The time has come. The time is now.

[nullalux]

So. Tomorrow, we sally forth to Oakland Kaiser, where I have a date with bone saws and destiny. We met with my new surgeon again on Monday, and Dr. P― is confident that this time the procedure (bilateral sagittal split osteotomy, or BSSO) will be successful (almost too confident, but then, he is a rockstar in his field; I have high hopes that he'll add the bionic upgrades I've drawn up).

Below is my latest cephalometric radiograph. When compared with the one from June 2008, you can see that the bone graft in my chin has filled in nicely. Dr. P― does BSSOs a bit differently from my last surgeon; I'll have snazzy titanium plates screwed to my mandible, and my jaw will be wired closed with a splint between my teeth for ten days. Mmm, broth.



Many thanks for all the well-wishes. tutordennis and shoutingboy will be with me at the hospital, and they have friends and family scheduled for visits when I return home. tutordennis will also be Twittering from my phone with tomorrow's post-surgery update. I'm in good spirits, and anticipate a fairly smooth recovery. I'll be able to return to work in four weeks, and will have the brackets removed in six months (scheduled for mid-July). Catch you on the flip side!

Nota Bene: All of my entries tagged 'jaw' can be found here.

Comments

"Break a jaw" doesn't sound much better...

[chalepa-ta-kala.livejournal.com]

Dr. O'R― will be assisting Dr. P― during my surgery! She was even in the hilarious video they showed us in the pre-surgery seminar:

"So, Jimmy, your orthognathic surgery is tomorrow. How do you feel about that?"

"I'm looking forward to it, Doctor! But I was wondering what exactly is going to happen."

"Well, Jimmy, I'm glad you asked..."

Re: "Break a jaw" doesn't sound much better...

[juverna.livejournal.com]

Ha! That does sound hilarious! See, when I had mine (lo these 9.5 years ago), they didn't have the informative video. That sounds like a step in the right direction. Anyway, Dr. O'R___ is *spectacular*, so the next time you see her when you're also capable of clear speech, please give her my very best. That woman intimidates the hell out of me. She's this tiny little person, right?? And she gets up in the morning and drives to work and does this incredibly exacting job in this freezing cold room starting at, like, six in the morning. I mentioned this to her one time, and asked her how she did it. Her response: "I do a lot of yoga." Anyway, it's great to know she's still there. I want to be reincarnated as her, next time around.

I should probably post this stuff in my *own* LJ, shouldn't I? Huh.