Posted by sleepy-in-seattle on April 25, 2008 at 16:56:26:In Reply to: Seeking advice posted by GypsyRover on April 21, 2008 at 16:23:03:
The best advice I can give you is - read through the last YEAR (or maybe two) of posts, anything that has to do with MMA. Particularly anything that is a personal account or diary of the recuperation. Many of us felt compelled to share our fears, obstacles and triumphs for the benefit of others.
You will get so many points of view, so much information, and so much real life experiences that you will likely have all the data you need to address your own fears.
It's totally normal to freak out - after all, it is described as "having your jaws broken." Sounds unbelievably painful, doesn't it?!
The reality is that it is not excruciatingly painful for most people - but the recovery is one of the longest roads most of us travel. Be prepared for feeling like you have a mild/moderate flu for six weeks, and then weakness for another 2-3 months, with full "feeling like normal but better" maybe not occuring until a YEAR after surgery. It's the long recovery that can wear you down, NOT pain.
You have six months. Start reading the blogs up top, look back at least a year and read personal accounts, read any questions that mirror your own questions, and post here if there is something unanswered that is weighing on your mind.
The odds are that you will think this is one of the best decisions you ever made - about 18 months from now!