Week 32 of Recovery

Well it has been over 7 months since Gabby had her jaw surgery and she is finally without braces!! She is feeling great and is very proud of her new smile. We will update the blog again at the year anniversary of her surgery.

Week 15 of Recovery

We realize it has been a long time since we have posted on the blog. As most of you know, Gabby went away to school and is loving it. She has been very busy with school work, sorority activities, and social activities. We have posted a few pictures. She looks great and both the surgeon and the orthodontist say things are looking good. She will most likely get her braces off during Mardi Gras. She is anxiously waiting that day.

Day 21 of Recovery

Today we are celebrating two milestones. Three weeks since the surgery and Gabby's 18th Birthday. Gabby is feeling great. She is eating more now and a bigger variety of foods. She still is not chewing anything with her teeth. She had the splint that was connected to the roof of her mouth removed on Monday. The surgeon said that she will not see the full result of the surgery for about another four months. We are so pleased with how good she looks and how much better she feels, we can't imagine it getting better in four months, but he says it will. She also had an extensive appointment with the orthodontist. He replaced four brackets and added some hooks for her to connect the rubber bands. She is leaving for Monroe on Friday, so she will not see the surgeon or the orthodontist for six weeks. We were told before the surgery, that the braces would stay on for six months after the surgery. Hopefully, she can start the Spring Semester without the braces.

Day 14 of Recovery

Today makes 2 weeks since the surgery day and Gabby is pretty much back to normal. She is going out to eat tonight (with her friends) to celebrate her birthday, which is next week. She looks so beautiful with her hair and makeup done. She is able to eat pasta that is cooked well, by mashing it against the roof of her mouth with her tongue. Gabby is anxious to visit the surgeon again to make sure the rubber bands are doing what they are supposed to do. She does not complain of pain anymore. Her current weight is 119.5 lbs.

Day 12 of Recovery

Gabby is looking great and feeling good. I started back at work today, so it was her first day on her own ( my mom is next door, for moral support ). She gets a little more defined each day and a little less swollen. She is reading a book for school, "The World is Flat", and making plans for how she will celebrate her "18th" birthday, which is August 19th.

Day 10 of Recovery

Before and after photos. Pretty dramatic, especially from the side view.

Gabby continues to make good progress. Her pain has subsided significantly in the last two days. She is now only taking Aleve twice a day. The swelling continues to subside. You can now see more definition in her cheek and jaw area. She has maintained her weight over the last two days. Her current weight is 120 lbs. She is now completely back to normal in terms of energy. She had some more visitors yesterday and today and is excited to discuss the details of her recovery with anyone who asks. She is also becoming more excited about leaving for college. Move in day is only 2 weeks away.

As the changes are much less dramatic, we will now attempt to update her progress every other day.

Day 8 of Recovery

Gabby is doing great. We went to visit the surgeon again today. He said that everything is looking great and the rubber bands are in the correct position. The next visit will be on August 17th and hopefully the splint will come out on that day. Gabby asked him when she will be able to smile again. Her upper lip is very stiff, since the surgery. He reminded her that it has only been one week and one day since the surgery and she is still swollen. He said that after the splint comes out she can start some upper lip exercises to loosen things up. I actually got Gabby to go with me to Sam's. We got to walk around a bit and purchase toiletries for college. It has been so great spending so much time with her, especially since she is leaving so soon.