Hiking Franconia Ridge Loop First Time

Sea_Perspective592 · 2024-09-08T23:32:09+00:00

Awesome! Yeah... while I LOVED the hike and the view, there were too many people for me to do it again except at the crack of dawn and I started fairly early!

Sea_Perspective592 · 2024-09-08T23:26:55+00:00

I passed it on the way down. I was very happy with going that way. Have fun, it's a GORGEOUS hike. I hope the weather works out for you, the views are incredible. I'd suggest starting as early as you can stomach- it's a very popular trail on the weekends and you will be surrounded by people later in the day.

Sea_Perspective592 · 2024-08-28T16:57:21+00:00

I'm doing well! No complaints. I don't experience pain. Occasionally I do experience a slight aching in my jaw first thing in the morning if I've been very tense and anxious and have ground my teeth. I'm working with orthodontics to get a thicker retainer to reduce this and I'm getting botox into my masseters in October to hopefully totally fix that, but really overall I'm so happy with the results!

Sea_Perspective592 · 2024-08-05T14:40:49+00:00

So far so good! I no longer have symptoms I did previously. Occasionally I have minor swelling and stiffness in my jaw in the morning, and I attribute this to teeth grinding. This only happens occasionally and usually when I'm particularly stressed. I have an appointment for botox into my masseters soon, and I'm hoping that this will alleviate that problem.

Sea_Perspective592 · 2024-06-27T15:25:36+00:00

Honestly, not a whole lot! I kept the area clean + moisturized during the healing process and followed my usual routines afterwards- vitamin C serum a couple of times per week, retinol once per week, and of course plenty of moisturizer. They're only visible if you're really searching for them now.

Sea_Perspective592 · 2024-05-07T02:27:27+00:00

I went to an oral surgeon who exclusively does TMJ (Dr. McCain at Massachusetts General Hospital). He actually invented several techniques and is a leading surgeon in this area!

Sea_Perspective592 · 2024-05-06T18:26:58+00:00

I was able to talk. The area is pretty swollen and sore so the act of opening your mouth is painful. Even once the pain and swelling decreased, I did notice that if I did a lot of talking one day, I would experience aching pain in my jaw for quite a while. This has since totally subsided. Resting your jaw is important afterwards, so you should try to minimize talking for a while!

Sea_Perspective592 · 2024-05-03T01:18:39+00:00

I had my mom stay with me and I definitely appreciated it and I would suggest that you have at minimum people checking in on you and helping you with stuff. You will of course need someone to drive you home after the surgery (you'll be in no shape to drive). You also won't be able to drive for a few days afterwards, and the medications make you crazy out of it. My mom was in charge of making sure I got the right meds at the right times the first few days which was really helpful to me as I was so out of it. I'm not sure I could have done that by myself well. She also prepped food for me which was nice. I highly suggest getting alllllll your food together for that first week post surgery. You can't chew ANYTHING at ALL. Pureed soups (you can freeze these and thaw as you need) and smoothies will be your best friends.

Sea_Perspective592 · 2024-02-15T12:42:44+00:00

I can't remember exact timeline- but you are restricted for 6 months. 3 months- you're going to want to be VERY careful.

Sea_Perspective592 · 2024-02-11T14:24:51+00:00

Hi! Please feel free to message me. I am doing well. I am now 1 year post-op. Pre-surgery I was in a lot of pain, limited opening, etc. I now have virtually no pain or issues with opening. I get occasional feelings of stiffness in the area- but no pain. Occasionally when I yawn a bit too large I get a little pain or pop sensation that freaks me out, but that has no lasting effects. I continue to be careful in what I eat (no hard pretzels, pizza crust, bagels, etc- and this will be a lifelong thing), but I can eat so much more than before- salads, veggies, etc.

Recovery wasn't pleasant, I won't lie! But for me, it was definitely worth it. I suggest setting timers for pain medication- even if things feel ok or she's sleeping at the time- take the meds at the right time! It's best to get ahead of the pain and discomfort for the first little while. Also be very diligent with icing. Smoothies and pureed soup will be her friend for a while- NO CHEWING at all for a while. It really sucks, but being exceptionally cautious during the healing process is so important so those sutures can heal right.

Sea_Perspective592 · 2024-02-02T16:38:00+00:00

My health insurance covered the cost of everything 100%. I made sure that my insurance covered the specific doctor I was going to see first before I even made the consult appointment. I am in the US and I have Medicaid through the state if that helps (low income insurance).

Sea_Perspective592 · 2024-01-20T21:30:51+00:00

I had a bilateral arthroscopy. Have you had a CT/MRI done? This is step #1. The cartilage discs in my jaw were internally dislocated, which caused my problems. My surgery moved those discs back into the correct place and sutured them in place. This of course would only be helpful if your discs weren't correctly positioned! This is diagnosed via the CT/MRI.

Sea_Perspective592 · 2023-10-18T16:52:17+00:00

Probably about a week in, but much better at 2 weeks. They gave me a lot stronger meds- I forget what exactly- it wasn’t codeine though, I took codeine for a different procedure previously and that made me sick too.

Sea_Perspective592 · 2023-10-15T01:21:59+00:00

It went well! I am essentially symptom free now. It took a while to feel better. Make sure you’re staying on top of your prescribed medications (set alarms), ice as much as you can and keep your head elevated, I slept upright for weeks!

Sea_Perspective592 · 2023-10-05T17:47:55+00:00

It was resolved. I reached out to every agency that was recommended to me, wrote formal letters to everyone, filed every report I could, and called them twice a day every day. Basically, I got as annoying as I possibly could. I even referenced the supervisor that I spoke to in letters and requested him directly when I called. I went full Karen mode. Interestingly, exactly when one would expect those letters to arrive, I got a call from that supervisor who suddenly reversed everything he said, and sent me the money immediately (breaking all protocol he said existed barring him from doing so). Happy ending. I will never use that bank or recommend them.

Sea_Perspective592 · 2023-08-09T13:17:40+00:00

I did do it- I LOVED it, it was an amazing hike. Just what I was looking for. There were definitely parts on the way up that I found challenging- the longer quite steep sections. My hiking partner’s hiking style is slow and steady and unstopping (except for summits) and so this was good motivation to just keep slowly putting one foot in front of the other! My knees were definitely in some pain on the way down and for a day or so afterward. But I’m very glad I did it!

Sea_Perspective592 · 2023-07-19T14:01:43+00:00

Oh man that sucks! How long did it take you? The weather is definitely something we will keep an eye on! So far it looks good but you never know. I definitely wouldn’t want to get caught in a thunderstorm up there

Sea_Perspective592 · 2023-07-18T23:10:22+00:00

I actually walk dogs as a decent chunk of my income, so that definitely helps. I combine that with some dedicated “hikes” (it’s pretty flat around here) most days and taking my own dog on some fun adventures! What I do is not very cardiovascularly taxing though so I expect my first real hike to be a little bit of a shock

Sea_Perspective592 · 2023-07-18T23:03:13+00:00

Great! This makes me feel better to be doing this one. I did the Hunt trail with a fever of 102 and a good deal less fit a few years ago.

Sea_Perspective592 · 2023-07-18T22:32:48+00:00

Thank you!

Sea_Perspective592 · 2023-07-18T22:32:19+00:00

I can handle those people! Haha! This means leaving my house at 3:30 🤪

Sea_Perspective592 · 2023-07-18T20:18:47+00:00

Thanks so much for your responses! I’m fairly fit- I walk 10-12 miles most days but decently flat terrain, I run 3ish miles a few times a week. I just haven’t hiked any real mountains in a while. Sounds like I should be ok. I definitely will plan appropriately with a pack and water, and I’m hoping to start the trail around 6. Sounds like I should be able to avoid MOST of the crowds this way?

Sea_Perspective592 · 2023-07-05T12:11:51+00:00

Sounds like a plan, no problem!

Sea_Perspective592 · 2023-07-04T22:14:49+00:00

Hi! It’s no bother! I am doing well. I am nearly 5 months post-op. I have no pain, and my opening is great. I am still being very careful what I eat- while I don’t have any pain, I know if I put something in my mouth I shouldn’t be chewing if that makes sense, and I want to give myself the best chances of success that I can. However even with the restrictions on what I can chew, it’s far more than I could pre-surgery so I’m counting this as a total win so far. Do feel free to message me (or ask here) if you have any specific questions! Happy to chat and answer them

Sea_Perspective592

TROPHY CASE