Sam Verco, BDS, MBBS

ORTHOGNATHIC SURGERY

I am 29 female and from Melbourne Australia. I had an underbite in my lower jaw was a lot smaller and I got the surgery on my lower jaw and bringing the lower jaw forward.

Why I wrote this?
I am writing this review today on jaw surgery because on my jaw surgery journey which was approximately 1 year with ceramic braces. Countless friends and people put down and criticized why I wanted to get it done. I can honestly say now two weeks post surgery it is the best decision I've ever made!

How I came to choosing surgery?
Prior to my braces being put on I was told that I would not get the best results from just braces alone.

Cost?
My orthodontist hooked me up with an amazing surgeon in the public hospital system in Australia and they did the surgery for free. I just had to pay for the braces. I took this into consideration when deciding on surgery because if I had to pay it would have cost around $18,000 in total braces and surgery.

I am now two weeks post surgery. and I can definitely say this surgery has been worth it I am starting to see the results.

Things you should know about the surgery before hand?
Honestly and I'm not just saying this it, but is not as bad as people make it out to be ????

*yes, it's true the first 24 hours after surgery is the hardest!
I was dizziness and losing balance
I couldn't go to the bathroom alone
I couldn't open my jaws at all
For me personally I wasn't in pain it was more just disomfort mainly because I had my wisdom teeth out at the same time.

For example, discomfort as it's hard to sleep with your head elevated and not on a particular side so you have to get used to with sleeping straight on your back for approximately one week.

There is a lot of bruising and swelling it's may look like you got into a really bad bar fight.

I think overall the hardest thing is not being able to eat anything for 6 to 8 weeks - I'm a person who loves my food ????

For me, after 8 days I felt like I was ready to go back to work but as I work in human resources I am talking with candidates all the time and I still can't talk properly and I can't open my jaw much or smile. It's basically like when you see people was too much Botox on t their forehead and therefore Heads don't move. Picture that but from lips down I can't really move my face for the time being. I have been told by my doctor that will clear up by third week recovery

So if you have a job with lots of talking you probably need at least two weeks recovery.

Any other questions or comments or thinking about getting this surgery please don't hesitate to contact me!!

Don't listen to the naysayers it was the best decision I made and it will be for you to as well I promise.