Jaw Surgery Forums » Pre-Surgery Questions

Hello Any 30 Somethings Having Surgery?

(10 posts)
  • Started 2 years ago by Catwmn
  • Latest reply from cnelson34
  • 1 Members Subscribed To Topic

  1. Catwmn
    Member

    My name is Cat and I am 34 years old. I have had problems with TMJ my entire life and my teeth are horrible. Every dentist I have seen has suggested surgery but I always blew it off. Well, no more blowing it off. The time is now to do this so I can move on with my life with a better quality of life from less pain.

    A little about my problem:

    My lower jaw is a lot shorter than my top jaw, my top jaw is at an angle protruding outwards and it kicks my teeth on top out. I have a bad overbite and I have severe TMJ. My opening is only 22mm normally which is pretty bad.

    I had 6 teeth pulled (3 wisdom and two that had broken off at the gumline) two weeks ago and it was at that time that the oral surgeon suggested I consider this surgery. I have done LOTS of research and I decided to go through with it.

    I have an Oral Surgeon and an appointment with an Orthodontist next week for all of the scans and such. I have already been told my case will be tricky because the top front 8 teeth are a bridge and an implant. Not sure how they will put braces on that but that's for the Ortho to worry about.

    I am currently uninsured and gathering quotes for health insurance. I have already been told by my surgeon that the surgery could cost up to 80,000 dollars depending on how complicated it was. I do not have this kind of money, and from what I understand as long as you carry insurance for a year prior to surgery they will cover a pre existing condition. (somebody please correct me if I'm wrong on that)

    My surgeon said it would clearly be a medical case so he thought he could get it covered if I had insurance. I have severe headaches, jaw pain, and cracking and popping in my jaw. I cannot eat normal foods and have lived for a long time already on a soft diet because it hurts to chew. This has caused weight gain(weird huh?) and I'm just ready to get this mess fixed.

    I guess I'm just looking for some reassurance that I will survive this.

    I am concerned about having braces as an adult and definitely slightly scared of the surgery itself but I want to fix these problems and move on with my life.

    I hope to meet lots of new friends here!

    34 Year old mother of 3 boys.
    Willis, TX
    Having surgery sometime in the future.
    Posted 2 years ago #

  2. mandy
    Member

    Hi there Cat. I am 29 and i have also decided to go ahead with the surgery this year after years of trying everything i can to avoid it! I am having two operations spaced out over 1.5 years. I have been told the 2nd operation will be more complicated because of my impacted wisdom teeth and there extreme proximity to the main nerve but i have total faith in the surgeons.
    Obviously the older you get the longer it takes for the body to heal but my surgeon has said that the fitter you can get your body before the surgery, the better. He just operated on a 62 year old woman that recovered faster than some 20 something patients because she is so healthy.
    I am not looking forward to the six months where my top teeth will look awful as they are rearranging themselves, especially as its my 30th birthday during that time so all the pictures from my party will look horrid! But i will just have to grin and bare it (or not grin at all if you get me!).
    I am a natural therapist and i am putting together a plan for myself and my cousin (who weirdly decided on the same day as me to get his jaw fixed..... its in our genes!) of all the things that can be done to prepare your body e.g diet and complimentary therapies such as homeopathy and meditation to prepare your mental state. I could send it to you when i have finished if you want?

    I am terrified to be hones. I have already had a big operation in my 20s to fix a heart problem and did not want anymore. But i don't want to spend the rest of my life choosing soft options on a menu when i go out and hating every picture that is taken of me because of my awful smile. I am sure it will be worth it all!

    Good luck!

    Posted 2 years ago #

  3. bexx
    Member

    Hi, Im 33 and im 6 month past my opperation. I have had braces on for 3 years and 2 months and are due off tommorrow. But i dont think my bite is quite ready for them to come off. Which is sssooo annoying after all this time, i just want them off now.
    I had my brace and surgery done on the nhs. I went to an ortho willing to pay for braces and he said there is far to much to be done and referred me to a dental hopital. I had my top jaw moved up and my bottom jaw moved up and forward and my chin was too far back. I am very happy i am near the end, it was all very much worth it for a beutifull smile, Its not painfull just abit uncomfortable, you have probably seen on the blogs. Good Luck and let us know how it went! Bexx

    Posted 2 years ago #

  4. justgotgrills
    Member

    Hi Cat. I probably win the prize for the oldest. I'm 46 and scheduled for surgery on May 6. I've had my braces on for 9 months now. Things are going as planned so far. I have an overbite of about 6mm and a gummy smile. My insurance is paying for the surgery because of sleep apnea. I was so pleased to find that out.
    See you're never too old to have this done. Just look at me. lol

    Posted 2 years ago #

  5. Catwmn
    Member

    Thanks everyone for your replies! I saw my Orthodontist yesterday for my consult and it's official I'm going to DO this!!

    I have a few steps to take before braces but they will only take a month or two to complete and then I can get this show on the road!

    My Orthodontist told me yesterday that her oldest Orthognathic patient was 67 years old! WOW! I don't feel so silly now.

    Has anyone had resistance from family members? I'm having issues with my mother who thinks I am only doing this for Vanity's sake and it is a waste of money. GRR. I'm having trouble convincing her that it is Necessary.

    I will also be blogging my way through this. You can read my updates at http://www.catscranium.com See you around!!

    Posted 2 years ago #

  6. Brandon
    Site Administrator

    Awesome, congrats Cat!

    I was lucky to have family and friends that were completely supportive, but I have heard others on here with similar concerns.

    I think the best thing to do is try to show her in detail exactly what you have to put up with or maybe even take her into the surgeon and/or orthodontist's office with you, so she can see an expert explaining exactly why it needs to be done.

    Your blog looks great, and I look forward to following your progress...

    I'm Brandon, the creator of JawSurgeryBlog.com. I personally had upper and lower jaw surgery on October 30, 2007. Thankfully, everything went beautifully, so I'm trying to make sure everyone else's surgery goes smoothly as well!

    http://www.facebook.com/pages/Corrective-Jaw-Surgery/114627165257701
    Posted 2 years ago #

  7. readytoroll
    Member

    Hi all

    Well, I'm not in my 30s. I'm in my 40s (46) and I've recently decided to go ahead with jaw surgery that has been recommended to me a few years ago by my dentist and an orthodontist. I'm having my first consult in a couple weeks. Anyone as old as me out there crazy enough to do this?? I have an overbite (or is it an overjet... I don't know...) and a really small mouth and weak chin. Finally brave enough to consider doing this.

    Posted 1 year ago #

  8. Christopher
    Member

    Hello Cat!

    I was 34 on the 25th October and had my upper jaw surgery yesterday morning (3rd November). I was worried about going under general anaesthetic than the actual surgery (moving my upper jaw forward 8 mm!). Not being aware of your surroundings or not in some sort of control scared me a little, I shouldn't have worried as I was in very good hands and the anaesthetist asked a lot of questions before the surgery. If you've had any type of surgery before then that works in your favour as the risks of complications such as being allergic to general anaesthetic is much less the more surgery you've had. 34 is still a young age and so your immune system will be strong and help you survive shock of surgery.

    As you can see, I am home the very next day after surgery. The pain around the jaw is bearable, I was actually in more pain around my eyes and forehead, possibly due to the pressure around the facial area. The nurses administered morphine four times while I was there which helped, they also gave me shots of antibiotics and anti-swelling drugs into my hand. I felt very well and the surgeon saw me in the morning and was happy with the result and said I could go home. I was given a bag of medicines (soluble paracetamol and soluble voltarol, plus a liquid antibiotic) and a dental goodie bag of items I need to keep my mouth clean (I have bands around both jaws to keep the jaw in place and they need to be there for a week).

    My nose and top lip are numb, but I had been made aware of this by my surgeon in consultations before the operation, so it was not a surprise. I am getting some feeling in the lip already, so that is a good sign. Eating is tricky and I keep dripping soup over my chin. I've gone on ebay and bought a large syringe to help administer the soup and other liquids easier (takes three days to arrive so I'll still be dripping on my chin until then).

    I wish you and everyone else good luck with your progress in getting surgery. I'm pleased I went through with it already and I sure you will too.

    Christopher

    Posted 1 year ago #

  9. arqlizcarter
    Member

    Hi Cat

    I'm 30 and I'm going to have the surgery on December 8. My mom is just like you mom she said" Tu lo haces solo por vanidad"( You are doing it because you are vain) GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR and is not just my mom some of my friends think the same.

    30 years old, women, upper jaw surgery, overbite,gummy smile and more:X
    check my blog http://jawsurgery.rosacarter.com/
    YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/user/arqlizcarter?feature=mhee
    Posted 1 year ago #

  10. cnelson34
    Member

    Hi there, I am 34 and just had MMA surgery on Oct. 11th, I am 4 weeks post op today. Had both upper and lower jaws moved forward 14mm. Most difficult surgery I have been through, and am still only feeling 50% at 4 weeks.

    My advice is definitely look to do this in the future. But wait until you get health insurance to explore your options. If you can wait, than it is not considered pre-existing. Unless you have some other issues such as sleep apnea previously diagnosed....I would wait to get braces too. It depends on the severity and if your medical insurance considers it necessary. I had mine covered by medical insurance due to my severe sleep apnea. But my ortho work (braces) was not covered, and I had to pay $8,000 out of pocket for braces. I had braces when I was young, so my teeth are straight already. Just a word to the wise, anytime you mix braces and jaw surgery together, pricing is at the premium. I understand you are excited, but to get it covered under insurance wait on the braces and further conversations with you oral surgeon and get insurance coverage! Good luck! Christina

    Posted 1 year ago #

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