Riddle Me This (update~)

These are questions I plan on asking my surgeon during pre-op which will be done on May 30th.

The first surgery

• What are the restrictions with exercise?

- " most people have no  problem with getting back into their normal physical routine right after surgery"

 * I found this to be false, because as your diet changes drastically, you are left with less energy and you are more inclined to rest in bed during the healing process

• How long does residual swelling take to go down?

- " The majority of the swelling will peak within the 4th or 5th days and will  go down about 60-70% within 14-20 days ; after this, the loss in swelling will be very gradual and will take up to a year to completely diminish"

• Are there any special skin care instructions? 

- "Many different people have different reactions to the medications we prescribe such dry skin and the like, however as long as you take special care not to apply too much pressure on the swollen areas of your face, you are free to practice your regular skin care routine"

* I never had any problems with my skin 

• How many plates and screws will I have in my face?

-   " There will be a considerable amount of screws and plates placed for stability in your face and will remain there for the rest of your life unless complications of infections arise. As for a concrete number, I can't tell at this moment"

 * Four titanium plates and an innumerable amount of titanium screws were put in my upper jaw to connect my upper jaw to my cheek 

• What will be my diet restrictions? Will I have to be on a clear liquid diet at first?

- For the first 24 hours you will be monitored closely and will be restricted to a clear liquid diet (which is exactly what it sounds like) and afterwards, when the doctors clear you in the morning, you will be free to a full liquid diet in which you will be able to eat anything you can comfortably fit in your mouth and swallow without chewing. Since your mouth will most likely have loose elastics to give your upper jaw guidance, you will be able to open your mouth; mind you not very wide, over time you will be able to open it as wide as you please"

•  What's the timeline regarding numbness?

-  The numbness, like the  residual swelling will take up to a year to fully diminish, and there is a less than 1% chance that numbness in certain areas will be permanent"

• Will I have a catheter? WILL IT HURT TO PEE?

- "(haha) No you will not need to use a catheter because the surgeries have been divided into two stages, you won't be under long enough to need a catheter."

• What are the different parts of the procedure?

- " the first surgery is called a Lefort 1 and will result in a bone graft in each side of your face"

• What will i feel like Immediately after I wake up

" You will feel very groggy; everyone feels differently after the procedure and reacts in like to the anesthesia"

• When can i safely sneeze or pick my nose (what a loaded question am i right)

" You will be able to sneeze right after the procedure as long as you sneeze through your mouth. As for nose picking; blowing, and the like, you are not allowed to do these things for the first thirty days

• What will the after effects of Anesthesia be?

-"Anesthesia and intubation will leave your throat scratchy (but this will go down over time) and the anesthesia will leave you feeling very nauseous for the first few hours."