One of the biggest fears Darcy had about getting dental implants was the surgery itself. Every tooth that I had, whether it was good, bad, ripped, whatever, was gonna be gone. What if I go in there and something terrible happens and I wake up and they're like, I'm so sorry. There's nothing we can do. I didn't wanna even imagine that. But after going through with it, she's here to share the truth about what facing those fears was really like and how life really looks thirty days in with her new smile. Are you ready, Darcy? I'm ready. Alright. Let's get into it. What was your breaking point before getting your dental implants that made you finally decide to look into getting something done? Oh, well, it was definitely more of a short term thing for me only because my problems didn't start a long time ago. My problems started when my iron deficiency diagnosis happened and, you know, maybe there were some outside forces, genetics, whatever, but that definitely amplified it. And it came to a point of I have to do something permanent. I have to do some I have to do I have to do a I have to do a fix. Right? So do I wanna go the denture route? Do I wanna go something permanent being my age? What I need to do? And dentures were just not a good fit for me. That's not what I wanted to do. After reading upon it, it just wasn't it wasn't what I needed. So going and researching this, this was really the only way that I felt I needed to go. Absolutely. And I have to ask, why did you end up going to the place that you did? Did anything, like, stand out to you when looking around? So I looked at a couple different places. Actually, I I live in Dayton, so I looked local and I just didn't get a good feel. And honestly, there were times where they would tell me that I would go in and I would have all of this done and then I would have to go somewhere and get teeth placed and it was just like, don't know where I'm going. I don't know what I'm doing. How long am I gonna be like this? Whereas when I researched this and people had talked to me, the first consultation, I would say the phone consultation where they see if they even move you forward, that was so that was just such an intimate conversation. Like, they wanted to know about me. They wanted to know, like, my past, and I felt comfortable from that moment. So that that to me sealed the deal. Wow. And you said at the other places, you didn't really know kind of how long it would take or maybe what would even be in your mouth. Right? So how was that different at Nuvia? Because less than twenty four hours later, I was able to not have to worry about where I was gonna go next. It is a one stop shop. It's real what I thought was really great too is that's all they do. So you didn't go in the waiting room and there's fifteen people in front of you and there this person getting this done and that person getting that done. This is all they do. So you know that the person sitting beside you in the waiting room has went through some step of this process, and you can relate to everyone that comes in there. So that was a huge point for me and going in, getting it done, and coming back, only having to be uncomfortable in my own skin for less than twenty four hours was another just kinda like check mark for me. Like, do I sign? What do I do? Right. Exactly. I mean, that makes total sense. You don't wanna be longer than it needed. Right? No. So I am curious. You were you found some you found Nuvia. You were Yes. Ready to get something done. Know previously before you had mentioned, once you initially took that sixty second quiz and then you had this phone consultation, you had backed out at first. And I'm curious, what were these fears, you know, going on inside your head? What was holding you back at that moment? Two big fears. Two big fears. The first one was knowing that I was going to be forty three years old and every tooth that I had, whether it was good, bad, ripped, whatever, was gonna be gone. Like that was fear number one. And and honestly, that was never gonna go away. So no matter whether I backed out now or six months from now, that is still the reality that had to happen. I would say that was the biggest that was the biggest one. And then waking up and feeling like I had nothing in there was and not like I I didn't wanna even imagine that. And I thought if I could just push that away, like, maybe things would get better and things did not get better. So then I had to just be real with myself and say, there's no other way around this. Like, no matter what venture you go down, there's no other way that it can happen until you take this big first step. So, yeah, I I definitely backed up. What made you kind of go back to it and be like, alright, I need to I need to do something though. I need to do something. Well, I knew I was gonna stay at the same place. Like, it wasn't a matter of, like, going somewhere else. So I, like, I was locked into where I wanted to go. So then it was a matter of I just have to do it. I just have to do it. What's the worst they can tell me? They're I'm not going there or I'm not talking to somebody, and they're doing it that day. So going in there, I went to the Dublin office and doctor Yeager was incredible from the start. And I don't wanna say they give like worst case scenario, but they do tell you like, here's what you could potentially expect. So when you do expect it, you're not upset about it. But when you don't when you don't have that happen, then you're like, oh, maybe I wasn't one of those ones. So he walked me through the whole thing based upon like his approach because he wasn't the surgeon and said, here here are three different things or here are four different things that could happen from this outcome, and we're gonna make sure that you're fixed no matter what happens. The beautiful part is you'll be asleep and you won't know. So any of these scenarios we run into, we can make happen. And that was really comforting because I really kinda thought the same thing. Like, what if I go in there and something terrible happens and I wake up and they're like, I'm so sorry. There's nothing we can do. And I'm like, well? Exactly. Exactly. And before we move on, Darcy, you did mention to me that your journey started with the sixty second eligibility quiz. So I do wanna point out to the viewers, if you're curious if you could be a good candidate for this procedure, make sure to take that sixty second quiz in the description below. Alright. Well, you did decide to go in, obviously. Yes. Walk me through what actually happened on surgery day then. You know, what was running through your mind that morning when you walked in? So I actually had a later surgery date only because like travel was an hour and a half and I was pretty appreciative about that. I would really like to just get it done like early in the morning, but it was also really nice to have the afternoon or like the late morning to kinda reflect on everything. And I I was nervous going in. I mean, I would be crazy to think that I wasn't, but I just had this like overwhelming peace. And I thought about this when I was writing in there. I'm gonna be driving down this stretch of road for an hour and a half, and the next hour and a half, I'm gonna be done. Everything's gonna be done. I'm gonna come home, and it's all gonna be good. So I just need to get there. And once I get there, they'll take care of everything. And so once I got there, they took me back into the room, and that's where the surgeon came in and was very, very informative of everything that was going on. Once that was done, then it was time to get up and go. So take me back though, before you fell asleep, who was all in that room with you? Like, what was there was the one doctor doing everything, or was there a team around What did that look like? So I I wish I could remember her name, and I don't wanna say it wrong, but she was there with me from the very beginning. She was there with me at the Smile Design. She was there with me when I first got there. She was back there, so that was a comforting face. And then the nurse that was back there who's actually gonna deal with anesthesia, I've talked to her twice before. It was like I've known her forever. And then the surgeon came in, music was kinda playing in the background, and they went over all of my information. They kinda verified everything in front of me. You're laying not laying. You're in this dentist chair. So it's not like an uncomfortable weird feeling like most people have been in that situation. But there's a table in front of you and that table is completely covered. So you don't see anything that's about to happen. It's just a very to me, was a very calming environment. I felt I felt at ease the second I sat down. Wow. And I can imagine too having like, you know, maybe the the dental assistant and the CRNA and the surgeon all having their own I feel like that would also give me a sense of peace. Yes. Knowing that she was gonna be there regardless, I've had kind of issues with blood pressure and stuff getting really low and she knew that and she knew that because she's seen mine when I had come in there. And she said, no matter what's gonna happen, I'll take care of you. And that was that was actually one of the things I was worried about the most going in And she she I didn't even have to say anything. She knew it by looking at the times I was in there. And she said, you know, no matter what, I'm gonna take care of you. So that was that was an honor. And that's another reason why every you're so different than everybody else because everybody has a job and they do that job a hundred percent Which was another calming factor going in. Absolutely. That totally makes sense. Well, what is the last thing you do remember before going under? I remember her looking at me and saying something about get ready for a nap or how are you feeling? Here we go. Are you ready? And I I just I I feel like it was something along those lines and I yes. Let's go. Let's do this. Let's let's let's go. Oh, that's amazing. What about, you know, when you had that lovely nap when it was over, what did, you know, the following hours look like? What did that night look like? Were you in pain? How did that go? I didn't take any pain medication until I got home And then, honestly, it was just alternating Tylenol and Motrin, and I think I only did that for maybe three days. But that first night, I mean, I think the most I think the most annoying part was just making sure you had ice on your face all the time. I mean, sitting up didn't bother me. The pain absolutely did not bother me. If I didn't know I had something done, I wouldn't know I had something done. Wow. That is so mind blowing. So now I'm sure a lot of people are curious about this part of it too. You got your teeth extracted, your dental implants replaced surgery, right? The next day you were promised, hey, twenty four hours later you're gonna get your permanent So did that really happen? Tell me more about that. It actually did happen. I had an appointment set at three thirty and they called and said that they were done early so we were able to go in early and get that done. And so you go back there and they come in and they talk to you like, here's what's gonna happen. For me, that was probably the only part of the process that was uncomfortable. And so once you got through that, it was like the weirdest relief of pressure when they were done. Like everything just felt settled and natural and it didn't feel clunky or big or fake or or anything. I've seen on the Facebook page where it you know, people didn't feel a thing. So maybe everybody is different in that aspect. But for me, that was probably the only part where I was like, I had to if I had to say I had some discomfort, it would be then. Totally. I mean, it makes sense, like you said again, you're having something put on the day after surgery, so there might be some uncomfortableness there. So but you said once you once you got them on, it felt like that went away? Oh, yeah. So you're feeling pressure, but it was like once the last one was in, like the pressure just like melted away. It was like I can't even describe it. It was like everything just again fell into place. So there wasn't any pain after that. I think I came home and took a Tylenol just because it was time, but I didn't have to like stop and get anything or do anything. Like, once that uncomfortable feeling was gone, it just pretty much went to to being okay. That's pretty amazing. That's pretty amazing. Well, I do wanna ask as well, you know, the day before, you obviously had your natural set of teeth. So you're coming back in the next day, you have this new full set of teeth. What did it look like looking in the mirror for the first time at your new smile? Surreal. And you always see, like, you see the commercials where people do it and they break down and stuff, like, was just like a frozen moment. Like, it was just like, is this really me? Like, did did this just happen to me in the span of a day? Did this did did I wake up and brush my teeth like my real teeth for the last time? And twenty four hours later, I'm going home with these beautiful teeth that are a hundred percent permanent and they look almost identical to the ones I had before they were damaged anyway. So it's not like it was like, oh, I didn't want that shape or oh, they don't look they look they feel so natural because they I feel like we're measured and made from what I had already. Exactly. And honestly, if you would never have told me, like, I would never I would never know, Darcy, that you got this done. That's what the coolest thing about this is. Like, it's mind blowing to me. Hearing all the stories is incredible. Absolutely. And like like you said, you know, you see you see these commercials or or these videos, but when you get it done yourself, like Yeah. Did you did you ever expect, you know, that to be you going through that feeling? Wow. So I am curious, looking back, was the whole surgery part, you know, you had these fears going on, was that as bad as you imagined it would be? No. The Facebook group has been absolutely incredible. They're so supportive. The the people who run out are so supportive. It's like just a big team, a big partnership. And people can ask any kind of questions. I've never seen anybody say, how do you not know that? Or why are you here if you don't like, I've never seen any negativity. So, you know, I had posted the day before and several people had commented, which I know now. But several people had commented like, oh, it's not a big deal. You'll just go in and take a nap. Like, and to like, there isn't even a word for it because I certainly wasn't annoyed because somebody was giving me feedback. I certainly wasn't irritated, but it was like, it's easy for you to say because you've already done it. Like, you know what to expect. You're over here and I'm over here and I need to get over here, but I don't know how the bridge looks. And when I went in there, I just kept hearing those people tell me, you know, it's they they do all the work for you. Like, you get to sleep. At what point in time do you, like, really get to just lay down and and nobody needs anything from you? Nobody wants anything from you? You get to actually lay down and sleep. And once I got there, I just felt so so comfortable. So that's the second hurdle. If you can just get in that seat and let them do their work, you'll look back. You'll be like me and you'll say, it really wasn't that bad at all. It really I mean, I would go do it again tomorrow. Wow. That says a lot. Yeah. I mean, it would be it would be a no it would be a no brainer. That is that is incredible to me. And here you are thirty days. Yes. About thirty days, almost a whole month of getting this done. Yeah. How has, you know, the recovery part been, you know, since that first day and and second day? Like, are you have you been in pain or or do they feel strange? Talk to me more about what they feel like, you know, at these thirty days. Yeah. So day one and day two were pretty uneventful. And I count day one as like the day after because getting home at like five, and I didn't really count that as the first day. But day one and day two were pretty uneventful. I mean, I didn't have a ton of swelling. I didn't have a lot of pain, but I was staying on top of my medicine. And I think that's a huge thing to tell people is stay on top of it. Don't say, oh, I feel good. Skip two hours and then the pain comes because you had surgery. But this is very manageable if you stay on top of it. So day one and day two, I felt pretty good. Day three was starting to swell a little bit. Day four was my roughest day. My swelling was up by my eyes and right here, where some people swell down here or bruise, whatever. That so it was just tight. It was never I would never say I was in pain. I have told people, if you if I had to rate it, I would say my pain was never higher than a three at the whole time. The whole time. Wow. And after day so day five was not bad at all. Day five was almost like the switch flipped. I had a little bit of bruising that I was able to cover up, but other than that, I I felt and I looked normal, and I I I started life again. So tell me about this. You started life again. You you were eating. You were talking with this new smile. What did it feel? Did it feel weird, or or or what did it feel like get like using it? So I was actually able to I was actually able to eat pasta like the second night that was really soft. Chewing was it never felt off. It never felt weird. And that that is that is me. It could for somebody else but because that is one thing they do tell you that could happen, you know, the first week or so, like your mouth getting adjusted to something new. I didn't have that. The only thing I really felt that was different was maybe just talking a little bit And I think that's just based upon having something stronger in my mouth that I didn't feel like I had to guard it or I didn't feel like I had to protect it when I talked, if that makes sense. So any kind of like little thing that I noticed, other people didn't notice, and I don't notice it at all anymore. That's incredible. You say you mentioned eating like pasta pretty pretty soon after. So it sounds like you're not having to be on a liquid diet right away. Right? Can you tell me more about what what you could eat? Yeah. So that when when I when I say that, I should probably preface it. It was the little noodles in noodle soup. So, you know, like you can just crush them with your fingers. So it wasn't like, you know, spaghetti. I mean, they were very, very soft. But as far as the liquid stuff goes, I did that for probably I didn't eat anything. I didn't test my boundaries more than that for probably the first three or so days and then maybe getting into a little more stuff. But, yeah, I I mean, the rule is if it can be cut with a plastic fork, then you can have it. And this is a great season to be doing this because you can put stuff in the crock pot that just falls apart. And so I haven't had any problem, and I'm I told myself I'm not pushing any envelope. I'm following exactly what they say, and I'm I'm not I'm not playing around with anything I shouldn't until that fourth month. That makes sense. I mean, you wanna protect what you just, you know, invested in yourself with and Yes. So I think you're going about the right way. Yes. So during this thirty days in period, is there anything else that maybe has surprised you or been challenging, or maybe something that's been better than you thought it would be? I think everything's better than I thought it would be. The the prayer going into this from everybody that I knew is we just want this to go better than expected. Nobody expected it to be flawless, and it went better than I ever expected. One thing that really surprised me, was I still have to brush my teeth three times a day. I again, taking care of an investment. You have to floss, you have to water pick. So I mean, even if when my teeth were good, I'm taking way better care of this than I would if I was just brushing twice a day or flossing like most people do, like, with the teeth that they have. So that was one thing that I thought really surprised me in a good way of, like, here's a list of what you need to do and how your body's healing for when you need to do it. Absolutely. So what are you most excited about then? You know, obviously, you're in very early stages, but you have so much time left with these beautiful babies in your mouth. Like, what are you excited So, very forward facing person. I'm a nursing instructor, so I'm in front of people all of the time. You know, small business owner, I stopped doing a lot of events and things just because of the way that I felt, maybe the embarrassment that was there. So I'm excited to live my life again. I'm excited to see how far I can go on everything that I held myself back on because of how I felt about myself. So I'm just looking forward. Like, I'm looking forward to going into class tomorrow. I'm looking forward to being able to smile. I'm looking forward to not having to, like, laugh and, you know, hide my face. I'm looking forward to just all the little things that you don't you don't think about or you completely take for granted. Totally. And I've heard that so many times when interviewing is like, it's the things that you don't think about. And I think the little things add up to being the biggest things. Right? I agree. So I think that is super, super incredible. Is there is there anything else you wanna let anyone know about maybe, you know, after a a month of getting this done, something you wanna let them know about this process that maybe that you would have wanted to know before getting this done? I think I did a lot of self navigation. One thing I would say is that absolutely get involved with the Facebook page. I mean, ask them all the questions that you can because people are there to answer them. That is a huge resource. I felt like I was walked through everything wonderfully. I I didn't leave any appointment or any conversation with any questions of, but what if I or what if you or what if this. I felt like everything, every time I went there was tied up in a bow and I felt prepared for whatever was gonna come next. Oh, think that's a lovely way to go about it. So Yeah. Do you have any regrets at all? I mean, sounds like no, but I just have to ask you, has it been worth it up until this point? The only regret I have is forgetting about it a couple months ago and putting it off to the side. Like, I if I would have done it when I would have wanted to, then I could be in that four month mark now. But everything happens the way that it should, and I can't dwell on that. But, yeah, oh, my that is, like, the only regret that I have is why did and and even not then, years ago when this started happening, you know, years ago when this started going on, why didn't I do it sooner? That's that's the only thing I can say. Wow. And you mentioned the four month mark. What what happens at the four month month mark that you're excited about? Well, I think the misconception is people think that you just have temporary, like, temporary in now, and that's not the case. These are the ones that are gonna be in with me forever. The only difference is they have to let you heal. So how it was explained to me was they give you room to let everything heal and let everything work together. And then they have found, I'm sure because this is all they do, that at four months, a lot of that healing has taken place. A lot of that healing has happened, and you can eat whatever you want. Whatever you want. You have no restriction at all. Yeah. What are you most excited to eat? An apple. I'm gonna take it with me to my appointment. That's the very first thing I'm gonna do. It's just I'm gonna take it and I'm gonna eat it. Oh, I love that. Oh, Yeah. I've heard that's that's that's a number one I've heard a lot. Apple or steak. Steak I've heard as well. Yes. Oh, I'm so excited for you, Darcy. One question I do wanna ask is, I know you got started in your journey with a, like, sixty second eligibility quiz. Yeah. So where could people go to find out, you know, if they could be a candidate for something like this? I feel like there's a lot of opportunities to get them, but one of the biggest opportunities we're gonna have is just within this video. So hopefully, it's gonna be down there and people can click on that and and do do it. It's sixty seconds and it doesn't even take that long, and and someone will get back with you. And it's not a pushy thing. Like I said, I felt that first conversation, they really wanted to know about me, and that came from that sixty second that came from that sixty second quiz. There you go. There you go. Well, Darcy, again, thank you for giving us a look into the first thirty days with, you know, a new permanent smile. It's a great reminder that, you know, fear is real and is valid, but so are the results on the other side, and you are living the proof of that right now, and I think that's incredible. Yes. I would encourage anyone just make the call and make the drive. You it it you you'll feel the same way and you won't have any regrets either. And for those watching, until next time. Keep smiling.
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