POSTED UNDER Jaw Surgery Reviews
32 Years Old - Double Jaw with Genio - Texas
UPDATED FROM ladynoelg
2 months post
5 weeks! Back to work.
WORTH IT
Returned to work today! It was exhausting and I left 3 hours early. Below for documentation, is my last day of work vs my first day back today.
Yesterday I had my splint removed and my braces wires replaced and tightened. Yesterday was my most painful day yet. But it feels so liberating to have the splint gone!
Yesterday I had my splint removed and my braces wires replaced and tightened. Yesterday was my most painful day yet. But it feels so liberating to have the splint gone!
ladynoelg's provider
Replies (4)
November 17, 2014
Hello, and welcome to the community! I'm amazed at the difference just in your appearance already, but I'm really surprised you were able to breathe right away after the surgery. That's fantastic! We have another in the community, chariirose (her review is here,) who also had jaw surgery for sleep apnea, though her case was, I think, less involved than yours. She's a few months post-op now and really happy that she no longer has sleep apnea!
You seem to have much less swelling than some of the others in the community have experienced, though your bruising is very obvious.
November 17, 2014
Hi - Thanks for the welcome! I think I've been lucky with the swelling but I definitely have my good days and bad days. And yes, I had tons of bruising - it's almost all gone though.
November 22, 2014
wonderful results.... how is sensation in your mouth... is there any numb areas??
December 3, 2014
Thanks! I'm very numb from the nose down. I'm starting to get creepy crawly tingles in my chin though and sometimes slightly painful lightening shocks in my lower lip and chin.
December 2, 2014
Your results are incredible! How long were you in braces prior to surgery?
December 3, 2014
Thanks so much! 6 months in braces - but I'd had braces 15 years ago as a teenager.
December 3, 2014
I as well wore braces for many years as a teen and have a great smile with the exception of my
Huge overbite and my
Jaw being too short. I've only had one consultation with an ortho and he quoted me 12 months in braces before surgery which seemed like a long time to me . I think I will get a second opinion. How long most you wear them able that your surgery is over?
December 3, 2014
Sorry for the typos. I was wanting to know how long you have to keep braces on now that you've had surgery?
December 2, 2014
I am 32 as well and had a consult last week. I wore braces as a teen but never had my lower jaw moved forward to correct my severe overbite. I feel I'm finally ready to take the plunge but extremely terrified of the surgery. I'm in the Houston area. Any advice?
December 3, 2014
Hi Tasha - it's a very intense surgery that should definitely be well thought out. My feeling about was, we only live once and if something is affecting my quality of life in such a negative way, I should fix it, no matter how scary it seems. Now that I'm 5 weeks post op, I am so proud of myself for summing up the courage and strength to go through with it. It wasn't as bad as I feared, but it was and still is very hard. But for me, worth it. Make sure you find a surgeon you trust and like - I think I really benefitting by having a great, established and empathetic surgeon.
ORIGINAL POST
After a lifetime of a not being able to breathe...
After a lifetime of a not being able to breathe through my nose, sleep problems, a wonky jaw and crooked teeth, I approached a specialist and they reccomended orthognathic surgery. I cried from terror in the Doctor's chair but I sucked it up and after six months of braces - successfully underwent surgery Oct. 29. The surgery took six hours and my blood pressure skyrocketed which resulted in them retaining me in recovery for 5 hours. When I woke up I thought I was suffocating because my mouth was banded so tightly shut that I couldn't get air in my mouth. I gestured frantically to the nurse and she told me I'm breathing through my nose. It was a surreal and mindblowing experience. To have never really breathed through your nose and then to be able to breathe deeply and clearly was just wonderful.
So here I am a little more than two weeks post op and overall, it hasn't been as horrible as my worst fears, but it has without a doubt been a huge struggle. The first few days are the hardest and that was primarily due to learning how to eat with a syringe through a banded mouth and a very sore and swollen throat. Pain really was managed well in the hospital and at home it hasn't been so much of a pain issue as a discomfort issue. Having a swollen face makes you feel dizzy, makes it hard to sleep and is just a constant annoyance. My brusing was terrible but I think that's due to my very fair skin - I still have purple and red markings around my neck.
Results so far - I'm over the moon with them. I have a chin. I have a jaw. And I can BREATHE. My husband said he's been checking on my in the middle of the night to make sure I'm still alive because I'm not snoring anymore!
I think my recovery is going really well and I attribute a lot of it to my surgeon. He was wonderful. Great bedside manner and has been doing these procedures for 30 years. I also prepared for the surgery with lots of yoga and strength training which I think helped me get out of bed faster and easier.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions!
So here I am a little more than two weeks post op and overall, it hasn't been as horrible as my worst fears, but it has without a doubt been a huge struggle. The first few days are the hardest and that was primarily due to learning how to eat with a syringe through a banded mouth and a very sore and swollen throat. Pain really was managed well in the hospital and at home it hasn't been so much of a pain issue as a discomfort issue. Having a swollen face makes you feel dizzy, makes it hard to sleep and is just a constant annoyance. My brusing was terrible but I think that's due to my very fair skin - I still have purple and red markings around my neck.
Results so far - I'm over the moon with them. I have a chin. I have a jaw. And I can BREATHE. My husband said he's been checking on my in the middle of the night to make sure I'm still alive because I'm not snoring anymore!
I think my recovery is going really well and I attribute a lot of it to my surgeon. He was wonderful. Great bedside manner and has been doing these procedures for 30 years. I also prepared for the surgery with lots of yoga and strength training which I think helped me get out of bed faster and easier.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions!
Replies (5)
November 15, 2014
I would like to speak with you. I have had TMJ for 30 years, my teeth are being destroyed and I have 4 years of braces surgery , implants, veneers to get back my smile. I am terrified.
November 17, 2014
I'm sorry you're going through all that! I haven't had the TMJ issues so much as breathing problems and because of my weak jaw and crooked teeth - my dentist said if I don't take care of it now - down the road I should expect tooth loss and other issues. So hopefully by having this surgery, I will get to keep my teeth longer! Will you be having jaw surgery as well?
November 17, 2014
Did you have both lower and upper jaw surgery? The middle picture, the picture on the right where the chin is less defined, is that the before picture. Sounds like you are making a speedy recovery. Best to you. I have to have this surgery...
November 17, 2014
Hi! In the middle pic - the left side is my after and the right side is my before. I did have both lower and upper and my recovery has been going very very well. When are you having your surgery?
November 18, 2014
December 2, 2014
I'm 32 and just went for a consult last week. I wore Braces as a teen but was so against surgery back then. I am still terrified but am highly considering it
December 8, 2014
I liver in Dallas and I'm having double jaw surgery this Thursday. The cost out of pocket is $20k. Talk about sticker shock. I'm nervous about breathing and getting sick/vomiting. What do you recommend for sleeping? How quickly were you able to be up and about? My husband and I have two kids, one 3 yr and one 21 mo. I'm worried I won't be able to care for them and that they will jump on me and hurt my jaw.
Replies (5)
I'm sorry it was so exhausting for you, but I expect you expected that. Jaw surgery is serious, and people are always exhausted after returning back to work post-surgery, even for small surgeries! You look great though :). Are you able to close your lips without working at this point?