Rhinoplasty After Orthognathic (Jaw) Surgery

Hello All,

My story is VERY long-winded, so I'll give the abbreviated version. In 2009, I had orthognathic (jaw) surgery. It is a process in which your jaws are (literally) sawed apart and repositioned from inside of your mouth. Gum tissue is removed, if needed. Permanent plates and screws are used to hold the bones in their new positions. Usually, this changes one's appearance, but the surgery in itself is NOT cosmetic. It is to restore functional bite for the patient. My severe overbite/openbite caused digestive issues (because I couldn't chew properly), breathing complications, headaches, and other symptoms. The list goes on and on forever.


My recovery was grueling, but "textbook"... until 3 weeks after the surgery….My bite had reopened, and after the healing process was complete, it was determined that I would have to do the surgery ALL. OVER. AGAIN. Fast forward to 2011, I did the surgery again (TWICE), two nights in a row. Basically, my bite kept opening, and my surgeon (who is very well known, and had nearly 40 years of experience under his belt), couldn't understand why my jaws were so stubborn. So in 2011 (on the second night of repositioning my jaw), he had to remove more bone/gum tissue than he had anticipated and he placed additional plates/screws in my face. During this process, my appearance changed drastically (negatively). My nose, smile/lips and profile were the most noticeable changes. Unlike many seeking rhinoplasty. I LOVED my "before" nose. Now, I just want to feel normal and confident again.

I, like many others on RealSelf, have spent countless hours researching surgeons. I am 99% sure I will be taking the plunge for rhinoplasty this summer. I have narrowed my options to 2-3 doctors, and I am in my final phases of planning logistics, days off from work, etc.

I am not ready to post "before" pics on RealSelf, just yet... It's a bit out of my comfort zone. However, I have an entire blog/journal which follows my orthognathic surgery (including TONS of photos) from the night before surgery in 2009 until present day. If it's not against RealSelf rules, I will provide a link.

Best wishes to all!

So…I have a Skype consultation set up with a surgeon on May 21 (in the evening). As of yesterday, the doctor is booked for surgeries until late July/early August. By the time I have my consult (if I decide to go with him), I will probably have a mid-August procedure.

I did not mention the surgeon's name in this post, just because I'd like a small degree of privacy right now. Once I have my consultation, I will mention the surgeon by name with details of our Skype consult & initial impressions of his "bedside manner".

So, the good doctor's office contacted me to let me know they are moving my Skype consult to May 14, because he has other obligations on the 21st. I'll be sure to update.