Jaw Surgery Forums » Pre-Surgery Questions

Choosing a Doctor

(12 posts)
  • Started 3 months ago by AshesAshes
  • Latest reply from Antbee
12

  1. AshesAshes
    Member

    Hi everyone,

    I have posted on here a few times and am a cosmetic case with a long face, recessed midface, and retrusive chin.

    I know I am the one that needs to make this decision, but it's really tearing me up to the point that I am having trouble sleeping at night. This is, without a doubt, the biggest decision I will ever make (as it is for ALL of us!). Any insight you guys can provide would be greatly appreciated.

    I want to do this as soon as possible. Unfortunately, money is an issue. I have about $12K saved up and could probably afford payments of $600 a month.

    I have consulted with the following surgeons:

    1.Gunson (Santa Barbara, CA) -- gave me am extremely thorough treatment plan: 3 months of braces, upper and lower jaw advancement with genioplasty, cheek augmentation with hypoxy (I was told this was needed so I wouldn't look like an ape when jaws advanced). Quoted $73K with hospital fees (!)
    2.Bloomquist (Seattle,WA) -- known to be very talented but brief consultation and doesn't do imaging. Quoted $14K for upper and lower with genio.
    3.Trimble (Seattle, WA) -- recommended by perhaps the best ortho in the area (Leone and Vaughn). I felt he "saw" my problem areas very clearly. However, did not have before and after pictures and wouldn't do cheek aug. Quoted $24K.

    While this is clearly a talented selection of surgeons, I can't seem to pick one as there seems to be a trade-off with every
    one. I feel EXTREMELY comfortable with Gunson's judgment as he stared at my face for 2 hours; however I cannot afford $80K.

    In addition to the above group of surgeons, I am thinking of flying to FL to consult with DR. Richard Joseph as his work online looks very impressive. Does anyone have any experience or info about him?

    Posted 3 months ago #

  2. RachelM
    Member

    Surely they're all going to do the same surgery? Is it not a case of picking the one you feel most comfortable with?

    Posted 3 months ago #

  3. Donnataylor
    Member

    Wow what a difference in price, although I hear Gunson name being mentioned alot on this forum. Uk guys in the uk don't get to choose, I'm not sure if that's better or worse, we just have to trust the NHS and hope he/she is good at what they do.

    I looked up my surgeons creditionals before I had my op, is there anywhere in America you can do same?

    Its especially hard when one surgeon says you need to have cheek implants and another days not.... How are you supposed to make an informed decision. I would ask to see before / after pics of a person with similar facial structure from the last surgeon and see of you are happy with results.

    Good luck, as well as the pressure of deciding on surgery it's the out of pocket bit too!!

    There is another site archwired.com that have a forum on good surgeons have a peek on there and see of that's any help.

    Good luck with your decision :)

    Bsso for overbite on 21st December. Lower advanced 8mm upper impacted by 3mm and moved forward 2mm.
    Posted 3 months ago #

  4. RachelM
    Member

    I prefer not having the option @Donnataylor. Nor having the stress of finances or insurance to deal with!
    Having had more than 15 surgeries with the NHS (not relating to my jaw) I have never had a issue with any of the surgeons I have been given and have trusted them completely. I think if I were to have cosmetic surgery for anything in the future I would really struggle where to start even finding a surgeon so don't envy anyone having to pick a surgeon for jaw surgery. Unless you're a surgeon yourself, how do you know if one is better than the other apart from feedback from other patients. And even then it is down to their opinion and not necessarily fact.
    Gunson does seem to get metioned a lot on here. But the USA is a pretty big place. There must be more than one good surgeon!

    Posted 3 months ago #

  5. sarah1000
    Moderator

    I agree, I was private In UK and was recommended my surgeon by my orthodontist (who is also NHS). I. Looked him up and was happy because he was also a leading NHS consultant in several large NHS hospitals in London & Surrey. Lilke most NHS staff there are no sites bragging about their work, its just reputation and word of mouth. It also helped that my local dentist knew him and recommended him or just one other. I did not see anyone else - it was a big decision let along seeing loads of different surgeons With different views.

    If I had to find someone myself I doubt I would have gone through with it as I found it very stressful being told my jaw was not correct and totally terrified of the surgery.....I needed someone I trusted, who seemed to care, and not just someone who was about the money!!

    Go with your gut feeling, who you felt you trusted. I found it helped that my surgeon never rushed me out of the door & was concerned at how panicked I was....

    Over bite: palate expander, braces & bi-surgery with genioplasty Jan 2012!
    Posted 3 months ago #

  6. RachelM
    Member

    How come you decided to go private Sarah? I used to have private healthcare but decided to stop as it was getting way to expensive due to all my pre-existing medical conditions! My Mum and Dad have it though and just seem to go with the surgeons and specialists that are recommended to them and never have to do any research on who is the best. Surely if they're no good then they wouldn't be practising medicine?! Most private surgeons also work for the NHS so there is no difference in the quality of surgeon you get whether you pay for it or not. And surely there shouldn't be? A surgeon is a surgeon. yes, some are more experienced but they all have the same skills although some have different specialities. My surgeon specialised in facial trauma so if someone has thei face smashed in a car accident for example, she is the person in Liverpool they would call first. But she's pretty awesome at fixing jaws too!

    Posted 3 months ago #

  7. Donnataylor
    Member

    Exactly right that is why the decision cannot be an easy one when you have to choose your own surgeon and on top of that pay for everything!!

    Posted 3 months ago #

  8. sarah1000
    Moderator

    Simple answer - I have private medical with work & the benefits of paying for my braces suited me better due to work. It was a tough decision though to pay, but I liked the surgeon I was recommended.

    Posted 3 months ago #

  9. RachelM
    Member

    Sounds like you got messed about a bit with your first consult but good to hear you mnaged to get everything sorted eventually and you've got your healthcare through work. Good that you managed to miss the NHS waiting lists though!

    Posted 3 months ago #

  10. Ryan
    Member

    I consulted with about 10 surgeons across the Western US until I finally saw Dr. Gunson. I only felt comfortable with Dr. Gunson's surgical approach. Even though the surgery is invasive, I'm not too nervous knowing that I will have one of the best surgeons available. I waited until I had approval from my insurance to get braces because the price is just too high to pay out of pocket.

    Ryan's Jaw Surgery Blog
    Posted 3 months ago #

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