Hello everybody! I've been peeking through this site for a while, and it's really helped me so much to hear all of your stories, and know that I'm not alone! Sooo, I finally decided I should post for myself, because people that I talk to about it now don't really seem to understand, (they assume I'm having plastic surgery or that it's very minor surgery), and it's frustrating. I have an underbite and have been in braces since May of '11. I'm scheduled to have my upper jaw moved forward, lower jaw moved back, genioplasty (my chin is long, both outward and downward, it's horrible! I've always been SOOOOO insecure about it!!), and possibly getting bone grafts on my cheekbones near my nose to "plump" up the area once my upper jaw is advanced. So, where do I begin? I'm so super excited to have this done. I've been wanting to have a "normal" face my entire life! Although, despite that I'm having this weird doubt where it feels almost to good to be true! Did anybody else feel that way? I'm worried that it won't turn out right or something, even though every picture anybody has posted of their "after" face they've looked AMAZING. I guess I'm worried that I'll wake up and think I should've just left my face alone and be I'll even MORE unhappy with my face than I was before, and be forced to learn some horrible life-lesson about being happy the way I am or something. Crazy, I know! But I can't help it. The thing is, I'm actually a very optimistic person, I'm not really sure why I'm feeling this way, maybe because I've wanted it for so long or something. Totally irrational right? Haha! I guess this is just the way I've been feeling lately. Any input from anybody else would be much appreciated as I'm kinda all by myself here! I'll post some pics soon so you guys can see what I'm talking about. I'm so glad this forum exists! I hope to hear from some of you! :)
Jaw Surgery Forums » Pre-Surgery Questions
Double jaw surgery 03/27/2012 Need people who know what I'm going through
(13 posts)-
SarahRatt
MemberPosted 4 months ago # -
cervecero
MemberHey Sarah. I kinda know how you feel, sometimes it took quite a bit of explaining to people who weren't fully aware of what was going to happen. Whilst some people immediately said "so you're having plastic surgery" as soon as i explained that it wasn't purely for cosmetics and that for most of my teen life only 2-4 teeth (depending on my age) would ever touch they started to get the picture that it was not just for the cosmetic side of it.
I must say i was most excited: when i heard when my surgeries were organized for and the days leading up to them. - by the way i also had the moving forward of upper jaw, shortening or lower jaw, the making of my lower jaw symmetrical and bone grafting of some of the cut out bone to make the cheekbones a bit more obvious.
Do you know when your surgery will be?
There were definitely times where i had my days of thinking that things might go wrong or that they would go well but the end result wouldnt be what i was wanting.
To put your mind at ease its best to do a bit of snooping around on the net about your surgeon, I found quite an amount of info on what degrees my surgeon had and that really did help me quite a lot. BUT all that said these days surgery has just improved so much and the surgeons are well informed and trained.So keep up positive attitudes, and stay optimistic because i know that it is SO worth it once it's done. not only to functionality and looks, but also (i can only speak for myself) a HUGE confidence boost.
Also remember that on this site you're never by yourself :)
Posted 4 months ago # -
SarahRatt
MemberYay thank you so much for responding! My surgery will be on March 27th of this year (2012). Thank you for your advice! Sometimes it helps just to hear somebody tell you it's worth it :) I'm definitely looking forward to the confidence boost! I can't even imagine what it's going to be like to look at myself in the mirror and not immediately focus on my chin! I have searched around for info on my surgeon. He seems to be more than qualified, and comes highly reccomended by my orthodontist, but still, it's nerve-racking to say the least to think that ANYBODY will be moving my jaws around, no matter how qualified haha! I tried to find some reviews of him online, but didn't find any. Woulda been nice, but all well. I actually met with a different surgeon beforehand, but he made me feel uneasy. So I was refferred to my current surgeon and he was MUCH better. Again, thank you so much. I feel better already just knowing that there are people out there who I can talk to :) How long ago did you have your surgery?
Posted 4 months ago # -
cervecero
MemberDon't be so sure you wont be focusing on your chin.. you will still do it, but you will have a huge smile when doing it :) I still do. My first surgery was 21st of March last year then I had a second one on the 26th of September. http://www.jawsurgeryblog.com/forums/topic/my-story-before-after-pics in there are the before and afters from my surgeries.
Oh and just another thing for when people think that it's not a major surgery tell them the surgery may take around 6 hours. (every surgery is different, mine were 6.5 and 7 hrs But please don't let that put you off, you really don't notice how long you're in there :p but it does help in giving people more of a perspective as to how much work needs/gets done.
Posted 4 months ago # -
kayjay10
MemberI'm in the same boat you are. I have a very long face and a big chin. I hate my underbite. My boyfriend thinks i'm beautiful though and he always makes me feel it. I cannot wait to get my surgery this summer. I should have done it in high school when i was supposed to. But i didnt want braces in high school for some reason. Now i have braces and i'm in college!
Posted 1 month ago # -
SarahRatt
MemberWow it seems like forever ago when I wrote this now haha! Feels a little silly actually! I'm currently 1.5 weeks post-surgery and am so so happy :) That's funny, I'm in college too and can't wait until my braces come off so I can enjoy the rest of my 20's in peace haha! My boyfriend says the same thing (they're so sweet aren't they?) but understands how much this means to me and so he's been incredibly supportive and helpful throughout the entire process, as it sounds like yours will be too! I actually have some before pics posted here: http://www.jawsurgeryblog.com/forums/topic/pre-op-done-today-underbite-surgery-32612-before-photos and my after pics so far here: http://www.jawsurgeryblog.com/forums/topic/underbite-sugery-after-pics-days-1-6-top-and-bottom-moved-and-genio Take a look if you're interested and please feel free to ask any questions you may have :) Good luck with your surgery this summer! Be sure to keep us all posted!
Posted 1 month ago # -
aud
MemberCongratulations, Sarah!
Posted 1 month ago # -
grossjaw
MemberI guess I'm worried that I'll wake up and think I should've just left my face alone and be I'll even MORE unhappy with my face than I was before, and be forced to learn some horrible life-lesson about being happy the way I am or something.
This is exactly how I feel right now.
Posted 1 month ago # -
SarahRatt
MemberGrossjaw: It's such a crappy, nagging feeling and you should try really hard to let it go. I'm currently 1.5 weeks post surgery and I can say with absolute confidence that this is one, if not the best decision I've ever made and I'm absolutely ECSTATIC about the results! I look at my profile and chin now and feel like I finally look the way I should have all along. And that's exactly what it is. None of us on here are being vain and wishing we were different, we just want things on our faces to be the way they SHOULD be. Remember, this isn't plastic surgery. They're not trying to build you something new, they're putting jaws into a position that they should've already been in. My boyfriend kept reminding me of this and it really helped me. Just try not to let the little what-if's get the best of you! You will be SO happy once it's all said and done. What kind of surgery are you having and how far along are you? This site has been a blessing for helping me through, and I hope that it will be for you too. Remember, everyone on here has been where you are, and there's always somebody to offer advice or answer a question. Just hang in there and try to think about all the positive things that you'll be getting out of this instead of worrying. You're going to do and look amazing! :)
Posted 1 month ago # -
grossjaw
MemberHi Sarah, I'm only in braces right now, and have a 2nd consult with Gunson next week. After that I'm going to decide which way to go.
I made a thread about it (it's actually right under this one, called 36 years old and on the fence about jaw surgery).
Glad to hear yours has worked out well and you weren't taught that cruel life lesson.
Posted 1 month ago #
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