Author Topic: Dentures & Heart Surgery (Read 734 times)

Spirithawk · « **on:** June 26, 2012, 03:59:40 PM »

Being on a lot of heavy duty meds for years now have had a pretty bad effect on my teeth. In order to have the heart surgery I badly need, all of my teeth must go. The surgeon won't risk any infection they might cause and I'm glad he won't. Soooo, this Thursday I get 29 teeth pulled and new dentures. I hate the thought of one being pulled so you can imagine how nervous I am having 29 pulled all in the same day. It needs done though and sometimes ya just gotta do what ya gotta do. The heart surgery has been put off long enough waiting to get this done. At least the dentist has a free shuttle service so I won't have to drive myself home afterwards. My wife had a stroke and can't drive. Any advice from anyone who's gone through this? This clears the way for the Mitral Valve replacement and as soon as the dentist signs a release the surgeon want's me in his office to go over the details of the surgery. I'm guessing it will be done within the next three weeks or so. Many of you know I've had this hanging over my head for some time now so I'm sure you'll understand when I say, while nervous about everything, I'm so glad to be getting things finally done. Besides, I want to be recovered in time for Archery Deer Season. Not to mention Muzzleloader Season now that I have that new .50 barrel on my T/C Encore.

If I survive the operation I'm also going to treat myself to a new Fender Stratacaster guitar.

Due to my many health problems the operation isn't going to be as run of the mill as most. When I had my Bypass both of my lungs collapsed. This surgeon will be doing a new procedure and going in through my left side under my arm rather than having to open my chest back up which they don't think I'd stand much of a chance of surviving if they had to do that. This guy's suppose to be the best so I'm hoping he, and I, live up to his reputation.

Folks, I'm not complaining, I volunteered for Vietnam, but using myself as an example please know that for many war is a never ending battle. It never ended when we came home. Many of us still have a hell of a fight on our hands due to wounds and illness. Please remember that when meeting a veteran of any war. I know many of you fellow veterans, or friends or family of veterans, know exactly what I'm talking about.

powderman · « **Reply #1 on:** June 26, 2012, 04:27:50 PM »

SPIRITHAWK. Prayer sent friend, more to come. I knew a guy who had all of his teeth pulled and could only drink, not chew. He made a big ol baloney sandwich complete with pickles, onions, and lettuce. He threw it in a blender and said it tasted just like it was supposed to. POWDERMAN.

gypsyman · « **Reply #2 on:** June 26, 2012, 05:20:41 PM »

Spirithawk, good luck on the surgery. I'm getting 2 teeth pulled day after tomorrow, getting ready for a hip replacement in July. Didn't realize how much your teeth have to do with your overall health. Any infection will go straight to the point of surgery, and can really mess you up. So, according to the orthopedic surgeon, have to make sure all is in working order. gypsyman

srussell · « **Reply #3 on:** June 26, 2012, 07:18:40 PM »

i had 21 teeth pulled back some years. had them to put me out.have plenty of soup on hand jello and pudding . after i healed up i had implants (10) total so i don't have any problems with dentures. you will be surprised at how fast your gums heal. hope i helped

freetrapper · « **Reply #4 on:** June 27, 2012, 12:26:29 AM »

Thank you for your service and welcome home!! Prayers that the healing hand of God will be with you,

AtlLaw · « **Reply #5 on:** June 27, 2012, 04:30:41 AM »

God love ya Diganali! Your a better man then I, as if there was ever any question about that!

While you're going through all that I've been whining and complaining because the orthodontist wants to scrape my jawbone and take out some teeth!

I have been and will continue to pray for your good health.

yellowtail3 · « **Reply #6 on:** June 27, 2012, 04:40:04 AM »

hang in there, Spirithawk, here's hoping it goes smooth & recovery is quick. If you miss bow season... well, the woods are nicer in rifle season anyhow.

get well quick...

streak · « **Reply #7 on:** June 27, 2012, 05:36:35 AM »

Spirithawk,
" Fair winds and following sails" to a speedy recovery through these trying times!!

Spirithawk · « **Reply #8 on:** June 27, 2012, 06:20:40 AM »

Thanks my friends. Your kind thoughts are good Karma.

AtlLaw....Diganali now don't sell yourself short. You're a good a man as they come. I'd have no problem standing behind you in any fight.

That being said, between you and me, dentist scare the hell outta me! ROFL I asked if the dentures came in Cammo? lol
Yep, ya got a point there Yellowtail.

DEACONLLB · « **Reply #9 on:** June 27, 2012, 09:29:08 AM »

Know how you feel about dentist, when I was In Korea in 1952 had to see the dentist, filling had came out, got in chair and he started working, no shots or pain killer just drilling, filled 9 teeth after that experiance I am never happy when I need to go,(notice the word need) as far as going in through your side to do the repair one of our Church members had to have one bypass and that is the way the Doc. did his, was up and about in a few days and he is 83 yrs old. So prayers will go for you and family, get well soon and maybe you can load up some music with you playing your new stratercaster, Wish I could just play a regular old flat top

Deaconllb

powderman · « **Reply #10 on:** June 27, 2012, 11:48:48 AM »

SH. When I was a pup my Dad and I used to quail hunt quite a bit. Our family dentist loved to bird hunt so we took him along. He had spent a bunch of money on his worthless dog and big bucks on his Browning auto shtgn. I had an old dbl bbl 12 ga that I think I paid $20 for. Doc wasted a lot of shells and hit nothing but air, me and my old gun didn't miss a shot. We were going accross some corn stubble when a sgl flew up, doc and I shot at the same time, dead bird. Pop hollered out, great shot doc, I looked at my Dad and he was looking rt at me shaking his head NO very slowly, I got the point. A few mo later I was having some dental work done and when he brought the needle in to numb my gums I popped off, I hope yer a better shot with that needle than with a shtgn. He grinned and said, yer gonna regret saying that ol buddy, I did. His dog would not answer a command all day, just look at doc then go his own way. One time he called the dog and it kept moving forward but turned to look at him like, oh yeah?? Dog ran right into an electric fence and got hit hard. Just as he yiped doc hollered, I SAID COME HERE YOU SOB. All the dog knew was he disobeyed and got the crap knocked out of him. Thousands of $ for obedience schl and the hot wire cured his problem. Dog worked great the rest of the day. More prayers coming my friend. POWDERMAN.

muznut 54 · « **Reply #11 on:** June 27, 2012, 01:13:57 PM »

S.H. my brother was in Vietnam too he was in the army for over twenty years and he had a triple bypass and pulled through Ok. You Vietnam vets are a tough group and I'm sure you will pull through just fine so don't worry we are all praying for you. Bob

powderman · « **Reply #12 on:** June 27, 2012, 03:21:47 PM »

My brother has heart probs thanks to agent orange too. POWDERMAN.

Spirithawk · « **Reply #13 on:** June 28, 2012, 01:15:11 PM »

Well, all 29 of my old teeth are gone. Replaced by new dentures. Was awake through it all and only one tooth hurt some. Now just gotta get the bleeding to stop. It hurts a little but thank goodness for Morphine! lol Don't look like I'll be eating anything tonight and icecream and popcycles are high on the list for tomorrow.

Thanks for the well wishes and for those that didn't do so....Screw ya I got through it anyways! ROFL

hillbill · « **Reply #14 on:** June 28, 2012, 01:28:28 PM »

prayers sent from a fellow MO hillbilly.hope everything goes well.and thank you for your service to this country! it is a debt we cant repay!

powderman · « **Reply #15 on:** June 28, 2012, 02:27:29 PM »

SPIRITHAWK. Prayers answered. POWDERMAN.

Spirithawk · « **Reply #16 on:** June 28, 2012, 06:36:17 PM »

Just got back from the ER. The top gum was ok but the bottom refused to quit bleeding. I was suppose to leave the dentures in for 24 hours but the ER doc had me take the bottom one out. He, like myself, thought it was iritating the gum and keeping it bleeding. Even with it out it took two full boxes of gauze, plus tea bags, to get it slowed down. 8 hours later and it's still bleeding a little. Now adays it's standard proceedure to put the new dentures in right away but I think, at least in some cases, that's too soon. I mean my gums were still bleeding when they put them in. Ya gotta figure, 29 teeth all pulled in less than a hours time, is pretty tramatic to your gums. Seems everything these days is rushed. Right now Morphine, which I take anyways for chronic pain, is my best friend. lol Ya Know, when most everyone was being drafted I enlisted. Even volunteered for Nam. Sadly I've been paying for it ever since.If I could go back in time , knowing what I do now, would I not enlist? I think I still would. Anything good usualy comes with a price. Though I am disilutioned with the VA systom I feel I did my part and am proud of it. I've lost many friends to Agent Orange and frankly I often wonder why, and how, I keep going. Things I can physicaly confront don't much scare me, I've survived too much already for that. But it's having to fight the things you can't see that lets you know how tough you are. As I often tell family and friends, I haven't quite figured out yet if it's that I'm tough or just too dumb to give up. lol As soon as the dentist says I'm ok the heart surgeon will set the date to replace the valve. Ya know? One of my pet peeves is that those of us who came home to die from wounds and disease aren't counted as casualties of war though we are every bit as much so as the poor guy who died over seas on foreign soil. It just we're taking longer to die. Sorry folks, sometimes I just feel the need to vent a little and I know their are many fellow vets here that understand where I'm coming from. Well, the doctor told me to sleep sitting up in a recliner so looks like my boxer gets the couch tonight! lol Thanks guys, for the kind words, the understanding, letting me vent, and most certainly for the prayers. May each of you walk in beauty....... Lee SH ^i^

Spirithawk · « **Reply #17 on:** June 29, 2012, 12:51:10 AM »

Took to 5:30 am but I finaly got the bleeding stopped. Going to wait a while to be sure and then try to eat something. Just something I can drink such as soup. Then with any kind of luck I can get some sleep. Pretty misserable at the moment but sure glad the worst part is over. Well at least till the heart surgeon takes over.

srussell · « **Reply #18 on:** June 29, 2012, 06:23:29 AM »

Quote from: Spirithawk on June 29, 2012, 12:51:10 AM

Took to 5:30 am but I finaly got the bleeding stopped. Going to wait a while to be sure and then try to eat something. Just something I can drink such as soup. Then with any kind of luck I can get some sleep. Pretty misserable at the moment but sure glad the worst part is over. Well at least till the heart surgeon takes over.

hang in there. it will get better. warm bullion is good

jhm · « **Reply #19 on:** June 30, 2012, 05:07:00 AM »

I also had to have all my teeth removed for the radiation treatment for throat cancer, wasnt fun but you will get over the loss of the teeth\, it does take a little longer to eat a steak but you can forget abt. steaks for awhile. Jim

powderman · « **Reply #20 on:** June 30, 2012, 05:24:03 AM »

Doesn't seem rt to have the false teeth before the swelling goes down, they couldn't possibly fit right after you are healed. POWDERMAN.

Spirithawk · « **Reply #21 on:** July 01, 2012, 09:56:25 AM »

They actualy fit the dentures before your teeth are pulled. Supposedly, with your old teeth still in place, it gives them a better idea how the false one's should line up inside your mouth.Then once the swelling goes down, and your gums are healed, they make any needed adjustments. I'm fairly impressed with how well they seem to fit s far. The top plate fits tight with no need for any kind of adhesive. I think once all the swelling goes down the bottom plate will fit good too. My bottom gum swelled the worse. I stll can't chew, my mouth is too sore, but they stay in place realy well. Icecream, shakes, soups, yogurts, mashed taters and such are making up my menue so far.
My face is still pretty swollen but here's a pic with the new teeth. My wifes pup had to show her's off too! lol

streak · « **Reply #22 on:** July 01, 2012, 12:21:35 PM »

Spirithawk,
Keep on smiling!
Like the old gospel song " Give The World A Smiling Face" !!

Cuts Crooked · « **Reply #23 on:** July 01, 2012, 02:00:34 PM »

Not long after I got mine I dropped the lower in the sink and chipped a front tooth. Decided not to get them repair because they look more natural now.