Pre Gum Graft Binge

The good thing about an appendectomy is that once you have one, you never have to have another one. The good thing about a gum graft is…well…there isn’t any.

I had one last year. It was nasty. And it was only the first of seven (or more) that I will need over the next few years. Tomorrow, I will be having my second one.

I’ve noticed that this blog gets a fair amount of hits from people Googling information on gum grafts. So if you’re reading this because you’re hoping to find out how bad they are or that they aren’t as bad as you’ve been led to believe, let me just tell you THEY’RE WORSE.

I won’t go into graphic detail. Suffice it to say, I will be spending the weekend stoned on Vicodin.

But I’m trying to make the best of it. Since I won’t be eating much for the next week or two (my refrigerator is stocked with tapioca and cottage cheese), I’m spending today binging. I had pizza for supper last night and finished the last of it today for lunch. As I write this, I’m savoring a Sarris Peanut Butter Chocolate bar. And a cup of HOT coffee. Tomorrow’s breakfast will consist of a mushroom and cheese omelet with a big glass of orange juice and more HOT coffee. It will be weeks before I am able to tolerate anything like tomatoes or citrus in my mouth again. Nothing cold, nothing hot. Just room temperature beverages.

I’ve cleared my calendar over the weekend. I do recall the best thing about last year’s ordeal was the time I spend sleeping and reading. I’d be really looking forward to that…if it weren’t for the searing pain part.

Also…

Today is my mom’s 88th birthday. She’s doing really well. I bought her a potted plant, a small, Mom-sized chocolate cake, and a mushy card that made her cry.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Comments

Greg said…
I am a New York Times bestselling author working on a new book about mother-daughter relationships and thought you might want to contribute. Please visit my page for details about submitting stories for Mom's Little Angel.

Gregory E. Lang
Author of “Daddy’s Little Girl,” “Why a Daughter Needs a Dad,” “Why a Daughter Needs a Mom” and more.
4/11/08, 12:26 PM
Annette said…
Thanks, Greg. I may just take you up on that offer. I have a million mom stories.
4/11/08, 2:49 PM
Anonymous said…
You are so right about gum graft pain. I had it (8 teeth, 2 donor sites) 5 days ago and am still in terrible shape. Pain, bruising and massive swelling. Like I've never experienced and they didn't prepare me for. They told me I could go to work afterwards. I was fine for probably 2-3 hours after but then the pain started and has gotten progressively worse. Plus the irritation of the stitches everywhere. The eating thing is awful as anything with any texture gets stuck in the surgery sites. I was hoping I'd find something online telling me how to feel better or else tell me it will magically get better on day 6 or 7!
7/15/09, 6:51 PM
Annette said…
Oh my gosh! You poor thing. I had a multiple graft done years ago and it didn't take. My current periodontist will only do one tooth at a time. Of course, that means going through the procedure several times.

Tapioca, cottage cheese and very over cooked mac and cheese are about all the food I could tolerate, and even then small portions. Very effective way to lose weight.

One time, it took almost two weeks to feel reasonable comfortable. Another time, I was tolerating the pain without meds in a week. It's hard to judge.

Oh, and whoever said you could go to work afterwards was insane.

Good luck! I'll be thinking of you.
7/15/09, 8:31 PM
Dental Implant said…
great i am not aware of the bad effects of gum grafts before.Thanks for sharing.
12/8/11, 3:29 AM
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