POSTED UNDER Jaw Surgery REVIEWS
Unrealistic Expectations and Unexpected Side-effects
ORIGINAL POST
Over a year ago, I underwent double jaw surgery,...
DoubleJawSurgeryJuly 7, 2015
$31,000
Over a year ago, I underwent double jaw surgery, from the moment I awakened something was wrong with the left-side of my face. Fast-forward several months to muscle weakness and numbness - a squint smile, drooped cheek, drooped mouth... Fast-foward a year - a large hard swelling on the left-side of my cheek caused by puss and damage to one of my teeth during surgery, whereby the tooth died. Fast forward to now - a damaged face, which I'm aware of every waking moment. Added to which, I hate wearing my Hawley retainers - I might feel different if my smile/face didn't remind me of a stroke patient. Plus I was left with spaces between my back teeth from where I had been banded by my ortho, which now trap food. This means every time I eat - even something small - I must floss. And yes, I went to a reputable ortho and a reputable surgeon, but this surgery is complex and things go wrong... often.
Had I known my outcome, I would not have had this surgery. But at least, I've decided that I'll never have children, as I could never put a human being through what I've been though.
Had I known my outcome, I would not have had this surgery. But at least, I've decided that I'll never have children, as I could never put a human being through what I've been though.
Replies (7)
July 8, 2015
Thank you for sharing your honest story. I hope you find support in this community.
February 18, 2017
I am really so sad when I read your story. I am going through the same thing. It was supposed to be something easy, and this butcher surgeon destroyed my faced. Everything is a mess on my face... even my forehead and skull moved position. I only feel lucky to be alive. I am in urgent need of a very good maxillofacial and maybe craniofacial surgeon. The surgeon here in Cyprus does not give explanations, she is just delaying the matter. .. How about you? Have you found a solution?
May 27, 2018
Sadly not : ( I'm currently in the US and may repatriate myself to Britain, so I can return to the NHS and get on massive anti-depressants. I'm with you on the "butchered." I feel like I'm someone else's flesh. I also still find it hard to enunciate words, when before the surgery, my profession entailed mainly public speaking. I'm trying to retrain in a career where I don't have to talk or meet people. Ugh. I have however found Yoga helpful, scented candles, trying to talk more gently to myself. But it's tough. As the jaw surgery broke my septum and twisted my nose, I did have that fixed by a different surgeon who was AMAZING! If only he'd done jaws. *Sigh* Best of luck to you. Don't beat yourself up for finding this tough. It flippin well is. xo
May 27, 2018
I'm so sorry you got some facial paralysis. I'm wondering if you also had damage to your lymph system? Which I've been reading up on due to Summer swelling. Ugh. I had the surgery performed in Richmond, Virginia at Bon Secours that was a clown-car FARCE from beginning to end. I had a septoplasty to fix my nose, twisted by the jaw surgery, at Charlottesville's UVA Hospital was a FIVE-STAR DREAM!
UPDATED FROM DoubleJawSurgery
2 years post
2 years and 2 weeks post-op - still numb, still squint, still in braces
DoubleJawSurgeryJune 28, 2016
Here's the update on my double jaw surgery.
My left cheek, left top-lip, left bottom-lip and left bottom of my face remain numb. The muscles in my left top-lip and lower left-lip continue not to move making my smile (not showing teeth) squint and my nose squint.
I'm still in braces - although those are supposedly coming off shortly. Still depressed and being a recluse. Oh well.
To those of you going through the process, good luck in your recovery xo
My left cheek, left top-lip, left bottom-lip and left bottom of my face remain numb. The muscles in my left top-lip and lower left-lip continue not to move making my smile (not showing teeth) squint and my nose squint.
I'm still in braces - although those are supposedly coming off shortly. Still depressed and being a recluse. Oh well.
To those of you going through the process, good luck in your recovery xo
Replies (4)
August 10, 2016
So sorry to hear that you're still unhappy with the result, just don't give up. There are plenty of gifted surgeons that can fix what other surgeons can't.
And the numbness is most likely due to nerve damage, which can be treated. Find a specialist (neurologist, perhaps?) to look into the cause. And don't lose hope. There's always a way.
And the numbness is most likely due to nerve damage, which can be treated. Find a specialist (neurologist, perhaps?) to look into the cause. And don't lose hope. There's always a way.
April 27, 2017
August 25, 2016
I had double jaw surgery 12 years ago. I had numbness in the lower right quadrant of my mouth/face. The doctor said most of the sensation would return by the first year, and not really improve after that. he was wrong. Everyone is unique. My nerves continue to improve, very slowly, but I'm better than 50% sensation today in an area that was 90% numb after surgery. Also, a quirky thing, some nerve connections were mis-aligned. If I stimulate the gums on that side, I feel a phantom sensation in my cheek. it's weird, but I've come to terms with things. life goes on. Other things become important. Hopefully, things begin to look brighter for you.
May 27, 2018
Thank for you for taking the time to reply. And apologies for this SUPER tardy response. It's wonderful that you've regained more sensation. Today I chatted with someone about facial cupping ... who knows? Anything's worth a try, failing that there's cake : )
UPDATED FROM DoubleJawSurgery
4 years post
If you've had double-jaw surgery complications - this could help!
DoubleJawSurgeryJune 1, 2018
Dear Jaw Survivors,
I've been getting some clarity on what-the-heck happened to my face.
Lymph nodes were killed on the left - I'll have constant lymphodema - but another of my persistent nagging questions was, "Why does talking and eating feel lousy?" , and "Why do I have more mass on one side of my face?" "Why do the muscle feel so tight on one side?" No answers from my surgeon. Prescribed muscle relaxants that made me hurl. Told I had more facial tissue on one-side.
I've seen folks on here with similar issues.
Because my left-side was "knocked out" for so long, the muscles on my right took over, in particular my right-Masseter that is now of Popeye proportions, every movement has been taken over by that bad boy.
The potential fix (for me): 15 units of botox injected in right Masseter, every three months, over nine months, at which point that muscle should have weakened sufficiently so I can begin facial physical therapy to rebuild the muscles on the left-side.
If one-side of your face feels lousy, if it's getting worse, if the muscles feel tight one side, if you're in discomfort on one side - it's worth getting a consult with a TMJ physical therapist AND a dermatologist experienced at treating the Masseter. My surgeon had no idea how to fix this.
Best of luck! This surgery is friggin' crazy.
I've been getting some clarity on what-the-heck happened to my face.
Lymph nodes were killed on the left - I'll have constant lymphodema - but another of my persistent nagging questions was, "Why does talking and eating feel lousy?" , and "Why do I have more mass on one side of my face?" "Why do the muscle feel so tight on one side?" No answers from my surgeon. Prescribed muscle relaxants that made me hurl. Told I had more facial tissue on one-side.
I've seen folks on here with similar issues.
Because my left-side was "knocked out" for so long, the muscles on my right took over, in particular my right-Masseter that is now of Popeye proportions, every movement has been taken over by that bad boy.
The potential fix (for me): 15 units of botox injected in right Masseter, every three months, over nine months, at which point that muscle should have weakened sufficiently so I can begin facial physical therapy to rebuild the muscles on the left-side.
If one-side of your face feels lousy, if it's getting worse, if the muscles feel tight one side, if you're in discomfort on one side - it's worth getting a consult with a TMJ physical therapist AND a dermatologist experienced at treating the Masseter. My surgeon had no idea how to fix this.
Best of luck! This surgery is friggin' crazy.
Your story really impressed me and I pray to God you recover well afrerall. I will definitely keep in mind your story and will try to make a good decision. God bless and help you get well!
Good luck in your decision. Yup, it's a tough one. And a deeply personal one. I suppose the question is, "If you were left with extensive numbness and some quirky paralysis (which you hopefully would not be : ) , would that be "worse" than how you feel about your current facial profile?" Because your profile would likely be improved. And trust me, I understand the profile issue. For years, I always tried to sit opposite people, never side-by-side. And if I was at the movies, and they looked over, I would quickly turn my head away.
Good luck with whatever you decide. And know that beauty really is on the inside. I'm sure you're a stunner.
I'm really sorry about your outcome, I can sort of relate because I got some facial paralysis from a parotid tumour removal years ago and although it was mild it really affected me. I was wondering if you could maybe share who your doctor was or where you got it done?