Hi Kathy,

Hope you're doing well, today, how did your grafting go?

Dana :)

Hi Dana,

I've been better. I guess the surgery was a success, there's been much less bleeding than last year so far, but I've had problems with the antibiotic they prescribed, plus my jaw is swollen (and very sore!) again. The swelling hurts more than my gums (it actually hurts more to wash my face than it does to brush my teeth ????)

As far as the Halcion, the dr. and his asst. kept exclaiming how calm and relaxed I was, but I remember every single thing. I guess it did its job, I was in the chair for and hour and a half and I didn't run out the door! LOL. They had to keep shooting more Novacain as I could feel them working several times. I'm sure that didn't help the soreness I'm feeling.

He prescribed Hydrocodone (sp?) for pain...I refused the Darvocet because I've had problems with that, but I'm afraid to take they Hydrocodone anymore since I threw up last night and I couldn't tell if it was from that or the antibiotic (I'm certain it was the antibiotic) so I've just been taking Tylenol 3. I think once the prednisone kicks in I'll feel much better, my jaw is quite swollen.

Oh well! I'm sure I'm not being very encouraging, but the end results should be good and I look forward to that. It sounds like your dr. is going to be much more responsive in regards to pain (mine seems to minimize such trivial things)

Kathy

Good to hear from you Kathy, sounds like you're coming along. Did you have the laughing gas or just the novacaine? Surprised they couldn't get the novacaine right? Thats worrisome for me!

With only 4 teeth done,are you surprised at the swelling? I plan on taking the steriod that morning, did you do that?

I'm in Atlanta, and we might get remnanats from hurricane Frances on Tues. am of all days, so that adds to the stress!! (day of surgery)

Did a surgeon do your grafts? It's nice to talk to you, and I envy you,knowing that your are done! Keep me updated!

Dana

Dana,

I probably had about 15, maybe more, shots of Novacaine. He started with about 8 shots (where he would cut the roof of my mouth (in two places again), plus the two bottom areas he shot quite a bit. But, as he worked, I could feel him cutting so he'd shoot me again. Lots of Novacain. I mean lots. I don't think anyone could get through this surgery without it. I've never had laughing gas, so I don't know what would be preferable.

If I knew I was going to throw up again after the surgery, I probably would have opted for IV sedation again. Last year, after the surgery when I threw up, I assumed it was the anesthesia. Now, I'm almost certain it's the antibiotic he prescribed. For some reason, he is adamant that I use that particular one (I tried to get it switched this morning when I called about my jaw swelling and got the prednisone). I just looked in the mirror. My chin is black and blue, just like someone slugged me one.

He would not give me the steroid yesterday. He claimed there'd be no swelling this time. He was very wrong. I don't think I like him. Ha!

The dr. is a periodontist. I'm assuming all periodontists do this type of surgery. I have to go to him again on the 15th to get sutures removed... Not sure why it was necessary for him to use the nondissolvable stitches this time, but last year they just dissolved and I wasn't required to go in to have them removed.

Take care with Frances... will the hurricane still be around that long from now??? (I'm in Ohio and we even get rain/storms from hurricanes but I can imagine it's much stronger when you're at a closer location)

Kathy

Good to hear from you Kathy, sounds like you're coming along. Did you have the laughing gas or just the novacaine? Surprised they couldn't get the novacaine right? Thats worrisome for me!

With only 4 teeth done,are you surprised at the swelling? I plan on taking the steriod that morning, did you do that?

I'm in Atlanta, and we might get remnanats from hurricane Frances on Tues. am of all days, so that adds to the stress!! (day of surgery)

Did a surgeon do your grafts? It's nice to talk to you, and I envy you,knowing that your are done! Keep me updated!

Dana

Hi Kathy

Here's my [ removed ] to correspond. Yes we expect some tropical force winds and they said possibly some down power lines! Also major flooding could occur since Frances has slowed down.(Mon and Tues)

I would think they would monitor and know how much novacaine you would need? Didyou have this problem before? I'm wondering if I should just do the 8 instead of the 4, (grafts) are you glad you broke it up? What antibiotic are you on? I'm requesting amoxicillin, and they told me to start the steriod the morning of the procedure. Can you tell I'm stressed? LOL!!

I'm hoping my per. knows what he's doing! LOL!! he's supposedly very good, so hopefully no problems! Do you have the retainer? Does the throwing up hurt the work done? Sounds like the antibiotic or maybe the steriod? Oh, I can't wait!! My husband at this point says just cancel it! Between me and the storm I think he will work all holiday weekend! LOL!! Plus both my kids are home sick.

Anyway hope to hear from you soon!

Dana

Hi Dana,

Hope you're fairing well with Frances. I hear it's going to dump a ton of rain on Florida.. hopefully, it will taper down before it reaches Atlanta.

The antibiotic is Doxycycline. I was ok with it yesterday. Luckily, I only have to take it for 5 days just once a day. When the girl said that the dr. wanted me to stay on it even though I was begging for something different, I told her "you can tell HE doesn't have to clean up after me." At least it got a laugh out of her. I imagine they're pretty amused by me.

I don't know about how much Novacain they used last time since I was out with IV sedation then. I'm assuming they use it when you get anesthesia...but I don't remember feeling numb for hours afterward like this time.

I think it is normal to be stressed before undergoing any type of surgery. Just take care. It may not be fun that day, but you will recover. Right now, the pain isn't too awfully bad, I can tell something's been done but it's not as bad as it was.

I resumed taking the Hydrocodone yesterday since I was able to eat some and my stomach was better, but I had to quit taking it - it was making me itch all over! So, basically, I'm taking nothing for pain, just the antibiotic (prevent infection) and the prednisone (lessen swelling)

My chin looks even worse today, it's blacker and bluer than yesterday. I'm trying to stay low and not go out in public much. I told my boyfriend, if we went anywhere, people would probably think he slugged me a good one.

No, I don't really think you'd want to do all eight at once. What part of your gums are being done? (top left? bottom right?)

You take care and hope your kids get well too.

Kathy

Hi Kathy,

Sounds like you are doing better, except for the swelling, do you think thats from all the novacaine?

I'm having my 4 bottom teeth done. Alot of people say do all 8, but I agree with you I'm going for 4.

Unfortunately Frances is still coming here Tues. am when my appointment is.

As far as the sutchures, she said it would not hurt at all, I come back in a week, and they just snap them off.

I plan on taking the xanax and doing the laughing gas, and the steriods with pain pill, hope that all works, and I got my slimfast! :)

Like to lose some weight after all this LOL!!