Broken jaw update - a thread for those with medical

[Bandit]

I came to this forum with a couple of questions, seeking help and financial advice a couple of weeks ago after I broke my jaw in 3 places & busted 5 teeth, as a few of you know. The medical bills will more than likely bankrupt me in just a few months. This place has truly been a very helpful & peaceful place to visit as so many people are sincerly here to help others in there good times & in there bad times. A real learning experience too. BKForum is kind of like the Doctor of Finances Much Thanks!

My doctor took off some of the wires this week & replaced them with elastic bands to correct my bite. I am still on a liquid diet and have lost 45 pounds in less than 4 weeks. That means all my clothes do not fit any more & I need to buy some new ones (but have no money. So, a bag of safety pins will have to do. (teasing)
My speech is becoming clearer now that I have a little space to speak through. Still taking liquid pain meds to sleep because every week after the Doctor visit as he makes an adjustment & it is difficult to sleep the next couple of nights (which is why I am up this late & am writing and venting here tonight).


I know there are others around here with medical bills and medical conditions that are causing pain, a strain & problems in your life. Insurance is very costly & not everyone can buy it if not provided by an employer, so we deal with it as it comes. I know there are people who really suffer physically & my heart goes out to you more than you will ever know. I just want to say & remind those who might be worrying, not to be afraid & not to worry too much about the bills because that will all sort itself out over time. Your health is the first priority & worry is not going to help you get better. At first I was a bit worried & concerned while the forum has helped me to stay positive about my financial situation and my health as well. It is nice to see some light just after your darkest night.

Not too many updates while this ol' clunker jaw is healing and time is the biggest healer I have right now. Thanks for listening.

(mods move or remove if not appropriate)

[lrprn]

So glad you are feeling a little better physically and mentally, Bandit! Thanks for sharing your words of wisdom too - they will help everyone who comes across them know that things do get better with time.

BKForum is kind of like the Doctor of Finances

Great analogy!

I think of the Forum as a spirit-healing, safe sanctuary where I can get information and support when I need it most and support others when they need it most. It's such a positive place and we need that when so much else in our lives is negative and sad.

We're all so lucky to have the Forum and each other! It's like getting a virtual hug every single day!

[Minnymouth]

RIGHT ON FOLKS,

Many of us would be lost, undecided, and probably plumb "crazy" if it wasn't for the support we get from this forum....

All being in the same "financial boat", so to speak, sure helps understanding what each other is going through.

How lucky are we??

[goingout]

Glad you're feeling better. I know I was pretty much on the edge before I found this place.

[AMISLANDER]

I had jaw surgery back in 2001 to correct an overbite. It's called an upper & lower mandibular sagital split. It was a nine hour surgery with my jaw broke in four places (2 top 2 bottom & my pallete (sp) as well. I have those permanent screws in the bottom and they wired me totally shut for 10 weeks so I feel ya!

Lived on Ensure and lost weight!

My operation was up in the air till the night before the surgery, as my insurance carrier just wouldn't give the final yes till then!

Keep your spirits up, you'll be fine!

[Minnymouth]

whoa............... THAT SOUNDS PAINFULL.............. GOOD FOR THE WAISTLINE IF YOUR PLUMP - BUT SOUNDS SO PAINFULL....

[guzzie]

glad youare feeling better....thank goodness for this forum....guzzie

[Bandit]

I had jaw surgery back in 2001 to correct an overbite. It's called an upper & lower mandibular sagital split. It was a nine hour surgery with my jaw broke in four places (2 top 2 bottom & my pallete (sp) as well. I have those permanent screws in the bottom and they wired me totally shut for 10 weeks so I feel ya!

Lived on Ensure and lost weight!

My operation was up in the air till the night before the surgery, as my insurance carrier just wouldn't give the final yes till then!

Keep your spirits up, you'll be fine!

Eating through a straw & blending everything is an added chore and you really start to appreciate food, flavors and understand how important chewing is. Eating is not something I take for granted any more.

I was supposed to get the screws & plate like you did. It broke a half an inch on one side. Then in that long surgery he discovered it was fractured in more places than the XRay showed. The screws would have broken the jaw more. Just contemplating them breaking my jaw, like yours on purpose hurts. OUCH! I am sure you are glad you went through with it now. I feel like mine is healing fast. The complications in the future are much worse and it is better to just get it over with.

My Doctor says, what we have both gone through is a fairly new procedure (the plate & screws) within the last 15 years they have been doing that and it has been very successful.


I just have one question, AMISLANDER. When you went to get the final braces and wires in your gums & teeth removed, Did they use novacaine & anesthesia to get them out? What was it like and does it take a long time? There are about 20 more wires under my gums. I have to face that part of it in a few weeks and I am kind of nervous.
Thank You

[Bandit]

Thank you for the kind words everyone. I hope to be able to send them back to you and to others as we cross paths.

[AMISLANDER]

Eating through a straw & blending everything is an added chore and you really start to appreciate food, flavors and understand how important chewing is. Eating is not something I take for granted any more.

I was supposed to get the screws & plate like you did. It broke a half an inch on one side. Then in that long surgery he discovered it was fractured in more places than the XRay showed. The screws would have broken the jaw more. Just contemplating them breaking my jaw, like yours on purpose hurts. OUCH! I am sure you are glad you went through with it now. I feel like mine is healing fast. The complications in the future are much worse and it is better to just get it over with.

My Doctor says, what we have both gone through is a fairly new procedure (the plate & screws) within the last 15 years they have been doing that and it has been very successful.


I just have one question, AMISLANDER. When you went to get the final braces and wires in your gums & teeth removed, Did they use novacaine & anesthesia to get them out? What was it like and does it take a long time? There are about 20 more wires under my gums. I have to face that part of it in a few weeks and I am kind of nervous.
Thank You

I didn't want to get too graphic with my story to scare people because my surgery was elective but with a purpose to improve my bite....lol

I did my surgery in WV then moved to Florida. I had an oral surgeon here take out the wires, but my braces (on teeth) were left on till later.

They gave me gas while my wires were pulled out, being an avid communicator, I do think I talked right through the whole thing or just was tripping & thinking I was talking. I never felt a thing.

I think it took less than 1/2 hour, probably like fifteen minutes, I think they would give you gas...you can ask your doctor...again, they're good at what they do, don't be afraid!

I do have numb areas on the bottom left side where I do believe some nerves got hit, I knew that would be a possibility...not a big deal.

[Bandit]

My whole head & face feels numb from the fall. I expect that to be there for a long time.

If it is only about a half hour & you feel nothing to get the braces & final wires out, then I can deal. I thought it was going to be worse and more bloody.

I didn't want to get too graphic with my story to scare people because my surgery was elective but with a purpose to improve my bite....lol

I know what you are saying about elective. soon my bite will be like this --->
and this---->

and when I got my tongue back it was
like this---->

[BKOnce]

I want to know what was the cause of that unfortunate incident/accident?

[Bandit]

I want to know what was the cause of that unfortunate incident/accident?

I got on my neighbors new bike. a bicycle not a motorcycle. They did tell me it was a stunt bike and that the back end would go up in the air if you use the front brake. It had real funky suspension too. But they did not tell me that the bike would come to an immediate AND complete stop and throw me off into the air if I use the front brake.
I was pedaling like an old man that I am & going very slow & it still tossed me into the air head first and landed on my chin. That is what broke everything. I flew about 5 feet in front of the bike. It was pretty schocking to everyone, even those who saw it happen.

I feel very lucky though because I could have broken my neck or been paralyzed. I have heard so many reports of kids getting injured on these stunt bikes, scooters & new types of wheels on the market.

Everyone wear a helmet on any kind of bike even if it is not the law & teach the children to wear a helmet also. In most cases like a seat belt, the helmet will save you a lot of problems during an accident.

[BKOnce]

Sorry to hear about that. Yes, please wear helmet, that what it is for.

[Minnymouth]

OUCH - I FELT THAT HURT.......

TALK ABOUT "BUSTIN YOUR FACE" - YOU DID!!!

Hope you heal up soon.............