Allie graduated college!

Hi to anyone who's still reading this!  It has certainly been awhile since I've posted, but I wanted to revisit this blog to include this photo:

I graduated college recently (yay!!!) and matched up this photo of my mom and I from my high school graduation (left) with one from college (right).  My face is almost in the same position, so its easy to see the subtle, but significant changes to my jaw/teeth/face!

Before surgery, I could never fully close my mouth to smile.  Just look at me now!  You can see how the procedure caused my nose to widen and turn up slightly and the middle of my face to appear less sunk-in.  I rarely think about my jaw surgery anymore, but photos like this remind me how glad I am to be on the other side of it.

Also: I do still answer questions asked in the comment sections of these posts!  I get an email notification every time someone posts and I am always happy to help the best I can.

Wishing you all a happy new year!  Hope you're hanging in there, no matter where you are in this crazy surgery/recovery process. :)

New Chains On My GRILLZ

A whole top diamond and the bottom row's gold.

To get an update on my bite's progress, I paid my orthodontist a visit today.  He said it was closing up nicely! (Although I haven't been as diligent with the rubber bands as I probably should be)  I also expressed concern about the gap in between my two front teeth, a problem which he eliminated quickly with a clear chain.  For a reason I cannot recall, he also bent the wire, causing one of my front teeth to be pulled down unevenly.  I think I'm going to call for another appointment-- I really don't think that this was his intention.  

But some GOOD NEWS: I may get the braces off in just four months instead of six!  If everything progresses as it has been, I will be fitted for a large medieval mouthguard-like retainer that I will wear at night sans braces to keep my bite in check instead.  YAY!

Also took a new passport photo today: 

Things have certainly changed in five years!