New Potential Orthognathic patient

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

I am new to this group and joined to get a better idea of what I can

expect, if I go through with my prescribed treatment plan. I have

read somethings that have made me cringe, like the girl that was

hospitalized for 5 days and can't hardly even suck food. I have also

read some motivating things regarding good outcomes. I have many

questions that I will throw at my surgeon when I meet with her in the

next month or so, but here is my case and I would appreciate any

feedback from those familiar with it. I am 26 year old man. I have

a small upper jaw and crowding that has forced my Lateral Incisors

behind my central incisors. I understand that this is the second

most common irregularity. I am fortunate not to need much other

work, as my lower jaw has developed enough to keep my bottom teeth

mostly straight. The surgery I have been approved for is the

assisted rapid palatal expansion. I need to know, of those who only

had the one surgery and braces to follow, 1) what was the recovery

time from the surgery? I am in sales, and though I wouldn't have to

interact with clients per say, I still would like to be able to get

office work done, emails, letter etc. and 2) I play soccer often and

go to the gym very frequently as well. How long until I could return

to these activities?

I have never been afraid of pain, but I dont really like it. Is

sleeping difficult? and when did yall stop taking pain killers?

Oh yeah, if any one has a similar case and has before and after

pictures I would really like to see them.

Thanks

[Guest guest]

Hi. I had the surgery (technically called a SARPE or surgically

assisted rapid palatal expansion) done on March 30 and I am 2 weeks

post-op today. I cannot, of course, speak for everyone's procedure

or recovery, but I'll happily share my experience with you. I am 27

years old and I already had complete braces on the bottom and just

brackets on the top prior to surgery, as well as the expander in

place. Immediately after the surgery I was awake, but sleepy. The

thing I remember as the most annoying for the first day was the sore

throat from the tube providing anesthesia. That lasted about 2

days. I was only in the hospital over night. I could have gone

home that day, but I wasn't feeling all that great and the doc said

it would be better to stay. Once I got home the swelling picked

up. I used ice constantly, but it can only do so much. Eating was

mainly liquids, but I could handle some soft foods like mashed

potatoes. By the 3rd day, the swelling was at it's max and I felt

like I would pop, but after that it recedes quickly. Pain wasn't

too bad, but very uncomfortable. I had Percocet and used them for

about 8 days then drifted to Motrin/Tylenol. My lip has been the

most aggravating. It was VERY swollen and although it is a lot

better now, it still isn't 100% normal yet. 5 days after the

surgery, I began the expansion--opening about 1 mm a day. I had to

expand to 8 mm. It has left a gap 11 mm wide between my front

teeth. Of course this will be corrected with braces once I heal

from the surgery. As far as activity, I'm not completely back to my

old self, but very close. I was told it would take 6 weeks before I

would be 100% again.

I don't know how quickly you heal, but I would imagine within two

weeks you should be able to get some light office work done, but I

wouldn't over-do it. I still get tired quickly. I would definitely

hold off of the gym until your surgeon gives the ok. I also work

out frequently and I have to say I don't even want to consider it

yet. I have two young boys and I can feel my face hurt just having

to discipline them! LOL

Good luck to you though! I hope you are able to find all the info

you need.

~Melisa

> Hi all,

>

>

> I am new to this group and joined to get a better idea of what I

can

> expect, if I go through with my prescribed treatment plan. I have

> read somethings that have made me cringe, like the girl that was

> hospitalized for 5 days and can't hardly even suck food. I have

also

> read some motivating things regarding good outcomes. I have many

> questions that I will throw at my surgeon when I meet with her in

the

> next month or so, but here is my case and I would appreciate any

> feedback from those familiar with it. I am 26 year old man. I

have

> a small upper jaw and crowding that has forced my Lateral Incisors

> behind my central incisors. I understand that this is the second

> most common irregularity. I am fortunate not to need much other

> work, as my lower jaw has developed enough to keep my bottom teeth

> mostly straight. The surgery I have been approved for is the

> assisted rapid palatal expansion. I need to know, of those who

only

> had the one surgery and braces to follow, 1) what was the recovery

> time from the surgery? I am in sales, and though I wouldn't have

to

> interact with clients per say, I still would like to be able to

get

> office work done, emails, letter etc. and 2) I play soccer often

and

> go to the gym very frequently as well. How long until I could

return

> to these activities?

>

> I have never been afraid of pain, but I dont really like it. Is

> sleeping difficult? and when did yall stop taking pain killers?

>

> Oh yeah, if any one has a similar case and has before and after

> pictures I would really like to see them.

>

> Thanks

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the input Melisa! I hope your recovery and alignment go

well. Get well soon.

It really does seem like there is no way out of this two week

period. But if the results are so fantastic then it is a worthy two

weeks. Whats up with the upper lip swelling? Has the doctor given

you an approximation regarding recovery from that? Is it obviously

swollen or more colligen looking?

I have heard from some that there is a possibility of numbness

remaining in the lip area long after the surgery. Are you

experiencing any of that?

Arde

> > Hi all,

> >

> >

> > I am new to this group and joined to get a better idea of what I

> can

> > expect, if I go through with my prescribed treatment plan. I have

> > read somethings that have made me cringe, like the girl that was

> > hospitalized for 5 days and can't hardly even suck food. I have

> also

> > read some motivating things regarding good outcomes. I have many

> > questions that I will throw at my surgeon when I meet with her in

> the

> > next month or so, but here is my case and I would appreciate any

> > feedback from those familiar with it. I am 26 year old man. I

> have

> > a small upper jaw and crowding that has forced my Lateral

Incisors

> > behind my central incisors. I understand that this is the second

> > most common irregularity. I am fortunate not to need much other

> > work, as my lower jaw has developed enough to keep my bottom

teeth

> > mostly straight. The surgery I have been approved for is the

> > assisted rapid palatal expansion. I need to know, of those who

> only

> > had the one surgery and braces to follow, 1) what was the

recovery

> > time from the surgery? I am in sales, and though I wouldn't have

> to

> > interact with clients per say, I still would like to be able to

> get

> > office work done, emails, letter etc. and 2) I play soccer often

> and

> > go to the gym very frequently as well. How long until I could

> return

> > to these activities?

> >

> > I have never been afraid of pain, but I dont really like it. Is

> > sleeping difficult? and when did yall stop taking pain killers?

> >

> > Oh yeah, if any one has a similar case and has before and after

> > pictures I would really like to see them.

> >

> > Thanks

[Guest guest]

> > > Hi all,

> > >

> > >

> > > I am new to this group and joined to get a better idea of what

I

> > can

> > > expect, if I go through with my prescribed treatment plan. I

have

> > > read somethings that have made me cringe, like the girl that

was

> > > hospitalized for 5 days and can't hardly even suck food. I

have

> > also

> > > read some motivating things regarding good outcomes. I have

many

> > > questions that I will throw at my surgeon when I meet with her

in

> > the

> > > next month or so, but here is my case and I would appreciate

any

> > > feedback from those familiar with it. I am 26 year old man.

I

> > have

> > > a small upper jaw and crowding that has forced my Lateral

> Incisors

> > > behind my central incisors. I understand that this is the

second

> > > most common irregularity. I am fortunate not to need much

other

> > > work, as my lower jaw has developed enough to keep my bottom

> teeth

> > > mostly straight. The surgery I have been approved for is the

> > > assisted rapid palatal expansion. I need to know, of those

who

> > only

> > > had the one surgery and braces to follow, 1) what was the

> recovery

> > > time from the surgery? I am in sales, and though I wouldn't

have

> > to

> > > interact with clients per say, I still would like to be able

to

> > get

> > > office work done, emails, letter etc. and 2) I play soccer

often

> > and

> > > go to the gym very frequently as well. How long until I could

> > return

> > > to these activities?

> > >

> > > I have never been afraid of pain, but I dont really like it.

Is

> > > sleeping difficult? and when did yall stop taking pain

killers?

> > >

> > > Oh yeah, if any one has a similar case and has before and

after

> > > pictures I would really like to see them.

> > >

> > > Thanks

[Guest guest]

I tried to respond earlier, but it didn't post correctly. Hmmmm.

Anyway, I'll try again.

You asked about numbness. Yes, there is quite a bit of that left.

The left side of my face is completely normal, but starting just

past my nose in the center of my lip it becomes numb and stays that

way up to the bottom of my eye lashes. Then becomes normal more

towards the right. My right cheek is starting to get some feeling

back in it now. It makes sort of a weird " s " shape. I spoke with a

woman (Angie) who had the same procedure done on the same day and

she complained of numbness in the exact same spots I have. My doc

assures me that it will all come back with time.

I would love to say my lip had that sexy, pouty look...but alas, it

was just fat from swelling. My surgeon said it isn't abnormal

for the swelling to take a couple of weeks to go away, but I do

think I am an exception because the doc thinks my swelling seems to

want to stick with me. Bad genes or something. LOL Angie's lip

was back to normal (at least as far as I could tell) at 5 days post-

op. Also, the roof of your mouth as well as your top teeth should

also be completely numb. I was warned that it would be very easy to

burn the palate if I was not careful of hot foods.

All in all, I'm quite pleased with how everything is turning out!

My cheekbones are more prominent and my nose even looks better. I

complimented my surgeon on his bit of rhinoplasty. He laughed and

said " Yeah, that's a part of it. " They have to do a little

reconstruction of your nose to keep it from flaring out after they

stitch you up and start expanding. There is a big stitch just under

my nose (and lip and that's partly why my lip is so puffy) to keep

your nose in place.

Thank you for your kind words for my recovery.

~Melisa

> Thanks for the input Melisa! I hope your recovery and alignment

go

> well. Get well soon.

>

> It really does seem like there is no way out of this two week

> period. But if the results are so fantastic then it is a worthy

two

> weeks. Whats up with the upper lip swelling? Has the doctor

given

> you an approximation regarding recovery from that? Is it

obviously

> swollen or more colligen looking?

>

> I have heard from some that there is a possibility of numbness

> remaining in the lip area long after the surgery. Are you

> experiencing any of that?

>

> Arde

[Guest guest]

I was wondering why your previous reply was blank, for a second I

thought you were trying to send me a message by leaving the message

blank and got worried. But I am glad to hear that you are really

happy with the results. I am really hoping to find a non-surgical

path, or if it has to surgical, a less invasive surgery such as

glassmans method. All in all, many of my friends and family say that

they dont think I should do the surgery, but that I should get

braces. Which makes me believe that they also think I should

staighten my teeth but its no so important to take the risk of such

an invasive surgery. I have an appointment with my ortho next wed,

and I will bring all this up with him. I thank you for your response

and input, as it is invaluable to hear from some one in the middle of

the action, per say.

Arde

> > Thanks for the input Melisa! I hope your recovery and alignment

> go

> > well. Get well soon.

> >

> > It really does seem like there is no way out of this two week

> > period. But if the results are so fantastic then it is a worthy

> two

> > weeks. Whats up with the upper lip swelling? Has the doctor

> given

> > you an approximation regarding recovery from that? Is it

> obviously

> > swollen or more colligen looking?

> >

> > I have heard from some that there is a possibility of numbness

> > remaining in the lip area long after the surgery. Are you

> > experiencing any of that?

> >

> > Arde

[Guest guest]

When you see the orthodontist, if indeed he thinks you need surgery,

ask about long-term retention of the ortho corrections, should you

choose not to have the surgery. That was what persuaded me to do the

surgery -- everybody said I'd have a lot better chance of keeping the

changes if I let my ortho have enough room to finish his work.

What I needed was a 5 mm lower advancement and a 3 mm sideways

movement of the lower -- so my problems were different from yours,

most likely, and the answers for you may be different than were mine.

Cammie

> I was wondering why your previous reply was blank, for a second I

> thought you were trying to send me a message by leaving the message

> blank and got worried. But I am glad to hear that you are really

> happy with the results. I am really hoping to find a non-surgical

> path, or if it has to surgical, a less invasive surgery such as

> glassmans method. All in all, many of my friends and family say

that

> they dont think I should do the surgery, but that I should get

> braces. Which makes me believe that they also think I should

> staighten my teeth but its no so important to take the risk of such

> an invasive surgery. I have an appointment with my ortho next wed,

> and I will bring all this up with him. I thank you for your

response

> and input, as it is invaluable to hear from some one in the middle

of

> the action, per say.

>

> Arde

[Guest guest]

My pleasure, Arde. I'm happy to provide any information I can.

Best of luck to you no matter what path you ultimately take. It is

far better to go into any treatment well armed with knowledge!

~Melisa

> > > Thanks for the input Melisa! I hope your recovery and

alignment

> > go

> > > well. Get well soon.

> > >

> > > It really does seem like there is no way out of this two week

> > > period. But if the results are so fantastic then it is a

worthy

> > two

> > > weeks. Whats up with the upper lip swelling? Has the doctor

> > given

> > > you an approximation regarding recovery from that? Is it

> > obviously

> > > swollen or more colligen looking?

> > >

> > > I have heard from some that there is a possibility of numbness

> > > remaining in the lip area long after the surgery. Are you

> > > experiencing any of that?

> > >

> > > Arde

[Guest guest]

> Hi all,

>

>

> I am new to this group and joined to get a better idea of what I

can

> expect, if I go through with my prescribed treatment plan. I have

> read somethings that have made me cringe, like the girl that was

> hospitalized for 5 days and can't hardly even suck food. I have

also

> read some motivating things regarding good outcomes. I have many

> questions that I will throw at my surgeon when I meet with her in

the

> next month or so, but here is my case and I would appreciate any

> feedback from those familiar with it. I am 26 year old man. I

have

> a small upper jaw and crowding that has forced my Lateral Incisors

> behind my central incisors. I understand that this is the second

> most common irregularity. I am fortunate not to need much other

> work, as my lower jaw has developed enough to keep my bottom teeth

> mostly straight. The surgery I have been approved for is the

> assisted rapid palatal expansion. I need to know, of those who

only

> had the one surgery and braces to follow, 1) what was the recovery

> time from the surgery? I am in sales, and though I wouldn't have

to

> interact with clients per say, I still would like to be able to get

> office work done, emails, letter etc. and 2) I play soccer often

and

> go to the gym very frequently as well. How long until I could

return

> to these activities?

>

> I have never been afraid of pain, but I dont really like it. Is

> sleeping difficult? and when did yall stop taking pain killers?

>

> Oh yeah, if any one has a similar case and has before and after

> pictures I would really like to see them.

>

> Thanks