POSTED UNDER Genioplasty REVIEWS
35 Year Old Lady Having a Chin Reduction/ Sliding Genioplasty - London, GB
ORIGINAL POST
So I've been battling with my jaw ever since I was...
buttercracksSeptember 1, 2016
So I've been battling with my jaw ever since I was a young teenager. As a young girl I had a huge overbite and was advised to have jaw surgery but thought with the help of orthodontics I would be able to achieve the facial harmony I wanted.
I had my first set of braces on my upper jaw at the age of 13. They were on for 2 years and after another two years my teeth started moving and creating gaps. At 25 I had braces fitted on upper jaw again with a further extraction on my lower jaw and fitted orthodontics on my lower jaw. These stayed on for 2.5 years and I had wires fitted behind my teeth so that this time my teeth would stop moving. Worked great but one big problem - I still couldn't close my mouth naturally.
At times I felt unattractive and would be afraid to fall asleep in front of people such as s journey on the train. My mouth naturally hangs open. I drool beyond belief when I sleep and when awake I am always struggling to close my mouth.
So a year ago I was referred to a London hospital. It took 9 months for my appointment to come through and I was given two options. Double jaw surgery or genioplasty. The consultant advised genioplasty because this would help close my mouth and achieve the facial harmony missing in my lower face. A double jaw surgery would be too invasive and too many potential risks for benefits gained.
I've opted for genioplasty. The consultant will be cutting approximately 6mm from my chin horizontally (from inside my mouth), move my jaw up and forward and secure with titanium screws. Now, 3 months on from my consultation my surgery date is a little under 2 weeks away. The hardest part has been cutting back smoking! I've cut down from 15 a day to 2-3 a day. Eventually zero 1 week before surgery! Call me insane I know but it's so hard!
As for the actual surgery I'm nervous but also excited. More nervous. I can't stop reading blogs and excited about how my new facial structure will give me s more comfortable life and confident inner self.
I had my first set of braces on my upper jaw at the age of 13. They were on for 2 years and after another two years my teeth started moving and creating gaps. At 25 I had braces fitted on upper jaw again with a further extraction on my lower jaw and fitted orthodontics on my lower jaw. These stayed on for 2.5 years and I had wires fitted behind my teeth so that this time my teeth would stop moving. Worked great but one big problem - I still couldn't close my mouth naturally.
At times I felt unattractive and would be afraid to fall asleep in front of people such as s journey on the train. My mouth naturally hangs open. I drool beyond belief when I sleep and when awake I am always struggling to close my mouth.
So a year ago I was referred to a London hospital. It took 9 months for my appointment to come through and I was given two options. Double jaw surgery or genioplasty. The consultant advised genioplasty because this would help close my mouth and achieve the facial harmony missing in my lower face. A double jaw surgery would be too invasive and too many potential risks for benefits gained.
I've opted for genioplasty. The consultant will be cutting approximately 6mm from my chin horizontally (from inside my mouth), move my jaw up and forward and secure with titanium screws. Now, 3 months on from my consultation my surgery date is a little under 2 weeks away. The hardest part has been cutting back smoking! I've cut down from 15 a day to 2-3 a day. Eventually zero 1 week before surgery! Call me insane I know but it's so hard!
As for the actual surgery I'm nervous but also excited. More nervous. I can't stop reading blogs and excited about how my new facial structure will give me s more comfortable life and confident inner self.
UPDATED FROM buttercracks
4 days pre
5 days pre-op!
buttercracksSeptember 8, 2016
Nerves are certainly kicking in now! I'm trying to enjoy my best eateries as I probably won't be able to eat any solids for at least a couple of weeks.
I spoke to the admissions department yesterday and they advised no food after midnight the night before.
My parents have booked a hotel in London so they can be with me through the day and take me home the day after.
All that umming and arghing.,,, for do many years! it's now almost here!
Days off work all organised and handover scheduled for 1 week.
I can feel my heart beating whilst writing this. :-0
I spoke to the admissions department yesterday and they advised no food after midnight the night before.
My parents have booked a hotel in London so they can be with me through the day and take me home the day after.
All that umming and arghing.,,, for do many years! it's now almost here!
Days off work all organised and handover scheduled for 1 week.
I can feel my heart beating whilst writing this. :-0
Replies (14)
September 8, 2016
HI! I'm British and I live in LA. I had double jaw surgery and genioplasty a few years ago. IN November I'm having the genioplasty done again to shorten my chin (exactly what you're doing basically). If you have any questions about what to expect feel free to PM me! It's honestly nothing like as bad as you think. Just take the medication and lie around and don't try and go back to work early - you'll do great!
September 9, 2016
Oh babe, thanks so much for reading my blog and reaching out. I have so many questions. Like how long did the swelling last? And what did the pain feel like? How about food? Were you able to eat? And did you lose any nerve sensation? How long for?
I'm full of anxiety! Never had an op and I'm at that stage now where I'm paying more attention to the bad experiences rather than the good!
September 9, 2016
Hi! So my surgeon for the first double jaw surgery and the first genio was dr Arnett. His partner Dr Gunson will be doing my chin shortening genio. They are considered among the best in the world and have been incredible. So to answer the other Qs: the swelling was pretty huge for two weeks so do not freak out! You won't really see the final result for at least a month. I did lose a little bit of sensation in my chin but it's hard to tell if I would have had that from just the double jaw surgery or whether it was moving my chin bone (genioplasty) that caused that. It took awhile to get most of the feeling back and now it's a very slight sensation change and doesn't bother me. With just a genioplasty you can eat (double jaw surgery I couldn't chew for 8 weeks!!!). My surgeon says soft food only for the first week or two. You also have to do salt water rinses after eating or drinking anything other than water so keep your incisions clean. But your surgeon should explain all this and may have different instructions. Don't be scared! If your surgeon has great results and is experienced you will be fine. If you're worried ask them how they plan to avoid damaging your nerve. Most surgeons will check its position using your CT scan and plan to avoid it as much as possible. It's almost impossible to avoid moving the nerve or stretching it which is what causes the numbness BUT when this happens most people will recover their sensation over several months. If you've never had surgery before it can be scary but just trust your doctor and follow all the instructions and it will be way easier than you expect! Also take the pain meds even if you're not in pain. They help with the discomfort of swelling and make it easier to lie around and do nothing while recovering :)
September 9, 2016
PS sorry for any confusion- my surgeons are in Santa Barbara, California
September 9, 2016
Omg this - the bad experiences in my head more than the good. Not sure if this site is a help or sending me crazy at this stage!!!!
September 9, 2016
Kittystripe in terms of swelling once majority had gone down after 1 month did you see a lot / little change? Some people say with genioplasty final result not for a year - confused! X
September 9, 2016
Well my swelling was mostly gone in a month I'm not sure about others. After a month I didn't notice a lot of change
September 10, 2016
Kittystripe - thanks heaps for this.
I'm expecting swelling for around a month but hopefully after two weeks it'll only be noticeable to me. And I can return to work.
I've completely stopped smoking for a little over a week now so to help me with recovery and wound healing. My biggest fear is losing nervous sensation. I know it's going to happen at least temporarily. So I'll speak to my surgeon like you suggested. He's taken X-rays so I'm guessing he will be able to figure out what to avoid etc. And my surgeon is a maxillofacial surgeon rather than a plastic surgeon. Again that gives some peace of mind.
Thanks again for all your advice. Looking forward to keeping in touch with you through surgery/ recovery [RS bleep]
September 10, 2016
In terms of smoking how long does surgeon want you to stop before/after? I use a nicotine vape thing after 'quitting' and am dreading being without that grrrr
September 10, 2016
To be honest they never gave me a guideline. Just said I had to stop. I researched over the net and it varies from stopping after the op to stopping 8 weeks pre-op.
Obviously there's no way anyone can smoke post oral surgery - especially with incisions in the mouth. So hopefully recovery will be ok.
I also have a vape thing but to be honest I've not been using it as much as when I started to ween myself off the cigs. Also, my vape hasn't got any nicotine in it. I wear a patch now and again if I feel like a cig but last 3 days I've had no patch either. Once you get over the craving you should be ok. I never thought I could go so long without smoking - but more than a cigarette I want a smooth recovery. That thought is keeping me going!
September 10, 2016
Ah ok I've had my vape for a year it has nicotine in it but no cigarettes - the patches make me delirious and faint can't use them really annoying. Am interested in getting a zero nicotine vape just for the hand to mouth habit. But yeah recovery is definitely main motive.
September 16, 2016
Babe, get your genioplasty and you won't even think about a ciggy or a vape! Trust me!!
UPDATED FROM buttercracks
1 day pre
Just a few hours to go!
buttercracksSeptember 12, 2016
I'm dead nervous. Read lots of reviews of other people's stories. Heard if not done right can make you look older, saggy skin, prominent bottom lip, nerve damage to appear stroke like. I'm trying to remind myself the reason why I decided to go for this in the first instance. This is seriously the biggest decision I've ever made in my whole life. And it's my face!!! So please god..., let it all be ok [RS bleep]
Some final pics added. Just taken now before I go to bed
Some final pics added. Just taken now before I go to bed
Replies (2)
September 13, 2016
Thinking of you! It will go great. Welcome to PM me if you like! Good luck :) x
September 13, 2016
Frankierose,
Thanks so much. You're a gem. I'm in so much pain and can't even swallow my own saliva. Numb all over and I've been told I can't have more morphine. I just want something to put me to sleep. Hopefully less pain tomorrow!
Replies (26)
Yes, please do! :)