Guest guest Posted October 6, 2004 Report Share Posted October 6, 2004 Hello to all my friends and June Surgery Pals! It's been 3 months since I had my lower jaw moved forward 12mm. A brief recap for those of you who are new to the board: I went in on June 22nd to have my lower advanced. When I was moved from the recovery room to my overnight room, the aide 'dropped' me and I hit my newly reconstructed jaw. The result was 3 of the 4 screws my OS had installed were jarred loose, and I had to have the surgery redone a week later, this time with 6 new screws. Fast forward 3 months. I've been wearing bands since one week following the second surgery. The size, thickness, and configuration of the bands has changed, but I expect to be wearing some sort of bands for another 3-4 months. By then, hopefully, I'll get my braces off and have a fully normal bite for the first time in my 41 years. As a result of the surgery I now sleep much more peacefully. My sleep apnea has been completely eliminated. I no longer clench my jaws at night, which means I wake up without a headache for the first time in memory. As my bite is coming together, I'm able to chew almost anything I want and the braces allow. My bride also sleeps better because the surgery eliminated my snoring. My bite has progressed to the point where I no longer cut the roof of my mouth with my lower teeth, and soon it will be finished and look great! At my 3 month checkup my OS was a little concerned about a loose screw (go figure). He's asked me to come back at 6 months, and we may have to remove that one under a local anethestic in his office. He's also noted a slight relapse, but we won't get too worked up about that until the 6 month mark. My midline is off slightly on the lower, but my OD hopes to fix it with the final rubber bands later in my treatment plan. I'm regaining sensation on most of my chin and lower lip. Right now I can feel some sensation on all areas, but there is a quarter size spot that just feels tingly if I run my finger across it. If I don't touch it, I can't tell any difference. As for cost of the whole shebang, well I paid around $4K for the braces, and $100 in copays to the OS. Add another $50 for each of the two 'outpatient' surgeries, and I'm out of pocket $4,200 or so for the whole deal. Kaiser paid for both my surgeries, and the hospital, OS, and Anethesia ran $20K each time, of which Kaiser paid around $14K each time. Would I do it again? Absolutely. Was the 'liquid' diet bad? No. Was the emotional aspect bad? Actually it was worse for my bride watching me than it was for me. I hope this finds all my June Pals doing well, eating their favorite foods, and ready to get the hardware out of their mouths once and for all. Dammit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 6, 2004 Report Share Posted October 6, 2004 Hello to all my friends and June Surgery Pals! It's been 3 months since I had my lower jaw moved forward 12mm. A brief recap for those of you who are new to the board: I went in on June 22nd to have my lower advanced. When I was moved from the recovery room to my overnight room, the aide 'dropped' me and I hit my newly reconstructed jaw. The result was 3 of the 4 screws my OS had installed were jarred loose, and I had to have the surgery redone a week later, this time with 6 new screws. Fast forward 3 months. I've been wearing bands since one week following the second surgery. The size, thickness, and configuration of the bands has changed, but I expect to be wearing some sort of bands for another 3-4 months. By then, hopefully, I'll get my braces off and have a fully normal bite for the first time in my 41 years. As a result of the surgery I now sleep much more peacefully. My sleep apnea has been completely eliminated. I no longer clench my jaws at night, which means I wake up without a headache for the first time in memory. As my bite is coming together, I'm able to chew almost anything I want and the braces allow. My bride also sleeps better because the surgery eliminated my snoring. My bite has progressed to the point where I no longer cut the roof of my mouth with my lower teeth, and soon it will be finished and look great! At my 3 month checkup my OS was a little concerned about a loose screw (go figure). He's asked me to come back at 6 months, and we may have to remove that one under a local anethestic in his office. He's also noted a slight relapse, but we won't get too worked up about that until the 6 month mark. My midline is off slightly on the lower, but my OD hopes to fix it with the final rubber bands later in my treatment plan. I'm regaining sensation on most of my chin and lower lip. Right now I can feel some sensation on all areas, but there is a quarter size spot that just feels tingly if I run my finger across it. If I don't touch it, I can't tell any difference. As for cost of the whole shebang, well I paid around $4K for the braces, and $100 in copays to the OS. Add another $50 for each of the two 'outpatient' surgeries, and I'm out of pocket $4,200 or so for the whole deal. Kaiser paid for both my surgeries, and the hospital, OS, and Anethesia ran $20K each time, of which Kaiser paid around $14K each time. Would I do it again? Absolutely. Was the 'liquid' diet bad? No. Was the emotional aspect bad? Actually it was worse for my bride watching me than it was for me. I hope this finds all my June Pals doing well, eating their favorite foods, and ready to get the hardware out of their mouths once and for all. Dammit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 6, 2004 Report Share Posted October 6, 2004 Dammit, I'm so glad to hear from you... but you must be tired of those bands???? I was, after only one month! Last Saturday marked my fourth month after surgery. Nothing new for me, except perhaps (I think I posted this already) I'm gonna get my upper braces removed in 5 weeks. Lower braces are there to stay, it would seem, however. Nothing I can't endure some more :-) Ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 6, 2004 Report Share Posted October 6, 2004 Dammit, I'm so glad to hear from you... but you must be tired of those bands???? I was, after only one month! Last Saturday marked my fourth month after surgery. Nothing new for me, except perhaps (I think I posted this already) I'm gonna get my upper braces removed in 5 weeks. Lower braces are there to stay, it would seem, however. Nothing I can't endure some more :-) Ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 6, 2004 Report Share Posted October 6, 2004 thanks for your info. it gives me some encouragement. i'm going to have upper/lower/genio soon and i am thinking about the 6 week wiring thing. alex >From: dammitviejo <no_reply > >Reply-To: orthognathicsurgerysupport >To: orthognathicsurgerysupport >Subject: [Orthognathic Surgery Support ] Dammit, 3 Months Post Op >Date: Wed, 06 Oct 2004 22:46:52 -0000 > > >Hello to all my friends and June Surgery Pals! > >It's been 3 months since I had my lower jaw moved forward 12mm. A >brief recap for those of you who are new to the board: I went in on >June 22nd to have my lower advanced. When I was moved from the >recovery room to my overnight room, the aide 'dropped' me and I hit >my newly reconstructed jaw. The result was 3 of the 4 screws my OS >had installed were jarred loose, and I had to have the surgery >redone a week later, this time with 6 new screws. > >Fast forward 3 months. I've been wearing bands since one week >following the second surgery. The size, thickness, and >configuration of the bands has changed, but I expect to be wearing >some sort of bands for another 3-4 months. By then, hopefully, I'll >get my braces off and have a fully normal bite for the first time in >my 41 years. > >As a result of the surgery I now sleep much more peacefully. My >sleep apnea has been completely eliminated. I no longer clench my >jaws at night, which means I wake up without a headache for the >first time in memory. As my bite is coming together, I'm able to >chew almost anything I want and the braces allow. My bride also >sleeps better because the surgery eliminated my snoring. My bite >has progressed to the point where I no longer cut the roof of my >mouth with my lower teeth, and soon it will be finished and look >great! > >At my 3 month checkup my OS was a little concerned about a loose >screw (go figure). He's asked me to come back at 6 months, and we >may have to remove that one under a local anethestic in his office. >He's also noted a slight relapse, but we won't get too worked up >about that until the 6 month mark. > >My midline is off slightly on the lower, but my OD hopes to fix it >with the final rubber bands later in my treatment plan. I'm >regaining sensation on most of my chin and lower lip. Right now I >can feel some sensation on all areas, but there is a quarter size >spot that just feels tingly if I run my finger across it. If I >don't touch it, I can't tell any difference. > >As for cost of the whole shebang, well I paid around $4K for the >braces, and $100 in copays to the OS. Add another $50 for each of >the two 'outpatient' surgeries, and I'm out of pocket $4,200 or so >for the whole deal. Kaiser paid for both my surgeries, and the >hospital, OS, and Anethesia ran $20K each time, of which Kaiser paid >around $14K each time. > >Would I do it again? Absolutely. Was the 'liquid' diet bad? No. >Was the emotional aspect bad? Actually it was worse for my bride >watching me than it was for me. > >I hope this finds all my June Pals doing well, eating their favorite >foods, and ready to get the hardware out of their mouths once and >for all. > >Dammit > > > _________________________________________________________________ Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today - it's FREE! http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 6, 2004 Report Share Posted October 6, 2004 thanks for your info. it gives me some encouragement. i'm going to have upper/lower/genio soon and i am thinking about the 6 week wiring thing. alex >From: dammitviejo <no_reply > >Reply-To: orthognathicsurgerysupport >To: orthognathicsurgerysupport >Subject: [Orthognathic Surgery Support ] Dammit, 3 Months Post Op >Date: Wed, 06 Oct 2004 22:46:52 -0000 > > >Hello to all my friends and June Surgery Pals! > >It's been 3 months since I had my lower jaw moved forward 12mm. A >brief recap for those of you who are new to the board: I went in on >June 22nd to have my lower advanced. When I was moved from the >recovery room to my overnight room, the aide 'dropped' me and I hit >my newly reconstructed jaw. The result was 3 of the 4 screws my OS >had installed were jarred loose, and I had to have the surgery >redone a week later, this time with 6 new screws. > >Fast forward 3 months. I've been wearing bands since one week >following the second surgery. The size, thickness, and >configuration of the bands has changed, but I expect to be wearing >some sort of bands for another 3-4 months. By then, hopefully, I'll >get my braces off and have a fully normal bite for the first time in >my 41 years. > >As a result of the surgery I now sleep much more peacefully. My >sleep apnea has been completely eliminated. I no longer clench my >jaws at night, which means I wake up without a headache for the >first time in memory. As my bite is coming together, I'm able to >chew almost anything I want and the braces allow. My bride also >sleeps better because the surgery eliminated my snoring. My bite >has progressed to the point where I no longer cut the roof of my >mouth with my lower teeth, and soon it will be finished and look >great! > >At my 3 month checkup my OS was a little concerned about a loose >screw (go figure). He's asked me to come back at 6 months, and we >may have to remove that one under a local anethestic in his office. >He's also noted a slight relapse, but we won't get too worked up >about that until the 6 month mark. > >My midline is off slightly on the lower, but my OD hopes to fix it >with the final rubber bands later in my treatment plan. I'm >regaining sensation on most of my chin and lower lip. Right now I >can feel some sensation on all areas, but there is a quarter size >spot that just feels tingly if I run my finger across it. If I >don't touch it, I can't tell any difference. > >As for cost of the whole shebang, well I paid around $4K for the >braces, and $100 in copays to the OS. Add another $50 for each of >the two 'outpatient' surgeries, and I'm out of pocket $4,200 or so >for the whole deal. Kaiser paid for both my surgeries, and the >hospital, OS, and Anethesia ran $20K each time, of which Kaiser paid >around $14K each time. > >Would I do it again? Absolutely. Was the 'liquid' diet bad? No. >Was the emotional aspect bad? Actually it was worse for my bride >watching me than it was for me. > >I hope this finds all my June Pals doing well, eating their favorite >foods, and ready to get the hardware out of their mouths once and >for all. > >Dammit > > > _________________________________________________________________ Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today - it's FREE! http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 7, 2004 Report Share Posted October 7, 2004 Hi Dammit! Good to hear from you I was wondering were you were. Glad to hear things are going well. We've missed your words of wisdom. Marsha > > Hello to all my friends and June Surgery Pals! > > It's been 3 months since I had my lower jaw moved forward 12mm. A > brief recap for those of you who are new to the board: I went in on > June 22nd to have my lower advanced. When I was moved from the > recovery room to my overnight room, the aide 'dropped' me and I hit > my newly reconstructed jaw. The result was 3 of the 4 screws my OS > had installed were jarred loose, and I had to have the surgery > redone a week later, this time with 6 new screws. > > Fast forward 3 months. I've been wearing bands since one week > following the second surgery. The size, thickness, and > configuration of the bands has changed, but I expect to be wearing > some sort of bands for another 3-4 months. By then, hopefully, I'll > get my braces off and have a fully normal bite for the first time in > my 41 years. > > As a result of the surgery I now sleep much more peacefully. My > sleep apnea has been completely eliminated. I no longer clench my > jaws at night, which means I wake up without a headache for the > first time in memory. As my bite is coming together, I'm able to > chew almost anything I want and the braces allow. My bride also > sleeps better because the surgery eliminated my snoring. My bite > has progressed to the point where I no longer cut the roof of my > mouth with my lower teeth, and soon it will be finished and look > great! > > At my 3 month checkup my OS was a little concerned about a loose > screw (go figure). He's asked me to come back at 6 months, and we > may have to remove that one under a local anethestic in his office. > He's also noted a slight relapse, but we won't get too worked up > about that until the 6 month mark. > > My midline is off slightly on the lower, but my OD hopes to fix it > with the final rubber bands later in my treatment plan. I'm > regaining sensation on most of my chin and lower lip. Right now I > can feel some sensation on all areas, but there is a quarter size > spot that just feels tingly if I run my finger across it. If I > don't touch it, I can't tell any difference. > > As for cost of the whole shebang, well I paid around $4K for the > braces, and $100 in copays to the OS. Add another $50 for each of > the two 'outpatient' surgeries, and I'm out of pocket $4,200 or so > for the whole deal. Kaiser paid for both my surgeries, and the > hospital, OS, and Anethesia ran $20K each time, of which Kaiser paid > around $14K each time. > > Would I do it again? Absolutely. Was the 'liquid' diet bad? No. > Was the emotional aspect bad? Actually it was worse for my bride > watching me than it was for me. > > I hope this finds all my June Pals doing well, eating their favorite > foods, and ready to get the hardware out of their mouths once and > for all. > > Dammit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 7, 2004 Report Share Posted October 7, 2004 Hi Dammit! Good to hear from you I was wondering were you were. Glad to hear things are going well. We've missed your words of wisdom. Marsha > > Hello to all my friends and June Surgery Pals! > > It's been 3 months since I had my lower jaw moved forward 12mm. A > brief recap for those of you who are new to the board: I went in on > June 22nd to have my lower advanced. When I was moved from the > recovery room to my overnight room, the aide 'dropped' me and I hit > my newly reconstructed jaw. The result was 3 of the 4 screws my OS > had installed were jarred loose, and I had to have the surgery > redone a week later, this time with 6 new screws. > > Fast forward 3 months. I've been wearing bands since one week > following the second surgery. The size, thickness, and > configuration of the bands has changed, but I expect to be wearing > some sort of bands for another 3-4 months. By then, hopefully, I'll > get my braces off and have a fully normal bite for the first time in > my 41 years. > > As a result of the surgery I now sleep much more peacefully. My > sleep apnea has been completely eliminated. I no longer clench my > jaws at night, which means I wake up without a headache for the > first time in memory. As my bite is coming together, I'm able to > chew almost anything I want and the braces allow. My bride also > sleeps better because the surgery eliminated my snoring. My bite > has progressed to the point where I no longer cut the roof of my > mouth with my lower teeth, and soon it will be finished and look > great! > > At my 3 month checkup my OS was a little concerned about a loose > screw (go figure). He's asked me to come back at 6 months, and we > may have to remove that one under a local anethestic in his office. > He's also noted a slight relapse, but we won't get too worked up > about that until the 6 month mark. > > My midline is off slightly on the lower, but my OD hopes to fix it > with the final rubber bands later in my treatment plan. I'm > regaining sensation on most of my chin and lower lip. Right now I > can feel some sensation on all areas, but there is a quarter size > spot that just feels tingly if I run my finger across it. If I > don't touch it, I can't tell any difference. > > As for cost of the whole shebang, well I paid around $4K for the > braces, and $100 in copays to the OS. Add another $50 for each of > the two 'outpatient' surgeries, and I'm out of pocket $4,200 or so > for the whole deal. Kaiser paid for both my surgeries, and the > hospital, OS, and Anethesia ran $20K each time, of which Kaiser paid > around $14K each time. > > Would I do it again? Absolutely. Was the 'liquid' diet bad? No. > Was the emotional aspect bad? Actually it was worse for my bride > watching me than it was for me. > > I hope this finds all my June Pals doing well, eating their favorite > foods, and ready to get the hardware out of their mouths once and > for all. > > Dammit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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