To Sue (UK), and everyone else

[Guest guest]

Hi, I just read your post about your surgery, and I wanted to ask you

what the hospital procedure is in the UK. Such as how long were you

kept in hospital for? and what did you ortho/surgeon discuss with you

before the surgery? I would like to know as I am going to be getting

surgery at somepoint, possibly next year.

Thanks.

[Guest guest]

Hi Squiggles

Sue here.

UK surgery - I had upper/lower/and palatal split 4 weeks ago - was

in hospital 3 nights. I was admitted at lunchtime on a Tuesday,

checked in and over, saw a registrar to have a look at molds and

tell me exactly what they were going to do, the op was the next

morning. The surgeon originally said I would only be in 1 night but

I thought that was a bit optimistic. I didn't feel brilliant, was

very swollen and congested so they were happy to keep me another

night.

I did have to be readmitted a week later though with a nosebleed

that lasted about 40 minutes. I stayed two nights - one because I'd

gone to A&E at 2am!

It seems to me that research is the key to this in regards to

information. The experts do not seem to be very forthcoming and you

need to know the questions to ask in order to get the answers. Much

I gleaned from the group Sometimes I think the health profession

prefer their patients to know as little as possible!

Most of my questions seemed to be related to recovery as the leaflet

I came out with did not cover all the nitty gritty, like

Ice and heat

Sleeping Position

Sneezing & yawning

Aids to help with congestion

Teeth cleaning and oral hygiene

When I see the surgeon in a couple of weeks I will suggest they add

more detail! Again, the answers I picked up from this group

Ask away if I can tell you anything else. What are you supposed to

be having done? and where are you?

Best wishes

Sue

[Guest guest]

Hi, thanks for you responce.

I am not exacly sure about what I will getting done, my orthodontist

mentioned meeting with him and the surgeon to dicuss the surgery (i

havnt actually met my surgeon yet). When that will be I dont know,

but I think he said something about novemeber. But the surgery will

probally involve reducing my lower jaw.

I am in Scotland, where abouts are you?

Rach

> Hi Squiggles

>

> Sue here.

>

> UK surgery - I had upper/lower/and palatal split 4 weeks ago - was

> in hospital 3 nights. I was admitted at lunchtime on a Tuesday,

> checked in and over, saw a registrar to have a look at molds and

> tell me exactly what they were going to do, the op was the next

> morning. The surgeon originally said I would only be in 1 night

but

> I thought that was a bit optimistic. I didn't feel brilliant, was

> very swollen and congested so they were happy to keep me another

> night.

>

> I did have to be readmitted a week later though with a nosebleed

> that lasted about 40 minutes. I stayed two nights - one because I'd

> gone to A&E at 2am!

>

>

> It seems to me that research is the key to this in regards to

> information. The experts do not seem to be very forthcoming and

you

> need to know the questions to ask in order to get the answers.

Much

> I gleaned from the group Sometimes I think the health profession

> prefer their patients to know as little as possible!

>

>

> Most of my questions seemed to be related to recovery as the

leaflet

> I came out with did not cover all the nitty gritty, like

>

> Ice and heat

> Sleeping Position

> Sneezing & yawning

> Aids to help with congestion

> Teeth cleaning and oral hygiene

>

> When I see the surgeon in a couple of weeks I will suggest they add

> more detail! Again, the answers I picked up from this group

>

> Ask away if I can tell you anything else. What are you supposed to

> be having done? and where are you?

>

> Best wishes

> Sue

[Guest guest]

--- Hi,

I read your question and just thought i would give you my

input.

I am in the uk and upper and lower surgery done on 10th march this

year. a week before my surgery i had to attend a pre op

appointmentwith a nurse where i had to have my blood pressure,

blood, weight and height checked and was just asked some general

questions about previous health. The nurse explained some general

things to me about the operation such as how long i would be in

hospital, the fact that the swellin may be there for up to a year but

other than that didnt go into much detail.

I had only previously seen my surgeon once and this was when i was

attending an appoinment with my orthodontist. They just looked at my

moulds, etcs and stuff and talked about what would be done. most of

this though i couldnt even understand.

The day before my operation i received a phone call from the hospital

to say my surgeon had a heart attack but that a surgeon from another

hospital had agreed to do it as long as i did. I did cos i had

already suffered a 4 month delay and i am pleased to say he was

fantastic.

I had to get to the hospital at 7am on the mornin of the operation

and went down to theatrea bout1030am. whilst i was on the ward my

surgeon came round to introduce himself and tell me what he would do

and i had 2 sign a consent form. the anaethetist also came down to

ask about my health history.

i was on the operating table about 5 hours and from there went

straight to " step down " which is a high dependancy unit where they

can keep a closer eye on u for example they measure ure blood

pressure more frequently and stuff. the next mornin i was moved to a

ward and i was sent home the next day.to be honest i didnt really

feel ready 2 come home but once i was here i felt betta.

since the op i have seen my ortho about 4 times and am due to go back

on june 10th to be debanded so that will be a nice 3 month

anniversary present. i have not seen my sureon since

i must say i do agree with sue in that this site is so much helpful

it letting u know what the surgery REALLY involves and i surgeons and

orthos should be more forthcoming with their info.

do u know what surgeon u will b having'?

mine told me there is only 6 surgeons in the country who do it.

anymore questions feel free 2 ask.

i am 9 weeks most op and doin well

all the best

stace (uk)

[Guest guest]

HI, thanks for the reply.

I have no idea who my surgeon will be, haven't met him yet. I am

going to be though sometime soon when i go to see my orthodontist

again.

Where about in the Uk are you? Cause I am in scotland, but there

seems to be no other people in this group who are. Only 9 surgeons in

the UK, that isnt many, and I bet there are hardly any in Scotland.

I have another question, if you dont mind answering it, did you have

and breathing tubes or whatever for the surgery? and also did you

ahve to get a catheter, cause I remember reading somewher on this

site that some people do.

Thanks again,

Rach

[Guest guest]

Good gracious, what a bumpy start you had!

But it sounds as though you came through it all well. Congratulations!

Cammie

> --- Hi,

> I read your question and just thought i would give you my

> input.

> I am in the uk and upper and lower surgery done on 10th march this

> year. a week before my surgery i had to attend a pre op

> appointmentwith a nurse where i had to have my blood pressure,

> blood, weight and height checked and was just asked some general

> questions about previous health. The nurse explained some general

> things to me about the operation such as how long i would be in

> hospital, the fact that the swellin may be there for up to a year

but

> other than that didnt go into much detail.

>

> I had only previously seen my surgeon once and this was when i was

> attending an appoinment with my orthodontist. They just looked at

my

> moulds, etcs and stuff and talked about what would be done. most of

> this though i couldnt even understand.

>

> The day before my operation i received a phone call from the

hospital

> to say my surgeon had a heart attack but that a surgeon from

another

> hospital had agreed to do it as long as i did. I did cos i had

> already suffered a 4 month delay and i am pleased to say he was

> fantastic.

>

> I had to get to the hospital at 7am on the mornin of the operation

> and went down to theatrea bout1030am. whilst i was on the ward my

> surgeon came round to introduce himself and tell me what he would

do

> and i had 2 sign a consent form. the anaethetist also came down to

> ask about my health history.

>

> i was on the operating table about 5 hours and from there went

> straight to " step down " which is a high dependancy unit where they

> can keep a closer eye on u for example they measure ure blood

> pressure more frequently and stuff. the next mornin i was moved to

a

> ward and i was sent home the next day.to be honest i didnt really

> feel ready 2 come home but once i was here i felt betta.

>

> since the op i have seen my ortho about 4 times and am due to go

back

> on june 10th to be debanded so that will be a nice 3 month

> anniversary present. i have not seen my sureon since

>

> i must say i do agree with sue in that this site is so much helpful

> it letting u know what the surgery REALLY involves and i surgeons

and

> orthos should be more forthcoming with their info.

>

> do u know what surgeon u will b having'?

> mine told me there is only 6 surgeons in the country who do it.

>

> anymore questions feel free 2 ask.

> i am 9 weeks most op and doin well

>

> all the best

>

> stace (uk)

[Guest guest]

Hello, Rach (el?)

There was at least one other person from Scotland on the site -- best

I remember, she was way, way up north, and had to travel several

hours south even to get to her ortho... I hope your travels are less

arduous.

I have wonderful memories of a trip to Edinburgh back in 1972,

probably before you were born, and kind hosts who actually provided

ice for my gin and tonic and spread more silverware than I could

manage around the plate before they served me a fine lunch of salmon.

I adored your country, and still do, in memory.

I had general anesthesia (meaning intubation) for my lower

advancement, and was told that it's not done without. (I'd previously

had surgery on my wrists with an IV drip and aksed for it, but was

told, " We'd wake you up. " That I did not want!) I also had a

catheter, which was, as Martha says, " a Good Thing. " The meds

my docs use stimulate a lot of urination. I did not feel the

catheter, and did not have to get up fifteen times that night to deal

with my output. Some folks do not have urinary catheters, though. Ask

your doc if you're worried about it (which it sounds as though you

are). I even had a male nurse (i'm female) and he was very elegant in

removing it, preserving both our dignities throughout. I think guys

often have a tougher time of dealing with catheters than do women.

Cammie

> HI, thanks for the reply.

> I have no idea who my surgeon will be, haven't met him yet. I am

> going to be though sometime soon when i go to see my orthodontist

> again.

> Where about in the Uk are you? Cause I am in scotland, but there

> seems to be no other people in this group who are. Only 9 surgeons

in

> the UK, that isnt many, and I bet there are hardly any in Scotland.

> I have another question, if you dont mind answering it, did you

have

> and breathing tubes or whatever for the surgery? and also did you

> ahve to get a catheter, cause I remember reading somewher on this

> site that some people do.

>

> Thanks again,

> Rach

[Guest guest]

Hi Rach

I'm from down South, Godalming in Surrey. Never been to Scotland

unfortunately - one day!

Your questions re: tubes. You are nasally intubated 'cos they need

to get in your mouth obviously. They were out by the time I was put

in recovery - the only thing I did have was a 'nasal tampon' up one

nostril to stem bleeding. That was left in for 24 hrs then removed

painlessly. No catheter - presumably this depends on the length of

the op - mine was about 2 1/2 hrs. Even if you did have one they

are generally put in once you are under anaesthetic and they are

absolutely painless to get out - just undignified. That's just

something us ladies have to get used to during our lifetime! Its

very quick though. So don't stress about that.

Best wishes

Sue (UK)

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the reply.

I just realised how long it wil be till i have surgery on my jaw(s?).

I currently have retainer, as they removed my fixed braces as I

wasnt old enough (then only 16), and now i have had my retainer for a

year, and will be getting the fixed braces back on sometime, and then

it will be another year or so to get my lower teeth in position for

the surgery...... etc. etc. Oh well, I can wait, I will be starting

uni in sept., although I did want the surgery done before that, but

never mind. I wonder if could arrnage to watch a surgery of this

type, since I am going to be doing a nursing degree?

Oh another quick question has anyone ever had bridge put in before,

because I am getting 2, (due to lacking cannines -long story), and I

wanted to know how the actually fix them, and if they work with fixed

braces? I am sure they must otherwise I wouldnt be getting them.

Thanks,

[Guest guest]

--- Hiya ,

I am from staffordshire so quite far from u. In terms

of a breathing tube i did not that have that but i did have a

cathether for the first night. they did not warn me about this i just

woke up in the recovery room 2 find it. it might b worthwhile 2 ask.

it was taken out the mornin after the op by a male nurse and i must

say the whole process was pain free.

i noticed u r due 2 start uni in september. i dont wish 2 put u off

but it may b worth checkin with them that it is ok 2 take some time

off 2 recover . i know i started a teacher trainin course last

september but have been forced to withdraw as they would not let me

have 2 weeks off 2 recover. they wanted me 2 have the operation done

in the summer but it is never that easy and my surgeon only has the

theatre for one day a month. they said if i went ahead with the op in

term time i would b forced to take a yr out and start again with the

first years next year. at the end of the day your health is more

important so i just withdrew. hope this wont b the case 4 u just

thought it is something 2 bear in mind.

any more questions just ask]

all the best

stace (uk)_

[Guest guest]

I have thought about the sugery getting in the way of uni, but I dont

not want to take a gap year, as i may not have the surgery for ovr a

year.

I will just have to make sure that it fits in with the holidays, and

when i am not on placements, as I am going to be doing a nursing

degree.

Thanks for the input though, and I will ask my orthodontist how long

it is all going to take, and when he reckons that surgery will be, at

my next appointment.

What type of surgery did you have?

> --- Hiya ,

> I am from staffordshire so quite far from u. In

terms

> of a breathing tube i did not that have that but i did have a

> cathether for the first night. they did not warn me about this i

just

> woke up in the recovery room 2 find it. it might b worthwhile 2

ask.

> it was taken out the mornin after the op by a male nurse and i must

> say the whole process was pain free.

>

> i noticed u r due 2 start uni in september. i dont wish 2 put u off

> but it may b worth checkin with them that it is ok 2 take some time

> off 2 recover . i know i started a teacher trainin course last

> september but have been forced to withdraw as they would not let me

> have 2 weeks off 2 recover. they wanted me 2 have the operation

done

> in the summer but it is never that easy and my surgeon only has the

> theatre for one day a month. they said if i went ahead with the op

in

> term time i would b forced to take a yr out and start again with

the

> first years next year. at the end of the day your health is more

> important so i just withdrew. hope this wont b the case 4 u just

> thought it is something 2 bear in mind.

>

> any more questions just ask]

>

>

> all the best

>

> stace (uk)_

[Guest guest]

--- i had upper and lower to correct an underbite. back was moved

back 8mm and upper moved up and forward 5mm. i took six weeks off 2

recover and have only been back at work 2 weeks. i am still swollen

and get tired easy but the most important thing is 2 just do things

when u r ready. are u just havin lower surgery done?

[Guest guest]

I think that i may be getting boths jaws moved, I remember that being

mentioned when I was first told about it, but that was abotu 3 years

ago! It sounds like your jaws were moved quite a bit, I dont think

that mine will , cause it doesnt seems that bad, but I suppose it

will when I get the braces back on to get my teeth in the right

position for surgery, as my ortho said, " it will get worse, before it

gets better " .

> --- i had upper and lower to correct an underbite. back was moved

> back 8mm and upper moved up and forward 5mm. i took six weeks off 2

> recover and have only been back at work 2 weeks. i am still swollen

> and get tired easy but the most important thing is 2 just do things

> when u r ready. are u just havin lower surgery done?