Week 2. Feb 19 - 25.

Feb 20th - look out Giselle Bundchen.  

Feb. 21st - I'm in jeans again!

Feb. 22nd (and a hairstyle)

Feb. 23rd - first half smile.

Week 2 sucked A LOT for the first 3 days.  My good good friend put up a homemade calendar to mark all the positive changes so I don't lose sight of the big picture.  Got some nice flowers delivered - lots of people are sending cards and checking in.  Friday I tried to drink a martini at home with friends - I couldn't BELIEVE how strong it was.  I measured it - it was no stronger than usual...it's just that my tongue was in complete shock.  I couldn't drink it.  This made me sad.

Anyway, by day 10 (Saturday the 21st), I experienced my first day of feeling "good".  I could BREATHE AGAIN!!!   Just a little heads up:  I kind of sorta blew my nose here and there (lightly).  I couldn't take it.  This is risky though...you can do some damage.  Be delicate and don't force it.  

I didn't have the usual "crummies" for the first 1-2 hours after waking up, and I felt like getting dressed in my jeans again.  This was a major turning point.  Also, my jeans from age 25 fit again.  I'm not rejoicing too much, because this kind of weight loss is completely unsustainable.  My motto: the faster it comes off, the faster it goes back on.  I'm still enjoying the jeans though.  By Sunday the 22nd, I had a friend over to watch the Oscars and I was feeling pretty good.  

On the 24th I had my first post-op surgeon's visit.  He took off the gazillion rubber bands on my front teeth, releasing me from what I affectionately dubbed "the tooth cage".  I can lick my lips "sort of" now. I can open my mouth about 4mm.  Good enough.  Happy to be able to breathe like myself, and not like Darth Vadar.

The 25th, I got pretty sad.  Trigger?  My family's reaction to my "new face".  I forgot to warn them that it's going to be another 6 months before my face decides how it wants to look.  I'm not worried too much about it, but the look on their faces is sort of a mix of pity and confusion. It just reminded me that I've been through something pretty tough, and for some reason, it stirred some emotions up.   It was good to release that.  By the next day, I felt great again.