Total Joint Replacement?

It has been nearly 6 years since my double jaw surgery, and it turns out the story isn't entirely complete yet. I posted in January about my visit with Dr. L, my ortho surgeon. Based on most recent images he believes I will need to have total joint replacement surgery in the future. However, the timing of that was left up to me. I was told to come back and see him in a year for a follow up.

Since that time I applied, interviewed, and got accepted to a PhD program in Counselor Education and Supervision. YAY! I've move to a new city. I'm working part-time in private practice while I'm going to school. I'm helping to run the non-profit I founded with a friend back in 2015. I have a lot on my plate. BUT. I need this stupid surgery.

We knew this was a possibility back in 2012 when we planned my original surgery. I was just hoping my joints would remain stable and not deteriorate any further. Anyway, after getting the news in January I have mostly put the surgery out of my mind, and I've been focusing on the many transitions I have going on right now. With the fall starting and the end of the year approaching I feel like I should probably start considering it again. I am a planner. Even though I would prefer to not be dealing with this, I am going to deal with it in the best way I can.

SO. I got in touch with both Dr. K (orthodontist) and Dr. L (surgeon) this week and scheduled appointments. I need to talk with Dr. K because my teeth have shifted, and they will need to be back in line before surgery. I am going to see him later this coming week. I scheduled my appointment with Dr. L for mid-December once the semester is over. That is pretty close to one year since my last appointment with him, and I won't have classes to deal with for a bit. I'm sure he will take new scans at this appointment, and I'm curious to see if the situation has worsened any more. I am also wanting to get more information about the surgery. He didn't have an opportunity to talk me through it much at the last appointment, and now that I have accepted the reality of the situation I need all the details.

From the little I have researched on my own, supposedly Jaw Joint Replacement Surgery has come a long way, and tends to yield good results. I had a candid conversation with another ortho surgeon who claims one joint replacement should be good for my lifetime. So, I am keeping my fingers crossed on that. In terms of recovery, everything I have read seems to indicate it will be similar to last time, and this is my biggest concern. That surgery took me out for 2 months and I wasn't eating normally for more than that. Luckily, I was in a life position at the time that I could rely on family and take the time off. I was on break from grad school, and my job was on campus. So, I didn't need to request additional time. I was 23 for the first surgery. I'm 29 now. I have a business and a non-profit and TONS of responsibilities. It is tougher to prepare for this time around, but I'm figuring it out.

Like last time, I'm going to document the journey to the best of my ability in this blog. I know it was helpful for me to read others' experiences last time, and I want to make sure this blog tells the whole story. Hopefully, some of the info I share will be helpful to someone else. If not, it at least gives me a good outlet for venting, haha.