Surgery- Photo documentation up to 18 days

Pictures documenting the past 18 days after my surgery with Dr. Larry Wolford to fix my Idiopathic Condylar Resorption. I had two TMJ total joint replacements, a Le Fort I, partial turbinectomies, and another procedure that removed bone that would hit my cheek bone and reattached major muscles that attach to my head.
Dr. Wolford did an AMAZING job! I had my doubts before surgery.. especially due to cost, but he was worth every penny!
SheaSmith.org

Category:

Education

Tags:

• TMJ
• TJR
• Dr. Wolford
• TMJ Total Joint Replacement
• Idiopathic Condylar Resorption
• ICR
• AICR
• Le Fort I
• Jaw Surgery
• Shea Smith

[abtsadiemaekole]

Im getting the exact same procedure done this summer. Any suggestions on what to prepare for?

By the way, are your joints made by TMJ Concepts?

[SheaLSmith]

@abtsadiemaekole Yes they are tmj concepts. My advice for prepping is to eliminate dairy, caffeine, and as much salt and refined sugar as possible for one month prior to surgery to help reduce swelling and nausea when you wake up. Ice all the time. Try baby foods before surgery to find the ones you like. Once you want to eat more use a baby bottle w/ the nipple cut it is much easier than the syringes. And stay positive.. its a long journey but you it will be worth it! Best of luck :)

[catkittenlove]

You are so so brave Shea! Flying some weeks after this surgery is one of my fears because of the pressure. I've already suffered from ears barotrauma during (and after) a fly in 2002 so I can imagine how bad it can hurt! I am from all my heart with you and I wish you a fast recovery.

[SheaLSmith]

@catkittenlove

Flying really hurt my ears. In fact I had to be put on a steroid today to try to help with the pain in my ears. I don't recommend flying that soon. I hope your ears are doing better now. Thank you for commenting!

[Rhondamarie00]

wow! you are so inspiring! Thank you for sharing these videos, they are very educational! I pray that God continues to bless you snd that you are able to turn all of your trials into triumphs!!

[Coralishious]

i was diagnosed with ICR a bit over a year ago now and surgery may be in my near future :( i'm scared but i'm glad you've posted videos on the progress because there's so little information to be found on it. i would not wish it upon anyone but i'm glad i'm not the only one out there with the condition. thank you for posting!

[MsYeabyBBeautiful]

I hope you feel better.

[OfficialLinneaK]

I don't know what u did but i liked how u looked before the surgery

[summercamper123]

My brother (18 yrs old) had surgery done last december because he had ICR. He had two ribs removed from his chest and inserted into his jaw. Did the doctor every come up with a reason as to why the bone was being reabsorbed? My brother was electicuted when he was about 8. Since that point his lower jaw never grew. That is our theory.

[abtsadiemaekole]

just a quick question. i will need to have replacement surgery as well for a badly resorbed condyle. what can i expect? will i need to go on an all liquid diet or something?

[catkittenlove]

But maybe it will be good to consult your family doctor or an otolaryngologists to be sure there is no infection in the ears? I also had to take antibiotic by ear drops.

[catkittenlove]

@SheaLSmith Yes thank you my ears are doing better now, in fact, my ears hurt some days after the fly and I had lost 90% of my hearing during 2 weeks after this fly, but now everything is ok! I took some anti-inflammatory medecines and that was really helpful because my internal ears were swollen. But don't worry, after 2 weeks everything was ok so that may take some days to fully recovery from the fly!