For A. J. , particularly -- a looong post

[Guest guest]

Ho-kay.

First thing: People talk about " broken jaws. " Although part of what

they do to the lower jaw in advancement is indeed separating the jaw,

after a very precise cut is made, really the docs are making very

calculated cuts. Quite different from a broken jaw resulting from an

out-of-control horse, or automobile, etc. My surgeon, although he

wants his partner there assisting him, insists on making every one of

his own cuts. That's how careful he is.

I was told that I particularly needed the surgery because without it,

my orthodontic results would not be as stable, and I was more likely

to relapse back to my previous bite. This, in turn, was because my

lower jaw was too short to match my upper, best I understand it.

These days, an important part of the retention is for the ortho to be

able to " finish his work " by matching the teeth to their opposing

partners.

I suspect that you, too, probably have some sort of skeletal

imbalance, that you've either had from birth, or since unequal growth

patterns made one jaw too short or too narrow or whatever.

Will the surgeons not sit down and talk with you about what they're

going to do and why? That's awful. Best suggestion I can offer is to

read around on these sites, and know what the terminology is, then

ask if you can have a question and answer session with one of them,

or at least a session for explanations. Not that you doubt them, but

just that you want to understand what they're doing.

And finally, even marines are entitled to be scared when they're

facing any surgery -- and particularly a " big " surgery that involves

general anesthesia. No reason not to be. But for most part, the

surgery is relatively pain free (although you may have trouble with

swelling, numbness and bruising, as well as congestion). What pain

there is, is generally well controlled by today's painkillers, and

many people find that after the inital days, they can be made

comfortable with Tylenol and such.

Also, have a look at the photos, so you'll see what to expect, post-

op. That, in itself, can be kinda scary. You can also compare

some " befores " and " afters " and get an idea about some of the

possible changes.

And ask away, if we can help. Lots of people have had lots of

procedures here, many of them done in different ways. Some have been

wired, with or without splints; banded, with or without splints, and

even the occasional lucky devil like me has made it out with a splint

but no wires or bands, or no splint and minimal wires and bands, like

Fiddlesticks.

Good wishes,

Cammie

And thanks for taking care of us! (A purely personal, non-

orthognathic expression, but I would wager that many of the kind

folks here share it.)

> i am scheduled for mid september right now, and i'm pretty scared

about the idea of having my upper jaw broken, they haven't really

told me why, i'm dealing with military doctors, i'm in the marine

corps so there's no real doctor to patient relationship. They just do

their jobs . The gap from my top teeth to bottom teeth is 6-7

millimeters at it's worst is that going to cause a huge difference in

the structure of my face once it's been alligned.

[Guest guest]

Don't be speechless. Everybody has something to add -- everybody has

an adventure that's a bit different! -- and this isn't about somebody

topping somebody else, anyhow. But I'm glad to know that you're not

wired anymore, and that my response appeared helpful.

> Wow...i would try to reply but nothing can top Cammies response...i

am speechless...and its not cuz i am wired up anymore!!!

>

> and ditto on the PS- Thanks for fighting the good fight, whichever

that may be at any given time....my Grampy is a proud Marine

too.....old, but still proud....

>

> best of luck...i doubt you will be disappointed....

>

> EastCoastGyrl