Thursday, December 8, 2011

the hundred thousand dollar smile

I lied. The last post wasn't my last post.    I have a very important announcement to make that requires a new post.  So.  Here we are.



I GOT MY BRACES OFF TODAY!





HALLELUJAH!

We realized today that a smile this amazing is quite expensive.  Almost 100k to be vaguely exact.  We're talking 10+ years of orthodontic treatment, wisdom teeth removal, jaw surgery plus a few tubes of toothpaste along the way gets us to just about $100,000.  Thank goodness for insurance.  But from what came out of pocket (talking about my parents' pockets here)  I think it was worth every penny.  Right, Dad? :)


31 comments:

  1. hi. what is your email that i can contact you at? i am also having jaw surgery and have a few questions

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  2. Hey Tessa, sorry It took me a while to respond - but my email is purplelizard692@Hotmail.com :)

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  3. Hello Rebecca Maria,

    Ive spent the last couple of hours reading through your posts, well, actually I was just looking at your pictures. So, the consensus I've come to is as follows (Please do not be offended by my opinion beccause I am a mere mortal): I think you were hotter before such as in the early pictures from day[9] and such, as opposed to now. You looked much sexier in photos from early on days 10-20 for example. Anyways, take care and enjoy!

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    Replies
    1. What a jackass.

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    2. Rebecca,

      Don't listen to the clown. You went from cute to beautiful.

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  4. Well that was a thoughtful message. lol

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  5. i can't believe someone would write the above comment. Really?? Mere mortal, more like underling. My dear Rebecca- you look marvelous.

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  6. I can e mail you also I'm in the prossed is scheduleing my operation now and is really getting nerves and I have a few question

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  7. Hey rebecca
    i just had a double jaw surgery today and was feeling miserable until i read ur blog. It definitely cheered me up!!!
    Thank you.. :)

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  8. Hey rebecca
    i just had a double jaw surgery today and was feeling miserable until i reas ur blog. It definitely cheered me up!!!
    Thank you.. :)

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    Replies
    1. thanks for reading :) Good luck with your recovery!

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  9. Had so many question and this answered everything, i have the same issue you had and i'm hoping to get my done soon, you did a good job and looking beautiful :)

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  10. Hi! I had jaw surgery 7 weeks ago, and i had to wear the splint because they did my roof too. The splint came out last week, and my doctor wants me to start stretching my mouth to try to get it back to where it was before or close. So far, i can only get about 25 mils (sp?) and they want me at 30. It sounds like it would be so easy to just OPEN your mouth, but its so hard. How long was it before you could open your mouth like it was pre-surgery, or can you? I'm concerned ill never be able to fit regular food like a hamburger in my mouth. And chewing is definately hard still, i keep biting my cheeks, was that also a problem for you when you starting to re learn to chew?

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    1. I never had the splint because they didnt widen my top jaw.... but i hear its pretty nasty. Glad you got it out! My doctor wasn't really concerned with me "stretching" my jaw. The movement came back naturally from talking and eating... I didn't need to force it or worry about how many mm it was open. I dont know if some people have an actual issue with that or if its just imagined.... who knows. Either way, it'll probably be about 2 months before you can open more normally...and probably even longer than that before you can pretend you're the Lion King and roar or something. haha But dont worry, you'll definitely be able to bite into a hamburger again. :P

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  12. You look amazing, I'm currently trying to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I'm on my third day of recovery from bottom jaw surgery and wisdom teeth and its so hard, 10ml syringes of soup and yoghurt are already getting to me :( the antibiotics burn my throat and I just wish I could fast forward 3 months to get this over an done with

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    1. first 3 days are the worst! and the whole first week is pretty crappy too. It'll be over soon though! You'll feel a lot better after 3 weeks...and like you said, by 3 months, you won't even think about the surgery that much anymore. :)

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  13. Hey Rebecca, I had a similar experience.. But just the chin. Can you tell me, how long is it till the tingling goes away after surgery?

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    1. It goes away gradually so i dont really remember exactly when it stopped completely.... Maybe 2-3 months with weird but rare spasms around 4 months? I apologize for my memory being a little fuzzy now.....it has been 2 years since my surgery! The good thing though, is that i can promise they definitely go away 100% and like me, you won't remember them either. :)

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  14. I just found your blog today. My son is 3 weeks post op following upper jaw surgery which includes the splint. I really appreciate that you shared your feelings about the experience, since at times my son is so frustrated and unhappy....I really think that his biggest frustration is not eating the food that he wants to eat. Glad to hear that he is most likely over the worst of it....fingers crossed. Thanks again for sharing this!

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  15. I just read your blog and it was a treat! It's amazing you kept such humor during the whole affair. It also served in completely freaking me out as well! It's such a long process and so much of what you were saying was surprising to me, like wearing constricting rubber bands for a long time, and not eating solids for 6 weeks! My process is a bit different than yours, but aren't they all? I'm about 3 months in; first I got braces on the bottom jaw and an expander on the upper jaw. I then had a palatal expansion surgery which was small potatoes compared to the big jaw surgery! They cranked the expander and right now I'm a sitting duck until my jaw heals in its new wider position! I think soon I will get full braces and after a few months I'll be going in for the big jaw surgery. Already this whole process has been hard on me and it sounds like it's only going to get worse before it gets any better. But I wanted to thank you for sharing your story in such detail. Even though it scared me, it gave me a much clearer picture of what to expect when I finally get the surgery so there aren't huge surprises. It both made me feel better and freaked me out a little if that makes sense!

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  16. hi, gr8 blog, ive just had jaw surgery after an assault, i wanted to know how long the bulk of the swelling lasted and if you think your appearance has changed noticeably?

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    1. I'd say the worst of the swelling was the first 3 weeks....and after about 8 weeks, i looked pretty much normal. Nothing compares to the swelling of the first 3 days though! I dont know about you, but i was beyond recognizable. Its strange when you look in the mirror and feel like you're seeing someone else. :P Anyway, hope you're doing well - good luck!

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  17. End result looks like it was completely worth it... Yes, you're looking good. Congrats...

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  18. Hi Rebecca,

    My name is Grace and I'm working on making a patient guide for jaw surgery patients as a senior project for my school in Ohio. I was wondering if I could use a few of the photos you posted (only x-rays, not of your face to protect identity and everything). I'll definitely credit you as well. Thanks! Also, congratulations on your results - you look fantastic!

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  19. I have learn so many things on your even on jaw pain which is now I am suffering. I will make this to be my reference.

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  20. Hi Rebecca, Glad to know you are happy with your results. I just did my double jaw surgery for underbite and I'm freakin out looking at my strange self in the mirror. My side view is ok but the front view is very strange and weird. Any advice on how to deal with it would be much appreciated. I'm on my day 2 now and dealing with the recovery. It's kinda horrible....

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  21. Hey Rebecca
    Your blog is very informative and inspiring!
    I am a month in my surgery. I would just like to know if u had a lisp after the surgery ? How long after were u able to actually talk properly ?

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  22. This is incredible and interesting blog!Fantastic!!!!All information bis very nice and fantastic!!!Your blog is very great. keep sharing more post like this. Thank you for putting out so much useful information for others.

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