Hey Emily

Sorry it took me so long to get get back to you, Emily, but here you go:

Q: How long was your recovery?
A: Define recovery. I took 5 weeks off post-surgery.

Q: Were people amazed by the change after the swelling had gone done? I kind of want a total transformation because my underbite is very apparent; will the change be totally different? (I'll send you photos).
A: "Amazed"? Maybe not. Mostly people tell me I look younger and my face is rounder. I'm the only person I wanted to "amaze" - and quite frankly, I'm very happy with the results.

Q: What was the most difficult part of recovery?
A: Breathing problems. See http://bracemyself.blogspot.com/2007/02/breathing-through-wet-sponge.html.

Q: My upper jaw is really flat and concave, but they haven't brought up the fact that I need it shortened and advanced a little, should I insist for the best results? I am also, having my jaw set back.
A: Consult your surgeon. I can't give you any professional opinions.

Q: Was there any permanent numbness upper or lower? Any paralysis?
A: About a third of my lower lip still feels somewhat numb, but it's not enough to bother me.

A Shout Out to Laura!

Hi there Laura, thanks for your comment on "The Elephant Woman". I'm delighted to "meet" a fellow Dr. Li patient. It sounds like you've just started out - oh my, spacers, what fun memory! :) I remember how I felt - a LONG, dark tunnel ahead, and no light at the end whatsoever. Yes it did feel like it would take "decades". However, now that everything's said and DONE, I can assure you that it'll be over before you know it. It'll be become part of the routine, your attention will shift to life in general, and before you know it, you'll have had your surgery and subsequent recovery and voila, a whole new you, then ON to the next new adventure. Buckle up and enjoy the ride - because indeed it'll be a short one. Even if it doesn't feel that way right now.

Again, nice to "meet" you, and please feel free to reach out along the way. Have fun!

Everybody - I've added a link to Laura's blog on the left, in the "Surf's Up" section. Read it at http://bracedup.blogspot.com/.

Anthony Bourdain

I'm kicking myself for not picking up this book earlier, when I still had plenty of time before returning to work. Today, the last day of my five weeks off, I started reading Anthony Bourdain's the Nasty Bits. It's a collection of his non-fiction short pieces. He's apparently a world-famous chef, avid traveler, witty writer, and acute oberserver. His wild, but fitting analogies, made me laugh out loud. Since I'm not a book reviewer, and I don't even read that much (about two to three books a year, sad to say), you'll have to check it out and see for yourself - especially if you have some time to kill during your recovery. Not that reovery is so leisurely, by any means.

Here's one of his wildly wicked analogies, in reference to Masa Takayama's tiny, 26-seat sushi bar/restaurant on the fourth floor of the new Time Warner Building in New York City (not to be confused with Bar Masa next door). I don't know how I missed the place, since I've been to both Asiate and Stone Rose Lounge in the same building. Or perhaps it's a good thing that I missed it. Look at the price tag!

"At three hundred fifty dollars per person as a starting point (that's before tax, tip, beverages, and any extras), it's a steal. It's the deal of the century. It's a completely over-the-top exercise in pure self-indulgence, like having sex with two five-thousand-dollar-a-night escorts at the same time - while driving an Aston Martin."

'Nuff said. ;)

A Dose of Reality

Since I'm now able to enjoy soft foods (mashed potatoes, fish, tofu, et cetera), I've been feeling somewhat normal and the whole surgery thing has weighed less and less on my mind. For instance, when I wake up in the morning, I no longer feel overwhelming tightness in my lower face, and the first thing that comes to mind is no longer "I'm soooooo hungry! What can I eat, er, drink?"


But last night, I had a dose of reality. Doug and I spent the whole day walking around the city, strolling through the farmers' market, having lunch (here I was, at my favorite hole-in-the-wall Vietnamese restaurant, opening wiiiiide), checking out charming local shops, and enjoying a cup of mocha. By the time we got home at 8 pm, I sat in bed and powered up my laptop, then promptly fell asleep. I could not keep my eyes peeled! Slept all the way till this morning. This almost never happens. I usually operate on 6 to 7 hours of sleep every night, and I'm usually very high energy. Now I realize that my body is still in recovery, and it just hasn't come back 100%. Oh well. At least, I don't stand up for 15 minutes and immediately feel dizzy (2nd and 3rd day at the hospital), or walk around in the house for an hour and already need a nap (first 10 days at home). It's definitely improving. I just need to take it easy.