POSTED UNDER Jaw Surgery REVIEWS
25/26 yr old girl - England - Double Jaw Surgery (Overbite) and Genioplasty. Bradford, Yorkshire
ORIGINAL POST
I am 25 years old and have started the process of...
Tash111January 6, 2015
WORTH IT
I am 25 years old and have started the process of orthognathic treatment in preparation for surgery in the UK - I am not sure if they do it any different to the USA? I have got my braces on and I am due to have my upper and lower jaws broken in just over a years time. I am absolutely terrified and I am now considering whether it will all be worth it. I have a slight overbite and my teeth don't meet at the front. I find this very frustrating when trying to bite/eat especially sandwiches (when the filling falls out - very embarrassing and annoying) and I am self concious of seeing myself side on/ having photographs of my side profile. I love the projected image that they have shown me of what I would look like afterwards and I love that I would be able to eat properly and have no more problems. I have been thinking about getting this done since I was 17/18 years old and have already put it off when I was at university and at that point I was more worried about having braces (I hadn't properly read into the jaw surgery aspect). I now am happily living in London, with a loving boyfriend, family, and friends as well as a great job. I really don't know whether I should continue treatment or stop now...I have been getting upset a lot as I honestly don't know what to do. I don't know whether to back out now since I'm already getting teary even though it's a year away or whether to just face it and live the rest of my life being able to bite properly and not being self concious of my side profile.
The risks have terrified me - I know they are rare but the thought of being under general anaesthetic for 5 or so hours makes me feel faint and as does (even more so) the process of my jaws being broken. I am currently very happy and quite confident but my mouth/jaw is one thing I am quite self concious about. I honestly don't know what to do - please help and advise if you have had or are considering similar treatment to me.
I do not have any breathing problems but I tend to breathe through my mouth in the night and regularly grind my teeth.
I do have photos of now and my predicted image after my operation but would prefer not to upload them on here.
Thank you for listening
Natasha (25, London)
Ps my treatment would be completed through the NHS system and treatment cost is nothing.
The risks have terrified me - I know they are rare but the thought of being under general anaesthetic for 5 or so hours makes me feel faint and as does (even more so) the process of my jaws being broken. I am currently very happy and quite confident but my mouth/jaw is one thing I am quite self concious about. I honestly don't know what to do - please help and advise if you have had or are considering similar treatment to me.
I do not have any breathing problems but I tend to breathe through my mouth in the night and regularly grind my teeth.
I do have photos of now and my predicted image after my operation but would prefer not to upload them on here.
Thank you for listening
Natasha (25, London)
Ps my treatment would be completed through the NHS system and treatment cost is nothing.
Replies (58)
January 9, 2015
Hello, I had surgery for an open bite seven months ago, and like your projected treatment I had my upper and lower jaw broken (and braces beforehand and after). My face was very long and I couldn't close my lips together without looking very strained, not to mention the chewing and biting issues and a lisp.
I think being afraid is SO normal...I actually had to go on anti-anxiety meds the closer I got to the date, and they really helped me deal with my feelings of fear. It would also help, I think, to have an emotionally supportive surgeon--because you will go through a lot physically, but in my opinion and experience the emotional part after was the hardest. Though there are risks with every surgery, this really is a relatively safe one! Anyway, if you have any questions about recovery or preparing for the surgery, etc. please feel free to reach out--it helps so much to have someone who has been through it.
January 9, 2015
Hi there thankyou for your reply, it's so good to hear from someone else who had a similar bite to me and went through the process i am due to have. Did you regularly get upset? My operation is over a year away and I've spent 3/7 evenings in tears this last week, it's just constantly on my mind. I know the risks associated are relatively rare but still they terrify me. Have you lost lower lip and chin sensation? How pleased are you with the results? Just had a look at your profile and I think you look great! I also have a gummy smile and open bite very similar to what you used to have. Have you found biting so much easier too? I know the operation is being done more and more now, which shows it must be relatively safe. It still terrifies me though. I rang my hospital yesterday because I was so worried at work I left my orthodontist a message to ask how much my bite could be correct without any surgery.. Baring in mind I've already had two teeth removed on my lower jaw. How was your recover after the operation? Were you even more emotional then? Was that due to pain or the result or not recognising yourself? Thanks so much, Tash
January 11, 2015
I didn't start to get upset until about two months before the surgery--that's when it started feeling "real" and I went on some anti-anxiety meds to deal with panic attacks. The meds evened me out and while I was still nervous, I didn't have any breakdowns. :) I lost lower lip and chin sensation at first, but it is almost all back 7 months later and I think it will entirely come back by the year mark! As for biting, it's very easy and natural now--though I will say that when I got my braces off the first time at 16, I could only put the very tip of my tongue through the gap in my teeth. Thirteen years later, when I had the surgery I could put my entire tongue out through my teeth! So if you ask your orthodontist how closed he can get the bite with just braces, I would also ask him about the probability of it opening up again over time.
As for if I am happy with the result--I'm happy with my profile and face with my mouth closed, but I genuinely hate my smile. I may just not be used to the changes in my face yet (and thank you for saying I look great!) but I may consult a plastic surgeon at the one-year mark to see if there is a way to make my chin a bit more tapered. I feel like it's just too round and unattractive when I smile. I used to feel very pretty almost al the time, and now I rarely do.
My recovery after the operation was made a lot easier by the fact that my mom stayed for 17 days to help me--I was very weak at first, and even at six weeks I felt not-normal as far as energy. However, the recovery was more uncomfortable physically than painful (I did not have pain, but nothing unbearable); the emotional part was the rough part for me, as I just felt very self-conscious and like things would never get better. It can also be pretty frustrating to not be able to talk or eat--but again, I had anti-anxiety meds too so if I felt panicky I would just grind one up. And I think everyone feels like that and they definitely DO get better!
I wouldn't not have the surgery just because of fear, though of course that's your decision--if you're self-conscious about your appearance and truly want a functional bite, then I think it would be worth it for you in the end.
January 12, 2015
Hi Natasha, I had upper and lower jaw surgery on the NHS at St George's Hospital in London 12 months ago. Email me at *********@***.**.**if you want to ask me any questions. Nicole :)
January 13, 2015
Please don't post personal information in comments. It's for your own safety, and it's against our Community Guidelines for that reason :). Please use the Private Messaging (PM) system for stuff like that. Thank you!
January 13, 2015
Hi Nicole thanks for your message I would love to speak to you! I will try and send you a personal message on here but I'm not sure now!
January 13, 2015
If you click on her handle (Nicolematt) above, it'll bring you to her profile page. There you can click on the big, blue "Message" button. That's the PM button :). Please let me know if this doesn't work for you and I'll troubleshoot it with you :D. I'll also send you a PM. You should get an email letting you know that you've gotten a private message on RealSelf. If that doesn't happen, then you might be blocking RealSelf messages as spam. Let me know if you don't get that notification.
January 20, 2015
I have my single jaw surgery on 19 Okt 14. The operation took about 6 hours. But when I'm under general anaesthetic it feel like a blink. When I woke up I already at the ward with my wife by my side.
January 20, 2015
Hi there thanks for writing on my post, how has your recovery been? Hope you are ok. Do you have any regrets? I'm terrified of getting it done...
January 20, 2015
After almost 3 month post surgery and 2nd surgery to replace the broken titanium plate, I regret nothing. I'm very happy with the result of my single jaw surgery. At least my underbite that i have had for 20 years plus gone.
I'm my very lucky because my wife and family very supportive. My surgeons, orthodontic and doctors always ready when i need help and in doubt before the surgeries and post surgeries.
They always helped when needed.
I love my new look. But i have very long way to go. Many things need to be done with my tooth. But with proper planning I feel like nothing can't stop me anymore. I will keep on posting my update so maybe later you can gain some confidence in making decisions to undergo the surgery by looking at my progress. Just for the info, before the surgery i also have problem with the upcoming problen that might happen but by reading blog and watched videos on youtube about person who went the same surgery make me feel at ease and confidence. (I'm very sorry for my English. English is not my mother tongue.)
February 7, 2015
Hi there,
I'm about 4 months out from a double jaw surgery (Lefort 1, BSSO) and a sliding genioplasty. I was first told I would need jaw surgery at 12, and put it off until after college so it wouldn’t interfere with my studies—not like there is ever a good time for jaw surgery. Before surgery, I had issues with teeth grinding/TMJ syndrome, migraines, and chewing normally. I had an open bite and an overjet, and only had minimal contact between my teeth (2 molars on one side touched, one on the other). For the most part, surgery has greatly improved these issues— unfortunately wearing 4, 24/7 orthodontic elastics doesn’t do much for clenching one’s jaw, but I digress.
I was very, very anxious before surgery, but it didn’t hit me until about the week before, when I had my pre-op appointment. My surgeon gave me some anti-anxiety medication to take the night before surgery, which was really helpful. I am needle phobic, so the IV part sucked, but the honestly, I cringed, talked to the anesthesiologist and then all I remember is smiling so wide my face hurt as they wheeled me in to the OR. “The Cocktail” is your friend. I was under for 6.5 hours, and the surgery was textbook with no complications.
My surgeon did put in an alar base stitch to keep my nose from widening during surgery. My nose does, at least to me, appear wider, though it is likely residual swelling. Nobody else has mentioned anything. I have had a bit of increased difficulty breathing through my nose since surgery. I have had a deviated septum since my teens, and have a feeling swelling and the insertion of the breathing tube may have aggravated the issue. Breathright type stripe after surgery when everything is swollen are a lifesaver.
I lost feeling from below my eyes to my chin, and have regained all but a portion about the size of a silver dollar on the right side of my chin and on the right corner of my lower lip. Just a caveat: when sensation does return, it feels very strange. First, like an itch it’s impossible to scratch because it’s somewhere deep inside the tissue (Ice seemed to help with this). Then sensations like little shocks of electricity, a little painful. The worst was a perpetually chapped/sunburned feeling on the lips. Now, even in the portion where I “don’t” have feeling, I have varying degrees of sensation; it’s hard to describe.
One complication that may or may not be due to the surgery was about 6 weeks after the surgery I noticed that my right front tooth was turning grey. My surgeon was sure it was staining due to Peridex (a common side effect), but as it affected just one tooth my orthodontist sent me to my dentist, who confirmed the tooth was dead. I recently had a root canal, and will need to have the tooth internally bleached.
Though having the surgery was unpleasant, the recovery was brutal for maybe the first few days then just inconvenient. To be honest, those first few days consist of protein shakes, pain killers, napping, and TV. The worst part is sleeping elevated on your back and the swelling, both of which can be controlled.
Given the issues I had before surgery and how self conscious I was of my appearance, I would do it again in a heartbeat. It was 100% worth it
July 10, 2016
Hi there
thank you for your message - i can relate to the majority of your blog!! losing my feeling below my eyes, and the eating of horrible protein shakes, tv and painkillers. I am also sleeping elevated which isnt very comfortable and has given me a bit of back ache and shoulder ache. I hope your recovery is still going well. How long did it take you to feel normal again? xx
thank you for your message - i can relate to the majority of your blog!! losing my feeling below my eyes, and the eating of horrible protein shakes, tv and painkillers. I am also sleeping elevated which isnt very comfortable and has given me a bit of back ache and shoulder ache. I hope your recovery is still going well. How long did it take you to feel normal again? xx
Replies (13)
January 10, 2015
I had this surgery at 25 almost 40 years ago. I have never regretted it, I was able to bite and chew properly afterwards and have avoided joint problems. Good luck to you
January 11, 2015
Thanks for your comment. Where did you have your surgery? Paid or free? Was your bite similar to bite? Good to hear you have loved the results. I just don't know whether it's worth the emotional trauma! I think it's amazing they did this operation back then - it would be interesting to know how they went about the surgery 40 years ago and how different it would be today!? I would imagine it was quite pioneering back then. Thank you for listening and sorry for all the questions but I really am in 2 minds as to get it done! Tash
January 11, 2015
My surgery was Done by Oral surgeons Bouneff and Kelly at Good Sam Hospital in Portland, Oregon. It was a fairly refined surgery by the time I had it done. My lower jaw was separated at an angle and slid to reduce the length. I still have the smallwire twists that stabilized it as it healed. It was wired shut for six weeks during which time I was on a liquid diet.
I suspect the process has been improved upon since then. I paid about $1000.00 dollars at the time. I was determined to have it done because I could not adequately bite thru a common sandwich and had a very "strong" jawline which was quit masculine. I hope all goes well for you regardless of what you decide.
January 16, 2015
Thanks for your reply - I appreciate your frustration with regards to sandwiches. I have the same problem - my teeth don't bite through the filling and it just falls out. It's very embarrassing when I'm with my friends. I was determined to have mine done for that reason and I hate my side profile. But now I have started treatment it seems more real and I've become terrified of the thought of it.
January 14, 2015
I had the surgery when I was 16 years old in 1987 and while I don't think I would do it again knowing what I know now, i also came out of it feeling beautify and not self conscious about my overbite. Any open surgery is a pain both physically and emotionally but my sister has always been jealous of my non gummy, non overbite smile and I might have felt different living with the original bite God gave me! I also just went through an open total hysterectomy in May 2014 and it was a two month recovery process...I think its important to know that if it's the same surgery in 2014 as it was in 1987 it will be brutal but worth it for self esteem and it's only two months! I recommend doing it, knowing that it can be a long climb in the short run but a year out you will be smiling more than ever before!
January 16, 2015
If I were you, I will do it! Because of my husband's fear that I might not wake up having anesthesia or having complications after surgery I put it off for 6 years until my bite problem had gotten worst. I have no regrets and very happy with my side profile now. For me, it is worth it. Good luck!
January 16, 2015
Thanks for your comment - have you ever had any regrets? Your husbands concerns are exactly what I'm worried about - not waking up from the operation and also the jaws being broken incorrectly or an infection of the plates (I've read some horrible stories on the interest and this website about infections). Some days I think I do want it and others I'm so against it. Have you had any complications after surgery? Do you have your feeling back in your lower jaw? Did you have both jaws broken? Sorry for all of the questions!
January 16, 2015
No regrets at all! I had my lower jaw broken, no wires or anything to connect the jaws, just waited till the bones fused together. I was wired shut for 4 weeks. But recently, I think I developed a tmj on my right side. Once in a while I heard the cracking sound when I used my right side for chewing all the time. Since all my molars on my left side are gone, I only use my right side for chewing which I think afffect the outcome. Now I eat softer food and not use my right side jaw as much until I get my new partial, I notice the cracking sound of my jaw was gone.
The surgery help my confidence especially talking to people.
June 10, 2016
Hi! I'm just about to get my braces on July 19 July.... Am really nervous,not so much about the braces but the jaw surgery. I'm new to this website is there a way I can message you with a few quick questions? I really hope your surgery goes ok. Your teeth are looking amazing !
June 11, 2016
Hi! I have just private messaged you - hope you find it ok. Thank you just the scary surgery left now!
October 6, 2016
Hi I am also new to this site and would love to chat to others in same situation. What is the best way to contact people? Thanks fiona
October 6, 2016
Hi there
You can message people privately at the top ^ any questions please fire my
Way! X
You can message people privately at the top ^ any questions please fire my
Way! X
UPDATED FROM Tash111
2 months pre
31/5/16 Jaw Surgery Date received
Tash111May 31, 2016
Hi all,
My teeth are now almost perfectly straight. My overbite is a little worse but that was expected - by straightening my teeth it has happened. This means that after surgery my teeth should be almost perfectly aligned - I can't wait! I have received my jaw surgery date of 7th July 2016. I have three appointments to attend before I have surgery. I am very nervous but also very excited to get it done. It's come at a perfect time for me because I am a teacher and will have the summer holiday to recover. I am still terrified though! They are admitting me into hospital the evening (4pm) of the 6th July before the op. I can't wait to get it done now but I am still terrified, of the needles, being put to sleep and the state I will be in when I wake up. I have attached some new photos from over the last 2 years of brace treatment too. At one point I was so terrified of the thought of the op, but now I just can't wait for it to be over. I am of course still very nervous, but I am reassured by my orthodontist Mr Littlewood that I will be ok, and that its normal to be nervous. Mr Littlewood has really been amazing and has really looked after me. The team at Bradford st Luke's are clearly so close, which has reassured me that I am making the right decision to go through with surgery. They listen to and reassure your worries, offer help when needed (I saw a psychologist 6-9 months ago when I was very emotional and worried about whether to go through with surgery).
The next time I post on this will be post surgery! If anyone has gone through surgery please contact me X
My teeth are now almost perfectly straight. My overbite is a little worse but that was expected - by straightening my teeth it has happened. This means that after surgery my teeth should be almost perfectly aligned - I can't wait! I have received my jaw surgery date of 7th July 2016. I have three appointments to attend before I have surgery. I am very nervous but also very excited to get it done. It's come at a perfect time for me because I am a teacher and will have the summer holiday to recover. I am still terrified though! They are admitting me into hospital the evening (4pm) of the 6th July before the op. I can't wait to get it done now but I am still terrified, of the needles, being put to sleep and the state I will be in when I wake up. I have attached some new photos from over the last 2 years of brace treatment too. At one point I was so terrified of the thought of the op, but now I just can't wait for it to be over. I am of course still very nervous, but I am reassured by my orthodontist Mr Littlewood that I will be ok, and that its normal to be nervous. Mr Littlewood has really been amazing and has really looked after me. The team at Bradford st Luke's are clearly so close, which has reassured me that I am making the right decision to go through with surgery. They listen to and reassure your worries, offer help when needed (I saw a psychologist 6-9 months ago when I was very emotional and worried about whether to go through with surgery).
The next time I post on this will be post surgery! If anyone has gone through surgery please contact me X
Replies (8)
June 5, 2016
You are braver than I. When my daughter got her braces, I thought, what the heck, I should ask about my situation (huge overbite.) I was told about having my jaw broken and the $40,000 cost -- and that was 15 years ago. To me, it was simply cosmetic, and now I'm 54 and still fine without having had it done. Would I be more classically attractive without an overbite? Yes. Do people run away in horror when they see me? Nope. My heart skips a beat even now when I think about the surgery, and I have no regrets at all that I didn't have it done. Then again, I work in the legal field and only ever hear about bad outcomes! It's a personal decision, and whatever you feel is right for you is what's right for you.
June 8, 2016
Hi Natasha, just found your post. I am having the same procedure as you on 17th June. I'm based in manchester & all my treatment has been on the NHS too. I just wondered how you are feeling? My emotions have been all over the place for the past month or so! My first moulds were taken in sept 2013 so it's been a long process but I'm hoping will all be worth it. Francesca (31, manchester)
June 8, 2016
look up this ladies blog it's amazing . babyelephantdance.blogspot.com
I am also having this operation to correct my over bite.Wish you all the best .
I am also having this operation to correct my over bite.Wish you all the best .
June 8, 2016
Thank you for sending me your link! Il have a look :) good luck with your surgery. When are you having yours?
July 18, 2016
Hi Natasha, this reply is from a person who's been there and done that. I'm Chaitanya from Mumbai, India. I had a double jaw surgery and chin genioplasty on 11th May, 2016. It's been more than 2 months and I'm already loving the results. If you have been wanting to do this, i would advice, please go ahead without any second thoughts. This surgery is life changing. I infact did not have any breathing or eating issues. My only issue was my profile, which has changed dramatically. All that I have been through including the money spent (In India, one isn't covered for dental treatment or any cosmetic procedures. And this surgery falls under the purview of cosmetic surgery) has been worth it. If you wish I can share my before and after pics with you. You may write to me on karnik.chaitanya@gmail.com
Cheers.
Cheers.
Hi! Thank you for sharing your story in the community :).
You've already heard my opinion on the general anesthetic, but the rest I have no wisdom for. I would say that people are more likely to see your review with a picture, so if you can take an anonymous picture of just your jaw (as opposed to the full-face pics they get at the doctor,) that would be a way to maintain your privacy while still having a picture to show others. But, of course, it's not necessary, and lots of people don't include pictures. I did it the other way--posting lots of pictures but obscuring my name completely ;).
Without a picture, it's hard to know what you have to live with at this point. Is your bite still open? And have they said how close they can get you to a normal bite without surgery? I know you've had several consultations...
Your open bite is more than I've seen handled with Invisalign here on RealSelf. Open bites are notoriously difficult. I am very interested to hear what they have to say, definitely! I hope you'll keep us posted :).