POSTED UNDER Jaw Surgery REVIEWS
24 Years Old, Never Been Able to Chew Until Now - New York, NY
ORIGINAL POST
Since I was 7, the orthodontist had always told me...
gigz06September 15, 2014
WORTH IT$46,000
Since I was 7, the orthodontist had always told me I would need a jaw surgery to correct my bite. My parents asked him to do whatever he could so I could avoid this- that is what he did. I was in a retainer, a palet expander, head gear, and braces. Yes, my teeth were straight, though my teeth did not touch in the front or on the left side. I only chewed on my back right molar, and swallowed lots of food whole. I never saw a problem with this as it was all I ever knew. Physically my face looked fine and "normal," to the average person.
It was not until I was 23 that I started to really notice the problem. I was having stomach problems (probably from swallowing my food whole), and the right side of my face was starting to look larger, and more muscular then the left. I went to a different orthodontist thinking he would be able to throw me back into braces and fix my problem. The second I sat in the chair, he told me I needed surgery.
I decided I would do some research and head to an oral surgeon just to hear what he would have to say. This is when I found myself in Dr. Jamali's office. I spent over 2 hours there going over xrays and drawings Dr. Jamali was able to sketch out of my face. He was able to sketch what would be done if I had the jaw surgery performed. We discussed benefits of surgery and how my quality of life would improve.
I decided to go ahead with the procedure. Dr. Jamali helped prove that my case was functional, and not cosmetic. As a result, insurance covered my procedure. The extra that was not covered Dr. Jamali waived (thank goodness!!!!).
Surgery was definitely tough, and recovery has been a long road. I am almost two months out, and still have facial swelling. I am still blending my food to eat, and have not yet been given the okay to chew (but it's not bad, food processors will be your best friend!) Every day gets better and better. I am back to living my life the way I had prior to the surgery- I am just careful that I do not get hit in the face with anything!
Overall, Dr. Jamali is the best surgeon you can go to for this procedure. He is there every step of the way, and is just a quick phone call away! I HIGHLY recommend him, as he does the best work I have seen.
It was not until I was 23 that I started to really notice the problem. I was having stomach problems (probably from swallowing my food whole), and the right side of my face was starting to look larger, and more muscular then the left. I went to a different orthodontist thinking he would be able to throw me back into braces and fix my problem. The second I sat in the chair, he told me I needed surgery.
I decided I would do some research and head to an oral surgeon just to hear what he would have to say. This is when I found myself in Dr. Jamali's office. I spent over 2 hours there going over xrays and drawings Dr. Jamali was able to sketch out of my face. He was able to sketch what would be done if I had the jaw surgery performed. We discussed benefits of surgery and how my quality of life would improve.
I decided to go ahead with the procedure. Dr. Jamali helped prove that my case was functional, and not cosmetic. As a result, insurance covered my procedure. The extra that was not covered Dr. Jamali waived (thank goodness!!!!).
Surgery was definitely tough, and recovery has been a long road. I am almost two months out, and still have facial swelling. I am still blending my food to eat, and have not yet been given the okay to chew (but it's not bad, food processors will be your best friend!) Every day gets better and better. I am back to living my life the way I had prior to the surgery- I am just careful that I do not get hit in the face with anything!
Overall, Dr. Jamali is the best surgeon you can go to for this procedure. He is there every step of the way, and is just a quick phone call away! I HIGHLY recommend him, as he does the best work I have seen.
gigz06's provider
Replies (15)
September 16, 2014
Thank you so much for adding pictures! What a story they tell. You're so lovely, and I know it'll be a great relief when your teeth can finally touch freely and you can chew! Are you still numb at all? And how long will you be in braces now?
September 16, 2014
I am totally numb on the left side of my face from the lower lip down. My upper lip has total feeling, and the right side lower lip chin can feel sensation when I touch. Hopefully all the feeling comes back soon!
The orthodontist actually said I am just about ready for the braces to come off- I have my apt with Dr. Jamali next week and hopefully he will give the orthodontist the OK.
I had braces when I was young so my teeth were pretty straight before hand anyway. The orthodontist has suggested I get a retainer for night time and possibly for a month during the day.
September 16, 2014
I certainly hope so! After all that work :). I don't know how long full-time retainer wear usually is for jaw surgery patients, but for plain orthodontic patients, it can be up to 6 months! And then the night-time wear is for life. Have they considered doing a permanent bonded retainer at all?
September 16, 2014
Yeah- I should be okay without it. Like I said, my teeth were previously straight prior. We will find out in time. Hopefully I get feeling back soon.. that;s my biggest concern right now!
September 17, 2014
Saffronblossom and Yadannn are both still going through that as well. It'd be fantastic if all three of you just got the feeling back within the week :D. I assume there will be an update when that starts happening!
September 18, 2014
Just got in a new review of a woman who got double jaw surgery for sleep apnea. She said she had swelling for four months and still had numbness at 6 months. Three months of soft food. Does that mesh with what Dr. Jamali has prepared you for?
September 18, 2014
No, not at all! Her name is Ardyce if you want to take a look at what she said, but she had hers done in Chicago. I'm just wondering whether your two doctors gave the same sorts of time-tables for recovery. Things like that fascinate me no end.
September 19, 2014
I am on no chewing still- today is 8 weeks. I'm hoping I don't still have numbness at 6 months.
September 19, 2014
Yeah. That doesn't sound like fun :(. I never regained sensation after my mommy makeover surgeries, but it's just such a different thing in the face. Hoping that resolves for you sooner rather than later!
September 21, 2014
Thanks for sharing your story! Your results are amazing (and I will say I am a little jealous, as I am still struggling with my post-surgery face). It's so funny how different doctor's instructions are...I got the go-ahead to chew at three weeks but totally didn't feel ready, and only at two months am I tackling actual real foods.
Best wishes for your continued recovery!
September 28, 2014
I do have feeling in all of my face now--though in my lower lip and chin, it's only partial feeling. I can feel sensation there, but it sets off some pretty intense tingling (and I'm currently about 72 days post-op). I'm hopeful this means that I will regain 100% sensation in time though!
September 24, 2014
I am just finding out they want me to have surgery not to long ago I am very scared and don't know what to think. Are you happy with what you chose to do?
October 16, 2014
It is a tough surgery for sure... but if you need it I say go for it! The younger you are, the easier your recovery will be. Where are you from?
UPDATED FROM gigz06
4 months post
No more braces!
gigz06November 5, 2014
I got my braces off today! I am three months two weeks out. I am so amazed by the results. I got a wire glued to the back of my bottom teeth that will be there forever. I am just in awe of the results.
Replies (10)
November 6, 2014
Wow. You look gorgeous! And so happy!
The changes you've gone through have been tremendous. Have you ever felt like sometimes you didn't recognize yourself? Or regretted it all, while you were in the thick of it? Did you have a good understanding, before you started, what changes your face would go through and how you would deal with it?
The changes you've gone through have been tremendous. Have you ever felt like sometimes you didn't recognize yourself? Or regretted it all, while you were in the thick of it? Did you have a good understanding, before you started, what changes your face would go through and how you would deal with it?
November 6, 2014
Yes they have. No- I feel like physically I look nearly the same- the bite is the only difference and now my smile is better. I never really regretted it- I went in with a positive attitude knowing that it was going to suck for the first week and then get better everyday after. I kept myself going everyday regardless of how I felt.
November 7, 2014
Thanks :). Some people have so much more difficulty than others, and I wonder what makes that difference. It's so hard to gauge, and people end up devastated sometimes. It's nice that not everyone has that difficulty, but I do wish that there was some way to help those that do.
Congratulations, again!
Congratulations, again!
November 12, 2014
Wow, your 4 month post-op look great! Such a significant difference from your 2 month post. Were you still swollen during your 3 month post-op?
November 12, 2014
Thanks! I will post a picture shortly- I am still swollen now in my chin and under my eyes. I will be 3 months 3 weeks tomorrow. In the picture from my orthodontist you can see the swelling a lot more. My doctor said it often takes about 6 months to be totally healed.
December 5, 2014
When you say wire glued to the back of your bottom teeth, does that seem like something that will ever bother you or is it completely something you never feel or worry about? I'm looking to get this surgery done perhaps and I'm really impressed with your results. I'm scared though at the same time!
February 2, 2015
It doesn't bother me at all. I don't even realize it's there! Don't be scared you'll be okay :)
Replies (27)