My how things have changed...

I was 17 when I had my wisdom teeth pulled.  I went to the only oral surgeon in St. Charles.  Not a great guy.  Surly and abrupt, had a god complex.  After the surgery he sent me home with few instructions.  I immediately swelled up like a rabid chipmunk and my cheeks turned various colors of  blue and green.  It was miserable.  It hurt like heck and I was sick to my stomach.  The wounds kept bleeding so I had to go back to the surgeon and he repacked the wound without any analgesia and it was awful.

This week, Chris, age 19 had his impacted wisdom teeth removed.  This time we had our choice of surgeons.  Fortunately, we were lucky enough to go back to Dr. Barry Keogh, http://www.keoghoralsurg.com/.  Barry and I worked at the same hospital in St. Louis. He moved to Denver a year after we did.  He removed an odontogenic cyst from Andrew's jaw when he was 7 years old.  And later when Andrew needed braces, Barry remove a couple of teeth in his overcrowded mouth.  In my opinion Barry is the finest Oral Maxillo Facial specialist anywhere.

Anyway, nowadays, patients are given improved anesthesia and prophylactic anti-nausea medication.  Detailed instructions for reducing swelling, bleeding, and pain are given.  Chris made it through the 1st day, problem free.  He has mild swelling and moderate pain and aside from Vicodin induced drowsiness, he is healing well.  Barry called the evening of Chris' surgery just to check on him. 

My goodness, how things change.....

The other wonderful change I encountered this week has to do with vanity.  Recently I discovered a brand of cosmetics called Benefit, http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/gp/home.html.  I was in Las Vegas in May, shopping at Macy's.  I was standing in the cosmetics department looking for the purse department when a lovely young woman approached me and asked if I wanted a make-over.  I NEVER do that kind of thing. But Vanessa was very good at her trade and before long I was sitting in a chair at the Benefit counter.  Within minutes, she had tried new eye shadow and something called High Beam that brightens your face.  I loved the look and bought the eyeshadows and High Beam. 

The shadows were great and actually stayed on.  I checked out Benefit on the web and saw some other products that I thought might work for me.  I was reluctant to  buy cosmetics online but luckily, Macy's here in Denver recently added a Benefit counter.  A sweet young woman named Jessa was eager to help. 

I am a 54 year old post-menopausal woman who stilll has the oiliest skin on earth.  Within an hour of applying my make-up, my forehead is shining like lighthouse.  By the end of the day my make-up is sliding off my face.  I don't consider myself a horribly vain woman, but I do like looking professional and well groomed, instead of a greasy teenager.

So Jenna showed me some products that allegedly would control the shine.  Well, the products are amazing and really really work.  I can go through the whole day with no shine.  And my skin is smooth and soft.  It's unbelievable.  Do you have any idea how many anti-oil products I have bought since 8th grade?  Enough to take a very long vacation in the French Riviera. 

So I am now in love with Benefit.  As one who usually buys cosmetics at Target, I am a convert.  These are not pricey products.  Just a little above the drug store prices.  But you only need small amounts and the quality is great.

If you have dry skin, they probably have something for you too. 

Both events this week evolved over a 35 year period.  Change is good.