I haven't been regular in wearing my retainers... my bad. I do wear them whenever I can though.
Everytime I bite into any food, I sometimes can't help but be amazed at the effortlessness of the simple act of biting off this bun, that piece of meat, or the joy of being able to bite and hang onto a hangnail. Couldn't do any of that before.
More than two years now since the surgery. I still can't feel much on the skin surface below my left lip down to the chin. My left eye is noticeable smaller when I smile. I still have this indentation above my left eyebrow when I smile..it's like i'm smiling and half frowning at the same time..these two things are effects of the Bell's Palsy that I mysteriously got after the surgery. Yet, I am glad I did the surgery. My smile is better as I am not so self-conscious of showing my teeth. Wearing lipstick is such a treat because my upper and lower lip are aligned.
Yes, I have gained a few pounds ever since my braces were taken off but that's only food is so much easier to chew and I love the act of biting off veges and meat and stuff.
Next month I'll be meeting my OS and orthodontist for the last time. Dr. Fatimah says she's almost done with the appointments. I'll be taking one last x-ray to bring to my OS and maybe after that, I'm done visiting the hospital.
Below is a photo of me. Taken end of March. I look a bit different. I wonder what my old friends think of my face...those friends who knew me five years previously, before I had this procedure done.. I do wonder.
