Jaw Surgery Forums » Tag: lower jaw

Jaw Surgery Forums » Tag: lower jaw - Recent Topics http://www.jawsurgeryblog.com/forums/ Past, current, and future Jaw Surgery patients Unite! en Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:26:16 +0000 Zoe62 on "Lower Jaw Surgery - Crossbite" http://www.jawsurgeryblog.com/forums/topic/lower-jaw-surgery-crossbite#post-21206 Tue, 07 Feb 2012 02:41:37 +0000 Zoe62 21206@http://www.jawsurgeryblog.com/forums/ So here I am Post Op Day 5 and have been reading through lots of different peoples blogs since i left Hospital on Day 2. It was really good to hear about other peoples experiences and so i thought, 'hey why not help someone else out if by chance they stumble upon this blog..' A little background to my story - Originally back when I was in Grade 3, i had braces on my top and bottom front 8 in order to fix my bite as it was growing (note - i had perfectly straight teeth so i was quite confused at the concept back then) I had them on for about 18 months, set my parents back a small fortune and suprise suprise, it shifted back after about a month. So i decided to be blissfully unaware of my jaw problems right up until last year (Age 20) when my wisdom teeth decided they wanted to come through and I visited my dentist. who referred me to the orthodontist and an oral surgeon. Excellent. All those wonderful memories of braces were coming back to haunt me. Thankfully my wonderful amazing boyfriend completely empathised with me having had double jaw surgery and all his wisdom teeth out at the same time, about 3 years prior. I did not know him then, but he has and is a great support when i have needed to vent. So I began my orthodontic work on 21 April '11 and had my wisdom teeth out in the following June. Late November my teeth were in the right place to go ahead for the surgery, which was then scheduled for the 3rd of Feb 2012. Everyone seemed quite surprised by this whole procedure because physically you can't really tell that my bottom jaw was in the wrong place (off to the right hand side and on a slight angle) I of course could easily tell, especially when my face was relaxed it was very evident in my droopy lopsided lower lip. Medically though I was having joint pains in my jaws and my font teeth were being grind down on an angle. So surgery seemed to be the way to go. So here I am now Day 5 POST OP and it has definitely been the best day by far in terms of swelling, which has gone done a far bit, and nausea. I have a reflux/stomach problem already, so i have been feeling sick kind of non stop. but today i managed some zuchinni soup and two yogos. REally the only time where a 20 year old can get away with having a yogo for breakfast, lets be honest. The day and night in hospital on the Friday was pretty average. Heres a little fact about me. My body doesnt like medicine. at all. So they kept giving me medicine to fix the problem other medicine gave me and so on. I felt so ill the night after that i just kept pressing the nurse button so she would be there next to me when i was beyond nauseas. To that nurse i thankyou dearly. So on about day 3 when i just felt so sick, i gave up medication. Although my whole bottom half of my face was numb it was really really sore aswell. I thought everyone was lying when they said they didnt experience any pain. But yesterday my mum went and brought me liquid panadol. bless her heart. and that seems to be sitting in my stomach better. Note to others wanting to sneak medication in there preferred mush. Crashed Panadol cannot be hidden amongst weetbix mush, no matter how much sugar you add to it. ON that note, i feel as though i am healing alot faster than people who have had both jaws done. I have only elastics in aswell so from day 2 i have been able to use a cup and spoon in some mash potato mush and stuff, although alot more ends up on my chin rather than in my mouth. So to everyone who has undergone the double jaw surgery - i salute you! you are braver than I! Jaime Ramirez on "Numbness in lips and chin after Lower Jaw Surgery" http://www.jawsurgeryblog.com/forums/topic/numbness-in-lips-and-chin-after-lower-jaw-surgery#post-24 Fri, 26 Jun 2009 09:13:00 +0000 Jaime Ramirez 24@http://www.jawsurgeryblog.com/forums/ 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 leila on "Bit worried Im still numb at 6 months!" http://www.jawsurgeryblog.com/forums/topic/bit-worried-im-still-numb-at-6-months#post-8112 Thu, 23 Jun 2011 03:40:29 +0000 leila 8112@http://www.jawsurgeryblog.com/forums/ Hey, 6 months post lower jaw surgery and the right side of my lip and chin is much number than the other side. A good part of the lip is completely numb even to poking it with needles (I have a little acupuncture mallet)! Would be great to hear from those further on than me so I dont feel like Im an odd one and keep up my hope that my sensation eventually returns! Thanks! chezza on "Chezza" http://www.jawsurgeryblog.com/forums/topic/chezza#post-7250 Wed, 18 May 2011 12:25:10 +0000 chezza 7250@http://www.jawsurgeryblog.com/forums/ Hi all, I'm a 28 year old female from Scotland, my braces and surgery are on the NHS. Well just had my first appointment with the surgeon so I thought I would share... I have a 13mm overbite and will be getting lower jaw advancement. The ortho will try to move my teeth to make it 10mm but if it's not possible I may require bone to be taken from my hip to put in the gap. Does anyone have any experience of this? Sounds scary. I will also have my upper wisdom teeth removed during the surgery (I had my lower ones taken out when I was 15ish). I have pics but haven't figured out how to load them up yet! Will add soon :o) Any guidance on what to expect would be really appreciated! steffknee on "Upper and lower jaw surgery on the 12th Jan 2012!" http://www.jawsurgeryblog.com/forums/topic/upper-and-lower-jaw-surgery-on-the-12th-jan-2012#post-19596 Tue, 10 Jan 2012 23:37:46 +0000 steffknee 19596@http://www.jawsurgeryblog.com/forums/ I'm having upper and lower jaw surgery because my top jaw stopped growing when I was like 12 and my bottom jaw bit to accustom the small top jaw and my mouth and teeth all grew out of place :( so after having braces for 2 years they've given me and under bite. What I'm having done is: my top jaw being tilted to the right, being moved to the left 1mm and being moved forward 6mm, my bottom jaw is being moved to the right 6mm and back less than 1mm just to fit into place behind my top jaw.I'm SO exited! I've been waiting for the surgery for 2 years now (not as long as some people on here) but now I'm 18, nearly 19, It's nearly here! I have to get to the hospital at 6:30am and be preped and everything then I'll be taken into surgery at 8am! Fingers crossed it won't be cancelled, they warned me about emergencies and if someone has to have an emergency surgery when I'm suppose to be having mine done then mine will have to be cancelled and I'll have to go home and they'll contact me when they can fit me in next (that could be months!) But hopefully that won't happen, fingers crossed anyway! Abbil on "Abbil's surgery 24.10.2011 Lower jaw moved forward 5mm Before and after pictures" http://www.jawsurgeryblog.com/forums/topic/abbils-surgery-24102011-lower-jaw-moved-forward-5mm-before-and-after-pictures#post-14061 Wed, 26 Oct 2011 15:06:44 +0000 Abbil 14061@http://www.jawsurgeryblog.com/forums/ Hi guys, here is my story... Me, December 2009... <img src="http://i42.tinypic.com/imrrpj.jpg"> I have had my braces for 2 years and 10 months before surgery. Monday 24th October 2011, morning of surgery... <img src="http://i43.tinypic.com/29le69l.jpg"> <img src="http://i40.tinypic.com/azibmp.jpg"> <img src="http://i40.tinypic.com/qrycty.jpg"> <img src="http://i43.tinypic.com/2nh2noi.jpg"> Feeling REALLY nervous, just keep the thought that I've come this far cant turn back now!! 7am Arrive at hospital and go to admissions department. Thank god I had John with me coz at this point I would have totally turned around!! Was met by "my" nurse who added a wrist band to me and told me to wait in waiting room until I am called to meet to with anaesthetist. I'm first on surgery list, which I am most happy about, told it will be about 8.40am I go down to surgery. Sat in waiting room, waiting, watching the minutes tick by. called in to see anaesthetist, went through my past surgery's as I have been quite sick with previous surgery's. Answered loads of questions. Went back to waiting room and was then called in to see members of surgery team, answered loads of their questions mostly were the same as I had already answered! Was shown back to waiting room, then at about 8.30am was taken into a room to get changed into my sexy gown and stockings. "My" nurse labelled up my leg and bag, but with wrong name!! Luckily John noticed and the nurse went to get MY name tags. John was fabulous through the whole thing, holding my hand and saying all the right things. "My" nurse told me I would be called from this room to go through to surgery. Another nurse came to get me, gave John a huge (last) hug and kiss and left. I was walked down to anaesthetic room and laid on bed. There were three people around me. One asking my name, checking my wrist band, one was asking questions about my allergies (again) and the other was trying to put a Cannula in my wrist. This was very painful and I was squirming round the bed trying not to cry. He gave up and put it in the back of my hand which was also painful. I saw the anaesthetic put in, its kind of a milky looking liquid. They wheeled me into room next door and I saw the surgery lights and remember thinking "there are lots of lights!" Next thing I remember is someone saying "Its over Abbi, it went really well, they finished it quickly!" I felt sick but knew I wasn't going to be sick. I could talk as U had no bands, although I was expecting them. I had no tube up my nose, and had been told I might have one when I wake, so coming round was actually ok. I felt no pain, just felt sick, It was about 10.45am. I had a nurse next to me the whole time in recovery and she was so lovely. I was given ice for my face. At 11.30am the nurse phoned the ward to say I would be on my way but when she came back to the bed I knew I was going to be sick...and I was, twice. It was horrible, just blood really but my god I felt better after! The nurse had to wait another 45mins before they could transfer me. I kept apologising to her!! I was taken to the Critical Care ward at 12.30ish. Was settled in with new nurse. I wanted to put my PJ's on which they were happy to help me do and I did a wee. I also asked for my phone to take a picture! After surgery... <img src="http://i42.tinypic.com/118ftq0.jpg"> <img src="http://i39.tinypic.com/fdsfwk.jpg"> <img src="http://i42.tinypic.com/3517ngg.jpg"> <img src="http://i43.tinypic.com/2l89cfm.jpg"> Texted lots of people including John, who then came to visit me at 2.30pm. I was sit in bed and had started to fell sick again, when he arrived. I was on a drip and they had tried to get me to drink water but my throat was really sore. I was then sick again, twice. I was like "I told you I was going to be sick!!" I was brought a chair to sit next to John with ice on my jaw and a TV to watch. Actually felt quite normal at this point. It was really nice to just cuddle up next to John and watch TV. He has been my total rock. He left at 6.30pm but said he would be back later. I got back into bed and then at 7.30pm John came back and my best friend came to visit too. We had a laugh at my Buzz Lightyear face and she brought me a magazine and a pair of socks with cherries on, as I can't eat! Bless her. Katie left about 8.15pm and John stayed till 9pm. I was allowed to go to the toilet on my own, about every four hours I was going. Which was really strange as I wasn't drinking. I settle down about 11pm but couldn't sleep. My throat was still very sore and they were trying to get me to take oral painkillers, which I totally refused. I was falling asleep for about 10 minutes at a time. My night nurse was really nice. Kept refilling my ice and by about 12.30 they gave me morphine by my Cannula and I managed to sleep for about an hour. The lady opposite me was snoring really bad which didn't really help. I was given more morphine at about 3am and again slept for about an hour. I was really tired, I hadn't slept since coming round from the surgery, but just couldn't sleep. Day 1 after surgery, Tuesday 25th October 2011... <img src="http://i41.tinypic.com/v4bjh2.jpg"> <img src="http://i44.tinypic.com/d730h.jpg"> <img src="http://i43.tinypic.com/mcc9wi.jpg"> I was allowed a bath which I had at about 9.30am. I was taken to another ward at 11.00am and at 11.30am I was taken down to orthodontic department downstairs. I had an x-ray taken and then I saw a member of the team I hadn't met yet who although didn't do the surgery she had observed it. I was shown my X-ray, which was really strange. Seeing the "gaps" they had made in my bones!! She went through the surgery with me and said it had gone well. She answered my questions. I was told my bite was fine so I still didn't need any bands, which I was totally happy about. Was told to drink (as I hadn't yet) and eat and I could go home. While I was waiting for the porter to take me back to the ward my ortho walked past with her boss. They noticed me and said "looking good!" which I think they actually meant! They wanted to see my X-ray so I pointed out he room I had been in and we all went back in, they were really pleased with it!! I was given two appointments for next week, one with surgery term one with my ortho. I went back up to ward and managed to take in some water using a syringe. I texted John to come get me and the nurse sorted out my drugs and mouthwash. It was so nice to get home. John stayed with me at night, I was so scared that I wasn't going to sleep because of my nightmare night in hospital. I used my V shape cushion to prop myself up and John held me all night. I slept until 6.30am but woke up in pain as my painkillers where due at 4am. But once I had taken some and they kicked in I got back to sleep. Day 2 after surgery Wednesday 26th October 2011 (today)... <img src="http://i41.tinypic.com/fclnr5.jpg"> <img src="http://i44.tinypic.com/ou2rew.jpg"> <img src="http://i43.tinypic.com/2mcg95t.jpg"> I had a bath this morning at about 9.30am and have just watched TV all day. Still not managed to eat, John has been on at me about it!! So has Jaynelane :-) Problem is I'm actually not hungry. So today has been quite good managed to sleep from 12-3pm and John has just arrived round...good timing. Ask any questions guys and I will totally keep this updated so keep checking back! TheCrimsonChin on "Having Upper and Lower Jaw Surgery (Before, During and After Pics)" http://www.jawsurgeryblog.com/forums/topic/having-upper-and-lower-jaw-surgery-before-during-and-after-pics#post-18249 Fri, 30 Dec 2011 00:52:00 +0000 TheCrimsonChin 18249@http://www.jawsurgeryblog.com/forums/ I hadn't really planned on doing something like this, but after reading some of the stories on hear it made me feel a lot more comfortable with the surgery (more specifically, post-op) and how to deal. So here goes. My name is Matt. I'm a 19-year-old college student whose had braces now for...4 or 5 years. When I was born the pediatrician told my mom I was going to be an orthodontist's dream. The asshole was right. The concept of surgery has come up several times since before I had braces and the answer was always 'no'. It seemed like such an extreme idea for someone who hadn't even had any orthodontic treatment yet. The years went on and my teeth slowly got straighter but there was still the obvious problem. I had what I consider a severe underbite, along with an openbite. No matter how much you moved the teeth, those features were still prominent. It wasn't until hearing from both my dentist, previous orthodontist (who has since passed, delaying the process/progress), current orthodontist, and Maxillofacial surgeon that it seemed to be the general consensus that if I ever wanted to have a perfect smile, I was going to need surgery. I was all for the idea (and still am) while my parents remained extremely skeptical, which was understandable. The costs, pain, hospital time, etc. It was a lot to consider. Now here I am, one week before my surgery, and it's hard to believe everything has fallen in place. My surgeon will be moving my lower jaw back some and my front jaw forward to correct my underbite, as well as fixing the openbite in the process. It is said to be about a 6-8 hour surgery performed by two oral surgeons. The hope is that they will be able to use a process known as rigged fixation; my lower jaw will essentially be bolted in place with screws, inserted along the underside of my jawline (for minimal scarring) to hold the bone in place. If that is not possible, I will be wired shut for six weeks (something that I am not 100% crazy about). My main concern? I'm 120 lbs soaking wet. Having my jaw wired shut for 6 weeks is a scary thought. So that is where you all come in. I'd love the advice. What to eat, what to do, what to expect, how to sleep, how to brush, how to help swelling, how to help speech, etc. Anything you got, I'll take it and it is much appreciated. I figure if all of your success stories are able to give me some peace of mind, why not share my story and give someone else the same feeling. I will be posting before, during and after pics as the process is ongoing. My surgery is one week from today. Wish me luck and I hope to get back to you soon. Thanks. :) Sarah on "Unconciously moving jaw post surgery" http://www.jawsurgeryblog.com/forums/topic/unconciously-moving-jaw-post-surgery#post-17431 Wed, 21 Dec 2011 04:48:55 +0000 Sarah 17431@http://www.jawsurgeryblog.com/forums/ hi! I am now a week post op and everything has gone great, I saw the surgeon today and he said everything looked great, and he changed my elastics. ever since my appointment I will get a really sharp pain in my right side, and then I notice that my lower jaw is further forward than it should be, like in front of my top teeth as I have to go look in the mirror and concisely put it back to where it is supposed to be. other times I'll have a sort of muscle spasm where my jaw will move forward really fast causing a heap of pain in my jaw and chin. I did jut my jaw forward before surgery so I figure that is the most likely reason. but I was just wondering if this was normal and how people stopped themselves from doing it. thanks in advance Sarah x Debbie on "Mandibular Osteotomy 11 March 2011" http://www.jawsurgeryblog.com/forums/topic/mandibular-osteotomy-11-march-2011#post-6691 Sat, 23 Apr 2011 19:23:56 +0000 Debbie 6691@http://www.jawsurgeryblog.com/forums/ Hi I'm Debbie, I'm 21, I live in Northern Ireland and I had my operation on 11 March 2011. My operation was to correct an overbite so I had my lower jaw moved forward 15mm (a lot of movement for the jaw). I had braces on for 3 1/2 years prior to surgery, not fun as I spent my 18th birthday, my hen night and my 21st birthday in braces. Fortunately my orthodontist was very kind and took off my braces for 2 weeks while I got married in Scotland and had my honeymoon. I had tried to get my surgery before my wedding but there was other patients before me and we had to be taken in turn. I was placed on the waiting list in November 2009 so I was waiting around a year and a half. I had a Pre-assessment appointment with a nurse before the operation who took down all my details, family history, medical conditions, blood tests and an ECG because of previous heart palpitations. Everything checked out ok and so the operation got the go ahead. I went into hospital on the 10 March, all my details got taken again, was brought lunch and dinner then my anaestesist came to discuss the general anaestethic procedure and what was involved. After he left my surgeon came, this was a different surgeon than the one who was originally supposed to do the operation, and she made sure I was still happy to go ahead with the operation. I was scheduled to have my op at lunchtime on 11 march but I was told that it had been changed to 8am instead, I then had to ring my husband at 11pm to tell him so he could come in earlier. I began fasting at midnight. In the morning I woke up at 6am and had my shower, I put on my theatre gown and socks (to prevent blood clots due to lack Of movement after surgery) and I waited until the porters arrived. The porters and a nurse took me down to theatre, I remember moving from my bed onto the table and looking at the ceiling as my needle was inserted into my hand, the first needle didn't work so he had to remove that one and try again with a new needle. This is the last thing I remember prior to surgery, I don't even recall being given the anaestethic. I then woke up in the recovery ward and felt very swollen, my head like a brick was on top of it lol I could feel the ice pack on my face. I drifted back off again, when I next woke I was very groggy and I was coming out of the lift back to the ward and could vaguely see the silhouette of my husband waiting for me. I drifted off again, woke up to find my dad was also there so it must have been afternoon visiting hours, I put my hands to my face and felt a tube coming out of my nose. I could hardly talk so I wrote everything down, I asked the nurse why the tube was there as this hadn't been explained to me prior to surgery, the nurse told me all about it which made me feel better. My dad and hubby left and I fell asleep. My nurse showed me how to use the suction machine as I was drooling alot. Throughout the day and night I was given steroids, morphine and anti nauseous drugs as I was feeling sick alot. Later that night I was having problems with the needle in my hand as it was sore when they were putting liquids through it so the doctor was called to see what the problem was. He decided to take the needle out and try to put a new one into my arm instead, I ended up with 5 puncture wounds on my left arm and 2 on my right before he finally settled on giving me a children's needle into my left wrist. You should have seen the bruises, I looked like a drug addict. I woke every couple of hours during the night to go to the toilet but apart from that there wasn't much else happened that night. On the Saturday morning (12 march) I was brought a milkshake and a small carton of orange juice, I was told that I had to try these before I would be allowed to leave the hospital. It was hard to take it as I had to use a syringe and get used to swallowing again, I used the suction machine quite a bit as the juice was dripping down my chin as I was still numb. My surgeon came by around 11am and I asked her (I wrote it down lol) when she was going to remove the tube from my nose and she said now. She pulled the tube hard and it came out with a rag on the end, my nose began bleeding quite badly as soon as it came out and the blood was all over my face, my ice pack was covered because she hadn't removed it before she took out the tube and my bed was covered also. She then left and I was left with a bloody face, ice pack and bed. I went to the bathroom to clean my face and then I cleaned the ice pack so I could use it again. My bedsheets weren't changed until I was discharged at 3pm which I think is horrendous. I was given my toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash tablets and folic acid liquid form (building it up for pregnancy from before surgery) by the ward sister, she asked if I had been given elastics by the doctor so I could change them if they snapped and I said no she phoned for the doctor who arrived 45 minutes later. He took me down to the oral surgery clinic and gave some to me, I had to ask him how to change them if they did snap and he made it such a hassle to show me. We left after this. I wasn't happy with the recovery through the hospital as 99% of the information I should have been given by a nurse or surgeon, I had actually found on the Internet when I was researching others recovery process. I discovered that I shouldn't blow my nose for 2 weeks and when sneezing to open my mouth so the pressure didn't build up inside and burst the stitches. Two weeks ago I had to go into the hospital as an emergency as my swelling had gotten worse, I couldnt open my mouth, talk or eat properly and I was getting pain, yucky taste and bad breath and it was discovered that I had an abcess where my stitches were on both sides and I also had severe gum tissue trauma caused by my top wisdom teeth rubbing off the gums as they were healing. The consultant removed 3 of my stitches and prescribed me anti biotics and lifflam mouthwash which worked. I took painkillers everyday for 4 weeks which caused me to become constipated quite badly so i stopped them altogether. As it stands today I have had no pain until a few days ago when a child bumped into me in work, the numbness in my chin began to spread further along my jaw line on the right hand side and a strange sensation began along the gums below my teeth on the right again. I also have been getting a piercing feeling go through my ears, mainly my left ear and at no particular time of the day either and I have started to get the pain where I had the abcess two weeks ago. I have my next appointment on 4 May so I will find out what's wrong then. I would like to mention that you should invest in an ice pack prior to surgery as I didn't and my hubby had to make one out of a duster cloth (new) and Velcro then filled it with frozen peas, this wasn't as effective as an ice pack would have been but it done the job. I have before and after photos available which I can email to anyone who wishes to see, please email me if you wish to ask any questions or you would like to see these photos, my email address is <a href="mailto:crazychic9061@hotmail.com">crazychic9061@hotmail.com</a>! I have probably missed out a few things but I can't think of what they might be at the minute. I am not 100% happy at this stage that I had the surgery but I haven't fully healed as I'm still numb, swollen and now getting sore again. Oh yes and I had a splint put in which I have noticed has change the shape of my teeth slightly but I don't mind, this will be removed on 4 May. I will have my elastics in for some time yet as it was such a big move the surgeon doesn't want my jaw to go back. My jaw was secured in place with titanium plates and screws. As for the diet I ate liquified everything and anything, i am actually sick of soup, I don't think I could eat it ever again. At my 3 week appointment I was told I could eat soft foods, overcooked pasta and noodles so I lived on these for 1-2 weeks and now I eat basically anything I want, chocolate, chicken, crisps, burgers, sausages, chips, pizza, jelly babies, jelly beans, chocolate fingers, buns, cake. It didn't do me any harm lol i just make sure I brush and rinse after every meal to ensure my mouth is kept clean to prevent infection. I had two incisions on my cheeks to insert the screws, both are now scars although one is raised, red and itchy but again I'll see what my orthodontist says on 4 may as I'm not seeing my surgeon again until I'm 6 months after surgery. At this time I wouldn't recommend this surgery but it did correct my overbite and improved my appearance but I'm still swollen and numb, missing the feeling of a kiss but hoping that this will come back soon. Thanks for reading and if you have any questions or comments please feel free to ask below or to email me. Thanks again, Debbie xx LILxLUCKY on "Getting started.." http://www.jawsurgeryblog.com/forums/topic/getting-started-1#post-14031 Wed, 26 Oct 2011 00:51:09 +0000 LILxLUCKY 14031@http://www.jawsurgeryblog.com/forums/ I am from Los Angeles area and need resources in getting started for correcting an under bite in southern CA. I have been wanting surgery for awhile because my jaws hurts me a lot, it locks up and so on... I am considering actually making a decision for surgery but have no idea where to start or who to consult with. Financially speaking, any info/programs you know of or DDS to recommend really helps. Please let me know and I'm excited to be on this forum! I'm new here so knowing that others in my situation gives me comfort that I'm not alone! Can't wait to hear from you :)