Numb still . . . 8 months post-op

[Guest guest]

Hi, all:

I'm just writing to see whether anyone has any thoughts . . .

Eight months ago, I had upper and lower jaw surgery to correct an

open bite/under bite. Things seemed to be working nicely after

surgery. I just have two concerns.

First, my teeth (especially the molars) still are not

meeting/occluding, as I had hoped that they would (in fact, their

failure to meet was one of the main purposes of having

surgery/orthodontics). So, 8 months post-op, I must confess, I

expected better results. Currently, I am still only making contact

on my left upper and lower canine teeth, which is a

strange/uncomfortable feeling. Any thoughts about this? The

orthodontist keeps saying I need about 6 months, but that's been the

same story since 6 months ago, and my patience is thinning.

Second, how about numbness in the lip area? Did you folks notice

much improvement (less numbness) in your lips after 8 months, or am I

pretty much out of luck. I am kind of used to the numbness, though

of course I would much prefer to actually feel my lips! Any thoughts

on this one?

Thanks for any input, gang. Best, Dave.

[Guest guest]

I apologize that I don't have any answers. But I'm writing cuz I

too would love to hear people's thoughts on this one.

I'm only 5 weeks post op. But numbness and bite are my two

concerns. Right now my bite sucks. I'm only making contact on the

outsides of my teeth as they are turned inwards. And my numbness

does not seem to be improving hardly at all.

Anyone want to share their personal experiences please?

> Hi, all:

>

> I'm just writing to see whether anyone has any thoughts . . .

>

> Eight months ago, I had upper and lower jaw surgery to correct an

> open bite/under bite. Things seemed to be working nicely after

> surgery. I just have two concerns.

>

> First, my teeth (especially the molars) still are not

> meeting/occluding, as I had hoped that they would (in fact, their

> failure to meet was one of the main purposes of having

> surgery/orthodontics). So, 8 months post-op, I must confess, I

> expected better results. Currently, I am still only making

contact

> on my left upper and lower canine teeth, which is a

> strange/uncomfortable feeling. Any thoughts about this? The

> orthodontist keeps saying I need about 6 months, but that's been

the

> same story since 6 months ago, and my patience is thinning.

>

>

> Second, how about numbness in the lip area? Did you folks notice

> much improvement (less numbness) in your lips after 8 months, or

am I

> pretty much out of luck. I am kind of used to the numbness,

though

> of course I would much prefer to actually feel my lips! Any

thoughts

> on this one?

>

> Thanks for any input, gang. Best, Dave.

[Guest guest]

--- Hi Marco,

I'm close to 2 weeks postop. My bite is all screwy but was told

this is normal and that ortho will start correcting in 5 weeks. I

was told the upper cheek and upper lip numbness would be gone now

but its numb as ever. The entire chin, lip (lower), and part of

neck area is still numb. This area I was told takes alot longer to

get better. I was told improvement but could take a year!!! And

possible permanent numbness in some areas. Its funny cause he wants

me to drink liquids for five weeks but in a cup without using any

muscles. Sometimes I think they don't have a clue! I think when the

body is ready to heal, it will heal and no sooner. At this point I

believe in time and patience is key.

In orthognathicsurgerysupport , " Marco "

wrote:

> I apologize that I don't have any answers. But I'm writing cuz I

> too would love to hear people's thoughts on this one.

>

> I'm only 5 weeks post op. But numbness and bite are my two

> concerns. Right now my bite sucks. I'm only making contact on

the

> outsides of my teeth as they are turned inwards. And my numbness

> does not seem to be improving hardly at all.

>

> Anyone want to share their personal experiences please?

>

>

> > Hi, all:

> >

> > I'm just writing to see whether anyone has any thoughts . . .

> >

> > Eight months ago, I had upper and lower jaw surgery to correct

an

> > open bite/under bite. Things seemed to be working nicely after

> > surgery. I just have two concerns.

> >

> > First, my teeth (especially the molars) still are not

> > meeting/occluding, as I had hoped that they would (in fact,

their

> > failure to meet was one of the main purposes of having

> > surgery/orthodontics). So, 8 months post-op, I must confess, I

> > expected better results. Currently, I am still only making

> contact

> > on my left upper and lower canine teeth, which is a

> > strange/uncomfortable feeling. Any thoughts about this? The

> > orthodontist keeps saying I need about 6 months, but that's been

> the

> > same story since 6 months ago, and my patience is thinning.

> >

> >

> > Second, how about numbness in the lip area? Did you folks

notice

> > much improvement (less numbness) in your lips after 8 months, or

> am I

> > pretty much out of luck. I am kind of used to the numbness,

> though

> > of course I would much prefer to actually feel my lips! Any

> thoughts

> > on this one?

> >

> > Thanks for any input, gang. Best, Dave.

[Guest guest]

How numb are you? For example, I have " slight " numbness in my lower

right chin and lip. I say " slight " because it feels a bit funny

when I shave, yet it has feeling.

If I take a teaspoon out of the kitchen drawer (room temperature)

and touch it to my chin or lower lip, I can feel the cold. If I

take a toothpick and gently drag it around the area I can feel the

sensation. So it's not completely numb. How would you describe

your numbness?

Jay

> > Hi, all:

> >

> > I'm just writing to see whether anyone has any thoughts . . .

> >

> > Eight months ago, I had upper and lower jaw surgery to correct

an

> > open bite/under bite. Things seemed to be working nicely after

> > surgery. I just have two concerns.

> >

> > First, my teeth (especially the molars) still are not

> > meeting/occluding, as I had hoped that they would (in fact,

their

> > failure to meet was one of the main purposes of having

> > surgery/orthodontics). So, 8 months post-op, I must confess, I

> > expected better results. Currently, I am still only making

> contact

> > on my left upper and lower canine teeth, which is a

> > strange/uncomfortable feeling. Any thoughts about this? The

> > orthodontist keeps saying I need about 6 months, but that's been

> the

> > same story since 6 months ago, and my patience is thinning.

> >

> >

> > Second, how about numbness in the lip area? Did you folks

notice

> > much improvement (less numbness) in your lips after 8 months, or

> am I

> > pretty much out of luck. I am kind of used to the numbness,

> though

> > of course I would much prefer to actually feel my lips! Any

> thoughts

> > on this one?

> >

> > Thanks for any input, gang. Best, Dave.

[Guest guest]

I'm 36 year old male and about 2.5 months lower jaw advancement

postop. I have almost no numbness left ...

In the first few weeks, i had a lot of sharp sensations in my lip and

chin area....my surgeon said nerves are reconnecting and it will

simply take time to gain all the sensations...

results vary from person to person.. there are too many variables

involved to predict ones outcome; however, if you do have occasional

sensations in the numb area, it's a good sign the nerves are trying

to reconnect...

also, i had a routine 5mm lower jaw advancement and the bite lined up

fairly well.. i still need about 6 months in braces...

i think some of the more complicated surgeries require good

orthodontic fine tune the bite....

good luck to everyone's recovery..

ps. i honestly believe a healthy lifestyle and good eating habits

will help your recovery...

[Guest guest]

Jay,

I've probably got the same numbness as you. I feel it most in my

lower chin, upper lip and upper cheeks. I definitely do not feel

normal in these areas. However, if I poked myself with a sharp

object I'd sure feel it.

It bothers me the most when I speak because I can feel my face not

making the appropriate movements.

It does get a little (and I emphasize A LITTLE) better each day. But

it's such a damn slow process.

Marco

> > > Hi, all:

> > >

> > > I'm just writing to see whether anyone has any thoughts . . .

> > >

> > > Eight months ago, I had upper and lower jaw surgery to correct

> an

> > > open bite/under bite. Things seemed to be working nicely after

> > > surgery. I just have two concerns.

> > >

> > > First, my teeth (especially the molars) still are not

> > > meeting/occluding, as I had hoped that they would (in fact,

> their

> > > failure to meet was one of the main purposes of having

> > > surgery/orthodontics). So, 8 months post-op, I must confess, I

> > > expected better results. Currently, I am still only making

> > contact

> > > on my left upper and lower canine teeth, which is a

> > > strange/uncomfortable feeling. Any thoughts about this? The

> > > orthodontist keeps saying I need about 6 months, but that's

been

> > the

> > > same story since 6 months ago, and my patience is thinning.

> > >

> > >

> > > Second, how about numbness in the lip area? Did you folks

> notice

> > > much improvement (less numbness) in your lips after 8 months,

or

> > am I

> > > pretty much out of luck. I am kind of used to the numbness,

> > though

> > > of course I would much prefer to actually feel my lips! Any

> > thoughts

> > > on this one?

> > >

> > > Thanks for any input, gang. Best, Dave.

[Guest guest]

Hi, all:

I'm the one who started this discussion about numbness. First,

thanks for all of the input that you all gave - very helpful, and I

appreciate your thoughts.

Jay, about your question ( " how would I describe my sensations? " ), I

think that your description of a room temperature metal object like a

spoon being somewhat cold when touched against my chin is very much

like my feeling. Likewise, the toothpick scenario. Certainly, if I

poked myself with a sharp object it would be painful. A feather-

light stroke on the chin is somewhat noticeable, but it yields more

of a tingle, rather than a tickle (don't know whether that makes much

sense). Also, when I speak, it feels to me as if my lips and chin

are standing still (though people tell me it's not noticeable to

them).

I think another person noted that if I am feeling tingles, then that

is probably a good sign that some healing is still going on, and the

numbness might yet improve. Hope so.

Thanks again, and I welcome any other comments.

Best, Dave.

> > > Hi, all:

> > >

> > > I'm just writing to see whether anyone has any thoughts . . .

> > >

> > > Eight months ago, I had upper and lower jaw surgery to correct

> an

> > > open bite/under bite. Things seemed to be working nicely after

> > > surgery. I just have two concerns.

> > >

> > > First, my teeth (especially the molars) still are not

> > > meeting/occluding, as I had hoped that they would (in fact,

> their

> > > failure to meet was one of the main purposes of having

> > > surgery/orthodontics). So, 8 months post-op, I must confess, I

> > > expected better results. Currently, I am still only making

> > contact

> > > on my left upper and lower canine teeth, which is a

> > > strange/uncomfortable feeling. Any thoughts about this? The

> > > orthodontist keeps saying I need about 6 months, but that's

been

> > the

> > > same story since 6 months ago, and my patience is thinning.

> > >

> > >

> > > Second, how about numbness in the lip area? Did you folks

> notice

> > > much improvement (less numbness) in your lips after 8 months,

or

> > am I

> > > pretty much out of luck. I am kind of used to the numbness,

> > though

> > > of course I would much prefer to actually feel my lips! Any

> > thoughts

> > > on this one?

> > >

> > > Thanks for any input, gang. Best, Dave.

[Guest guest]

Dave,

I think both you guys described the numbness I'm feeling almost

exactly. I think we're all feeling the same thing.

IMO - Numbness/swelling are the biggest problems with this type of

surgery. Most of it is gone after two weeks. But the remaining say

10% lasts for a long time.

Marco

> > > > Hi, all:

> > > >

> > > > I'm just writing to see whether anyone has any thoughts . . .

> > > >

> > > > Eight months ago, I had upper and lower jaw surgery to

correct

> > an

> > > > open bite/under bite. Things seemed to be working nicely

after

> > > > surgery. I just have two concerns.

> > > >

> > > > First, my teeth (especially the molars) still are not

> > > > meeting/occluding, as I had hoped that they would (in fact,

> > their

> > > > failure to meet was one of the main purposes of having

> > > > surgery/orthodontics). So, 8 months post-op, I must confess,

I

> > > > expected better results. Currently, I am still only making

> > > contact

> > > > on my left upper and lower canine teeth, which is a

> > > > strange/uncomfortable feeling. Any thoughts about this? The

> > > > orthodontist keeps saying I need about 6 months, but that's

> been

> > > the

> > > > same story since 6 months ago, and my patience is thinning.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Second, how about numbness in the lip area? Did you folks

> > notice

> > > > much improvement (less numbness) in your lips after 8 months,

> or

> > > am I

> > > > pretty much out of luck. I am kind of used to the numbness,

> > > though

> > > > of course I would much prefer to actually feel my lips! Any

> > > thoughts

> > > > on this one?

> > > >

> > > > Thanks for any input, gang. Best, Dave.