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“Regret Jaw Surgery for Underbite”

jawregret 19 posts

Comments (107)
Updated 21 Oct 2009
Posted 29 Sep 2009

Not Worth It

Spent: $2,000 in Toronto, ON

I had upper jaw surgery, where my upper jaw was moved forwards about 6mm. It has completely changed my face. Especially my nose. I did this surgery to correct a slight under bite.

Pro - no more underbite

Con - I am now self conscious about the way I look and fear going out in public.

Updated October 17, 2009

5 weeks ago I had upper jaw surgery to fix an underbite. The surgeon decided to move the upper jaw because he said I had flat cheeks, an under developed upper jaw.

He also said my nose would not change much. Well it did!!!

Now, I desperately want to fix it.

Should I have my upper jaw moved back to its original position and move the lower jaw back instead (a major surgery)?
Or should I have a nose job fix my upturned and flattened nose?

Can anyone tell me exactly what happened to my nose?

Updated on Oct 21, 2009:
Is it possible to have the surgery undone? Will the surgeon consider doing this? Or would it be better to get a nose job?

Updated on Jul 29, 2010:
It takes a couple of months for the swelling to completely go down. Still not completely satisfied though.

Updated on Jul 29, 2010:
I was contemplating a nose job, but after looking around and talking to some surgeons, it seemed like that operation is even riskier with a low percentage of patients who are satisfied. In the future, I might get both upper and lower jaws moved back, but for now, I'm seeing how long I can live with it.

This review is the subjective opinion of a RealSelf member and not of RealSelf, Inc.

My Doctor: Name not provided

I initially went in with the expectation that my lower jaw would be moved. Then about 15 days before the operation I was told that I should probably move the upper jaw as it would add to my flat cheeks. I was also told that my nose might change slightly. I wasn't informed that my face would completely change.

Front View

Side View

Before picture of my underbite.

April 2010 - 7 months post op

Vote: 8 members found this review helpful

Comments (107)

Edited by Sharon: Link removed. Please share third-party links via private contact only.

San Diego9379 (2 posts) 16 Nov 2010

You look so much better now. More normal. You miss the face you knew, but you'll get used to this one. I needed the upper and lower jaw surgery. I had no tooth show after braces and nightgear at too young an age. I couldn't find any surgeon to do this 20 yrs ago, so they convinced me to get cheek and chin implants and a nose job. It looked ok for awhile- but I never could smile right- then I looked like an alien. When the mouth area is receede the worst thing is to overextend the cheeks and chin- didn't take a rocket scientist to know that. You're lucky science has advanced and they do more mouth surgery now. 20 yrs later, my implants have all moved. It doesn't look so great. My shyness about doing the original surgery and anger at the plastic surgeon kept me from enjoying a full life. I wouldn't date-I hid from people. Don't do the same-time goes fast. You look really good- you're correct in overcoming the idea that looks make or break you. I'm a super critic but I think your face looks more normal, handsome, and appealing to women now.

jawregret (19 posts) 17 Oct 2009

I've actually seen my orthodontist and orthognathic surgeon again. Both say a reversal is possible but that I should wait at least 3-months before deciding on anything.

San Diego9379 (2 posts) 16 Nov 2010

Also, don't get a nose job- that's the thing I regret the most. It's not reversible and if you don't like it -you're truly stuck. Just give you surgery a few years to settle in- the less you do the less regrets you'll have later in life. Hang in there~

DESTINY1 (7 posts) 20 Oct 2009

I have braces and I will be receiving the exact procedure that you have gone through. How drastically do you think the jaw setback changed your face? How many mm did they push it back? How long were you in pain?

DESTINY1 (7 posts) 20 Oct 2009

how is it uncomforatble?

jawregret (19 posts) 21 Oct 2009

Hi Destiny1, I actually had a jaw advancement. Basically if they move your upper jaw (forward or backwards) your face is likely to change. Possibly to a point where you won't recognize it. If they move your lower jaw (back in your case), I hear the only complaint is that you might look a bit weak in the chin. That is unless you get your chin moved forwards. The pain is manageable. After the surgery they put you on morhphine. Then when you're home, you're on liquid codeine. I thought the hardest part was psychological, dealing with the change in face and not being able to eat any food.

DESTINY1 (7 posts) 1 Dec 2009

Thanks for the reponse. My ortho will be expanding my top palette. (While I have braces in my mouth.) Let 6-8 weeks pass, then push the jaw back. (Another 6-8 weeks.) I was going to get a chin reduction due to the fact that I thought I had to much chin. But will that be needed if they correcting the top bottom jaw?

loopysnoot (1 post) 20 May 2011

Hi Jawregret--I hope you're still checking this. I had the exact same surgery in Dec 2010 and I am feeling the same way you are. I am desperate for a reversal. I am only 20 and I hate the way I look. I had an underbite before but I dint mind it--I still felt pretty. now, my confidence is absolutely shattered and worst of all, I find myself planning for all these plastic surgeries to correct my face now--it feels absolutely disgusting to be 20 and thinking about rhinoplasties and a million other surgeries just to feel pretty. Can I get access to your blog? I want to make an educated decision and I think following along with your changes will help me out. thanks for doing this by the way, it is nice to know that I am not alone in feeling this way. thanks

johnathan (5 posts) 20 May 2011

hey i just wanted to say i had my surgery in march of 2011 and i really dont mind it. i had a lower and upper advancement of 10mm on both. yeah i wouyld say the firs 6 weeks sucked but it helped me with my sleep apnea. the only thing that peeps tell me is that kind of lost the younger look about me...sucks but its all good. what are you planning to do???? are you from the california area? if you would like you can email me directly

Kaila (unregistered guest) 27 Oct 2009

I think you look great!

sarah12345 (1 post) 24 Nov 2009

I am considering the surgery and based on how you look after it I am def going to go for it you look really good so stop putting yourself down and be thankful x

RooRoo (1 post) 24 Nov 2009

Hi Jawregret, I had lower jaw surgery about 7 months ago, and I still have swelling on my right side, making my lower face slightly lopsided. In your pics, I see quite a bit of swelling in your midface, so it may still be too early to judge your final outcome. Definitely discuss your concerns with your surgeon thoroughly, but i wouldn't rush into a reversal procedure unless it's clear to you that it's necessary.

Inspyrd (1 post) 30 Nov 2009

I used to have an underbite and I recently had the same surgery done.Except they moved my upper jaw forward AND my lower jaw back.Today Im about 6 weeks post-op.But like you im having the same problem.My nose changed alot.Its now upturned and seems slightly wider.which i hate.I mentioned it to my surgeon and my orthodontist.they said that they can prescribe me to a surgeon to basically fix my nose back to how it was,but to wait a few more months for more healing and more of the swelling to go down.. Basically i know how you feel.Personally i rather not get my nose fixed by the surgeon.Im still hoping that in time it will eventually go back to or at least close to how it used to look..

jawregret (19 posts) 12 Dec 2009

I got your message. I'm about 3 months post-op now. Either the swelling has gone down a lot or I've just gotten used to it, but I don't notice it as much as before. I'm still looking into some sort of rhinoplasty though.

sybraceface (3 posts) 14 Jan 2010

i think u look better

jawregret (19 posts) 16 Jan 2010

Thanks, I'm 4 months post op now. I must say it does take a couple months for all swelling to go down. It just looked so weird the first couple of weeks.

Edge07 (1 post) 27 Mar 2010

hey, thanks for this review. I have not seen your most recent appearance after the operation but I must say that your nose looked much better prior to the operation. I am planning to have my jaw operation also because I have a protruded chin. I got the underbite corrected through orthodontics but my chin still looks prominent. Can you please invite me to your blog please? I need some inspiration before I decide to go through the operation. Thanks.

jawregret (19 posts) 11 Apr 2010

Hey, Send me your email so I can add you.

lynn0419 (1 post) 5 Feb 2010

you look great!

stefano.pedrotti (3 posts) 15 Feb 2010

I had/have more or less the same problem like you. They didn't tell me about the esthetic changes a surgery like this implies. A little bit like your story. So I looked in the mirror and said: "What the f..?!?!?" Now I'm looking for a surgeon who brings my upper jaw back again. I did the surgery in Austria, I'm from Italy. My surgeon doesn't want to bring the jaw back. It was not easy to speak with him because he feels attacked by my criticism. In his eyes the occlusion is ok so there is no reason worry. He decided not to talk with me anymore. This behavior makes me really angry. May be american surgeons have other views. If somebody can help just write me a mail: stefano.pedrotti@yahoo.com Thanks a lot stefano

Louie72 (1 post) 20 Apr 2010

I think your jaw surgery resulted in a huge improvement and that your nose is fine. If you're really unhappy about it get your nose changed but leave the jaw as is. Sometimes we tend to be too critical of our own appearance but you honestly do look great!!