Surgical hooks and goodie bags

I had my last pre-op ortho appointment today and it seemed to go pretty well. First they completed all the necessary documentation of my bite including two sets of impressions, a face-bow measurement, and a new side x-ray. I love looking at the x-rays and seeing all the holes that we have in our heads! Also, I can really see the difference between this new x-ray and the one that was taken last May. My teeth have really levelled out in the front.

April 3, 2012

May 4, 2011 - before 2nd round of braces

I also got my surgical hooks on today. They're much more tolerable than I thought they would be, though the central lower hook is already rubbing my lip raw. Hopefully it won't take long for my lips to toughen up. I'm a bit surprised that I don't have a hook between every bracket, but I guess different surgeons and orthodontists have different preferences for how they band you shut after surgery.

As I was leaving the ortho office I was surprised with a gift bag from the staff! It was full of items that may be useful and/or entertaining during recovery. It was such a thoughtful gesture and it made me feel extra special, especially when the younger patients eyed the bag with envy as I walked through the waiting room. :)
Here's the list of goodies:

• 2 bottles of Ensure (1 vanilla and 1 strawberry)
• 2 Jello pudding cups (1 vanilla and 1 chocolate)
• insulated clear plastic tumbler with lid and straw
• $20 gift card for Chapters, Indigo, or Coles
• April 2012 issue of Redbook magazine
• large pad of paper & 3 pens
• toothbrush
• lip balm
• lip gloss
• hand sanitizer spray
• pack of kleenex
• loofah bath sponge
• body lotion
• nail polish

My next ortho appointment has been booked for May 15, thirteen days after the surgery. This will just be a quick check to make sure everything is where it should be. I can't believe I'm booking appointments after the surgery already. There's still one month to go, but it feels like May 2 is coming fast!