Hey Everyone...I'm new here and i've been told that...

June 27, 2004

Hello everyone. This is my first time here and I'm actually here

because I was told a couple of years ago (when I was about 13 years

old, I'm 19 now) that I needed Orthognathic Surgery and since my

parents and I had never heard of that type of surgery we were

frightened and since it wasn't imperative nor vital they decided it

would be best if I didn't go ahead with the surgery and I've been

avoiding it ever since but every time I have to see a new dentist

(One summer I was on vacation in the caribbean and had to see a

dentist for a cavity and she told me that I needed corrective jaw

surgery and I told her that I had been told many times before but I

was afraid to actually have it done) they tell me how favorable this

operation would be for my facial structure but I am so afraid that

something might go wrong and the process is so extensive and just the

thought of having someone break your jaw is fear-provoking but I see

that I need it and I wanted to ask you guys if any of you have had

any complications during or after surgery and if it's worth

it...would you do it again?

June 28, 2004

Wow - you definitely get the prize for the longest sentence ever

posted here! It might make your post easier to read and respond to if

you broke it up into smaller sentences and paragraphs.

This type of surgery is elective, you don't have to have it, although

in many cases, it will improve function and therefore quality of life

(some people have sleep problems because of restricted airway, some

people cannot chew properly because their teeth don't meet, others

cannot close their mouths properly because their lips don't meet

without effort and this can lead to gum disease). By aligning the

jaws correctly, it can improve TMJ symptoms like clicking/popping and

locking. In some cases, it will make things worse (TMJ). No surgeon

can give you a guarantee about the TMJ, it's one of the leaps of

faith you make in this situation.

Complications post-op can include long term (or permanent) numbness,

relapse (requiring second or third surgery), increase in TMJ

symptoms, etc. It's best to ask your surgeon this tough question, and

also whether any of his/her patients have had complications. Even

better to talk to some former patients (mine offered, as well as my

ortho).

Would I do this again? (I had upper/lower/genio in Aug 2002) Yes, if

I had the same team of ortho/surgeon/anaesthesiologist. My surgeon

has done lots of these surgeries, does them regularly (2-3 a week or

more), and is the only surgeon my ortho will work with. My ortho, in

turn, is a TMJ specialist, one who gets the tough cases referred to

him. My anaesthesiologist took over my breathing (as Cammie says) and

gave it back without any difficulties. I also had a quick and easy

recovery. No complications other than the runs for 2 days after a

week of liquid diet.

I hope that helps. You might want to check out some of the links on

the geocities site at http://www.geocities.com/orthognathicinfo/ and

the other site at

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/orthognathicsurgerysite2

> Hello everyone. This is my first time here and I'm actually here

> because I was told a couple of years ago (when I was about 13 years

> old, I'm 19 now) that I needed Orthognathic Surgery and since my

> parents and I had never heard of that type of surgery we were

> frightened and since it wasn't imperative nor vital they decided it

> would be best if I didn't go ahead with the surgery and I've been

> avoiding it ever since but every time I have to see a new dentist

> (One summer I was on vacation in the caribbean and had to see a

> dentist for a cavity and she told me that I needed corrective jaw

> surgery and I told her that I had been told many times before but I

> was afraid to actually have it done) they tell me how favorable

this

> operation would be for my facial structure but I am so afraid that

> something might go wrong and the process is so extensive and just

the

> thought of having someone break your jaw is fear-provoking but I

see

> that I need it and I wanted to ask you guys if any of you have had

> any complications during or after surgery and if it's worth

> it...would you do it again?

June 28, 2004

So far, I have no real complications, but I'm only 7 weeks post op. I

would definitely do it again. It really made me better looking, since

I had a recessed upper jaw prior to the surgery. Now the middle of my

face has more fullness, and the base of my nose is properly supported.

That resulted in a straighter nose!