot relate. Anyway, I went back to sit in the chair and thats when the true misery begun. The orthodontist assistant got out her tools of torture and literally scrapped off the glue from on my teeth…like a sadistic monster. If the scraping sound wasn’t enough to freak me out, I felt like she was trying to pull out my teeth. For a brief moment, I debated just telling them to put the braces back on because I hated this so much. But I persisted and now I’m bracesless! So now I have to wear top and bottom retainers all the time, except for when I brush and eat (but joke is on them, because I am literally eating all the time). The next step is to floss more and whiten my teeth, in order to fully get back to peak oral health. In 6 weeks, I’ll be getting my final x-rays and pics so keep an eye out for some final pictures and x-rays for anyone who still cares.
6-Month Recap:
If anyone is reading this is considering getting this surgery, I want to tell you to get it. DO IT. I am so incredibly happy with my results. Now that I’ve gotten my braces off, I finally feel fully recovered and its an amazing feeling. Chewing can still be challenging (especially hard and crunchy foods) and I still don’t have full feeling back in my chin yet, but I experience absolutely no pain in my jaws and am so content with how I look. I know my recovery can seem intimidating and scary, because honestly, it was not fun or easy. But even with the braces, swelling, discomfort, all liquid diet and every other bad thing I endured for this surgery, it was all worth it. For anyone who is reading this that is on the fence about going through all of this, I hope you will reach out to me or comment below about your fears and concerns, so I can talk to you. I feel like I’m doing better than I ever was (subtle TSwift lyric lol) and that comes from overcoming all of this and being reassured that the health reasons in which I got this surgery have subsided. You’ll never know how relieved that I am that I can finally close this chapter in my life and move forward in total comfort and content. Now, excuse me while I go chew some gum.
Thanks for reading! xx
this blog has seriously inspired me. i have braces and i am getting ready to have surgery soon i hope. i currently have an underbite and it has been really hard for me. all of my friends have gorgeous smiles and it just sucks sometimes because i want to smile with confidence and be happy with it. i know that soon enough i will be able too. i have been really nervous about the surgery and i know it’s going to be tough. i’m so glad i found this post because i know when i do it i will become so much happier.
Good luck with your upcoming surgery! I promise that a few months after you will be so thankful you did it. I’m so glad you’re inspired by all of this and hope to hear more about your surgery as the process progresses. Best wishes!
Thank you so much for your blog! I just had my surgery a week ago, and pre-op and post-op I’ve been reading your blog to see your results and keep myself motivated on the liquid diet. You look amazing! I’m only a week-out but already seeing how my teeth look I feel the surgery is definitely worth it as well. Thanks so much again for having such informative posts, I think we’re about the same age (I’m 21) so seeing a similar experience was so encouraging before going in and now.
Thank you! Wishing you a quick and comfortable recovery! One thing that always helped me is knowing that each day will be better than the last! I’m so happy you hear you have been reading my blog all throughout this process! I know you’re definitely going through very similar (if not exact) experiences as me with this whole thing, because I am 22 and I’m so glad you already feel it was worth it. All the best!