How can 3 millimetres make a difference ??

[Guest guest]

Surgery is very close now, Saturday is the big day. What worries me

is that my surgeon is only talking about shortening my upper jaw with

3 millimetres and my chin with 3 millimetres as well… I have a very

long face with a long chin and gummy smile so I don't understand how

3 millimetres can make a significant difference to function and

aesthetics. Is it really worth going through this surgery if the

result is barely visible and noticeable ? Or does a few mm here and

there have a major impact ?? I've spoken to my surgeon about this and

he says I won't be pleased with the outcome if he changes me too

much. I have my doubts since I hate the way I look. Can someone

relate to my concerns ? Should I push for more or leave it up to him ?

[Guest guest]

Good grief! I don't think you want your surgeon doing more movement

than is necessary (although many overcorrect, as slight relapse is

always a possibility).

I also don't think visible change is the point, it's functionality

that is most desirable, and if 3 mm is what it takes to give you

proper function, it's possible that this change will also give you

some aesthetic change as well, although it may not be dramatic.

Sorry, I just can't relate to this whole cosmetic surgery business, I

think it's awful what is being promoted by TV. Maybe I'm the wrong

person to comment here, but I feel it's what's inside that's

important. I can't say I was particularly happy with my appearance as

a child and growing up, but it didn't make me a better or worse

person, so I just accepted it and got on with my life.

I'd concede judgement to the one with the experience, in this case,

your surgeon.

> Surgery is very close now, Saturday is the big day. What worries me

> is that my surgeon is only talking about shortening my upper jaw

with

> 3 millimetres and my chin with 3 millimetres as well… I have a very

> long face with a long chin and gummy smile so I don't understand

how

> 3 millimetres can make a significant difference to function and

> aesthetics. Is it really worth going through this surgery if the

> result is barely visible and noticeable ? Or does a few mm here and

> there have a major impact ?? I've spoken to my surgeon about this

and

> he says I won't be pleased with the outcome if he changes me too

> much. I have my doubts since I hate the way I look. Can someone

> relate to my concerns ? Should I push for more or leave it up to

him ?

[Guest guest]

Hi, I can understand your concerns. We definitely live in a society

that is obssessed with physical beauty. We are constantly bombarded

with images of beautiful people. That said, realize that you are who

you are. You need to love yourself no matter what happens with this

surgery.

I am in a similar position as you. I pursued this surgery not for

functional reasons, but for cosmetic changes. I always felt that my

face looked short, and sunken in, had a slight underbite, and kind of

feminine. (I'm a guy) So, I went to an oral surgeon. He concluded

that my upper jaw needed to be brought forward and down. He gave me

computerized predictions of the outcome. He is only changing it a few

mm, but it looks like it will make a big difference.

My advice is to be totally open and honest about your reasons for

getting the surgery to your doc. Tell him all your concerns. Then,

let him make the best treatment plan for you.

You may think 3 mm is not enough, but if he shortened the upper too

much, you would have negative results. Think about old 80 year old

men. They have experienced significant upper jaw bone resorption,

thus their face looks sunken in, they appear toothless (show no teeth

at rest), and appear kind of feminine.

You don't want this! Actually, this is what I am trying to correct.

I Hope this was helpful.

> Surgery is very close now, Saturday is the big day. What worries me

> is that my surgeon is only talking about shortening my upper jaw with

> 3 millimetres and my chin with 3 millimetres as well… I have a very

> long face with a long chin and gummy smile so I don't understand how

> 3 millimetres can make a significant difference to function and

> aesthetics. Is it really worth going through this surgery if the

> result is barely visible and noticeable ? Or does a few mm here and

> there have a major impact ?? I've spoken to my surgeon about this and

> he says I won't be pleased with the outcome if he changes me too

> much. I have my doubts since I hate the way I look. Can someone

> relate to my concerns ? Should I push for more or leave it up to him ?

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I know how you feel. Of course the primary reason that we have this

surgery is for better function and to prevent future problems later

on in life. That being said, I think that some of us can't ignore the

obvious cosmetic benefits to having the surgery.

I know for myself, I want both effects of the surgery to be optimum,

cosmetic as well as function. I think if I understand you that's what

you're looking for too. I think you should be open and honest with

your surgeon and orthodontist. There may be other things that can be

done to cosmetically change the outcome of your face that are

unrelated to functions, genio comes to mind.

I think that although most people don't want to admit the importance

of physical beauty in their life, if they search deep within them

selves I think they will find it. It can be frowned upon though so

most people don't want to admit it.

For myself, I was told I needed this treatment when I was 15 years

old. I was frightened by the prospect of surgery and opted against

it. I am 26 now and began the process 1 year ago. Part of what made

me want to undergo the process was the way I felt about my face,

unhappy. I also knew what I had been told as a teenager and as an

adult, the longer I waited to have the surgery the more damage could

be done to my joints.

When I met with the Ortho for the first time last year I was honest

about my desires for the surgery, yes to prevent deterioration but

also a cosmetic improvement. The surgeon that I was referred to also

understands my wants and needs. I will probably have surgery in

September of this year...fingers crossed! When I do I think I will

also ask the surgeon to perform genio in order make my profile

straighter but this will have no impact on function, it will be

purely cosmetic. I feel like if I'm already there I might as well go

all the way.

Talk with your doctors about your concerns; maybe they can do a

computer image of the outcome to assuage your fears.

PS

I probably live in the most appearance-obsessed city of all... Los

Angeles. I'm not looking for an extreme makeover...just an

improvement on the already cute version of me!

**

> Surgery is very close now, Saturday is the big day. What worries me

> is that my surgeon is only talking about shortening my upper jaw

with

> 3 millimetres and my chin with 3 millimetres as well… I have a very

> long face with a long chin and gummy smile so I don't understand

how

> 3 millimetres can make a significant difference to function and

> aesthetics. Is it really worth going through this surgery if the

> result is barely visible and noticeable ? Or does a few mm here and

> there have a major impact ?? I've spoken to my surgeon about this

and

> he says I won't be pleased with the outcome if he changes me too

> much. I have my doubts since I hate the way I look. Can someone

> relate to my concerns ? Should I push for more or leave it up to

him ?