Jaw Surgery Journey with Sammi

February 18th: Today I met with my surgeon to discuss all the pain I have been having in my joints since my braces have been on. His exact words "I am not surprised you are having some pain, but I am disappointed you are having pain." I swear hearing the word disappointed in any context in life is always so much worse than other words. He is disappointed because it means my joints that we thought were stable (which is the reason I was even able to get braces and be a candidate for orthonathic surgery) are not so stable. I have a new nighttime "aqualizer", prescription anti-inflammatory meds twice a day, and physical therapy (dry needling). He said that we will try these options for a month and then reevaluate and see if we need to take another MRI and see whats going on inside my jaw.  February 19th: I went to the orthodontist and received a new wire on my braces. Bring on the pain and liquid diet again. I enjoy seeing the technicians and everyone tha...

Food  I love food. I wake up most mornings hungry and eager for what I am going to have for breakfast. Lunch is a little less exciting because I usually take my lunch to work with me so my choices are what I brought to eat. Now dinner, thats always fun because usually I get to pick out of all the items in the refrigerator or freezer, or I get to go out to dinner, or order in. Overall, food plays a large role in my day and I just cant get enough of it.  However, when I first started to have jaw issues where I could not chew food, I would have a strict liquid diet, which face it, is not fun. But, after about 1.5-2 years I was able to start eating nuts again, and steak, and jerky, and gummies! It was great. But, as they say (not sure who they are) all great things must eventually come to an end. As of my second/third week in braces, I am not longer able to eat certain foods not because of my braces, but because of my TMJ issues. This was a concern and likely issue to occur ...