Friends, lovers, and the disabled!
So, I am done with my 2 week follow-up. They think I'm looking great (I argued that a bit) and said the numbness isn't unusual and is to be expected. Basically, I'll be numb for at least 6 months to a year, possibly forever in a few spots. I was expecting most of it to heal quickly and then have a few trouble spots long-term, but evidently the healing is more linear than I expected.
My swelling is still going down, the edema is most noticeable in my lips and nose still, but it will resolve in a couple more weeks they expect.
My bite and lower jaw were starting to pull back a bit, so they gave me some bands I'm supposed to wear to help solidify that whole deal. It was very minor, like 1mm or so, but I could tell the difference and I was worried about it so I asked for something. They said they pretty much give bands to everyone, that's why they keep the huge metal brackets on.
Speaking of which, I'll be getting the brackets off in 4 weeks, which will be a very good day (despite the painful removal process). So, Oct 2nd is the day to look forward to, I suppose. The metal wires cut my mouth up quite a bit, so as the numbness wears off that'll only get worse.
I have been progressing in terms of what I can eat these days--I was able to slowly down pop-tarts as well as a microwave pizza. I might try real pizza again soon. I also did a TV dinner, Salisbury steak, which was a bit tough but edible. I'm starting to think hamburger meat might work for me, since it's so crumbly-wumbly.
Anyway, here are some pictures from this morning, they are selfies in the bathroom, something I have fastidiously avoided in the past. However, my spouse's inability to accompany me to California this time left me wanting in terms of suitable photographers.
Food porn? Hardly, that's Dinty Moore Beef Stew blended into a pasty-soupy mix. It was palatable I suppose, but not ideal. I also tried blending a 5-layer burrito from Taco Bell but the texture really got to me.
