Dental Forum

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Originally posted by Nicole:
I just wanted to share my experience with anybody who is interested: I had upper and lower jaw surgery 3 weeks and 5 days ago to correct my underbite. Before the surgery I did a lot of reading and asked a lot of questions to be prepared for all the 'little' side effects like the swelling or the diet I'd have to follow. I wasn't really nervous before the op. I was thinking about this surgery for the last 10 years (I am 25) and I was just so happy to finally have it done. When I got to the hospital it all changed and I was about to panic til they gave me something to calm down. I don't really remember anything afterwards.
The worst part of the whole surgery was the tube in my nose. It was really uncomfortable and it scratched up my throat. I found that the breathing mask with the dry air made breathing a lot easier. I spent three nights in the hospital and was very weak. At home it slowly got better. On my first day at home I tried to take a bath which almost made me pass out so don't try that I couldn't really speak right after the surgery so I had to write everything down - when I was awake - and the very first thing I wanted to know was if my mouth was wired shut. That was my worst fear and I probably would have freaked out. But I was lucky and didn't even have rubber bands. The pain was not too bad and you get some good pain killers. Like a lot of other people here I soon switched to some over the counter pills. The reason I took it was more for discomfort than for pain. I know it sounds strange that in a lot of cases there is no pain as it is a major surgery - and there are probably some exceptions - but there really isn't.
The swelling is pretty bad though. I looked like a pumpkin and although I was prepared for it it is messing with my self-confidence. The bruises made me look like somebody was trying to strangle me.
Now after almost four weeks the swelling is still there but definitely alot better. The double-chin is also dissapearing slowly I am still not allowed to eat anything but soups and pureed food and I will have to make it another two weeks before I can start eating some soft food. A lot of times it is quite difficult to resist all the food that is out there, especially if your husband is eating a burger while you have to stick to some broth. Even food I usually don't like suddenly looks pretty good.
Anyways, I am very happy that I did it and everything was well worth it. It is so amazing being able to smile like a normal person and I am sure that eating regular food will be so much easier. Ever tried to bite off a piece of pizza with an underbite? It's not working.
My doctors are very pleased with the results which makes me even happier. One thing did happen though: they had to cut one nerve on the left side of my chin and it is as numb as it can be. My doctor cannot tell me yet if I will ever feel anything at that spot again, but honestly at this point I don't really care.
Anyways, I don't wanna sit here and lightly recommend this surgery. It is a major operation nevertheless and I think the key to getting through this is to read and ask questions as much as possible. Try to prepare yourself mentally and keep up your spirits. You know you will be swollen (A LOT), and you know it will take quite some time til you are back to normal. You know you may get stared at. Don't worry about people at work or school, chances are that most of them don't know anything about what you went through. In the end you will have the better smile.
Sorry that it is such a long story, there is just a lot to tell. I am happy to answer any questions. I am not done with the whole surgery recovery time yet but I am amazed what doctors can do and I am so grateful for that.

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I'm 31, in good health, decent shape. I decided to get braces a year ago to fix some snaggly tooth that I've hated forever and an edge-to-edge bite. A year later, my teeth are straighter but I have an ugly underbite, and I spit when I say certain words -- due to the position they are in now which is in preparation for jaw surgery. My lower jaw is a bit symmetrical which makes my lips look asymmetrical, something else I've never liked much. But other than these cosmetic issues, my teeth have functioned well for me all of my life...and I can control my smile so I don't show all of my teeth (and risk showing off the scary looking bite).

Anyway, maybe I should just accept what nature gave me. I don't have any problems with the way I look otherwise...I just don't know if I can risk permanent damage to my lower lip and never feel a kiss the same way again, or having my smile feel "artificial" or not being able to open my jaw the same way...

What about yawning? Was that really hard to do?

I didn't mean to write a novel...I guess I am getting more anxious about it as the count down begins. If I want to back out, it is now or never.....

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Originally posted by Linda in Seattle:
I had upper/lower jaw surgery exactly one week ago. I would say that Day 3-4 were worst when swelling and bruising seemed to peak. Also, very low energy for first week. However, I have already fixed myself noodles and broth, husband has blended me lots of nourishing drinks, and I tried a little Ensure as well. I am 56 years old, so was told that bruising is typically worse on older patients. My bruising occurred more under left eye, left cheek, and left side of neck. Very little numbness to chin or lips, but plenty of numbness in cheeks all the way to below my eyes. This is probably the part most frustrating to me, because my face has felt so frozen, smiling seems so artificial, and I look forward to regaining feeling in those muscles. I am using the elastics to hold teeth together with a bite plate in between. The bite plate is somewhat of a pain; it took me a while to figure out how to keep it from moving out of place. My surgery took place after a year and a half in braces. Its purpose was to correct a bite that required almost a "tilt and turn" procedure between upper and lower jaws. At this point (just 7 days later) it's hard for me to really see results, as I don't have a big smile back yet. But I am hopeful!! I would second someone's opinion that the most important part of this procedure is having the right "team" of orthodontist and oral surgeon. Mine are both considered the best of the best here in Seattle. Be sure to do your research ahead of time!

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I am sorry for the less than ideal results of your orthognathic surgery. The sensation your describe is known as a paresthesia. After nine months, and no relief, it is likely to be long term, though some lessening of the effect may become apparent in the future.

This is a sequela to surgery that occurs frequently enough to warrant the informed consent (aka "fine print") form you probably signed prior to the procedure.

The wrinkles you mention may be addressed by plastic surgery, but caveats do apply.

Hopefully you attained some cosmetic and functional improvement in your bite relationship to partially offset the loss of sensation.

For articles on all aspects of dentistry, please visit:

/articles.asp

In my 2 month research before I even got my braces put on 3 years ago, and knowing the surgery was in my future, I had the information about the possiblity of permanent numbness. But on all the websites, including my oral surgeon's info, stated only a few experience this. When in actuality, 1 in 4 patients, will have some permanent numbness or altered feeling in their chin or lip.

I want others to know that this is a slow recovery for some like me. With the previous knowledge I had going into this, I had hoped I wasn't going to be the slow poke. But I am. With this said and 9 months later, I am still recovering the sensory feelings to my lip and chin and I feel positive that this will keep coming even after a year has gone by. As to the hound dog look, I had no knowledge of this whatsoever so I want others to keep this in mind when they have questions to ask their surgeon. No surprises then.

I did ask my surgeon about skin elasticity as I was worried about that as well. He informed me that since we were only moving the jaw back by 3-4(cm??) that it would not make much of a difference. Age is also a factor. I'm sorry to hear about the hounddog effect you are seeing. Hopefully it is one of those things where you notice it more than others. Not to mention it sounds like you have a supportive husband (who's a good kissed). How old were you when you had the surgery?

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Originally posted by Jeffrey L. Wissot, DDS:
Dani,

I am sorry for the less than ideal results of your orthognathic surgery. The sensation your describe is known as a paresthesia. After nine months, and no relief, it is likely to be long term, though some lessening of the effect may become apparent in the future.

This is a sequela to surgery that occurs frequently enough to warrant the informed consent (aka "fine print") form you probably signed prior to the procedure.

The wrinkles you mention may be addressed by plastic surgery, but caveats do apply.

Hopefully you attained some cosmetic and functional improvement in your bite relationship to partially offset the loss of sensation.

For articles on all aspects of dentistry, please visit:

/articles.asp

Search for < paresthesia >

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Originally posted by Jeffrey L. Wissot, DDS:
These are legitimate concerns, but should be addressed to a plastic surgeon. Please make an appointment for an evaluation and consultation regarding your present condition and your options.

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Did you mean 3 to 4 mm? Mine was 5mm, but I also had my chin reduced in size 3mm. I could've been mistaken as Jay Leno's sister! Ha! My smile is so nice, if I could just have that feeling back in both my lip and chin it would have been absolutely perfect. But my nerves are healing so extremely slow, I have to measure the process by month to month. I think that most people like me don't want to post because they get upset by the upbeat outcome of the others on this website and think they are of the rare group that the surgeons tell you. Not so, another of my ortho's patients who had the surgery the same time as me, did not start to get feeling back until 6 months after her surgery. I just want to be real about this and keep other's informed, hopefully hearing someone like me with slow nerves will help them think they are not alone.

Life is so interesting and short, we learn all the way through. I've had my own personal lesson in this, something that I really have known all along.

I can deal with the numbness and tingling even if it remains there the rest of my life. I can even deal with the hound dog look I see in the mirror, which you are probably so right, that I'm the only one who sees it. But boy, do I have a great smile!

I hope everything will turn out perfectly for you eventually. Best of luck!

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Originally posted by Dani:
Hey Rach75, My process started when I was 33 years of age, my surgery was when I was 36. I have always been physically fit, and rarely even get a cold. I had all my wisdom teeth removed when I was 23 and was back to work the next day not even needing painkillers, no swelling, nothing. As you say, it was a breeze for me too. I've worked in a nursing home for 15 years, enjoyed it immensely, so I think I might be more sensitive to the feelings of others than most. I love my life, great husband and 2 children, it couldn't get any better for me.

Did you mean 3 to 4 mm? Mine was 5mm, but I also had my chin reduced in size 3mm. I could've been mistaken as Jay Leno's sister! Ha! My smile is so nice, if I could just have that feeling back in both my lip and chin it would have been absolutely perfect. But my nerves are healing so extremely slow, I have to measure the process by month to month. I think that most people like me don't want to post because they get upset by the upbeat outcome of the others on this website and think they are of the rare group that the surgeons tell you. Not so, another of my ortho's patients who had the surgery the same time as me, did not start to get feeling back until 6 months after her surgery. I just want to be real about this and keep other's informed, hopefully hearing someone like me with slow nerves will help them think they are not alone.

Life is so interesting and short, we learn all the way through. I've had my own personal lesson in this, something that I really have known all along.

I can deal with the numbness and tingling even if it remains there the rest of my life. I can even deal with the hound dog look I see in the mirror, which you are probably so right, that I'm the only one who sees it. But boy, do I have a great smile!

Good luck with your surgery. It really is painless. I feel that by the way you express yourself in your posts, you will be just fine. Your inner beauty already shines through, it will match your new smile!

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My swelling has subsided to a little puffiness in the lower sides of my chin - I have a double chin effect right now.

I didn't really have much pain, more discomfort from the tubes in my nose. Now that I'm feeling more, there is a dull pain in my jaw, especially the left side, but that is subsided with my meds (codeine at night to help me sleep, and children's liquid motrin during the day).

My biggest frustrations so far are eating and stomach issues, I think my antibiotic has given me an upset stomach - but its been getting better.

So far I think the surgery was a good thing - but I'll have to wait to see how the rest of the feeling in my lip and chin will come. My bite looks awesome so far (rubberbanded shut still) and the facial symmetry is a big improvement.

I just had surgery last Thursday and have been searching the web for recipies and like experiences. Like everyone else here, it was a decision I struggled with for a while. In the end for me, it came down finding a surgeon I was comfortable with and deciding the risk was worth the reward.

I'm amazed at people's recovery times. I read before hand that people said in two-three weeks people didn't know they had surgery. That is not the case for me. I'm still bruised and a little swollen. Some helpful hints I've learned along the way

1) The zip-n-squeeze stuff is pretty good. The bags make it easier to eat and there are some 'good' recipes in the menu book.

2) Get vasoline for the feeding syringe. Mine have begun to stick after a week or so. The vasoline on the rubber gasket keeps it moving freely.

Hi i am eighteen and today's the 4th day after my surgery. I had my Lower jaw backwards and upper jaw forward too. And i am super swollen now. The swell is from below my eyes to the chin. Can someone help me? I am telling myself that i would look better.
My nose is dead flat after the surgery too which makes me look really bad. Did yours became better after one month? did it became flat after the swell has gone?
How long did it take for the swell to come down? Please someone answer me. I appreciate it alot.

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Originally posted by Julia:

I had an op 7 weeks ago to move my upper jaw back and my lower jaw forward.
I'm really pleased with the results, but I still have a completely numb chin and lower lip, and I'm really scared that it won't go away because I wanna kiss my boyfriend when I next see him(!) I hate the thought that I won't be able to feel a kiss properly
The op itself was okay, although I bled a lot on the operating table, and threw up a lot of blood afterward. I hear the excessive bleeding is unusual and they did a blood test to check for rare blood disorders inherited. I was also anaemic for a couple of weeks afterwards, completely tired all the time and I almost fainted twice. I'm very thin, and I lost a lot of weight, which didn't help. I was absolutely astounded at how swollen my face was. I looked like a completely different person, my nose was dead flat, and my cheeks were all stretched out, and I looked..well..obese actually. But again, I hear my degree of swelling was unusual. I also felt really nauseous and sick in the first week due to the antibiotic pills they gave me. Despite all this, I'm really glad I got the op done and would recommend it. It took me two and half weeks before I was confident and strong enough to go out in public. I'm completely back to normal now after 7 weeks except this completely numb chin with a slight fizzy pins n needles type sensation in it. I'm still slightly puffy in the face, but it's not really noticeable to anyone else.
My best advice to anyone getting this op:
-build up your weight a bit beforehand if you're thin or underweight
-Get a blender and make sure you eat good nutritious food afterwards. It took me a week to get onto more solid foods like soft carrots and veg.
-get loads of rest, and sleep propped up with lots of pillows, it will help with the swelling. ice packs are soothing in the first couple of days/nights.
-eat bio-live yoghurt to reduce risk of yeast infections, etc.

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Originally posted by KT:
Lizzie, your face should be very swollen, and I would think this would make your nose look flat in comparison. Your face will take some time to go down, but it WILL go down. You will feel very puffy for about a month, then you will still be a little swollen for another month or so.... so just be patient.

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OH thank you KT! really happy someone replied.
I am told not to blow my nose.So i also try not to breathe out by my nose.When i do that(breathe out a little harder), my nose will start to bleed slightly. Is this bleeding going to stop? Does this mean i cannot blow my nose for the rest of my life?