Before <before surgery> before <before surgery> before <before surgery> after <3 months> after <3 months> after <3 months> I had always been stressed by my facial asymmetry and it had been a lifelong complex. Because I had so much stress when taking photos or looking in the mirror.. Contour surgery or double jaw surgery are not minor operations, but I have many years left to live, and rather than living with this stress, I decided to endure the brief fear of surgery and live the rest of my life more happily, so I resolved to go through with it.
The reason I chose I-U Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery was, beyond cost, that I felt I had to go to a place that was truly, truly good at this! I searched everywhere online, through blogs, apps, and more, and looked closely at cases similar to mine, while carefully comparing before-and-after photos, and I felt I-U stood out the most. During the consultation too, the director seemed to truly think through my concerns with me, explained everything in detail, and I could feel the sense of responsibility, so I trusted those aspects and decided on them!
Day 1 Breathing through my nose was better than expected except that it made a bit of noise, but my throat was extremely swollen and sore, so swallowing saliva was really hard I wasn't used to sleeping while sitting up, so my butt hurt, but I thought I would still get used to it as time passed..?
Day 2 The swollen throat was a little better than the first day, but it was still very uncomfortable My body must have known the situation too, because I kept taking naps in the daytime, which I normally never do, and got sleepy from early evening. Time felt like it wasn't passing at all, but then I thought, tomorrow is already discharge day? In the hospital, the nurses took good care of me, which was a relief, but when I go home there will be many things I have to do on my own, so I was a little worried.
Day 3 The day of discharge. My nose, lips, and philtrum were extremely swollen. Every time I looked in the mirror, it felt like it wasn't my face, and because my swollen face looked so funny, I kept staring at it, and it was somehow amusing too I just hoped the swelling in my face and inside my mouth would go down as soon as possible!
Day 4 Breathing still felt a bit difficult I gently removed the facial tape while washing my face, and I was actually surprised because the swelling on each side was more different than I had expected. Once the swelling goes down more, I'll know, right!? I hope the asymmetry improves a lot
Day 5 The yellow bruising that hadn't been visible yesterday appeared under my eyes and on my neck. So that was why I had felt so stiff! But it doesn't really bother me. I also went for a 20-minute walk, thinking it might help with the swelling. But when I slept, the pressure from the tightness and the wafer bite felt so, so awkward and I clenched down so tightly that I had a headache all day When will it get better,, still, time really does pass quickly!!
Day 6 I looked a little more swollen than yesterday, maybe because of the medicine, or because I relaxed after being tense, I ended up taking a nap even though I normally don't, so I seem a bit more swollen...! The Newcare and soup I had bought in advance were getting boring little by little So I bought some foods I could eat from a convenience store and ate them, and I was so happy! I even bought and drank the broth from sliced noodles, and some soft jelly similar to a water-type Petit Chel? I almost drank it as a snack, and it was nice because it helped stimulate my appetite too. If I keep eating well like this, things will gradually get better, right!?
Day 7 Day 7, when I could really feel that the swelling had gone down a lot!! It was one week in, so I went back to the hospital and had my stitches removed, had my mouth disinfected, and even got swelling laser treatment. Maybe because of that, I felt much better than on day 6 and the swelling was visibly going down! Even though it was day 7, I was already happy, and because the asymmetry had been severe, the swelling was asymmetric too, but it was still very swollen. Still, I honestly wasn't particularly anxious or bothered! I trusted the hospital and the director that much, so I wasn't thinking impatiently.
Week 2 I can feel time passing! I went and had the stitches inside my mouth removed...! It stung a little more than I expected, but it ended quickly, and after removal it was much more comfortable when closing my mouth or eating, and because there were no stitches catching, it didn't hurt either I was even happier because the nurse said the swelling would now go down faster.
Week 3 It's almost been a full week since the stitches were removed! After removal, especially the swelling inside my mouth seems to be going down more and more! Originally, my mouth was so swollen with the stitches that there wasn't much space, but now there is much more room and it has become especially more comfortable when eating meals. Thinking that it will get even better as time passes, I paid more attention to meals and also went for short walks often:) I want to see the improved asymmetry after the swelling goes down soon As I started doing mouth exercises, my jaw sometimes felt stiff, but my mouth opens better and better, so I kept following along diligently!
Month 1 Finally, one month... When I went for the follow-up, Director Kim Jongyun said the bones were healing well, and since I kept doing opening exercises whenever I remembered during the day, my mouth, which used to not open, now fits 2.5 fingers? 3 fingers with ease! What remarkable progress! I can even eat soft foods now, so I'm so happy. I guess it's a battle with time now!
Month 2 It's already been 2 months!! I feel like time is suddenly flying by in an unbelievable way! Unlike month 1, about 4 fingers fit in now! Because I diligently did opening exercises whenever I remembered, luckily my mouth opens well and eating has become easier But the swelling hardly budged and wasn't going down well My face is still like a full moon... It's still hard to get used to, but time passes well so I think it'll get better! Still, the jawline is definitely more visible than last month!!
Month 3 Month 3, already halfway through 6 months!!! Compared to month 2, the cheek swelling has definitely gone down more and become a little flatter! Since I kept up the opening exercises here and there, now all four fingers go in without any trouble, and even when I open my mouth wide, my jaw doesn't hurt anymore But the swelling in my philtrum and nose is still enormous, which makes me sad.. Still, because the focus was on improving the asymmetry, I need the swelling to go down more before I can know for sure, but it already seems like the asymmetry has improved well, so that's okay!! For now, I just want these remaining bits of swelling to go down soon!!!