Jaw Surgery Forums » Tag: recovery

Jaw Surgery Forums » Tag: recovery - Recent Topics http://www.jawsurgeryblog.com/forums/ Past, current, and future Jaw Surgery patients Unite! en Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:16:55 +0000 kscott on "5 weeks Post Op. Lots of pictures!" http://www.jawsurgeryblog.com/forums/topic/5-weeks-post-op-lots-of-pictures#post-12708 Tue, 04 Oct 2011 14:52:26 +0000 kscott 12708@http://www.jawsurgeryblog.com/forums/ Hello guys :) I'm now 5 weeks post op and I figured it was photo time (I had a few good days so I'm feeling braver!). I found this website when I got home from hospital after having a bi maxilliary osteotomy with genioplasty. I spent 8 hours in surgery, I had my top jaw moved up 5mm and back 3mm, I'm not so sure on the bottom jaw and I also had my chin moved forward. I was told from about 10 that I would need braces and probably surgery in order to 'sort out' my teeth and jaw. I have had my braces on since I was 16, I wish I had a picture to show just how bad they were... I had a tooth that had come into my mouth near horizontal, as such the other teeth had grown in oddly. My teeth also didn't fit together at all, my bite was awful. It has been referred to by one orthodontist as a 'Ham Hole' i.e. if I took a bite from a ham sandwich I would leave the ham. I've been unable to close my lips properly, I had a very gummy smile and not much of a chin. Over the years my braces however fixed a great deal of this problems, I ended up with a remarkable bite, lots of meetings with student orthos and surgeons to look at me, I'm quite interesting really. It was decided that although the bite was good, it was in the wrong place and we would continue on with the surgery as planned since I was about 13. As a note, I'm now 21. I was ready for my surgery in 2008, however I was cancelled. My surgeon is a specialist in mouth cancers, he also deals with any one that has emergency jaw work to be done. All in all there were 4 emergencies and I had my surgery on the 30th August 2011. I took some side profiles and a forward facing photos on the day. I tried looking through my old facebook photo to show what I mean about my face, however over the years I've become the queen of posing and working my angles. There aren't really any side shots of me and any bad pictures were deleted or torn up. However these few show my lips straining to meet, my very long face and my gummy smile. 1. <img src="http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff361/kelliezombie/Jaw%20surgery/cantcloselips2.jpg"> 2.<img src="http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff361/kelliezombie/Jaw%20surgery/cantcloselips.jpg"> 3. <img src="http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff361/kelliezombie/Jaw%20surgery/gummysmile.jpg"> These pictures were take at half past 6 as I got ready to go into hospital, so no make up and no posing, eek! 1. <img src="http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff361/kelliezombie/Jaw%20surgery/right1.jpg"> 2. <img src="http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff361/kelliezombie/Jaw%20surgery/left1.jpg"> 3. <img src="http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff361/kelliezombie/Jaw%20surgery/forward1.jpg"> After my surgery I refused to have in hospital photos. I freaked out. I saw myself, still with bloody mouth, tape over my chin (to stop the nurses messing with my shiny new chin) and was so shocked. Weird, I know, what was I expecting? I went to the bathroom the day after my surgery and didn't expect there to be a mirror in front of me as I sat down! The shock wore off and here is day 3 and 4. Day 3 <img src="http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff361/kelliezombie/Jaw%20surgery/Postopday3.jpg"> <img src="http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff361/kelliezombie/Jaw%20surgery/postopday31.jpg"> <img src="http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff361/kelliezombie/Jaw%20surgery/week2.jpg"> Day 4 <img src="http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff361/kelliezombie/Jaw%20surgery/Day4PO.jpg"> <img src="http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff361/kelliezombie/Jaw%20surgery/Day4PO1.jpg"> Day 4-6 I felt LOUSY. I didn't want any photos reminding me how awful I felt and how awful I felt I looked. I've struggled with depression for years, so for me ignorance was bliss, I ignored the mirrors for weeks. I finally started feeling much more positive during week 3. Week 3 I found food! I mas managing to swallow a lot easier and up from 400 cals a day to 800, I felt fantastic, found my eye liner and let cameras near me. Week 3 <img src="http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff361/kelliezombie/Jaw%20surgery/20daysPO.jpg"> <img src="http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff361/kelliezombie/Jaw%20surgery/turn2.jpg"> <img src="http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff361/kelliezombie/Jaw%20surgery/right2.jpg"> For those interested these are my stitches, and what my bands and wafer look like. The stitches started getting removed after this, and the bands have just got a bit differently woven each time I go, aside from meetings with the surgeon thesebad boys stay on. Stitches <img src="http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff361/kelliezombie/Jaw%20surgery/stitchescloseup.jpg"> Bands <img src="http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff361/kelliezombie/Jaw%20surgery/bandscloseup.jpg"> And finally. Week 5. I found my contacts and my eye shadow again. I dressed up a bit to go shopping and ended up with this posey photo, I'm finally starting to feel a bit happier with the results :) Ta-Da! <img src="http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff361/kelliezombie/Jaw%20surgery/photo.jpg"> kscott on "Surgery in the UK" http://www.jawsurgeryblog.com/forums/topic/surgery-in-the-uk#post-21428 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:15:44 +0000 kscott 21428@http://www.jawsurgeryblog.com/forums/ Hello! I had my jaw surgery in August of last year and these forum pages kept me sane during that time. In November I was FINALLY un wired and thrust back into full time work and unfortunately didn't have enough time to post as I would have liked to, however I still think about everyone posting around the same time, hoping everyone is doing fantastically! Anyway! Yesterday I had my braces off! I've had them since I was 17 and I turn 22 next month, so I'm pretty darn happy :) My orthodontist was asking me about how I coped during the recovery and I explained how wonderful these forums were and how they helped keep my sane. She has been talking to people awaiting surgery and they all want to know more information that the surgical team can't provide. So, the point of all the is that I've been asked to set up a face book page for the Staffordshire patients who visit my clinic to have someone to talk to. Obviously this place has far more information and experience than I could ever provide and I shall be linking to here a lot, but having someone local who could tell me which shops to visit, or where I could get help from would have been good. So I was wondering if anyone posting is from the Midlands? Or even if anyone who has had NHS treatment would be willing to join and post a little about their experience? The facebook group is 'North Staffordshire Hospital - Jaw Surgery'. Any help would be greatly appreciated by both me and my orthodontist! jware on "Pain" http://www.jawsurgeryblog.com/forums/topic/pain#post-528 Tue, 05 Jan 2010 05:04:56 +0000 jware 528@http://www.jawsurgeryblog.com/forums/ Hi, My name is Jess, I am 23 and I live in Sydney Australia. I am about to get my braces on and commence my jaw surgery treatment. My surgery is in 12 months. I have so many questions, if anyone can answer any of them that would be great. I have never really used one of these chat rooms so I don't really know how they work or how I find responses. Heres a bit of information about my procedure. I am having top and bottom jaw reconstruction as well as some plastic surgery on my chin to move it back into the right position. I have some questions: - 1. Is it really painful, please be honest I want to know what I am getting myself into. 2. My dentist told me I was a good looking patient, will this surgery improve my facial appearance at the moment I have this whole horse/ rabbit thing going on. 3. Does your face look elongated after getting it done or does it stay the same length? 4. Do you loose a lot of weight after the surgery, as I already weigh 50kgs I need to know whether I need to carbo load before the surgery! 5. What are the MAJOR RISK of this surgery e.g. nerve damage, what does that entail, paralysis of the face? 6. How long until the swelling and bruising goes away? 7. Im worried about my top lip looking spastic like stretched out or too big, has this happened to anyone? 8. How happy are people with their jaw surgery? So many questions I know but like I said im in the initial stage of this procedure and just quietly im scared shitless! Thanks! xxx jess leila on "How are people a year or more after surgery?" http://www.jawsurgeryblog.com/forums/topic/how-are-people-a-year-or-more-after-surgery#post-14910 Thu, 10 Nov 2011 02:01:37 +0000 leila 14910@http://www.jawsurgeryblog.com/forums/ Im coming up to a year after my lower jaw surgery and still have significant altered sensation and numbness in the lower lip and chin. Would be great to know if people have noted improvements that kept on going after a year in case I need to expect to wait 2 years or more until I feel its back to normal! Just need some hope and encouragement that I will get better because its depressing not being able to feel a kiss properly... zoeaveryhanson on "Screw Removal" http://www.jawsurgeryblog.com/forums/topic/screw-removal#post-18312 Fri, 30 Dec 2011 16:01:29 +0000 zoeaveryhanson 18312@http://www.jawsurgeryblog.com/forums/ Hi Everyone, I am 19 weeks post op today from getting my lower jaw moved forward. On January 19th I am getting the screws removed on the right side of my lower jaw. For everyone who has gone through that procedure, what was the recovery on it? My orthodontist has booked me in to get my braces off on the 31st of January which is only a few days after the screw removal.. Please help, I don't want to rebook my debond of my braces if I don't have to because I am so excited to get them off. Thanks so much!!! Sarahxgx on "Going to music festivals?" http://www.jawsurgeryblog.com/forums/topic/going-to-music-festivals#post-20074 Wed, 18 Jan 2012 10:28:42 +0000 Sarahxgx 20074@http://www.jawsurgeryblog.com/forums/ Okay, im hopefully getting my surgery in june/july. I really want to go to the Electric Picnic music festival in September. Would I be able for it? it would be roughly 2 months after double jaw surgery to fix an underbite :( cwjawsurgery on "upper jaw surgery and vertical chin reduction" http://www.jawsurgeryblog.com/forums/topic/upper-jaw-surgery-and-vertical-chin-reduction#post-19858 Fri, 13 Jan 2012 19:16:40 +0000 cwjawsurgery 19858@http://www.jawsurgeryblog.com/forums/ Hello, I am having upper jaw surgery and a vertical chin reduction on Jan 19. I was wondering if anyone has had something similar done. My doctor gave me few details of the recovery time frame and little information of what a chin reduction would involve. I'm having this done on Jan 19. If you could share any information about the recovery process or anything else i'd really appreciate it! ExtremeJawz on "Working on a Speedy Recovery from my Le Forte 1 Osteotamy (Upper Jaw Surgery)" http://www.jawsurgeryblog.com/forums/topic/working-on-a-speedy-recovery-from-my-le-forte-1-osteotamy-upper-jaw-surgery#post-16736 Tue, 13 Dec 2011 14:21:54 +0000 ExtremeJawz 16736@http://www.jawsurgeryblog.com/forums/ 4 days ago I had surgery on my upper jaw to correct an open bite. Before choosing surgery, I had the option of doing a certain type of heavy-duty braces that would correct my bite by shaping my lower jaw. This non-surgical route was enticing at first, but after a few consultations with the docs and residents at the University of Florida's Oral Surgery Department I was convinced to go with surgery. These surgeons explained to me that my upper jaw needed to be moved out and down in a procedure called a Le Forte I Osteotamy. This procedure is relatively minor in terms of jaw surgeries, so I went for it...plus Dr. Louis and her team at UF are the best in the bizz! I stayed in the hospital for one night, the worst part of that night being the nausea. I actually ended up throwing up blood- just once- but after I did the nausea never came back. The nurse told me it was totally normal because you can swallow a lot of blood during the surgery. I was up and walking around that same night after the nurse told me gravity was my best friend when managing swelling. My pain was very minimal, if any, and on Day 4 i can say that the pain has been the least of my issues. I have only been sore first thing in the mornings, and this subsides as soon as I start to wake up and move around. Aside from that night in the hospital, the hardest part of recovery has been the swelling and seeing another person when i look in the mirror. The swelling freaks you out, and also makes it harder to drink from a glass. Slowly but surely i am opening my mouth wider and wider, and getting the feel of my new bite. My breathing was the worst on Days 2 and 3 because my nose got stuffy, but Sudafed and Saline help alot. Breathing through my mouth, despite having 2 elastics, has been easy. Sleeping the first 2 nights out of the hospital was tough, i probably got 5-6 hrs, but i slept during the day more. Last night I finally got what felt like a full nights rest. If you have questions about recovering from a Le Forte I operation, or an oral surgery in general, i'd be glad to help! Dcg22 on "Nerve recovery- 5.5 months post op" http://www.jawsurgeryblog.com/forums/topic/nerve-recovery-55-months-post-op#post-19600 Wed, 11 Jan 2012 00:15:25 +0000 Dcg22 19600@http://www.jawsurgeryblog.com/forums/ Hello Everyone, I just wanted to get an opinion from y'all. I had my surgery 5.5 months ago and i'm 24 years old. I had lower jaw surgery, genioplasty and upper jaw surgery. I still cant feel my chin or lower lip. the feeling on my upper palate has gotten much better to the point where i dont notice it anymore so im cool with that. Im really worried about the chin and lower lip though. I don't feel ANY tingling or burning sensation. My surgeon said he didnt cut anything. he also said its completely normal and average to not have much feeling at 5 months post op. Although I don't have feeling, if you prick me with a needle on the left side of my chin, i can feel the sharpness (only in the upper left section of the left part of my chin though). Unfortunately the numbness has a huge impact on my life. Its very uncomfortable, i cant feel anything so i have crap stuck in my mouth after i eat, i also get food stuck on my chin and dont know its there. My surgeon keeps on saying that this is about average for all his patients at this stage. I don't believe him. I saw 2 other people for second opinions and they basically told me the same thing. It seems that most of the people on this board get most of their feeling back within 3 months (at the latest). Am i crazy or something? Every doc ive been to says its normal...but it doesn't seem that way after reading ya'lls posts about it. Sarahxgx on "Will I look and feel normal in time for my 21st birthday?" http://www.jawsurgeryblog.com/forums/topic/will-i-look-and-feel-normal-in-time-for-my-21st-birthday#post-18890 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 21:22:48 +0000 Sarahxgx 18890@http://www.jawsurgeryblog.com/forums/ Im getting double jaw surgery hopefully sometime in either june or july. My 21st is the end of October and I really wanna look and feel normal for it as it'll be the first big event that I'll be able to smile (yes, finally being able to smile means the world to me, bad underbite). how long was it until you felt 'normal' enough to begin to get back into everyday life? thanks :)