FAQ
Did you have upper jaw surgery or lower jaw surgery?
Why have just one, when you can have both? Oh right, because both leads to much more swelling, recovery, and general discomfort — I’ll take two please!
Yes, I had upper and bottom. They moved my lower jaw back, upper jaw forward, and, if that wasn’t enough, corrected for a diagonal misalignment as well.
All together, they moved things about 12mm. Anyone out there have a bigger distance than that? (that’s what she said…)
How much did the surgery cost?
This is one of the hardest questions to answer, since it depends on so many different factors: severity, location, insurance plan, time required, and on and on…
BUT, this was one of my biggest questions as well, and it seemed like everyone was afraid to even give a ballpark number, so I’m going to tell you what it cost ME.
Remember, I have no idea what your specific needs and/or plans are, so my figures may be COMPLETELY different, and I can only speak from my personal experience for my personal surgery.
You may pay MUCH less or MUCH more, so you get the idea, right? Take these figures with a grain of salt (whatever that means)!
- ~2 years of braces (1 year pre-surgery, 1 year post-surgery) = $5,100 out of pocket
- amount insurance paid for actual surgery = $5,028.79
- my co-pay for the surgery = $300 out of pocket
- various lab fees and co-pay’s during the entire process = ~$200 out of pocket
Total Out of Pocket Cost: ~$5,500-$6,000
As you can see, the braces were the biggest cost, by far, since they weren’t covered by insurance, but I was “lucky” enough to have such a horrendous, mutant bite that insurance deemed my case extreme and covered the surgery.
Mine was considered a medical case, but if yours isn’t quite as severe, it may be considered cosmetic, which would probably leave you with the full cost of the surgery.
It’s also interesting to note that the bill indicates if I had used an out-of-network provider and/or not had insurance, I would have owed an additional $81,879.07! I’m not even sure exactly how that works or what it all means, but I sure am glad I didn’t get hit with THAT bill!
What exactly happened to your jaw? Why did you need the surgery?
Although it may have looked like I planted my skull in the middle of a heavily-trafficked railroad crossing, it was actually a much less dramatic process, where my jaw just gradually grew out of whack as I got older.
Technically, I could have managed for the rest of my life without the surgery, especially since I had never really know what I was missing. When chewing, I only had a few teeth that actually fit together, but it happened so slowly that I just naturally adapted.
If only I had known what a difference it would make when my teeth actually touched each other, I would have been filing for total disability before! It literally feels like I have a blender in my mouth now, and it’s so nice to experience what “normal” people take for granted.
I knew the surgery would make a big different, but I was still really surprised at just how much more functional it made me.
How long did it take to heal? How long does the swelling last?
The answer to this really depends on how you define “heal.” Again, my surgery was relatively complex and “major,” so your times may be a bit less.
I was in the hospital for 2 days and 2 nights following the surgery, just to ensure I was recovering well, getting adequate fluids, and stopping the bleeding. Some less severe cases may even go home the same day.
Once home, I was wired shut for about 5 weeks, and this was the most uncomfortable period, but the healing process was already in full swing.
I’d say it took about 6 months to really feel normal again, in terms of the last bit of swelling and being completely comfortable chomping back into my carnivorous diet, though I was about 75% or so after around 3 months.
Are there any risks associated with jaw surgery?
Of course, there are always risks associated with any surgery, but that doesn’t make them any less serious or worrying. Besides all the more general potential complications like infection problems or bleeding issues, one of the most pressing for me was the idea of a relapse.
There are very few patients who undergo the entire process of jaw surgery, only to have their jaws regress right back to where they were or misaligned in a whole new way.
This, of course, would require doing the entire process over again and can be a result of any number of things, including getting the surgery done too early before your jaw is done growing.
As with any surgery, it’s imperative to follow your doctor’s and surgeon’s guidelines to the letter. I took my post-op care and check-ups very seriously and was fortunate enough to not have any issues or signs of relapse at all, so please do the same!
What about the tingling/numbness?
Right after surgery, I could not feel most of my face at all, which is normal. It was definitely a slobber-fest!
Over the course of the next several weeks, the feeling slowly returned and radiated out from my lips. So, the feeling first starting coming back to my tongue, then my lips, then in a small circle around my lips, then down into my chin and so on.
The last bits of tingling and numbness lingered for several months, but you get used to it after a while, once you get your lips back — that’s the most important and frustrating part at first for eating and k-i-s-s-i-n-g (and things of that nature…)…
Do you look like a completely different person after?
Did you lose weight while you were wired shut?
Would you do it again?
What/how did you eat while you were wired shut?
I love all the questions coming in, so I’ve decided to move them to a much more organized place to make them easier to navigate for everyone. That means the comments here are now closed, so now you can ask your questions in the forums, and I’ll be able to answer them even faster.
{ 60 comments }
Hey!
i have to get this surgery done in about a month and i’m extremely nervous.
you had the same thing going on as i do now. my lower jaw is extended a pretty good bit. they have to go in and do both upper and lower jaw, and i have to be wired for about 6-8 weeks.
this blog helped me out TONS.
thanks:)
hey, im really glad I found your jaw surgery videos. I have the same problem with my lower jaw. I’ve seen a few dentists and surgeons but I was wondering, since I’m only 16, if you think I’m ready to do the whole process now. I want to ask someone who’s had experience with the process and I thought it was best to ask you.
hey man,
Im in the same position you were before your surgery. I have a severe undebite, but theres no diagonal problem with my jaw. I got my braces in November 2008 and the surgeon said that my opperation would be in about June of 2010. Im amazed how my teeth are all straight after only 5 months aving them, they’re perfectly straight. Anyways, i had a couple of questions for you..: 1. Right after the surgery, did you stay “hidden” in your home, or did you go to work or school..!? Just tell me how it went for that! 2. How much weight did you lose!? (Im a fitness freak too, i weight 185 kinda have the same bodybuilt as you, So i worry about that) 3. Describe me the worst pain you had after surgery!
Thank you!!
JR
What’s up Karly,
I completely understand, I was scared out of my mind too! But you’ll see, once it’s over, it really isn’t that bad at all.
I’m glad the blog could help, and just let me know if you have any other questions along the way.
Best of luck and keep me updated!
What’s up Britt,
I actually initially looked into the surgery a few years before I had it done when I was about 17, but the surgeon said it was best to wait until I was definitely done growing.
If you get the surgery while you’re still young and then your bones keep growing a little more, you run the risk of having to get a second surgery done to correct for the new growth and/or run into complications with the initial surgery.
Depending on your situation and the advice of your doctors, I would personally recommend waiting a little while longer if you can.
If you have any other questions, just let me know.
What’s up JR,
Great, glad to hear your teeth are “fast-movers,” that could speed up the post-surgery tweaks too.
1. Fortunately, I wasn’t in school and could work from home at the time of surgery. For the first week at least, you will probably want and need to stay “hidden” for health and recovery reasons, as much as for “You’ll scare the children” reasons.
2. I lost about 15 pounds in just the first week and over 20 in the first month. I had planned a little ahead by adding a few extra pounds, but I would put on a bit more if I could do it again. Just don’t go overboard on junk food though, because you still want your body to be strong and healthy to help speed up recovery. You can see my shocking “from hero to zero” pics at http://www.fitbuff.com/about-fit-buff/ That shows how quickly the weight melted away while I was wired shut.
3. I actually didn’t have an ounce of pain throughout the entire procedure. I honestly don’t know how much of that is related to the surgeon, my pain threshold, or the drugs, but I was surprised and relieved. I only took the pain pills for the first 48 hours. There was definitely discomfort and grogginess, especially the pressurized feeling from all the swelling, but as far as actual pain, I didn’t experience any.
Hopefully, yours is the same way.
Best of luck with everything, and just let me know if you have any other questions along the way!
Hey man, great job on the blog, its probably the most helpful thing I have found out there on the web besides just You-tubing heaps of people (this is actually how I found your blog).
Im in a similar boat to you which is why I have a couple questions. I have an open bite where only 2 of my teeth touch so my bottom jaw is too far forward however it also grew straight down instead of foward. So I have heaps of trouble talking, pronunciating (spelling) words and I talk witha lisp because I cant close my mouth properly. I got into an acting school that told me to fix the way I talk before I can start, seeing as you are a rapper, how has the surgery affected the way you can talk now? I also ask this in regards to the numbness. I had a filling a few weeks ago and lost the feeling in my tongue and right side of my mouth, I couldnt talk for nuts! (This has gotten me quite scared). Is this what you experienced initially and when did it come back? I also saw a category on your website about chin surgery. I am having this done also, did u get this done too? Sorry for the massive question, but a response would be fully appreciated.
Ta
Ps because my jaws grew down I have like an upside down egg head, so I desperatley would crave some shape in my face, like the rugged handsome cheek bones, strong jaw line shape. Is this anything your surgeon spoke to you about also?
thansk heaps
Thanks Aussie, glad it’s helpful.
Before the surgery, my bottom jaw was really far forward and just watching me talk, it would look like I had a lisp too, but for some reason I didn’t actually have one. Since the surgery, talking has definitely been easier in that there’s no more jaw discomfort or pain, but I’m assuming the change would be even better for you, since it would probably eliminate your lisp all together.
The only time my talking got harder and worse was during the 5 weeks that I was wired shut, obviously. To practice, just clench your teeth together and try to talk. I could do okay and get my point across, but it was definitely a bit frustrating after a while.
Once the wires came off, I was able to talk normally right away. I never had any numbness in my tongue, and even when my lips were still numb for the first several weeks, it didn’t seem to affect my talking.
Yes, the “chin surgery” was part of the overall operation, since my lower jaw had to be moved so far back, the chin then had to be moved slightly forward to compensate.
The surgeon did say that my cheek bones would naturally be more prominent, since my upper jaw had to come forward, but I’m not sure how much more you can tweak the shape of your jaw line, etc. without more extensive surgery, so that would definitely be something to ask him.
I think I answered everything, but if I missed anything or you have any other questions, just let me know.
I have had migraines for 20 years (since I was 13). My PCP referred me to an oral surgeon who just diagnosed me as having a congenital jaw deformity (classified under the “umbrella” of TMJ). This has also caused me to have sleep apnea. I was told by my insurance co. that because it was diagnosed as a type of TMJ that they will not cover anything related to treatment or surgery. (They say it’s considered cosmetic!!) Did you have to deal with anything like that? I am trying to see if there is anything me or my doctor can say or do to make them see that this is definately not cosmetic.
Hey brandon. It’s a good thing I saw your videos to know what you looked like immediately following surgery. We looked like twins except that my nose got wrecked in the process due to bad previous surgeries on it. The dr said he is going to fix it when he takes the wires off on may 28. I look like a battered boxer as I just came back from the hospital today. I am having alot of saliva building up in my mouth and it’s tiring to constantly be swallowing. I am also pretty groggy. Those pain meds flip my lid! Wow it’s a trip ingesting mostly water and juice. I don’t want to get too creative with the blender til my incisions heal. Also I had another complication. The catheter hurt my ureathra so I have to be on more antibiotics. Any words of wisdom? I must say this is hellish!
Hey Kristi,
My surgeon told me that sometimes insurance companies are hesitant at first to cover the surgery and label it cosmetic, so it can take a little extra prodding and documentation from your surgeon. Mine was 100% confident that even if that came up, I was a shoe-in because of the severity of my case, and yours sounds like it is even more severe in terms of symptoms.
Luckily, they approved mine on the first submission, but it’s common for them to “test” you with the first rejection, so definitely have your surgeon and/or doctor further explain why it’s medically necessary, and I’m sure you’ll be fine.
Good luck!
Hey Barry,
haha, it’s been nearly a year and a half, but I definitely remember exactly what you’re talking about! That was one of the most frustrating things for me, the constant swallowing and prevented me from getting any sound sleep for the first few days.
I’ve never had to concentrate so much on a basic function like swallowing, but it definitely makes a big difference.
I was fortunate to have no pain at all, so I only took the pain pills for about the first 48 hours, but I’ve heard how loopy they can make you.
My words of wisdom are the process will go by faster than you think, I promise! Just hang in there and be sure to follow doctor’s orders EXACTLY for the fastest recovery time.
Keep us updated on your progress, and let me know if you have any other questions come up.
HEy brandon:)
I am going throught the process too and your page has made me feel very confident. I just got my braces on and i am in tons of pain. I feel soooooo self consious, and have to wait a year before i get the surgery, so i guess its a waiting game, but being able to see how many other people went through and are going through the same thing helps alot. SO thanks 
My name is Paula, and i just wanted to thank you for your blog
What’s up Paula,
No problem, I’m glad the blog is helpful, and I really enjoy helping others with the process.
I totally understand about the braces, they are definitely a pain at first, literally and figuratively! But you’ll get used to them, you may never love them or even like them, but you will get used to them, haha.
And I know how long that pre-surgery period can seem, since mine was a LONG time, but you just have to remember that the better prepared your teeth are for their new position, the smoother and more successful the surgery will be.
Best of luck with everything, and just let me know if you have any questions along the way.
Hi Brandon,
I am 16 yrs old and have had un underbite my entire life. From about the age of 8 I have had orthodontic work done on my teeth. Long story short I have had orthodontic work and braces on and off for nearly 7 years ( had braces off for 3 in between).
Now at 16 I had just Lower Jaw Surgery done a week ago tomorow, just the same as you i was scared out of my wits the day of my surgery (it was good to hear I wasnt alone in that).
I was in and out of surgery in 2 days, which i was really not expecting, so at home i was dealing with swelling, pain and having no idea how to eat.
Now 6 days after my surgery my swelling isnt as bad as i had expected, I didnt have to have my wisdom teeth taken out (because i didnt have any) but i still feel very self concious about my swelling being a 16 yr old girl. My Surgeon said that im in the minority of people where most (definetly not all) of my nubness has gone away about 4 weeks early. Great in a way, but bad in that im feeling more pain than most.
My jaw wasnt wired shut i just had a few elastics tightly holding my jaw together, but after calling my surgeon today i was able to cut them off (as i was struggling to swallow my pain killers).
I just have a few questions about Recovery. The only place i am really numb now is my bottom lip and chin, so how long was it for you until the numbness in those two places was basically gone? Also i am finding my stitches very restricting, and was wondering how long for you was it until you were able to smile properly without feeling restricted by stitches? Lastly just wanted to know when you went back to work/school? I’m really uncomfortable going whilst still swallen.
Thanks very much.. your blog was really helpfull in seeing the before and afters of someone else. If theres anything extra you can tell me please do
Thanks
Hi Blair,
Wow, I thought the process was long for me, but it sounds like you’ve been involved with this for MUCH longer!
I’m glad you finally got to get the surgery over and everything went well. I’ve heard that having just one jaw operated on does significantly decrease swelling and speed up recovery time.
That’s good that most of your numbness is already gone, but you’re right, I never thought about that being a bad thing if it goes away before the pain is gone. It sounds like it’s not TOO excruciating though, I hope.
For me the lower lip and chin were also the last two spots to regain total feeling. It actually took several months for it to get back to near 100%, and even now I’d say it’s at about 97%, but again, with only having the lower jaw done and less trauma, that time could be significantly reduced.
The good news is once it gets back to even about 60-75% within the first few weeks, you’ll nearly forget about it.
It’s just those first few days/weeks when you can barely feel anything, and you may be drooling without even knowing it, haha.
I didn’t have any issues with the stitches stretching, because I was wired shut for 5 weeks, so I couldn’t even open my mouth or stretch anything in there. It depends on the type of stitches you have, but mine dissolved naturally over the course of the next few weeks, so it may be the same for you, or worst case, your doctor will simply remove them around the same time.
I was lucky enough to not have any school or work commitments at the time of my surgery, but if I had had either, I would have been ready to return in about 4-6 weeks. Again, you could probably cut that in half given your speedy recovery.
I totally understand being self-conscious about the swelling and everything, but I promise you’ll be back to normal before you know it, in fact, even better than normal!
A few people would just ask what happened, and I would simply tell them that I had jaw surgery. With you being younger, most people probably won’t bother you at all, and I’m sure you’ve told most of your friends already anyway, right?
I hope I answered your questions, and just let me know if you think of any more.
My best follow-up advice would be to just take things easy for these first couple of weeks and stay in close contact with your surgeon and follow-up appointments to avoid any delays or complications.
It sounds like you’ll do great and your recovery will be easier than most, so be sure to keep us updated!
Hey Brandon
I’m having this surgery in 3 weeks and im gonna have my jaw wired shut for 2 weeks. I’m also an avid gym rat and I was wondering how long did you have to stay away from exercise?
Love your site btw, very helpful
KC
Hey Brandon
Brilliant blog. I’m having a similar surgery in September but looking at me, you wouldnt know I needed it!
How much overall weight did you lose, and does it hurt having brace adjusted while recovering?xxx
Hey KC,
It depends on how quickly your incisions heal, so obviously, ask your surgeon to find out when it’s safe for you, but I started getting back into some light body-weight work around the 2-month mark. Then, I gradually increased reps/weights over the next several weeks.
Don’t worry though, once you’re cleared for take-off, you’ll be surprised how quickly you gain back strength and size, thanks to muscle memory.
Hey Hayley,
Thanks, I ended up losing about 20 pounds overall, but most of that was all within the first week, as you can see here:
http://www.fitbuff.com/about-fit-buff/
Also, much of that weight was muscle, due to not being able to work out, so you may actually lose less.
The adjustments for the braces are just slightly sore for the first few hours after each one, but definitely not anything that “hurts” or is a big deal once you get used to it.
Good luck with the surgery, and come back here any time!
Hey Bro,
Congrats on your surgery and recovery, You look so diff but for the better. I am going for my upper and lower jaw surgery in a couple of months time.
I gotta couple of questions.
1. Was there any change in ur voice/tone after surgery
2. Do you have titanium implants and if so plan to remove them?
3. Was there any change in the shape of your nose?
4. Was was the failure rate given to you for losing feelings in ur lip nerves completely? I was given 1 out of 10 which is pretty bad
CheerZ
ShaJ
Hey Shaj,
1. No change in voice or tone for me, and since the surgery is just on the jaws and inside of the mouth, there shouldn’t be any changes to your voice box which is farther back.
2. Yes, I have the titanium implants and bolts to hold the jaws together in their new position. The plates are basically acting as bone where pieces of my old jaw used to be, so I don’t plan to have them removed, because then my jaws would be in separate pieces!
3. No change in the shape of my nose after several weeks when all the swelling went down, but while you’re swollen, your nose (and everything else on your face) will definitely be larger and puffed up.
4. I think the number was the same for me, 10% chance of losing feeling. I agree it seemed pretty high at the time, but if you’re confident in your surgeon’s ability and credentials, then everything should be fine.
Thanks, and if you have any other questions, just let me know.
Hey there,
Thanks for answering so quickly.
1. My doctors told me the gap between my lower jaw and throat is large thus my voice is hazy and could change due to the surgery but is not a sure thing.
2. It seems the plates can be removed after a year or so with full recovery if we wish to or leave it behind for ever, but that would be another minor surgery by itself..
3. After about a week of rest once they surgery is done…is it advisable to be back to work or is a longer resting period advised?
For my doc says one week should be fine…though i won’t be able to talk for another three weeks after that.
Cheers
ShaJ
3.
Hey ShaJ,
1. I see how that could be possible, but I’d guess the change would be minimal if at all, so probably nothing to worry about.
2. I never heard that, and it may be different from case to case, because for me, pieces of the bone were removed and replaced by the plates. So, if the plates were removed, there wouldn’t be anything to hold the two pieces together.
3. After a week, you will technically be ready to walk around and function pretty well, but if at all possible, I’d recommend two weeks to be sure. You already realized you won’t be able to talk for a few weeks, so as long as you don’t answer customer service phones, you should be fine!
What they actually do with the jaw?
How the jaw looks suddenly smaller?
How this thing works?
hiya just wanted to say what a fab blog,
ive had braces on now for 5 years, wouldnt of had to have them that long but fell pregant and kinda stoped everything cause couldnt have any operations.
i had my operation done last tuesday 2nd june to correct my underbite and had to have my top jaw moved forward so just recovering now. and really not enjoying it at all keep having panic attacks cause of my breathing (im a mouth breather) also its really annoying me that i cant cough and get any rubbish from of my chest and speak to my daughter. Also watching everybody else eat is a nightmare as i could eat anything right now ha ha.
when your swelling went down what did you have to eat? i feel like i havent got enough room at all cause i have no gaps and the milkshakes that ive been given are horrible so dont want them at all but know ive got to, to heal and survive.
cant believe how much you had to pay for your surgery i live in the uk so mine was paid for by NHS very lucky in that way.
Will say to anybody who is ahving this done the pain is not that bad at all its just the slobbering and not eating or sleeping thats the pain which nobody tell you about, at this stage i wish i would have never had it done but im sure that will change in a couple of weeks hopefully anyway.
sorry if im moaning but feel very down in the dump but everybody keeps telling me this is normal
Bryoney x
Hi Christina,
1. What they do with the jaw depends on how your jaws are positioned now, but for me, they moved my top jaw forward, bottom jaw back, and corrected for a diagonal misalignment as well.
2. Again, each case is different, but for me, the cut a piece of the lower jaw out, moved it back, then bolted it back together, so now the lower jaw isn’t as long as it was before.
If you have any other questions, just let me know.
Hiya Bryoney,
Congrats on a successful surgery, even though you’re in the thick of recovery right now. You’re probably already doing significantly better by now (if so, come back and calm the nerves of the people you scared off! haha).
I didn’t have much room for eating either, but if you get a feeding tube along with a syringe (available at local pharmacies), you can suck applesauce, yogurt, etc. up through the syringe, then feed the tube back along your teeth, and there will be a small gap behind your last tooth on both sides. Then, just squirt the “food” through there and down your throat. I know it’s not the most glamorous or fastest way to eat, but it’s a great way to get a break from protein shakes and other all-liquid “meals.”
I totally agree about there not being “pain,” but there’s definitely discomfort with the swelling and pressure. We’re both pretty lucky though, because some people do experience a little actual pain along the way as well.
I hope things are already improving, let me know if you have any other questions along the way, and keep us updated, because I know you’ll be happy to have done it!
Hey Brandon,
I’m back again haha, Just wanted to give you a little update.
I had lower jaw surgery for everyone who hasnt read my first message and i had it on the 11th of May .. so about 4 weeks ago. Now im still swollen, i reckon ive still got about 30% of my swelling to go down, but now i’m eating mostly solids YAY (and i mean YAY) hehe
The hardest part, apart from the pain and swelling has been lack of sleep. in my first two weeks i was told to sleep with my head heald nearly upright with pillows. Because of this i lost allot of sleep and i can safely say that when you’ve got a friend or family member helping you in your first few weeks of recovery is really a HUGE help.
Also in my second week of recovery i had lost allot of weight, and already being slim it probably wasnt a good thing. BUT its now 4 weeks and ive put on a healthy ammount of weight now due to being able to eat more than mush XD haha
My recovery is probably allot faster than most, even my surgen said so.
If anyone has questions about single lower jaw surgery just let me know.
Just wanted to say thanxx brandon. this blog looks like it’s helping allot of people, and i can’t WAIT to see what i look like when my swelling is completley gone (how long did yours take to go down to nearly normal?
:) thanxx
Hey Brandon,
.
) But do you honestly believe 3 weeks is long enough to be away from school for recovery? I do not care if I look like the pilsberry dough boy in my face from all the swelling. Since when I felt fine after my last surgery I was out and about, some people found it increasingly gross that I was green from bruises. I told people I was just really sick and thats why I was green 
I had to have a sense of humor or it would have majorly depressed me. But I did lose 15 pounds and ended up weighing 85 pounds. This brings me to my next question. How do you manage to eat/take pain meds? My mouth was not banded or wired shut at all for the first one, and I was told for the next one my mouth will be banded. I dont get how ill be able to eat or drink anything. And being 85 lbs was not good. I was more sick from my lack of weight and having to take children’s medication since my body couldnt handle regular. I eventually looked up the most ridiculously fattening food and gained 8 pounds back fairly fast. but im worried how this would work with being banded for a week.
First of all, thanks so much for your blog. In September of last year I was devastated when I found out I had to have jaw surgery to correct my underbite. I basically thought my world was over. Little did I know at the time I had to have two surgeries. The first was to open my top jaw’s growth plates so they could expand due to me being 17 and my bones being fused together. In February I went under and had it done. I almost have all the feeling back in my face and my appearance changed so much more then I ever expected or was told. For the better though
I was told last week I will have to have the full underbite correction surgery before the end of the year (im shooting for semester break in December so I dont miss too much school), and I was wondering a few different things. I understand what it feels like after surgery to have no feeling since ive already gone through that. (people that havent had it, I dont suggest testing how much you cant feel. if you hit yourself hard enough you do feel it, and you feel it a million times worse then normal. I learned this the hard way
And Finally (sorry for all the questions, but its more just like im trying to feel if its going to be better or worse after surgery) how much does your apperience change? obviously I know my nasty chin won’t be so promenant but I dont want to look like a whole different person. I have been told my apperance will change after this surgery , and I wasnt told if it would or wouldnt in my last one and I did. I loved how I looked but I just looked more mature. I have read some blogs where people say they go through identity crisises and none of their friends recognize me. I don’t know if I could emotionally handle that. Obviously I would have to get over that haha but I would like to be able to mentally prepare for it and maybe get some help before hand.
Im so sorry I rambled so much! Im just a stressed out teenager that cares probably too much about the end result.
Thanks for reading,
Brittany
Hey Blair,
Thanks for coming back! This reminds me I’ve REALLY got to get a section together for people to share their after-surgery experiences, so there will be a lot of different case studies like yours for future patients to look over.
I hear you on the solid foods, I never knew how much I missed them until they were gone!
Good point about the weight, I was the same way. I always tell people that it’s almost a given that you’re going to lose a bit of weight, but it comes back just as fast once your eating returns to normal.
My swelling took about 2-3 months to get down to about 10% where most other people couldn’t tell, but that last little bit that I could always see took a while longer, up to about 6 months. My swelling tends to last a bit longer than most though, even when I had my wisdom teeth removed, so since you’re a fast healer, yours may go away sooner.
Thanks again for sharing, and keep keeping us updated!
Hey Brittany,
I remember the growth plate surgery being a possibility in my case, but they ended up not having to do it. Like you said though, at least you can use that as a kind of warm-up for the jaw surgery, so you’ll know a little more what to expect.
In terms of being up and around for school, three weeks should be plenty, since you already realize the swelling probably won’t be down by then. As long as you’re not playing sports or taking part in any really physical gym class, you should be fine just getting around, since most of the discomfort should be gone by then.
I was curious about the eating thing too, but if you clench your teeth together right now (pretending you’re banded shut), then look in the mirror and pull one side of your cheek back. You’ll see that after your last tooth in the back on either side, there is a little gap (probably room for one or two more teeth). That space is where you will stick a small feeding tube to squirt things like applesauce, yogurt, etc. If you’re only being banded for a week, it should be bad at all, I was banded shut for FIVE!
My appearance definitely changed a bit, but far from anyone not being able to recognize me. My surgery was pretty drastic in terms of the average jaw movement, but even friends that I haven’t seen in years instantly recognize me, and some don’t even see a difference at all, just assuming it was a natural change as I grew up.
I hope that helps, and if you have any other questions, just let me know.
I know it’s scary at first, all the way up until the morning of the surgery, but it won’t seem like nearly as big a deal when it’s over.
Good luck, and keep us updated!
hey brandon,
first of all thank u soooo much for ur blog, it has made life easier so much…well for me ive had braces for bout a month n supposed to have surgery for wisdom teeth then another for my under bite. my question is did u have surgery for ur wisdom teeth? how long did u have the braces on before u had the surgery?
its good to know that there are other people with the same issue, cuz as a 16 year old, lifes not easy with a underbite
How old where u when u had ur surgery? and what kept u motaviated to keep with the process? oo by the way when u had the braces on was ur bite getting worse? cuz mines is n its annoying!!
well, thanks for reading, and again thank u sooo much for the blog,
love, maya
Hey Brandon x
ive been waiting 6 years x x x
Im actually having my operation before christmas this year i havent been told my exact dates yet but ive got my last wire change next week. How long after you had your final wire change was your operation?
im 17 and having my lower jaw moved back and upper jaw moved forward having anose job and my chin made smaller i cant wait
Hey Maya,
Yes, I had my wisdom teeth removed early on in the process, and it was a great “warm-up” for the jaw surgery, since it was performed by the same surgeon and it was the first time I was “put under.”
I had my braces on for a little over a year before surgery and a little over a year after surgery.
My surgery was on October 30, 2007, so I was 23 years old, and once I finally decided to go ahead with the process, motivation wasn’t really a problem, because then I was already committed to seeing it through.
Yes, my bite did get worse prior to surgery, but that’s totally normal, because the braces are shifting the teeth into proper alignment for your NEW bite (after the jaws are moved). Since my bite was so off to begin with, it wasn’t a huge deal for me, because mine couldn’t really get much worse!
Let me know if you have any other questions, and good luck!
Hey Chelsey,
My surgery was only a few weeks after my last wire change, but I’m sure that varies quite a bit for each person and orthodontist.
Good luck with your surgery, sounds like a great Christmas present!
So – tell us about people’s reaction to your surgery – especially your family. Were they supportive?
Do people treat you differently – as in more positively, pay you more attention? Do girls approach you differently?
Just wondered.
Hey Saint,
Yes, all my family and friends were very supportive. As far as girls, I can’t say I’ve noticed any dramatic difference since the surgery, but that may be because I’ve always gotten plenty of attention already just for being tall, haha. I can say it certainly hasn’t hurt.
hey brandon,
I’m sorry but I’m jus so curious cuz, my underbites bout I think like 14 mm, but it’s bad n how did u manage to go each day with braces and bite like that? Cuz I’m very social n stuff n each time all I think about is my stupid bite, n idk it pisses me off LOL,
and u c unfortunatly for me, I still haven’t accepted it, cuz my familys not supportive n stuff yeah..oh yeah um when u had the wisdom surgery was it at a hospital? n how long did u stay?
Thanks again for replying
For me, the shift was so gradual over time that I never really thought about it cosmetically. There may definitely be a gender difference though, as I’m sure girls can be more self-conscious about it from what I’ve gathered from various comments and emails. You seem to have a relatively healthy attitude about it though, so just keep looking forward to when it’s all over and done with, which will be sooner than it seems now.
I had my wisdom teeth done right at the surgeon’s office in one of their medical rooms, so technically not a hospital. I was only there for an hour or so and was able to leave right after. I had the option of being completely knocked out or just sedated, and I chose completely knocked out, since I had never done that before and figured it would be good preparation for the jaw surgery. I just needed to make sure I had someone to drive me home afterward, since you’re still a little groggy for a few hours after you wake up.
Hey, Brandon.
I have been looking for tons of website that explains how the procedure went through, and how it looks before/after. You were
the best info. provider so far after my 6 months research. Anyways,
I have some couple questions I need to ask.
I currently don’t have any of health or dental insurance. Will that do anything negative for getting any new insurance and start up the surgery process right away. As far as I know, insurance will come up with anything for the rejection unless doctor provides reasonable coverage.
So my main question is, how much have you been paying for your own
insurance and what insurance did you select?
My Last question is, did doctor say anything about possibility of getting your jaw break during any of sports activities. I play soccer once a week and I’m little scared that if I bump to someone with my face, will my jaw break easily. lol I’m sorry this question sounds stupid but I really don’t want to give up my only hobby after the surgery.
Well, Let me know how you think and thanks for the help!
Hey Andy,
For the health insurance, I have Anthem, but I’m sure policies and prices vary wildly depending on numerous factors. I do remember there was a 12 to 18-month waiting period, from the time of signing up, before the jaw surgery was even eligible to be considered, but that timing worked out perfectly, since I had to get the braces in the meantime anyway.
He told me I could return to all my normal activities, and I play basketball regularly, but I’ve been fortunate enough to not take any blows to the head recently, haha. If anything, I would think the jaw would be as strong, if not stronger, since there is now titanium plates and bolts holding it together.
I hope that helps, and let me know if you have any other questions.
Brandon – firstly let me say thank you for all you patience, answers and hard work bringing this site to life for us.
My future surgery will be for cosmetic reasons only – although i understand that was not your primary reason for surgery – i am very interested to know if any surgeon you approached used CAD (computer aided design) to give you some idea of the finished ‘look’ that would achieved.
The finished ‘look’ is obviously my main concern so i wonder if surgeons offer this service – before and after digital imagery?
Cheers Brandon!
Saint – No problem at all, it feels really good helping other people that are going through the same thing I did.
I do remember hearing about the CAD when I was first researching the surgery, so I know it exists, but I never even bothered asking my surgeon if his office had that technology. Since it was completely necessary for me anyway, I figured I would just do it and see what I looked like when it was done!
You should definitely ask around when you’re finding the right surgeon in your area, and chances are one or more may have it.
dear brandon thank you first for making this site.my situation is this.i have hadwhat is called lip incompitence my whole life,which means my lips dont close at rest,very anoying.and ive finaly noticed after searching around for a cure that it may be due to a jaw problem.i then noticed that my upper jar has a cant to it,not horizontal wich i believe is a reason why the right side of my mouth is higher than the left.my question is
1:if i have upper jar sergury will my mouth have to be wired shut?
2.did you have the same thing with your lips?
3:is there a place i can fing the RIGHT doctors in the right places
Hey Aaron,
1. It depends on the severity of the surgery. If your jaws have to be moved a relatively large distance, then you’ll probably have to be wired/banded shut, but some patients with less severe under/overbites don’t have to be wired shut at all. Your surgeon will probably be able to tell you right off the bat though.
2. I actually never noticed whether or not I had lip incompetence before, but after reading your post, I just jutted my lower jaw out like it was before, and my lips definitely don’t close together like they should. Now though, with my jaws properly aligned, my lips close naturally.
3. The way I found mine was to first find a great orthodontist that I liked, since you’ll almost always need one along with your surgeon for the entire process. Then, the orthodontist can give you recommendations based on his experience with other surgeons, since he’s seen their results and progress firsthand.
i got surgery on june 3rd on my lower jaw only and was wondering how long before i can feel my lip and chin tanks 4 the help
Hey Jaime,
Congrats on a successful surgery!
As for my lips, those took about 3 months to get back to about 75% which was enough to comfortably eat again while being able to feel if something was touching my lip. It took a full six months for my lips to get back to 100%, but again, I didn’t miss that 25% in the meantime much at all.
As for my whole face, that took a bit longer than my lips, but only by a month or two. For me, the feeling seemed to radiate out in a circle starting from my lips, then the skin right around my lips, then down to chin and up to my cheekbones.
Everyone’s healing and recovery rate will obviously be different, but the average times seem to be anywhere from 3 months to over a year to gain 100% feeling back.
Brandon – do you know of any other chat forums where we can all share experiences and ask other people questions about their surgery?
One of my interests is this – as my jaw, both upper and lower are too small, i hope to have them expanded to create a fuller face.
I have read about and ‘expander’ like bolt that is placed in the roof of the mouth (upper jaw) and this is regularly clicked wider and wider to expand things.
Has anyone had this done – and what was your experience?
Thanx Brandon
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