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Jaw Surgery Forums » Pre-Surgery Questions

1. 

   Sarahxgx
   Member

   My profile picture pretty much sums me up right about now.
   Basically, I've been living with this horrible underbite for years and it's really crushing me.
   My operation is supposed to be happening this summer, but I'm always told a rough date and that date is then extended another 8 or 9 months.

   Does anyone else feel so self conscious about their profile every f**king day? Its all I think about when I go out in public. I cant smile, I cant laugh properly without feeling like I should be hiding my profile.
   Its making me feel so unbearably depressed.
   My friends are all really pretty, two of them are models! and I cant stop comparing myself to them, feeling like the freak of the group.

   I know my operation is soon, but its strange, the nearer it gets, the tougher I'm finding it to remain positive.

   I feel like a freak everyday.
   Any advice would be so so appreciated. I'm at the end of my tether.

   Posted 5 months ago #
2. 

   talkalot24
   Member

   Hey! I know exactly what you're going through. I had the exact same issues as you. I don't really have any advice. But know that you aren't a freak, there are people who know and understand what you're going through, and soon you your surgery will be behind you and you will start feeling better! :)

   Posted 5 months ago #
3. 

   kefcorp
   Member

   I hated my profile pre-surgery. Since I had an open bite, I always kind of looked like I had a creepy smirk on my face. I'm still swollen but it looks so much better. It will for you too! Other people definitely don't notice it as much as you do.

   As for the positivity thing, I know I got a bit more down on myself as I realized I was going to get the surgery sooner rather than later - probably just because it wasn't just 'how I was' anymore, but rather a concrete, upcoming change that I had to sit around and wait for. Just pass the time thinking about other things as best you can, and the time will pass more quickly.

   It definitely sucks a date hasn't been set yet, but I guarantee you'll feel better when one is.

   Posted 5 months ago #
4. 

   jenmarie33
   Member

   I felt the same way as you! Whenever I was with people I was always thinking about my profile. Especially when I was doing things like driving or sitting at the movies when I knew people could see it. My friends are also really pretty and have perfect bone structure, but I was so embarrassed I wouldn't even talk about it with them. I would avoid it coming up at all cost. I hated pictures with them because all I could see was my huge chin next to their cute little chins. It was SO frustrating knowing what needed to be done, but having to wait because I wasn't done growing yet. All my friends were done with braces before high school and I still had this whole journey ahead of me in college. Some nights I would just run into my moms room crying because I was so desperate to get the surgery. Not only because of how I looked but because of how uncomfortable it was. I sometimes would even try to photoshop my chin in pictures (although it didn't work well) just to try and see what I would look like "normal". I 100% know how you feel, and it is the worst feeling knowing that this truly is not what you were supposed to look like, that somehow your jaw didn't grow right. Can I ask why your surgery keeps getting put back? Is it because they don't think your ready? Like everyone said, you are not alone!! I know it sucks to be surrounded by people who don't ever have to think about their profile and smile, but everyone here knows what its like and let me tell you, this surgery has changed my life. All your worries will go away and you can live a normal life. I hope that your surgery this summer doesn't get post-poned again! Stay strong, and know that your day will come and then you will have the rest of your life with a beautiful profile and smile! :)

   Posted 5 months ago #
5. 

   doggydog
   Member

   Some things we can't really control, such as how long this whole process takes. The best we can do is to try and fast-track the process by wearing braces properly and so on.

   My only advice is to try and focus on other things meanwhile. You could focus on saving money and finding ways to earn more income, or studies, or increasing your social circle or what-not. That's what I do. And yeah, I get heaps depressed sometimes (like today) but I think the key is to just live as if there's no problem at all, and one day it'll all be fixed and things (should) be better.

   Really, a lot of this is all in our heads so try to maintain positivity and you'll make it through the process. I know I'm going to keep fighting my way through until I finally get my jaw fixed!

   Where I play free online games!
   

   Posted 5 months ago #
6. 

   Sarahxgx
   Member

   Wow guys thanks so much for your answers. Yeah Iv been told that I blow it way too much out of proportion. I've even been called 'beautiful' a few times by people. But when people compliment me, this angry little voice in my head screams at them saying they dont know what they're talking about. I guess because I feel that I have to be 'fixed', that Im not capable of looking anyway decent.
   Its actually pretty scary the effect it has on your mind.

   jenmarie33 it keeps getting postponed because my orthodontist and surgeon are complete perfectionists. I had to get an expander to expand my top jaw and stuff like that, but im pretty sure its gonna be this summer!

   I have to get my wisdom teeth removed in a few weeks and then he said once they're healed I can get my surgery.
   Words cant explain how excited I am.

   I guess in some ways we're kinda lucky. We get to appreciate a new smile in a way nobody will ever understand :)

   Posted 5 months ago #
7. 

   Sarahxgx
   Member

   and doggydog, love the pic haha. The Saw movies are the best. Lets just hope we dont end up like her when we're getting the surgery :P

   Posted 5 months ago #
8. 

   Renate
   Member

   Maybe it helps to focus on your personality and hobbies now. Try to enjoy yourself and develop yourself as a person - disregarding what other people think of you. You are the only key to happiness, you should find happiness within yourself :) And not judge yourself by your appearance. It is a soothing thought that your appearance will change - but that is not the most important thing in life. Sure, it will help to be more selfcondifent and I can SO imagine feeling like a total outsider.
   But probably you are much more aware of it than others.
   Remember: most people only focus on THEMSELVES.
   You should love yourself for who you are - even though at this moment your jaw is not perfect like the standards of society.

   Posted 5 months ago #
9. 

   Renate
   Member

   Its good to read that there are people who called you beautiful :) Probably you are but you just dont see that yourself!

   Posted 5 months ago #
10. 

    tifbif
    Member

    I'm only at the very, very beginning of my journey and I feel like I'm never going to be normal. I've been studying screen acting and I would love to pursue an acting career but my speech and appearance are massive problems for me. I get told all the time by friends and family that I'm beautiful and that's great but I too have that little voice inside of my head that tells me they don't know what they're talking about or that they have to say that because they're my friends/family.

    I doubt I can offer any help to you but something that I have noticed is that the more open I am about my situation with people, the less self conscious I become. I never mentioned how I felt to a single soul besides my mother up until this year and since then I've talked to my boyfriend, my teachers at my film school, my classmates and I seriously believe it's helped me. I feel so much more accepted and I feel like I don't have to be so embarrassed because people know that I'm actually working towards doing something to change it all.

    Good luck!

    Posted 5 months ago #

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