My Braces Story.

Pierre Fauchard, the man who invented modern orthodontics and made all of this possible. A dream come true. It was stated in Wikipedia that in ancient times, people use Catgut, a type of cord made from the natural fiber of animals' intestines. Yerr. Anyways, thankful for this inventor :)

Never thought that this experience could be a life-changing tool. 

Growing up, I have always dislike how my teeth are. I wouldn't say it affected my self-confidence greatly because outlook isn't the most important thing for me. It does affect in some ways, and I knew (back then) that one day I will want to wear braces to make them straight again. 

I said make them straight again because when I looked back at my baby photos, my teeth were so straight okay. Hah. I know cannot see like that because all those are milk teeth. I have no idea why all the new teeth come out senget. So sad. 

I don't smile a lot last time because I hated how my teeth is. So senget and not presentable. Yes, people always say must accept who you already are BUT THERE'S ALWAYS ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT RIGHT. It's not like this is plastic surgery or something. I AM NOT CHANGING MY FACE. Hah. 

So in order for me to smile comfortably and loving all the photos with my face on them, I decided that this is a must-happen. Also, it's so difficult to brush my teeth because so many hidden tooth! 

I wanted to put on braces many years ago but my parents could not afford to pay for it. So, the thought of it was kept at the back of my head. Not forgotten of course. I also got no money what so what to do.

Then, when I was in college, I applied for PTPTN loan. My course at that time was RM40,000 for 3 years degree at KDU College Penang so I obviously applied for a full loan so my parents don't have to fork out any money for my studies. Yes, I'm such a good girl :)

The day came when the results came back to see if my loan application has been approved and the total amount that I will get for this course. I could not believe my eyes when I saw the amount loaned to me!

RM48,000!

That's extra RM8,000 okay for me to spend. I got excited lah but I know this one is just a loan okay. Must pay back after my degree. Still! I was happy because now I have the cash to go do braces.

And I did.

Ohh, turns out I didn't have to pay the entire RM48,000 because it was turned into a full scholarship. To be honest, till today I stand amazed because I have no idea how I could have gotten that first class honours and this 'scholarship'! My friend who also got first class honors had to pay back a few thousands of the PTPTN and I didn't even pay a single cent. How great is my God hah!

Back to this! 

On November 24, 2011, I walked into Looi Orthodontic Clinic for the first time and I tell you, my heart was beating so fast you probably could hear/see/feel it. I don't know if it was fear of dentist or excitement or just really mixed of all kinds of emotions.

I remembered that on my first 2 visits, I made a total payment of RM2,000. I went through x-rays, lots of explanation, take photos, more explanations and stuff.

I was praying so hard that I didn't need to extract any tooth. Turns out need to extract 2 on the top. Still okay I guess. 

Then, I went back on the 29 February 2012 and then it all begins. It was crazy painful okay. I'm not gonna lie or sugar coat it. It's painful. 

Your upper teeth touch the lower part, pain. 
You talk and your tongue touches any teeth, pain. 
Your straw touches the teeth, pain.
You don't do anything, pain.

Basically, it will be painful whenever you touch your teeth, by accident or not. For me, the pain lasted for one whole week. So painful sometimes I just skipped meal because eating was just difficult. In that one week, I ate a lot of porridge and liquid stuff. Koay teow thng also my mom had to cut the koay teow for me. So, all I did the entire 7 days was swallow. 

To make sure I don't die of hunger, I endure and just swallow. What is eat? Hah.

After that, it gets easier but still painful, especially every time it gets tightened. One thing though, it does get easier after every tightening. It's still very much painful but somehow it's more bearable.

I constantly remind myself that it was gonna be worth it. This was by far, the longest 'project' and I must say that it was worth all the pain, tears, blood and hunger. Heh. WORTH IT PEOPLE DO YOU HEAR ME?

I have a lot of people asking me if they should do it. I will always answer them yes.

I feel that if it has never crossed your mind to do braces, means you are not bothered by how your teeth looks and you're okay with it so obviously no need to do la right. But if you actually keep thinking about it, to do or not all, then you just should, because in the first place, what made you wanna do it and then doubt whether you should do it?

Means somewhere inside of you, you actually want to change how your teeth looks ma right. That's my reasoning lah.

 It's like I saw a pair of shoes that I really like and it's really expensive and I don't think I want to spend that amount of money on a pair, I will just let the thought go. But if even after months and I still think about it, I sure will save money to get it because if i don't, I will keep thinking about it and regretting not buying it. 

For me, it's the same. If you really want to wear braces, I'd say GO FOR IT. No need think already.

I think the most important part of a face is the teeth. At least for me lah.

So, after like SEVENTEEN VISITS in the span of four years, they finally said those words!

"Next visit can remove braces already!"

HAPPIEST DAY OF MY LIFE! HAPPIER THAN WHEN I GO TO UNIVERSAL STUDIOS OSAKA OKAY!

Who doesn't like freedom right? I know I definitely do. No need for my tongue to auto-korek (HAHA!) all the hidden leftover foods behind the metals inside. So syiok. 

So, here are some photos from last time, few years back. 

"Whatttt? ARE YOU SERIOUS AHH? HOW DID I FALL FOR THIS FACE LAST TIME WEI?"

Koay said when he saw my before-braces photos. TERRIBLEE.

BEFORE.

 AFTER.

My freedom lasted for one and a half day only. I went back a day after my braces was removed to have them put retainer on. All this while I thought wearing a retainer cannot be worse than having to wear braces for 4 years right?

WRONG.

It's not as painful but it's the most uncomfortable thing to put inside a mouth okay. Don't need to mention about talking because you will sound like you are still learning how to pronounce your words. Words with S and F, forget it. Just give up. Just use the Malay term for the word. Either your saliva will come out or you will look like a fool. Both also not very fun. Heh.

It might sound like I'm angry but I'm not okay. Haha. I'm just really shocked at this retainer thing. I really thought the struggle is over. 

Turns out, it's still far. Bleh.

3 months of full-time retainer and 1 and half years of part-time retainer.

A retainer is basically a plastic/metal thing that is custom made according to your teeth to retain your adjusted teeth. No retainer is the same, like thumb print. I have seen so many people whom neglected the need to wear retainer now have crooked teeth again. That, I will not allow to happen on myself. 

THIS ONE REALLY NO PAIN NO GAIN OKAY. 

*tells self* It's gonna be worth it. It's gonna be worth it. 

Reasons:

I am loving my new look. 
I like to smile now.
I like that now I can show-off my teeth whenever I take photos, probably too much of showing. Haha. 
I like that my teeth is straighter than his now. 
I like how I look now compared to 4 years ago. I do. 
I like that brushing my teeth now is such a happy thing to do.
I like that there is no more hidden gaps for food to hide.

I seriously love how straight my teeth is now and I intend to keep it that way, so retainer it shall be.

Okay, you get it. You get how MUCH I REALLY LOVE IT. HAHA.

I think this chapter has been really challenging, both mentally and physically. Mentally because there are times when my moods will go down the hill and I will get upset for no apparent reason, just because I couldn't eat properly (eating is one of the things I love doing okay!) and enjoy a simple meal. Physically it was affecting me because when it was painful, I skipped proper meals and when it's not, I will eat like a mad person. 

Okay, actually physically not much la since I lose the weight and gain it back and lose again, like a cycle. Heh.

One of the best decision I have ever made on my own. NO REGRETS AT ALL.

:))))))))))

A friend sent a link that titles 13 THINGS ONLY MALAYSIANS WHO WEAR BRACES UNDERSTAND, It's all so true okay! So, I'm gonna choose some that I can really relate to and put them here!

1) ONLY YOU WILL UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU WENT THROUGH TO GET THE BRACES FIXED. 
This is crazily true. The mental strength and perseverance needed oh my goodness.

2) CHEWING GUM IS A NIGHTMARE. 
Scared this (points below) will happen.

3) YOU ARE ALWAYS PARANOID THAT THERE IS SOMETHING STUCK IN YOUR BRACES. 

If you have eaten meals with me, you sure can see my tongue always going through my braces to make sure no hidden food.

4) PEOPLE ALWAYS TELL YOU THAT IT'S GOING TO BE WORTH IT. Surprisingly, I don't get that a lot from people who wore them before. Hmm.

5) AND YESSSS, IT WAS WORTH IT! Err, if you read the whole first part, you'd know.

6) WHEN YOU GOT YOUR BRACES OFF, ONCE AGAIN YOU ALWAYS RUN YOUR TONGUE ALONG YOUR PERFECT TEETH AND THE FEELING IS PRICELESS. 

This one is soooo true I cannot. I kept doing it because it felt so good to feel the straightness! 

7) THEN COMES THE RETAINER. 

Umm, so far it's pure torture. I realized now I eat more often during the day because I just want to find reasons to take the retainer out. I really get people who stopped wearing them. I do. 

8) YOU ARE EXTREMELY NICE TO YOUR ORTHODONTICS BECAUSE THEY ARE DENTIST. HELLO! 

Yes, that is very true. I make sure I'm super nice to them. Everyone is afraid of dentist so to overcome that, let's be nice to them, and also the fact that they can 'accidentally' make you bleed okay. Heh.

9) YOU WILL WAKE UP WITH A STAINED PILLOW. 

You will be surprised with how much saliva leaked onto your pillow, especially after tightening. 

So, this is the 9 things that I can relate to very well. There are probably more but I just can't think of any yet. I added some which I think I can somehow relate. More next time :)

Perforated Appendicitis and Mayfair Bodyline.

As mentioned in a few of the previous posts, I went for a session at the Burmah Road's Mayfair Bodyline and I'm finally going to blog about it. 

Long post ahead guys.

First, you need to know that I'm not one of those girls who would fork out own money to go to slimming centre like this one. Let me tell you how I got it.

One of the things I like to do is read people's blog. One of the blogs that I follow is fourfeetnine. Yes, that's the blogger's height and once she posted about her experience at Mayfair in KL and she had a some sort of contest where you need to tell her why she should give you the free visit to Mayfair. Tell her your story basically.

So, I wrote to her on my story. 

Here's how I wrote it.

Okay, never mind. I clicked on the comment section but it won't load and I clicked for like ten times already. forget it. Basically, I wrote about how I was wheeled into the emergency section and had to go under the knife because the doctors couldn't tell what was wrong with me. It was after they cut me open that they found out that, "Oh, it's perforated appendicitis!"

Oh and this is how I know I was one of the lucky winner!

Back.. I'm not blaming the doctors though. The process from getting me x-rayed to inserting tubes to pushing me to a sudden surgery when I started to have a fever happened very fast. So yeah. I made it a very short 'story' so it's just main points to the event.

One thing I remembered clearly of writing was the reason why I wanted the free visit to Mayfair Bodyline. I told her that even though it has been two years since the surgery, I'm still very much upset with the scar that I got. It's long and ugly. Not only that, ever since the surgery, a part of my stomach is always bloated and there seems to be a lot of air in it. I have never gotten a flat stomach since. Not even when I left the hospital.

I stayed in the hospital for 5 days. I remembered asking for permission to leave on a Sunday morning. Doctor agreed but to one condition and one condition only. I must not eat anything other than porridge. Nothing else. Of course I agreed immediately. Porridge is like one of my favorite food okay.

Anyways, when I left the hospital, I lost about 8-10 kg. Crazy right? It's not that shocking for me because during that whole 5 days, I did not once swallow anything other than few drops of water everyday. DROPS OF WATER.

I had tubes all over my body and one of the tubes channel some salt-liquid-thing into my body acting as food and water. Something like that. The other tube was to channel morphine into my body. That one very funny because I was my own boss. Anytime I felt the post surgery pain, I just had to press the button and the morphine would help take away the pain.

Once, it felt painful and super uncomfortable so I pressed the button, but for the first 1 minute nothing happened so I pressed again. At that time, no one was with me because my mom and sister went back home to shower. When Rachel came right after I pressed for the second time, I asked her, "Why is the fan turning so fast and touching the floor?"

Her expression was priceless. She looked at me very puzzled and worried, then she turned to look at the morphine monitor and realized that it has increased two times than before she left. I told her I pressed twice. She laughed and I knew that time that I should just sleep and I did. After that, I never press for the morphine anymore. It made me feel like a crazy person.

Anyways, back to this. So, even when I lost about 10 kg, my stomach remained big. At first, I didn't really bother by it because I knew that it was probably swollen after the cut. Then, I slowly gained back my kilograms to a normal weight of 44kg. Guess what happened to my stomach?

Nothing. It remained bloated. It probably grew bigger because I did put on more weight after that. So that was the frustrating part. 

Fourfeetnine mentioned that by winning this free visit, your body will be examined by the consultants and they will be recommending treatments and stuff to help. I wanted to win this because for once, I would really like to hear from the professionals. 

I made appointment and got to the place.

I got myself checked (sort of) by one of the lady consultant and she recommended that I go through 4 types of treatment. Unfortunately, I had a few mosquitoes bites that time and can only do the other 2 treatments next time. 

This time I can only do two that concentrates on my tummy. 

Honestly, I didn't think she understands completely what I meant when I told her about my surgery and the scar. I know that there was nothing that I can do about the scar but I just needed to know if there's a treatment that could reduce the stomach size. 

At one point, she even say it's purely fat. I burst out laughing and said, "Yeah lo!"

I don't think it's purely fat. *self denial* I mean, for sure got fat lah cos I have been putting on weight like no one's business, bu the thing is the part where it bloats, it's from the top of the scar till the bottom. Outside of it no more bloating. Or maybe my scar is so long that it covers the whole area of tummy la.

So, the first treatment is called Suction something. I can't remember what it's called. Another lady came in and did this for me. She assured me that it was going to hurt just a little. 

LIES!

It's sort of high-powered suction kind, and it hurts like crazy. She could tell because of how my body moved. NO PAIN REALLY NO GAIN! Oh and after a while it feels less painful because already numb. 

She did on one side of my stomach and then asked the lady consultant to come in and check. She took a picture of it to show me the difference. 

This is her trying to get a nice shot of the stomach.

Oh I forgot to mention that because there wasn't anything that they can do with the scar and they are convinced that it's purely fat, it's best to do the suction to break out the fats or something. I not sure because after they say it's purely fat, my ears closed d. Haha.

Also, she pointed out that my waist is starting to grow bigger, like can see it's slowly getting out of shape and stuff. Goodness. Boleh pengsan.

Anyways, this suction thing cannot only do for one time. For it to be more effective, it has to be done like 2-3 times a week. And for 7 times (got promotion for bloggers' winners), it will only cost about RM1,200 instead of normal price which is about RM1,700.

I knew this was coming. No, I did not get it of course. 

Wait, i'm jumping on my story. 

So, after she did the suction on one side, she showed me the difference. She asked me can see or not. I nodded although honestly I didn't see any difference.

The left side is a bit red because of the suction. She pointed to me the left side of the waist and right side.

I see no difference. It looks the same to me. 

Anyways, besides that suction treatment which I feel is completely pointless for me since I'm going to do it once only and never again, let's look at the scar.

The scar that I've never dared to really talk about or take photos of it.

Oh, in case if you're wondering what stomach bloated all she's talking about. In this photo, it looked like the kind of tummy I had before the surgery. Maybe because I'm lying down, that's why here it looks flat.

Anyways, this is one miracle. When it was a fresh scar, it used to be one dark drown long line through my belly button. It was horrible. Not to mention the end of the scar is like mutilated or something. If you see it close-up, you'll hate it too.

Now, when I look at it, it gets better. It gets easier on the eye. Also, if you see closely on the left, there is another scar. Just in case if you are wondering, our apendiks is on the right side of your body. So, even when my whole apendiks exploded and infected my big intestines, they still had to open up a tiny hole which is not really that tiny to drain out whatever toxic that's left behind. That requires another tube of course. Speaking of tube, the fourth tube I had on me was for the extra liquid to come out in the form of urine. Yes, it was SUPER uncomfortable when they insert the tube into my peeing area. If I knew, I would ask them to do it after I smell the 1..2..3..4..zzzz gas. 

I don't know if it's because it's General Hospital that I got such a scar. I don't know. I knew that there were more than 10 people in the operating theatre. Yes, I had time to count how many people were actually going to see my whole body. I only had one cloth covering my body and nothing else and then what made it more challenging was when they transferred me to the surgery table. FOR SURE MADE OF STEEL! It was like lying on ICE! Kid you not. Seriously though, could it have been a better looking scar if I went into a private hospital instead of GH? Maybe but GH is best when it comes to emergency cases. That or God has got His eyes watching over me and my interesting life :) I think it's both. 

I have many questions in my head even up to now about this experience. No questions of why I had to go through it. More of what ifs.

Did you know that the same night I was admitted, there were two other men that was wheeled in for the perforated appendicitis surgery? 

Did you know that the two men did not make it and I did? 

I suffered the abdomen pain for 24 hours before I told my parents to take me to hospital because the pain was too intense. What would have happened if I decided to wait till the morning to go hospital? 

It was midnight when I was sent in. All the what ifs.

Through this, I hold close to my heart this verse. It gives me such a deep sense of security of life. At this age, you can't stop yourself from worrying about the future and all the things that's gonna happen. You can't.

So, believe in the One who created you and wants the best for you, even when that means a bit of physical/emotional pain once in a while. That's how one gets tougher. 

I have it all planned out. Plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for -Jeremiah 29:11-

I HAVE TO STOP JUMPING EVERYWHERE WHILE TELLING A STORY!

After the suction, I was escorted to the end of the hallway and was asked to stand on a vibrating machine that has infrared lights.

No pain this time phew. 

You know now it's like a trend to get one of those exercising machine where you stand on top of it and it vibrates/shakes. Can always see they do roadshow in the malls. Children are always attracted to these things. Let me google it for you.

Nah. Something like this. On the left photo. Mine is with infrared lights facing your tummy and thighs.

So, all I need to do was stand straight, hold the side and be like this for 10 minutes. The machine will move for a good 10 minutes. I thought it wasn't that bad until the infrared lights got hotter a little and my thighs felt itchy.

Not allowed to scratch sumore. Only can gently tap it. Apparently, it's supposed to be itchy. It means that the toxic is coming out or something. I don't know lah.

The shaking part really very nice. I can feel my butt shaking its fat like crazy. Also, makes me feel like my butt is as big as Kim Kardashians or something.

Speaking of that, her game is so addictive. I actually stopped Candy Crush because I got hooked on her Hollywood game.

It's very girly? Not really lah. Very diva-ish, as how Koay would like to describe it.

So, that's pretty much the part one of my experience with Mayfair Bodyline so far. I still have part two which I haven't even make any appointment yet.

If not mistaken, it's going to be wrap up something. Chilli mask or something like that. Sounds pretty interesting since I love everything spiceyyy. I should stop babbling now since this post is really a long one.

It feels good to finally talk about the surgery procedure and stuff although it's not very organized.

Maybe one day I will write a timeline of that night. I can still remember okay. Such a memorable night. 

Okay bye.

Before and Slightly After.

Just last night I was thinking back on the very reason why I've always wanted to wear braces. I mean, duhh. It's obviously because I feel/know that I don't have a nice straight set of teeth. And one of the very first things that attract my attention towards people/guys is their teeth and lips. I don't know, it sounds crazy but I love looking at guys/girls who wear braces! No kidding. So, of course, I myself want to make sure I am happy with mine, right?

I've always wanted to wear them years ago but I didn't want to do it with my parents' money, so I saved my own moolahs and finally did it. Though in the end, my dad decided to sponsor half of it. Sweet hah?

The process of it till the day they actually put the metals on my tooth one by one was quite a pain. I had to get two healthy teeth removed. that was not the painful part. The waiting time between after two teeth extracted until spending that two hours on the very slanted chair. Now that is a real pain. Glad it's over. The waiting part. No patience girl, me :)

Anyways, I looked back at some photos. Photos that made me so thankful that I did them. Did them braces. So many people told me before that it's fine and it looks good like Koay and my parents and two sisters.

Before we started dating, Koay said, "Babe, your teeth are very nice d. I never noticed that it's not straight also!"
After we started and braces were put on, he looked at me and said. "Wah! Seriously, got a lot of difference wei.."

Things that this boy will say to make you feel better. And then joked about it. He definitely has a very unique way to tell me the truth without hurting this girl :)

So anyway, I just feel like I wanna upload some photos to show you how these teeth have gradually changed over the one year since I started to eat less and suffer in pain. Worth suffering though :)

I do not remember dates very well so yeah. These photos are in order leading to today. Or wait. a few days ago. From having vampire-ish/zombie-ish ugly teeth to having quite a straight one already. I said vampire/zombie because I have been very caught up with this kind of TV series. First, The Walking Dead and now, The Vampire Diaries (which I can't believe that I'm starting to love it). Well, hot guys and drop-dead gorgeous ladies, why not?

Coming back to this. I can't believe my teeth were so UGLY! After months into wearing those metals, the "vampire-ish" teeth that I had become more obvious because they had to pull it down in order to pull back to be aligned with other teeth. So yeah... I would say the ugliest moment for me personally (to appear in photos) is the time when we went to Perhentian Island with a bunch of amazing friends! Perhentian Island is so nice that I don't mind going there again! And this time, for sure I'll snap away and be vain like no one's business! Muahaha.

Now, time to feast your eyes upon the transformation over the one amazing year.

STORY OF MY LIFE

Chapter 327: Braces.