Maybe you’ve heard the motivational saying: release that which no longer serves you. I’ve certainly heard this in many inspirational works and guided meditation videos but it never really resonated with me. I mean, in theory, it is a good practice to “let things go”.
When you hold onto thoughts, material objects, or even people that do not benefit you or help you grow, where does that leave you? If you stay amongst all of this stuff from your past, then it hinders your enjoyment of today and, consequently, tomorrow.
It turns out that the effects of long, slow-building emotional pain are not so easy to release.
I’ve included you all in my food/elimination diet trials because I’ve been trying to get to the bottom of my issues. Now, I think it is only fair that I bring you the real and conclusive answer to what has been going on with my health.
Let us flashback to last fall (2017) when I started working at a mental health facility that the psych major in me considered #goals. Yet, after spending a few months there, I discovered unfavorable things about the way things were run, especially in my department. As an office assistant, my role had me tugged and pulled in different directions. Any given day, I assisted staff and clients, composed a monthly and daily schedule of activities, attended to the clerical aspect of my role with data and reports, served as a secretary for my department and supervisor, and more.
I was initially ecstatic to have this job and I think my enthusiasm, vibrancy, and overall happiness showed.
I love maintaining organization and being of assistance. So, my job was easy to maneuver once I knew what was expected of me. As a secretary, I was approached my many people and, in my supervisor’s eyes, must have garnered an excess of attention. I did not seek it out but the attention…particularly from males…was there nonetheless. Though, I’d say things got trickier when I started talking to a coworker of mine. Others in my department figured we had a thing because we would often talk to each other and eat lunch together. Still, I couldn’t see us advancing to the next step so I ended things amicably.
And then someone new came into my life and rocked my world.
I feel a little embarrassed to say that I began seeing someone else from my same building, almost immediately following the other lukewarm thing I had with my other coworker. Whatever. I’m not holding back here! So, we started talking casually in passing and ate lunch together one day in the employee breakroom. Then I gave him my number because we were going to plan a day to go out to lunch. Bam. From then on, we began talking NONSTOP. It did not take long for me to realize that I had feelings for him. While I spent months of lukewarm indecisiveness with my other coworker, with this guy…I felt an immediate connection. So much so that I told him I liked him after us only talking/texting for about two weeks. I am not trying to sound dramatic here but prior to him, I really had accepted the “fact” that I was destined for a life of sparkless relationships–because that was all I had ever known! Now, here was the first person I felt connected to beyond the physical level–it felt like our souls knew each other before we’d even met. You can imagine why I then embarked on the most beautiful, whirlwind of a relationship that I’ve ever experienced.
What I did not anticipate were the complications that this created for us (mostly me).
Correction: anticipate makes it sound like I was planning this and I certainly was not. I let all of this unfold, tossing common sense out the window and with ZERO plan in hand. Meanwhile, at work, my nit-picky supervisor was building up a list of reasons why she didn’t like me. She didn’t see how much I would do and whatever I did do was inadequate to her. Little did I know that she created reasons to dislike me completely unrelated to my work and more personal in nature. I wanted out but I tried to stick through it because everything else was going pretty well! Or so I thought.
My chirpy demeanor took a nosedive in the opposite direction when my short-lived, deeply connective relationship suddenly ended. (Not so suddenly now that I look back. The clues were there: he said he wasn’t looking for a relationship. I know, I did this to myself….) Plus, since we worked in the same building, there was no way for me to get solace and take the much-needed separation to heal myself. Work now became a place where I felt in over my head with growing emotional stressors that I had no control over.
I could write a book on all of the shit that occurred and the emotions that I felt during this time. Instead, I’ll just say that I ended up leaving my job and all of the associated mess.
My separation from the position at the beginning of July was a blessing but also an added source of pain to deal with. I kept interacting with people, getting pushed into a corner and feeling my light get snuffed out more and more. Until one day it wasn’t there anymore. All of this was happening and I walked around feeling like half-a-human or just plain numb, never knowing how to manage any of what I was feeling (or not feeling). Almost immediately, the stressors took a toll on me physically. I felt sick, to say the least; I felt my body deteriorating while I was inhabiting it.
I spent the following weeks trying to come back into myself: relearning what it means to be me. I started reading a life-changing book called The Power of Now (highly recommend it!). Severe amounts of writing, crying, yoga, and meditation helped but did not totally heal the holes and overall brokenness I felt. Even if I was better off not at that job, I was still hurt over everything that happened. Plus, I was in emotional turmoil as I was finally getting the isolated time and space to work through everything I held in regarding the ending of my relationship.
Phew! Deep exhale.
This all feels really heavy just to write. But it is okay. Now that you know the background information, I’ll start to tie this story up!
One evening, as I perused Instagram, I came across an account for a local psychic who does tarot card readings. I’ve never been into horoscopes or the supernatural but I was in a fucking pit at this point and intrigued to know what to make of all of the emotional pain and physical discomfort that I was in. So, I met up with the psychic gal for a reading. The two questions I asked pertained to what I should do about my health situation and what meaning I should take from the previous relationship I was in. Now, I won’t say everyone needs to see a psychic but the messages that came from my reading described me perfectly.
For so long, I had kept the emotions and struggles I was feeling to myself. Yet, here this stranger was pulling out cards that represented exactly what I’d been going through. This brought me comfort beyond belief.
I felt understood without needing to say much. She proposed that the reason for me feeling funky, health-wise, was probably due to me holding onto the stress of all I’d been going through.
The cards did not provide a clear answer on what I should take from the romantic experience. Though, they suggested a lack of closure. I told the psychic a little bit about how things went in my relationship. I told her how I couldn’t believe that things were over because him and I were so good together. Things never even got a chance to get bad. She told me there is a possibility of us being twin flames. Meaning: we may be the kind of people who will come in and out of each other’s lives to teach lessons to one another. Who’s to know at this point? After the tarot reading, she suggested I reach out to him. She felt he had something to say, maybe an apology, and that might give me the closure I need.
I walked out of the reading feeling like I could breathe. I felt as if I had been holding my breath for months and was now finally able to take a huge, deep inhale of breath. I immediately felt a significant amount of the emotional burdens I was carrying were removed from my chest. It was unreal. Plus, I was gifted with a personalized, actionable task for my situation. So, later that day, I gave him a call.
I won’t go into what we said during the call but it was brief and plain. I purposely tried to keep things casual and light; that allowed for me to just talk and see how he was doing. His surprise to see my call was evident in his voice but he spoke to me kindly. For a moment, the pain of the past few months fell away as he felt like the person I remembered before things got complicated. We both expressed that it was nice to hear from each other and, for me, that was enough. I would have been fooling myself if I expected anything else.
The conversation was just okay and I am okay with that.
The next day, I awoke lighter than I had felt in months. If you’ve been following my elimination diet trials, you may be surprised to hear that my debilitating pregnancy-level bloat was gone! Which I know realize is indicative of how stress and emotional trauma can impact the body. So, the only way I can describe how I felt at this point is: refreshed. In the following days, I found it easier to focus my energy on new activities for me. The sensitivities that I experienced before were less apparent. My diet didn’t really change but my skin started to clear up; it felt and looked less inflamed. The tenfold effect of tackling the root cause of my troubles–my emotional health–has helped me more than anything.
I know it is easier said than done, to release that which no longer serves you, but it is key. Prior to the tarot card reading, I spent months trying to come to terms with the situations all on my own. Though, I couldn’t stop myself from dwelling on them because I saw no finality to them. Perhaps, I had completed all of the necessary self-discovery work on my own and was just in need of that sign, a push, to tell me: LET GO.
With all of this being said, it does not mean that I no longer feel anything for the way things went down at work or with my relationship. Healing isn’t linear. I still have moments where all of it just comes back and stabs me in the gut. I see a new perspective on the situations every day and I take that as a sign that I am moving forward. I no longer need to let the stressors of the past cling to me–nor I to them–and hinder my enjoyment of the present. I finally feel like me again and am making choices to benefit me. My friends, that is all I can ask for.
Can I use the excuse that I’ve been recovering from my vacation and that’s why it has taken me so long to put out this post? Recently, I went to Disneyland and Disneyland’s California Adventure Parks for a well-overdue mini vacation with my family. I had a great time and was able to get on ALL of the rides I wanted to. Even more, I was able to find yummy things to eat all around the parks—which also happens to be the subject of today’s post! Huzzah!
I choose to eat a mostly plant-based diet because that is what I enjoy for health, ethical, and environmental reasons. Now, I can’t know the details of what goes on in the kitchen but I can express my dietary preferences to the wait staff/cooks as best I can. I refuse to stress about cross-contamination or shared cooking space because that is unnecessary. With that being said, I also like to eat low-sugar and gluten-free when possible but I accommodated because I was on vacation. However, I did carry around some trusty digestive enzymes to pop at meal times while at Disneyland 🙂
For me, eating on vacation is about finding an balance between living the way I like and enjoying special treats that aren’t always available.
As a disclaimer, I do not have any diagnosed allergies. Even though I’ve been dealing with my own set of mystery health stuff lately, I cannot pinpoint a known intolerance yet. If you do have a known allergy, definitely be sure to tell the wait staff or cooks! They seemed to be pretty informed and never made a frustrated face at me for being “extra”. These days, dietary preferences are more common so it is nice to see Disneyland’s food service staff is in the know.
Below, you’ll find the meals or snacks I purchased at Disneyland and Disneyland’s California Adventure. Though, it is not a complete day of eating because I had breakfast at my hotel each morning. I also packed some favorite snack bars to munch on through the day. Lastly, I found this awesome list of vegan food available at Disneyland and California Adventure on Peta’s website. Most everything is up-to-date but there may be a few items subject to availability. Again, don’t hesitate to ask the wait staff about vegan options.
What I Ate at Disneyland’s California Adventure Park
PIZZA 🍕 at Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta
I ordered the vegetarian pizza and asked for it to be made vegan with Daiya cheese. The attendant mentioned that for custom pizza orders like this they are made on a gluten-free crust. She asked it that was okay; to which I said: even better! 😀
Cocina Bowl at Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill
The bowl comes with different meat, pork, or chicken options but I asked for mine with extra black beans. The attendant also said it could be ordered with extra rice instead of extra beans. Whichever you choose, the bowl will be delicious. It was so fresh-tasting and flavorful. If you’re smart, you’ll order some chips and guacamole on the side, too 🥑 😉
What I Ate at Disneyland Resort Park
Vegetable Jambalaya at French Market Restaurant
It might not be visible on the menu but you can definitely order the Jambalaya dish without the sausage. The mushrooms, onions, and bell peppers in a tomato sauce are served on a bed of tender rice though I believe their bread bowl is also vegan-friendly if that’s your style. 😉
Dole Whip at Tiki Juice Bar
I strategically planned on visiting the Enchanted Tiki Room mid-afternoon just so I could grab a dole whip! These and all of the Tiki Juice Bar offerings are super-allergen friendly because they’re made with just pineapple!
Veggie Burger at The Galactic Grill
Here is another case of: you-won’t-know-until-you-ask. The regular menu lists a veggie wrap option but all day I had my heart set on eating a burger! 🍔 Just ask for a veggie burger without cheese or sauce at the window and opt for a side of fries. The veggie patty itself was delicious. I did miss the usual burger toppings though. So, I’m not sure if they could add pickles or tomato, if asked kindly, but I basically just drenched mine in mustard and ketchup.
I hope this was interesting to read! I know most people like to rely on the quick bites from carts for food. That’s definitely an option but there are some delicious eateries worth hitting up if you can allow some time to sit and enjoy a meal.
Are you planning a Disney vacation sometime this year? Or a vacation elsewhere? Tell me in the comments, I’d love to hear about it 🙂
After my candida prevention protocol, following my wisdom teeth surgery, I wasn’t eating fruit. I may have consumed a few dates here and there but I largely stayed away from fruit. I finally feel like my body is in a better place where it can tolerate fruit so I’m siked to enjoy some of my old favorite foods!
HELLO ACAI SMOOTHIE BOWLSSSS 💃💃💃
My elimination diet showed me that ripe bananas aren’t all that great for me. Barely yellow bananas are more tolerable but the nice, sweet, RIPE bananas I enjoyed before throw off my blood sugar. Therefore, I’m choosing to keep my banana intake to a minimum. So how else can you get a smoothie bowl to taste sweet and creamy sans bananas? I’m about to show you! 😉
Frozen fruit & veg – As you may remember from my Sweet & Fluffy Smoothie Bowl post, FROZEN ingredients are always the way to go to make a smoothie thicker. I also make sure to include a powerhouse fruit like MANGO to help compensate for the flavors banana would otherwise provide.
Yogurt– A game-changing ingredient that provides some creaminess and body. Use whatever kind you like but this Forager Project one is the best dairy-free kind I’ve tried!
Superfoods– I like to throw in some flax mixed with water—a “flax egg”—for creaminess and fiber. The addition of protein powder also helps to provide staying power and more substance than the typical acai shop bowl. I like a neutral-tasting protein powder such as hemp because it allows the acai and fruit flavors to take center stage.
If you’re into lower sugar or alternative ways to make your favorite sweet treats, then you’ll love this bowl! Tell me what your go-to smoothie order or combination is in the comments down below 🙂
If you haven’t yet made a flax egg, add the tablespoon of ground flax plus three tablespoons of water to the blender and wait 5 minutes for it to thicken.
Then, add all of the other ingredients to a blender or food processor (my lazy go-to) and blend until thoroughly combined.
Serve in a bowl with whatever fresh toppings your heart desires! I like berries but you can totally skip fruit toppings and opt for low-sugar granola, nut butter, bee pollen, and coconut. (Okay, usually I add coconut but I forgot this time!)
Note: *If using fresh blueberries, your smoothie bowl will be a little more liquidy than frozen but it is still delicious!
For years, I’ve been hearing that an elimination diet is the only reliable way to discover intolerances. It would be amazing if we could just KNOW if a food item isn’t well-tolerated. I mean, there are some companies which offer food-sensitivity testing but for a steep price tag; though, they are not scientifically proven to be accurate. As for elimination diets, there are established programs created by companies, like Clean Program or Be Well Cleanse. After lots of research—and to accommodate my needs—I decided to conduct my own elimination diet, loosely based off of established protocols.
Let me begin by breaking down why I decided to do an elimination diet:
I felt weighed down, bloated, and lethargic.
My appetite rotated between ravenous and nonexistent.
I found myself eating mindlessly or binging at night.
The times I would eat based on “hunger” often left me feeling sick afterwards.
My digestion was fickle and I was frequently constipated.
I was having trouble falling asleep and would struggle to get out of bed in the mornings.
My skin was breaking out and my face looked red with inflammation.
I felt insecure and uncomfortable in my own body.
When I started my 21 Day Elimination Diet, I had just experienced a painful break up and a whirlwind of stress at work. It was (what I thought was) the end of a series of challenges and my body showed the stress. Specifically, I gained a little bit of weight and felt like my digestive system was not functioning well. Gut health is definitely important so I knew I needed to address this. Now, I haven’t ever had reason to believe I am intolerant to any foods but I wanted to rule out the possibility of an intolerance. At the very least, I hoped cleaning up my diet would help me feel back to normal.
Personally, I based my pursuit of an elimination diet off of the Clean Program and read additional materials about how to do your own clean cleanse at home. Clean has a helpful list of foods to include here and foods to exclude here! This post is NOT is not in any way sponsored by the program; I just liked that they had a straightforward list of foods to focus on including and excluding for the duration of the cleanse. I stocked up on my favorite plant-based protein powders: Tone it Up and Nuzest. Plus, I purchased digestive enzymes and oil of oregano supplements, in addition to my usual probiotic, to aid in cleansing.
Here’s what a general outline of my first week of the elimination diet looked like:
The Clean Program, different than other elimination diets, encourages a breakfast and dinner smoothie so as to lighten the load on the digestive system and encourage “detoxing”. Of course, I made all smoothies, snacks, and meals with clean-approved foods! The program also advises to use the period of elimination as a time to identify natural and real hunger cues. In spite of this, I found myself reaching for snacks because I have been on a 5-meals-a-day structure for a while.
If you know me, you know I LOVE smoothies but, by the end of this first week, I was over them.
The trouble with the smoothies was the fact that they were cold. I am stating the obvious here but they felt really uncomfortable in me energetically (I’m pretty “vata” in Ayurvedic doshas). As I mentioned previously, I have had digestive issues. So, the idea of throwing cold and frosty liquids into my stomach made me feel like I was putting out my already measly digestive fire. Also, cold food—especially at dinnertime—doesn’t give you the feeling of having eaten something substantial. I restrained from snacking afterwards only because I knew the smoothie was meant to be the last meal of the day.
Also, it doesn’t help that I tried to make a savory green smoothie for dinner around Day 6 and it was the biggest, grossest, FAIL. At that point, I decided I would continue the elimination diet but without doing the breakfast and dinner smoothies. From that point on, I made some smoothies at breakfast sometimes but, for the most part, I enjoyed actual meals.
Meanwhile…
I read some boards online where people discussed their tips for short-term elimination diets, like I was doing. Most said the first few days were tough but, after that, it became easier. They felt lighter and more energized. #goals I experienced the contrary result. Unfortunately, I still felt all of my above noted symptoms of bloat, constipation, lethargy, etc. Basically, I was crawling by to reach Day 21. I even received comments from others who said I looked tired and not like myself.
Admittedly, situations at work were worsening and my emotional well-being was, simply put, sucky. So, that could have been a factor. Still, you would think eating good, nutritious food would have demonstrated some positive improvements in my body!
It was only when a coworker told me I should get my blood levels checked for anemia or maybe up my B vitamins that I realized I hadn’t been taking my supplements! I stopped any regular vitamins and supplements for the purpose of the elimination diet but maybe that wasn’t a good idea. The next day, I began taking my b-complex again and within a day I felt some energy come back to me. Now, that didn’t solve all of my problems, but at least now I wasn’t going to have to walk around each day feeling foggy-headed and weak.
The re-introduction phase also made me feel better.
I was living off of green vegetable sautés, avocados, and homemade gluten-free tortillas so I was excited to add in some old favorite foods. You can check out the excluded foods list to see what I eliminated but so far here is what I’ve introduced with no noticeable problems:
Peanut Butter – I like Wild Friends or Smuckers Natural Style (no added oils or preservatives)
Wheat – I use Alvarado Street Bakery Sprouted Whole Wheat Bread; One Degree Organics Spelt Flour (update: I’m actually gluten-sensitive, I just couldn’t detect it at this time!)
Oats – standard whole rolled oats
Tomatoes – No issues. I do like to squeeze out the seeds to reduce lectins
White Potatoes – I always had difficulty with blood sugar imbalance after eating these so I wasn’t expecting much. I did, however, cut them into fries and soak them for a few hours to release some of their starch before making them in this poutine recipe. 😀 That seemed to lessen their impact on my blood sugar! Read more about how I soak potatoes to reduce their starch here!
Food I found potentially problematic:
Eggs – They don’t give me any immediate digestive discomfort but I did notice my the skin on my face was a lot redder and had underlying inflammation that wasn’t evident before. I’m going to limit eating eggs (even more than before) so I can keep an eye on the inflammation issue.
Cauliflower – I didn’t eliminate this food during my elimination diet but I did after the first week. Cruciferous vegetables, while allowed, are very gassy and tough to digest. I steamed and froze my own cauliflower for use in smoothies and, yet, I would feel extra bloated and uncomfortable after eating. Roasted or pan-fried cauliflower did not feel much better. I’m going to gradually work on eating cauliflower as my digestive issues improve. I figure I will need to eat it well-cooked and in smaller amounts, too.
Almond butter/ Almond flour – Again, another food that wasn’t specifically excluded. Just like cauliflower, I discovered almond products did not sit well with me. I don’t know if I was overeating either of these but they would make me feel similar to processed food SICK. In theory, nuts are meant to be eaten in 1oz. or 1/4 cup portions. So, large amounts of almonds (or any nuts) in one sitting is bound to make me feel weighed down.
Coconut – I included coconut on the list for the sake of keeping track. I’ve eaten coconut in all of its forms but the only one to cause me issues was coconut flour. Very soon after eating coconut flour something, I would feel my throat tighten up as if it was hard to swallow. This was prior to my elimination diet and persisted afterwards. Additionally, after my diet, I would get the same throat tightening, though slightly less intense, with other coconut items like oil, butter, and especially dried shredded coconut. I don’t notice any other negative effects so I’ll keep eating coconut to hopefully redevelop better tolerance.
So, back to my elimination diet, I think my biggest takeaways were habits more than food intolerances.
I learned that too much of anything can become a bad thing.
This was demonstrated when I was eating two smoothies a day and (my favorite) protein powder just started to feel unwelcome in my body. I also developed a dislike for cold smoothies and moderate dislike of cold foods. While I still do crave some cold dishes, I prefer the way warm foods feel in my stomach. It’s also important to simply change up my food and not overdo it by eating the same thing.
I want to address the tendency of overeating. When there is delicious food or (my kryptonite) baked goods around, then the temptation to overeat is real. I am guilty of eating too fast and therefore reaching for more than my body can efficiently digest. Obviously, I need to train myself to know my limits because eating half of a fresh baked banana bread loaf, or anything in excess, isn’t going to make me feel good.
The elimination diet also made me super-sensitive to sugar.
Per the Clean guidelines, I cut out added sugar. The only times I used a “sweetener” was in the form of dates but that wasn’t often. As I introduced foods, post-elimination diet, I realized how deeply sugar affected me. The smallest bit of sugar in an afternoon or evening snack ended up keeping me awake later than usual.
The same goes for caffeine.
Now, I never drink coffee because I already know it will make me jittery as heck. Though, I’ve previously been okay with other naturally-caffeinated products. Green tea, for example, used to give me a steady flow of energy without a crash. Yet, I can definitely feel the micro-crash now and I don’t like it. Especially because the crash makes me snack-y. I certainly don’t want to be eating just because caffeine falsely affect my blood sugar/hunger levels.
Maybe these are feelings that everyone has with caffeine but I feel like it disrupts my rhythm. Unfortunately, my old fave chocolate can also be problematic. I have to be careful not to use over a tablespoon of cacao powder or cacao nibs at once. As well, I need to limit chocolate, so as not to throw off my blood sugar from the caffeine intake.
Habits vs. Need.
I don’t recommend anyone go on an elimination diet just to evaluate their relationship with food but it is inevitable. When my mind would tell me to eat, I would tune in to my body. Frequently, I used those moments to assess whether my hunger cravings were true or just boredom–or worse, habit. Most of the time during this cleanse, I didn’t physically need food as much as I thought I did.
My main reason for embarking on the elimination diet in the first place was to tackle my BLOAT. Was that accomplished? Unfortunately, no.
So, why am I still experiencing bloat?
My guess is: I might have continued eating a food that, unsuspectingly, is causing me digestive distress. My suspicion tells me nuts and nut butters (because I KNOW I eat a lot of them) and perhaps temperature of food plays a role, too.
I may have an imbalanced gut flora (more on this in follow-up post!). If I lack the proper “good” bacteria in my intestines, then that makes digesting anything a mission.
Lastly, stress. I don’t want to believe that this could still be playing a role because the stressors are technically over. It was two solid months of stressors drastically building up but I am no longer exposed to them. (Admittedly, I still think of them, at times). Still, I know stress can be the root manifestation of many evils such as the weight gain, digestive issues, and skin breakouts that I was experiencing. Its role is not to be underestimated.
It seems that the combination of issues I’ve been experiencing is a set of problems with no easy solution. Though, if there is anything I’ve learned from cycle-syncing, it’s that problems don’t surface out of nowhere. If unaddressed, the symptoms build up over time. They build and build until they finally become loud, noticeable, and demand attention. I’m now trying to provide that attention to some deep-rooted problems.
This post was quite an essay. Honestly, I put off writing it for so long –not just because I was slowly going through reintroduction but—because I didn’t know how to plate all of this information in a useful way. I couldn’t say, “Hey, I eliminated a food and now I feel better!” Still, I hope it was of some value or at least encourages you to think about the functionality of your health. All aspects, not just food, are important and can affect you.
Right now, I don’t have any clear answers. Though, I want to keep you all informed and involved incase you’re going through something similar. For this next leg of my journey, I will be revisiting a holistic approach to gain control over my health. If you feel inclined, please share any thoughts, advice, or stories you have in the comments! I love hearing what you guys have been through and your perspectives.
I hope this piece can help you if you need to get your wisdom teeth removed or are considering the procedure. Of course, this is only MY EXPERIENCE so please consult your dentist or an oral surgeon for an understanding of your individual situation.
Prior to me getting my wisdom teeth removed, I heard horror stories about people having outrageous pain, being swollen for days or weeks, and having to take up to a month to recover! I know everyone is different in terms of age, teeth placement, oral health, and pain tolerance—and these all play a factor in how soon you can recover from wisdom teeth surgery. Though, I feel like the internet is too saturated with these horror stories so I wanted to share the positive experience I had with my wisdom teeth removal.
In June 2018, I got ALL FOUR of my wisdom teeth removed at once 🙂
For the past year, each time I’d have my dentistry check-ups, I was told my wisdom teeth would soon be ready to be taken out. In December 2017, I was told I had some time but they needed to come out in 2018. Again at my check-up in June, it was mentioned that my teeth were “boning” (breaking the surface) and needed to be removed. So, I bit the bullet and made an appointment for the end of June to get all four removed.
There are pros and cons to getting all four removed but here is why I decided this was the right choice for me:
One-time pain – I would only need to deal with the mouth pain and recovery one time versus taking two out and then two the next time. Also, I would get occasional wisdom teeth-related pains/headaches so removal would alleviate this, too. The less time spent in pain, the better!
Convenience – Like I said for pain, it saves me the trouble of having to repeat the experience. I would only need to take time off of work for this and deal with the prep and post operative discomfort (headaches, lethargy, restricted eating, etc.) one time.
Get it over with – As I said, I’d known I was going to need to get them out and, rather than prolong the experience, I wanted to get it over with. I like checking off pending items from my to-do list! 😉
Age – My dentist and the dentistry team informed me that early 20s are the best time to get wisdom teeth removed. Of course, it varies by individual but wisdom teeth are more difficult to extract later on in life. (plus, you’ll potentially be dealing with them pushing on other teeth and causing pain)
The day of my wisdom teeth removal, I walked in to my appointment feeling slightly nervous but ready to go. My plan was to stick with local anesthetic rather than get laughing gas or be put to sleep. I had four molars removed a few years back when I got braces so I had an idea of what to expect. The surprise came when I had to sign a waiver.
The waiver listed possible problems that could occur due to my teeth extractions such as a dry socket, limited jaw mobility, and more. I asked my dentist about that and he said these were not likely but the real reason I needed to sign the waiver was due to another cause for concern. My bottom wisdom teeth had grown to the point where they were grazing the top of an important nerve that runs through the bottom of my jaw. If the nerve gets damaged, it could result in lip area numbness for a few weeks, months, or permanently.
Basically, that’s when I lost my sh*t.
The chances of that happening are slim with an expert’s hand but my dentist admitted this wasn’t common among wisdom teeth patients. I knew I needed to get them out either way. So, I gave my consent to proceed.
My dentist began to numb my mouth, injecting anesthetics into my gums. Spoiler alert: this is the most painful part. I felt stinging pain shoot through my gums and up the sinus canals in my cheeks. He started out with just a few injections to gauge how much I would need. He then left me alone in the room to ponder my situation.
I felt the numbing agents start to spread and, as I lost feeling in my mouth, I started to panic. I remember lifting my hand and seeing it tremble. My heart was racing and anxiety escalated rapidly. That day, prior to the procedure, the dental assistant took my blood pressure and my numbers were a good 30 points HIGHER than my usual BP numbers. Admittedly, I have a low BP on the regular but that just shows how freaked I was.
My dentist came back after a while. I told him where I was numb and where I still had feeling in my mouth. He gave me additional anesthetics which did the trick. If I had to guess, the anesthetic took nearly 20 minutes to kick in but then we were good to go.
The procedure itself went by really quick.
I could not feel any cutting or tugging that most certainly occurred in my mouth. Every once in a while I could taste metal (from blood) but the dental assistant kept a sucking device at the ready so that blood/saliva wouldn’t pool up. At the end, I got stitches before being rewarded with the sight of my removed teeth (what a treat!).
Honestly, there isn’t much to say about the actual procedure because I couldn’t feel anything. When it was over, I felt a bit lightheaded and an assistant helped walk me out. I’m sure I could’ve driven myself home but, luckily, my mom was there to help me out. I was sent home with a few strips of gauze to place on my bloody sockets and instructions for post-op care. You know, how to clean my mouth and what to look out for in case I’m not healing correctly. My dentist also kindly included his personal cell phone number in case I needed assistance over the weekend. This was super nice since my procedure was done on a Friday.
Post-procedure life wasn’t half bad, either.
The Friday of my procedure, I chilled with Nashville episodes and gauze on both sides of my mouth. The paper instructions said I only needed the gauze for 30 minutes to 1 hour to stop the bleeding. I found myself needing it for about three hours. Even then, blood still keep trickling into my mouth. I avoided spitting out the blood (which can loosen the blood clots in the sockets). Instead, I carried around tissues for me to drool into for the first two days.
Numbing was all gone by the second day. (meaning: the previously mentioned nerve damage concern was not an issue!! :)). Saturday, my gums were bleeding much less but I still had to be careful when eating, rinsing my mouth, or attempting to brush my teeth because any jostling made my gums bleed. By day three, this was less of a problem.
I slept upright for the first two nights so I would: a) allow for blood flow away from my face and b) not choke on my own blood and saliva. On the weekend, I skipped my usual morning exercises though, by day 3, I felt like I could handle some movement. I definitely felt a little weak so some light standing aerobics and walking was enough. The most frustrating part was just being unable to lean over for a solid week. Forget downward dog—simply leaning over made my head/face feel hot and heavy. I know it was related to the inflammation but it was a very uncomfortable feeling!
MEDSSS
My dentist prescribed me three medications: one antibiotic to safeguard against infection, a high dose ibuprofen for pain, and a steroid to bring down the swelling faster (than without). I HATED the idea of taking an antibiotic. Still, I figured the last thing I’d want to deal with is a potential infection in my mouth! So I obliged and took the medications as instructed.
The ibuprofen was helpful for the first 2-3 days but I really didn’t need it after that. Surprisingly, my jaw or sockets where my wisdom teeth once were did not hurt. The antibiotic caused the usual side effects and wreaked some havoc on my microbiome. (more on that for another post). However, the steroid was awful because it affected my blood sugar. It made it impossible for me to feel calm within the hour after taking it. My face did still get swollen but I suppose it could have been worse without the steroid….
But, Melanie, what did you look like?!
I’ve been getting asked for pictures left and right. Sorry but, silly me, I didn’t want to take pictures of myself when I was puffed up like a chipmunk. Believe me when I say my lower jaw area felt swollen and looked swollen! By day 4, fortunately, it was less noticeable and practically back to normal. Also, a slight yellow bruising developed day 4; though I was able to easily cover it up with a little makeup.
What did I eat?
Friday evening I drank some broth and that was quite fine. The next day I tried to stick to thin-textured soups and liquids. I made a cold smoothie of coconut water and chocolate protein powder for breakfast, a red lentil and butternut squash pureed soup for lunch AND dinner. The following day I tried cooking pasta and veggies until super tender and that seemed to work for me. Mashed beans, overcooked rice, and mashed avocado (no lemon!) also became my go-to meal.
After the weekend, I could pretty much eat anything I wanted. I feared opening my mouth too wide would tear the stitches so I stuck with easy-to-chew foods. Obviously, no raw vegetables (crunchy salad greens were unappealing) but I could manage to eat more foods than I expected.
That’s a wrap!
I got my stitches removed a total of ten days after my wisdom teeth removal and that went well. My dentist just reminded me to be careful about cleaning the sockets…there was a small piece of food in one. At this point, the holes are still there and probably will be for a while. When I brush my teeth now, I will brush but also swoosh to get to the corners of my mouth. Plus, lately I’ve been swooshing coconut oil around (oil pulling) and I think that is a good addition to my oral health at this time.
I’m looking forward to the day when I don’t have to poke pieces of food out of the back crevices of my gums. LOL. Though, for now, I’m doing alright! Everyone will have a different experience but I hope I put you at ease if you have some concerns about how the procedure and recovery go. Let me know if you have any questions and I’ll be happy to answer based off my experience.
Also, let’s share stories! Have any of you had your wisdom teeth removed? What was that like?
In college, I once had a professor who said to my class: do you really think your feelings are so original that no one else in the history of the world has ever felt those feelings? Basically he was saying there is no such thing as original thought. When we go through an experience, we likely aren’t feeling brand-new-to-human-kind-feelings but they are new to us individually! Unique or not, our feelings—especially during trying times—matter.
What makes you think you and your feelings are so special?
I think there is this idea, particularly in the health community, that the more you know and the more you invest in experiences to grow yourself, the better you become. You can’t learn about what makes you feel good and happy and not want to pursue that. That’s self-development and there’s a special kind of confidence and power that comes with knowing yourself well enough to be able to identify what makes you thrive. The difficult part comes when you plateau or, worse, take a nosedive in the total opposite direction.
In my case, I can almost look back to a few months ago and remember feeling like I was at the top of my young adult game. Now, I feel anything but that. I asked myself: how did I get here? I was doing everything right. Yet, right now, I just don’t even know how to deal.
So how do we navigate the world of new feelings and new experiences?
We can get so used to the rising joy from checking off personal goals that we forget what it was like to not be able to accomplish things with such ease. We forget how, when we were younger, EVERYTHING was new and we had to just take a deep breath and begin.
As adults, our tendencies may not lean towards inventiveness. Rather, we think we know it all; or have at least experienced enough, to be able to maneuver new situations. Perhaps I should only speak for myself here but I got comfortable with being me. I was happy with me but I also hadn’t ever tried being me in the outside world.
Think of this: it’s EASY to make time for you and what you want if all you have to worry about is you.
When you throw other people, other commitments, and, let’s be real, other priorities into the mix, it is a rocky and convoluted road.
For the past two months I’ve been overwhelmed with the growing intensity of change in the air. One new experience: fine. Two: I’m managing. Three, four, five, and counting: it’s a struggle to keep head above water nonetheless understand the changes. That’s what we need to do, right? Figure out the change so that we can get past it?
No, on the contrary, I’d argue that we’re better off trading our focus from the change to the experience.
Again, these past two months, changes have been happening. I keep turning my head side-to-side, watching as what I thought I knew warps and transcends into something else, and clutching at the nearest something IN SEEK OF STABILITY. Stability that isn’t tangible because it resides inside us.
We can’t always have the luxury of time to come to understand a change. Many times, change just happens and we must adapt. But how?
What I can work on, and am currently working on, is coming to terms with is the experience. I remind myself of older, somewhat difficult experiences that I didn’t think I would be able to get through and eventually did. The getting through part is what’s hard.
For starters, I’m relearning what it means to give myself grace. To sit with the unpleasant emotions. I remind myself that IT IS OKAY to admit this current experience SUCKS. I am allowed to wallow in the discomfort so long as I need but this current situation IS NOT my everything.
Talk to someone. I know this isn’t as simple as it sounds. This was probably the HARDEST thing for me because I am such an isolated person and don’t let others in. Still, my family was there. Multiple friends noticed that I didn’t seem like myself either. It’s hard to let someone in, especially if that is the reason you feel hurt now. Though, even lighthearted conversation can do wonders for the soul.
Alternatively, writing is a wonderful tool. It has been really helpful for me to flesh out the swirling thoughts in my head. Sometimes I’ll write in letter-format (send or don’t send off—your choice), sometimes poems flow out of me, and sometimes I’ll just write down stories or memories so I can come back and remember what it was like to feel. I like writing lists, too. While I allow myself to write about what sucks, I’ll try to encourage myself to write at least one thing I’m grateful for, too.
Compile inspiration. In my journal, I’ve got several pages filled with quotes that I’ve heard or read or made up in my own head. It feels monumental to see a phrase that resonates with you on paper. Do you use Pinterest or WeHeartIt? If you’re not much of a writer, it can feel equally satisfying to create a board with a collection of images that match the aesthetic of your life. A mood board, if you will. Give it a try.
At this point, I don’t have the answers. I’m in the midst of the discomfort and struggle but I’m optimistic that I won’t always feel like this. On a final note, I found this video by Kayln Nicholson on YouTube to be extremely helpful. It is about how to let go of toxic things. The title may sound a little extreme but she talks through the beginning steps, the working-through steps, and the steps for how to actually move on. Check it out for some added pep, inspiration, and motivation to give yourself what you need during difficult times.
I’m just a girl who is in pain and is remembering that my new feelings stem from a place that maybe isn’t so new. All I can do is navigate this one step at a time. If you’re also going through something, try any of my recommendations in the post. If nothing else, please reach out! You might be surprised at what someone else can offer that you didn’t know you needed yourself.
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