My experience with MMA surgery with Dr. Reza Movahed, Dr. Brian Hockel and many other medical professionals. From discovering my issues to surgery and to recovery.
Ok, I figured out the rash — I’m allergic to steroids! Aka hydrocortisone. A switch to benadryl and I’m all good. Things are going down. Sleep is awesome and deep. In my specific case because my nose is sooo clear I’ve decided to go ahead and tape my mouth partially to reduce the air going …
Continue reading “Continued progress. Can’t wait to get my splint out! (Surgery + 11 days)”
For all those who’ve been able to breathe through your nose easily – wow! At 8 days post op I had yet to really start breathing through my nose as we were in the clotting phase. Today, Dr. Hartman used his scopes and suctions to open up my airway from all the blood clots that …
My wife and I ended up staying in an Airbnb with a full kitchen and multiple rooms thinking my family would come. Pro tip: they have a discount for traveling patients at some hotels around the hospital. Ask your hotel. That would’ve been cheaper, but I just didn’t have the foresight to leave the kids …
After just about 30 hours in the ICU, I was transferred to the TCU. My body started to recover at a faster rate. My pain dropped dramatically. No oxycontin in the TCU and by the time I left only Tylenol once a night to help me sleep. The doctors and nurses were all surprised that …
Continue reading “TCU time: pain, sleeping, feeding and walking (Surgery + 3-4 days)”
So, you get there at 5:30AM and see basically everyone with a first slot starting time surgery. I saw at least one super young kid there which was a bit sad, but hopefully wasn’t for anything too major. People are checking in to both in and out patient surgeries. You bring only your license and …
We flew out to STL a couple days before the surgery. The day before the surgery, I did the pre-check in at the Mercy St. Louis Hospital Surgery Clinic. They call it a blood draw on the phone. Be assured, it’s not exactly that, it’s way more than that. If you’re a travel patient they …
Continue reading “Final days before surgery (Surgery – 1-2 days)”
The last month before the surgery were filled with lots of logistical prep: delegating my out of office at work, figuring out what to do with kids, and taking care of chores that I couldn’t do after surgery. There were definitely twists and turns. A last minute thyroid score issue caused me to rush to …
Continue reading “The final road to surgery – what I would plan differently”
Dr. Hockel had recommended myofunctional therapy to help get the tongue and lips ready for surgery. Dr. Movahed had noted its importance but also acknowledge low availability (uncommon specialty). Luckily, working with them in Oakland was Virginia Downing. Meeting Virginia Downing was fun. She is no nonsense and straightforward. She is a hard working often …
Continue reading “Pre-surgery myofunctional therapy! Don’t skip it. Seriously.”
Dr. Hockel was the coordinating orthodontist for Dr. Movahed as I continued on orthodontic prep. As a starting point, my teeth were super crowded and I had a very high and narrow palate due to mouth breathing over my early development. Our first month of visits were focused on straightening out the teeth. As it …
I knew I had I some nasal issues as well, including deviated septum and large turbinates. I had decided that if I was going to do the jaw surgery, I would do nasal surgery as well. Working with Dr. Movahed’s team, they noted that I could do a joint surgery with ENT Dr. James Hartman, …
My MMA Surgery Blog