Posted by sturmer on January 16, 2009 at 09:45:29:Hi you might remember me. I had ALL kinds of probs early on. Thank you to all who I spoke with. I had NO life before surgery and severe UARS. Dr KL was my life saver.
How am I today?
Bite: Very good. I guess I got lucky. 8mm top advancement, 11 lower. Weird having teeth moved but have adapted pretty well.
Sleep: I sleep deeper and like a baby. I used to awake drenched in sweat, convulsing, gasping for air..stopping breathing, snoring etc. Now even with a sedative or alchohol I am fine. Airway is being kept open nicely I believe though have had no follow up sleep study. If I sleep 9 hours, I am very energized. Good sleep hygeine is key, and when I get too far off (like alchohol before bed) I pay a small price but its NOTHING like before surgery. I am almost feeling 10 years younger.
Pain: None, though I bit my lip twice because of moved teeth. Ouch
Sleep Apnea daytime symptoms/Fatigue: I still get some bouts of fatigue but they always hit in the early afternoon and fade in 15 mins or so. Some say hormonal, some say chronic fatigue... whatever it is its getting slooooowwwwwllllyyy better and its not Apnea caused. I am a singer and I played a full show the other night. Before surgery I was almost dropping dead on stage from exhaustion. I would bet I am 100% cured of the apnea and this is something else. Stress has also played a big role in my fatigue I believe.
Physical appearance: For me after the hell of recovery, this psychologically took its toll on me. After 30+ years looking in the mirror seeing a new me was insanity. After surgery I looked like a cartoon Nixon bobblehead! I looked as my wife said "a little bit cavetrain" (there is a ride with cavemen at an amusement park near where I live) BUT I look younger and more masculine. I did have a small recessed lower jaw. Oddly enough people treat me differently and nicer than pre surgery and i dont know if it has to do with my new look or just luck. I actually believe i look better now, and i guess i did get a small sip from the fountain of youth. Everyone things I am 10 years younger than I am!
Overall: This surgery and my bad ICU experience was psychologically hard and physically hard on me. What I can say is without a doubt there is no one better than Dr KL to perform it. I am a singer and my voice is better than ever. Its funny I now resemble my dad more than my mom as a result. I have to say I look amazing for such an insanely crazy surgery. Breaking off jaws and moving them? Thats insane!!! How Dr KL does it I will never know...so many possibiliies for problems and misalignments. He is a master and I owe him my life.
Would I do it again? YES. But if you are considering it...research it for a year heavily _at least_ and your condition.
Getting better and better every day. :-)
- Re: 8 Month Post MMA sturmer 09:56 1/16/09 (0)