Anesthesia Makes Me Cry

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Today I had my first Valium, my first dental procedure, and my first surgery. It was probably the weirdest feeling I’ve experienced in my life. When I woke up afterward I didn’t have any pain or nausea, but I immediately started crying. I was overwhelmingly emotional, which was NOT in my patient education handout. I guess they’re not used to such hormonally-imbalanced women as me.

Apparently they had to break my bottom two teeth up into pieces to remove them. How pleasant. So far – other than the first few hours when my mouth was stuffed with gauze that made me want to gag (but I guess that was better than when I removed it only to have my mouth fill up with blood within minutes making me look like a character out of a horror movie) – the most annoying part of the whole ordeal has been the numbness of the entire bottom half of my face. I somehow managed to get down some chicken broth a few hours after I got home, but when a piece of vegetable made it into my mouth I completely lost track of it. It could still be in there somewhere as far as I know.

Like a crazy woman, I am still planning on attending a conference at work for the next two days. Since I utterly refuse to wear the hideous ice pack in public, I am aware that this may result in some additional swelling and/or bruising. But seriously, it’s either that or this:

Don’t worry, David is going to drop me off at the bus stop so I don’t have drive, and I’ll have free reign to take all the pain medicine I want to. Within prescribed parameters, of course. It’s silly, but I’m not even upset about having to attend the conference (which I kind of did to myself), but I’m heartbroken over the fact that I won’t be able to eat the free meals provided. Instead it’ll be Slim Fast, juice, and soup for me, which I have to say is highly unsatisfying. Now that I can only have liquids all I can think about is cheeseburgers, fried rice, and quesadillas. And is it just me, or are there WAY more commercials about food lately??

Anyway. Let’s all pray that I have no crazy complications, that I don’t end up looking like a hamster, and that I make it through the next two days without completely embarrassing myself. Not too much to ask, right?

Comments

19 responses to “Anesthesia Makes Me Cry”

April 27, 2010

Kyla Roma

Oh my goodness!! I wish I was there to bring you pudding and slim fast- I’m so sorry that this was such a rough experience, and I hope that you heal up quickly and perfectly <3

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April 27, 2010

Melissa Oklahoma

Ok, sorry but that picture is really funny! :-) I only laugh because I know it’s temporary.

Anyhow, I hope you recover fast! Not getting to eat what you want cannot be any fun!!!

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April 27, 2010

Tabaitha

I slept with the icepack like that around my face at night to help with the swelling. It definitely helped, although a bit uncomfortable. You are one brave woman going to a conference. Hope you have a speedy recovery.

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April 27, 2010

Ashley

I’m sorry. When I had my wisdom teeth removed, it was no big deal at all, but my dad was in tremendous pain when he had his removed. I guess it depends how firmly they’re in there. Take care of yourself! Really jealous of that awesome ice pack helmet you’re wearing. Hott! ;)

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April 28, 2010

steph anne

That’s the first time seeing a ice pack for that. I didn’t even need to ice them or anything. I hope you feel better soon!! I slept a lot after having my wisdom teeth removed and for sure lost a lot of weight too from just drinking water & eating jello.

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April 28, 2010

Her

Aw! I am glad it’s over! They didn’t knock me out for mine, but all I remember is asking them to save my tooth for the tooth fairy. Yeah…

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April 28, 2010

Emily Jane

Awwww no!! So glad it’s over… I hope you heal soon!! I remember when I had my first surgery… which was 4 teeth out, and I bawled my eyes out when I woke up too! Feel better <3 <3

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April 28, 2010

Holly

Aw, I hope you get better really quick! I didn’t get put to sleep to have my wisdom teeth taken out. The top ones weren’t all the way through and the dentist had to take them out in pieces, and it took so long that the freezing started to wear off. Not a pleasant experience!

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April 28, 2010

nic

Kat, I was also crazy emotional from the anesthesia. Within seconds, I would go from crying to laughing to crying. I was such a mess – my brother and sister still tease me about it and some of the things I said. (At one point I burst into tears because Jennifer Aniston came on the tv, and she was just too pretty!! So embarrassing.)

Hope you recover quickly!

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April 28, 2010

Amy — Just A Titch

I am so sorry…I hated having my wisdom teeth out, but man, I’m glad I did. It alleviated so much pain. But yeah, food seems to be EVERYWHERE when you can’t have it, and it’s so sad. I hope you’re feeling good soon…take good care of yourself.

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April 28, 2010

Lauren From Texas

HATE this process. You look cute though :)

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April 28, 2010

Stephany

Oh, man. This post makes me put off getting my wisdom teeth even more! LOL.

I’m sorry this is such a painful process for you and I hope everything gets better. And once it does? Eat a cheeseburger! :)

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April 28, 2010

Sara

Aw I just want to pinch your cheeks :P

I’m glad that you’re getting by just fine and getting out already. I totally feel you about food commercials! I had my teeth whitened a few months ago and for at least a full day, I could not eat anything with color in it. I was so mad because this was the day before I left Houston and all I really wanted was chip&salsa and fajitas at Pappasitos. Never again.

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April 29, 2010

Nora

Aww, friend. i’m so sorry. I’ve had 4 surgeries and every single time I wake up crying, no matter what the surgery, even if I feel no pain. It’s just the reaction I have. It freaks the nurses out since I usually am too drugged up to talk. At any rate, I feel your pain and understandn completely where you are coming from.

I hope the swelling goes down soon! Thinking of you!

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April 29, 2010

Megan

Awwww. You look like an Amish chipmunk (says Peter). Here’s hoping you are doing well, my friend.

P.S. I woke up from my wisdom-tooth removal by crying for my mommy. So, there’s that.

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May 1, 2010

Nicole

Awwww, you poor thing! I hope you feel better soon!

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May 3, 2010

Megan

Oh, gosh! I have to have all four of my wisdom teeth removed, so I’m dreading it. (Speaking of, I need to call the oral surgeon to set up an appointment!)

I hope you have a quick recovery!

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June 6, 2010

Megan

I forgot to mention on my blog that I cried after my surgery, too! Except… I pretty much remember NOTHING for a couple hours after the surgery, which is a little scary. My husband said I cried several times, though.

They also had to shatter my bottom two teeth. Blech.

I’m still swollen, and at this point, I wish I had an ice pack like in your picture! I’m tired of having to hold mine to my face for 20 minutes at a time, haha.

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March 23, 2012

Caroline

Glad you wrote this – I just had a colonoscopy and was blubbering like a baby apparently. How embarrassing. Hope your dental situation is all good now.

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