Today I had a consultation with an oral surgeon to have my wisdom teeth extracted, something I've been putting off for the past 5 years. This is me- someone who has a panic attack at the thought of having a filling, mind you.
My jaw has been hurting, and I couldn't ignore it any more, so I finally called to set up the consultation last week. They said, "Oh, we just happen to have an opening next week!" Next week? I was hoping for a little more stalling time than that.
So today I go in to meet the doc. I'm sitting there, nervous as all heck and he comes in and asks me how I'm doing. I hesitated for a moment and he said "What are ya, chicken?" I'm thinking- This is the DOCTOR? The guy who's going to yank 4 teeth out of my mouth? Oy.
I answer, "Well, yeah, in this instance." He goes over to look at my x-rays and says, "Wow! You should be!" Yeah, way to reassure me doc.
According to his staff, he's always like this. I told I him I was nervous because I've never had anesthesia before and asked what happens if I am allergic. he says, "Nothing, I'll just keep working. We've got everything an emergency room does if your heart happens to stop or anything like that." With the straightest face imaginable. What kind of bedside manner is this???
Oddly enough, I left the exam room feeling pretty calm. Apparently the fact that he made such light of the whole thing made me feel less nervous. Until I got to the desk:
"So, how's this Friday?" WHAT????? Lord, no! At least give me a few days to process this. But guess what? This Friday the thing that I've been dreading and worrying about for 5 years will take place with Doctor Goofball in command. I'm gonna need that Valium!
I know the feeling. I just had two removed about a month ago. I had the first two removed about 7 or 8 years ago and even though it was easy and fairly painless, I was still nervous for the last two. I couldn't put it off any longer.
Unless your teeth are impacted, you should really be ok--the anesthesia is nothing, you're just groggy off and on the rest of the day. The healing can be difficult, because it is hard to eat (I lost 5 pounds!) but when it's over, you'll be like "Why did I put this off?!"
I hope your appointment goes well! Be sure to get plenty of fluids afterwards and take it easy. You'll do great!
Posted by: Donna | September 13, 2006 at 06:44 PM
I had 3 impacted teeth removed. I apparently knocked out the IV while coming out of it. It was weird but I HATE going to the dentist anyway. I understand your nervousness. Sometimes the anethesia makes people really groggy. My dad was. We had a family friend take like 20 local shots instead of going under (he was worried about not coming out of it). My vote is for the anethesia rather then the 20 shots any day!!
Posted by: Lilie | September 13, 2006 at 07:09 PM
I could've written this post myself about 2yrs ago when I had all of my wisdom teeth pulled out. Except for the funny doc comments everything was the same for me. I hardly remember anything that happened and the recovery wasn't bad at all. I remember that I just slept for the entire afternoon. I hope it goes well for you too! You'll be just fine!
Posted by: patricia | September 13, 2006 at 11:02 PM
Haha! This is hilarious. Isn't it funny how strange the calm can be after such an episode? He actually sounds very capable (I mean, its like rich executives with funny socks and bowties- they only have the audacity to wear them because they know they can - they're JUST THAT GOOD). I can only hope that his humor means he's confident that he's JUST THAT GOOD.
Posted by: **Crystal** | September 14, 2006 at 01:08 AM