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Background & MMA Recovery (Long)

Posted by Bubbles on July 20, 2001 at 12:19:52:

In Reply to: Re: MMA & Scuba Diving posted by seadog on July 20, 2001 at 11:21:51:

Seadog,

Let me know if you want to know something specific but I'll try to describe my recovery to date. I'm actually still recovering at this point - I'll explain more below.

First, I'm told my case is highly unusual and that may have something to do with the fact that my recovery is to be quite long. I was diagnosed with Upper Respiratory Resistance Syndrome. Basically a mild form of OSA. However, I had symptoms of severe OSA. Also, I've had serious respiratory problems that my respiratory doctor believes was related to the obstructed airway - the jury is still out until I'm further along in my recovery and have had further respiratory tests.

In July of 1999, I had UPPP, Turbinectomy and Septoplasty. I didn't think this surgery helped for a very long time. About a year afterwards, I realized that I was seeing some improvement but not enough.

In August of 2000, I was Trached for 2 months. This was a test to see if I would benefit from MMA & GA surgery. The results indicated that I would benefit.

In January of 2001, I had a Bronchoscopy. This is a test where biopsies are taken from the longs and in the process they send a camera down into your lungs and look around. On the way down, they saw that my Trach was 1/2 the diameter that it should be and this caused them to tell me that I couldn't put the surgery (MMA & GA) off any longer. They didn't know for sure the cause of this but understood that it could be a constriction caused by my obstructed airway at the base of my tongue. If that were true, it could get much worse so I shouldn't wait.

In March of 2001, I had the MMA. They had planned to do the GA as well but decided against it because they felt they could get enough airway by doing the MMA alone and the roots of my teeth are very long. Doing the GA would have caused irriversible damage to my teeth (they have to cut through the front of your chin and they would have had to go through my roots in the process).

Unlike some others, I didn't notice instant results after the surgery. Mine has been a much slower process. The results of the Trach were much faster, probably due to the fact that the surgery is far less invasive and there isn't as much pain. But even with the Trach I needed longer to recognize the full effects.

I was in ICU for 1 night and then in a regular room for another night. Once I went home, I didn't do well for the first few days. I'm not sure exactly why but I suspect that I wasn't getting enough fluids. I was nauseated and so I had trouble taking in fluids. I did vomit in ICU but never after that. I used a lot of the Lortab for 1 to 1.5 weeks and then switched to Ibuprofen.

My jaws were banded shut from Wed (surgery day) to Monday. Then they loosened the bands somewhat and my mouth was open slightly. That stayed that way for the next few weeks.

I had arch bars, upper and lower, that were sewn/wired in. Those were removed at about 5 weeks. Mine were removed in the office with local pain medication. Others on this board have had theirs removed in surgery. The anticipation of having these removed was worse than actually having it done. It wasn't pleasant but it wasn't terribly painful either.

I have to say, without question, the lips were the worst!!! I can't even describe it anymore but it was awful. It lasted for a few weeks and there were times when I thought it was never going to get any better - BUT IT DID! I don't know if I had the normal reaction or they told me that I had some freak reaction to the vaseline (petroleum). Just be prepared. I had no idea I should expect this so I wasn't pleased at all.

I was on blender food for about 7 weeks. I only lost about 10 lbs in total. The stuff you put in the blender isn't that low in calories.

I still cannot eat everything. I can't bite with my front teeth very well and I seem to favor my left side. I'm having some movement on the right side of my mouth still. My bite is different but I'm waiting for things to stabalize more before I try to take care of anything orthodonitically or dentally (if that's a word).

I've noticed that I don't get as tired, I'm more motivated to do things, I don't sleep in the evening much. I still have trouble with my respiratory system but it may be improving, I can't tell.

Following the MMA, I can breathe better out of my nose. Not sure why this is but even the surgeon expected that. I just haven't gotten the anatomy lesson yet.

I've said a lot here and I don't know if I've given you what you were looking for so please feel free to ask specific questions.

I wish you luck with your surgery.

I suggest using this board as much as you need. It's very helpful.

Bubbles

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