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Corrective Jaw Surgery

S

Sideonecincy

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Sep 29, 2003
421
0
I am scheduled to have corrective jaw surgery in the middle of October. Has anyone had this or known anyone who has had it completed? They are going to break my jaw and pull my bottom jaw forward. My jaw will be shut with rubber bands and splints for 2 weeks, then loosened a little for 2 more weeks, then taken off. That means, I will be stuck on a liquid diet for over a month.

I've been watching youtube videos of people's post surgery and some are scaring me to the point where I am wanting to back out of this.

I get dropped off my parent's health insurance at the end of October, so this is my one and only chance to have this done. Anyone have any advice? I'm pretty much scared out of my wits and have never had surgery before.
 
While I've never had this done, I think you should go ahead and do it. If you're getting dropped off the insurance, you may regret not doing it later. It's scary, but you should be fine.
 
Sideonecincy said:
I've been watching youtube videos of people's post surgery and some are scaring me to the point where I am wanting to back out of this.
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Yea... Don't do this. The docs would likely have told you everything you should expect, vids like that are only going to scare you.
 
Surgery is gruesome. If you are squeamish about that kind of stuff maybe it's better not to look. Get familiarized with the risks and rewards and decide from there, not based solely upon how you get from point A to point B.
Having said that, I think jaw surgery is particularly difficult so be sure you really want/need this and are well acquainted with the post-op effects. I think it's probably always a bit scarier when it's elective because it's a choice rather than a true necessity.

edit: not knowing your specifics I wondered if a chin implant would be less hassle but give a similar appearance?
 
I've had jaw surgery just about a year ago. I had a level 4 underbite and needed reconstructive jaw surgery on my upper and lower jaw. To be honest, it was very painful. I was in the hospital for about a week, and swelling didnt go down until a month. The lips took the longest. The liquid diets killed me the most. Soup and apple sauce was seriously all i ate for about a month. I forced myself to eat small slices of meat even though a wasnt supposed to. The hardest part of the healing process was not be able to open my mouth/jaw for a month.

Overall, it was the most painful yet rewarding surgery I have ever done. I get compliments saying i look soo much better, and I am alot more confident then I ever was. :D
 
I've had surgery for TMJ, but it wasn't really elective when I had it done.

As others have said, the post surgical pain is bad, and it does take a while to heal. But, if it will benefit you in the long run, it would be worth it.

I understand the insurance issues well. Do as much research as you can, and don't just rely on your doctor. I can't stress the importance of making an informed decision. Mine exaggerated his skills/results from the procedure, and I'm paying for it, as it were. The pain has increased post recovery.

Even though I've had a not so pleasant experience, please don't base your decision on any single individual's experience. Do the research first, for your own sake.
 
I just had my tonsils taken out. As long as you take the drugs they give you (don't think that you can take any less than the recommended dose) then you'll be fine.

I tried to go a day without taken my oxycodone... that was stupid.
 
tuffluffjimmy said:
I just had my tonsils taken out. As long as you take the drugs they give you (don't think that you can take any less than the recommended dose) then you'll be fine.

I tried to go a day without taken my oxycodone... that was stupid.
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I'm thinking tonsillectomy and corrective jaw surgery are pretty friggin different on the scale of complexity and difficulty healing... but enjoy that oxycodone. ;)
 
iBlue said:
I'm thinking tonsillectomy and corrective jaw surgery are pretty friggin different on the scale of complexity and difficulty healing... but enjoy that oxycodone. ;)
Click to expand...

I know I know. I was just using an example... my grandpa did the same thing when he had an absess on his back removed. He tried to take as little of his meds as possible. From what I observed of his comfort level that seemed like a bad idea. I'm just saying during your recovery time try and be as knocked out, drugged up, and **** up as you can be. It really makes the recovery easier.


Good luck, OP!
 
I'd definitely get a 2nd opinion and make sure the docs are honest about the realistic, not worst case, ramifications of not having it done. Some people really will develop problems because of it but for others there's more of a cosmetic aspect to it. Act fast though because not all insurances will cover it so if you do decide you want it done then definitely get it done while you are still covered by your parents.

I had one dentist try and talk me into the surgery (which is around $30k and my insurance won't cover it) for pretty cosmetic reasons and I was like are you serious? I'm not paying $30k for someone to crack my face open unless it's freakin' life threatening. My surgery would be a bit more complex because my upper, not lower, jaw is the problem. So they would literally cut my upper jaw off my skull, then cut it half, then reposition it and screw it back onto my skull. Ow. Not to mention there are greater risks of complications because of cutting so close to the sinus cavities and things like that. The only upside is that I just getting the upper jaw done requires less time w/having your mouth wired shut.


Lethal
 
Sideonecincy said:
I am scheduled to have corrective jaw surgery in the middle of October. Has anyone had this or known anyone who has had it completed? They are going to break my jaw and pull my bottom jaw forward. My jaw will be shut with rubber bands and splints for 2 weeks, then loosened a little for 2 more weeks, then taken off. That means, I will be stuck on a liquid diet for over a month.

I've been watching youtube videos of people's post surgery and some are scaring me to the point where I am wanting to back out of this.

I get dropped off my parent's health insurance at the end of October, so this is my one and only chance to have this done. Anyone have any advice? I'm pretty much scared out of my wits and have never had surgery before.
Click to expand...

I think someone I worked with had a surgery similar to this.

I come from the "If it's not necessary forget it" school of thought when it comes to surgery, so, uh, if it were my decision, I'd back out. Way out. But I'm a coward. :p

Either way, I would consider a) how necessary it is, and b) what benefits getting the surgery would have longer-term--short-term pain for long-term gain? Talk to your parents, and talk to your doctor, and if you're feeling squeamish or uncomfortable, do get another opinion.
 
Not to dig up an old thread, but I figured I'd give an update.

I did in fact go through with the surgery. The surgery was on October 15th and took about 9 hours to do. Went in at 7:30 am and woke up at 7 pm in a room. At this point, I am almost 3 weeks out and 50% of the way through recovery. My mouth isn't wired shut, but there are rubberbands than hold my teeth together so I am unable to eat. I've been on an all liquid diet and will be hopefully able to eat this tuesday, can't wait.

Anyways, the surgery results are rather impressive of how much they moved my jaw and I figured I'd share the photos.




 
Very nice.
Doctor.gif


You'll get used to your reflection ... in about a year. :D
 
Congrats on going through with it. It's not easy but it's worth it.

I had the same kind of surgery in January. Liquid diet is no fun at all but once they clip your bands and you start chewing, you'll feel like a new person.
 
I think it looks great. :)

BTW, solid food is going to be wonderful. You get to regain some normalcy again, and things will get even better when everything is completely healed and the swelling is gone.

Good luck, and hang in there. :)
 
kainjow said:
Congrats on going through with it. It's not easy but it's worth it.

I had the same kind of surgery in January. Liquid diet is no fun at all but once they clip your bands and you start chewing, you'll feel like a new person.
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Yeah liquid diet is something I'll never want to do again. I've lost about 15-20 lbs (I only weighed 150 before this...didn't have the weight to lose)

I've been living off of chocolate shakes and chicken broth. I'll be able to eat really soft foods this tuesday, but everything is taken out 2 days before thanksgiving :) .
 
Bump for an old but helpful thread. How's it held up years later? Would you do it over knowing what you know? I'm considering it currently.

Also your "after" photo doesn't show up any longer.
 
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