Re: 15 yr. old having jaw surgery, has questions

[Guest guest]

Hi S.C.!

Have you considered a 2nd opinion?

Also, be sure to ask your oral surgeon what the chances are for

relapse. I read in books that there is a chance of this happening,

especially in younger patients who may still be growing.

Bea

>

> I'm a 15 year old female that is having jaw surgery on December

> 15th. People have said that I'm too young to be having a surgery

> like this, but my dentist, othodontist, and I all think I should

> have it done. My dentist and ortho want me to have it done because

I

> have an open bite, cross bite, and TMJ problems. I want to have it

> done because these things cause me to lisp which has frustruated me

> to tears, I can't chew anything with most of my teeth, and my chin

> is not centered. I am quite nervous to be having surgery, but I

> think my excitement for finally being able to speak clearly

> outweighs my nervousness.

> I'm having my surgery over winter break, so I will have 2 1/2

> weeks to rest before going back to school. Is this enough time?

I've

> heard several times that kids heal quicker than adults, is this

> true? I've only had one surgery before, and it was to take out 4

> crooked, impacted wisdom teeth and take out an extra baby tooth

that

> was in the roof of my mouth. (stitches in the roof of your mouth -

> not a pleasant experience, esp. when they start coming out!) After

> having that done my oral surgeon told me that I had healed quicker

> than he thought I would. I'm hoping the jaw surgery will go the

same

> way.

> All I'm worried about in terms of healing is how much swelling

> will be present after 2 1/2 weeks. I know everyone's body is

> different so you have to see how it goes, but does anyone know how

> quick someone my age would heal in comparison to an adult? Not to

> sound like I'm obsessed with my apprearance, but the thought of

> going back to school with my face like a balloon makes me sorta

> uneasy.

>

>

>

> Thank you for taking the time to read this, sorry it was so

> long. If anyone can please help me out I'd greatly appreciate

> it. Good luck to all of you that are recovering! <3

[Guest guest]

Hi S.C.!

Have you considered a 2nd opinion?

Also, be sure to ask your oral surgeon what the chances are for

relapse. I read in books that there is a chance of this happening,

especially in younger patients who may still be growing.

Bea

>

> I'm a 15 year old female that is having jaw surgery on December

> 15th. People have said that I'm too young to be having a surgery

> like this, but my dentist, othodontist, and I all think I should

> have it done. My dentist and ortho want me to have it done because

I

> have an open bite, cross bite, and TMJ problems. I want to have it

> done because these things cause me to lisp which has frustruated me

> to tears, I can't chew anything with most of my teeth, and my chin

> is not centered. I am quite nervous to be having surgery, but I

> think my excitement for finally being able to speak clearly

> outweighs my nervousness.

> I'm having my surgery over winter break, so I will have 2 1/2

> weeks to rest before going back to school. Is this enough time?

I've

> heard several times that kids heal quicker than adults, is this

> true? I've only had one surgery before, and it was to take out 4

> crooked, impacted wisdom teeth and take out an extra baby tooth

that

> was in the roof of my mouth. (stitches in the roof of your mouth -

> not a pleasant experience, esp. when they start coming out!) After

> having that done my oral surgeon told me that I had healed quicker

> than he thought I would. I'm hoping the jaw surgery will go the

same

> way.

> All I'm worried about in terms of healing is how much swelling

> will be present after 2 1/2 weeks. I know everyone's body is

> different so you have to see how it goes, but does anyone know how

> quick someone my age would heal in comparison to an adult? Not to

> sound like I'm obsessed with my apprearance, but the thought of

> going back to school with my face like a balloon makes me sorta

> uneasy.

>

>

>

> Thank you for taking the time to read this, sorry it was so

> long. If anyone can please help me out I'd greatly appreciate

> it. Good luck to all of you that are recovering! <3

[Guest guest]

I understand where you are coming from. I'm 16 but I will be having

my

surgery when I'm almost 18. (I just recently had my consult) My ortho

says it's safe for girls to have the surgery from age 14 and every

year from that age is harder. (longer time to heal) I'm worrying

about

swelling & school too! I'm hoping I'll get lucky and can get it

during

summer vacation before university. He has also told me that people

take about 1 week off and 2 weeks max. I think you'll be fine before

you go to school =] I hope you share your experiences with the

surgery

since you're so close to my age! What are u getting? Upper lower or

chin? or a combination?

Wish you luck.

[Guest guest]

I understand where you are coming from. I'm 16 but I will be having

my

surgery when I'm almost 18. (I just recently had my consult) My ortho

says it's safe for girls to have the surgery from age 14 and every

year from that age is harder. (longer time to heal) I'm worrying

about

swelling & school too! I'm hoping I'll get lucky and can get it

during

summer vacation before university. He has also told me that people

take about 1 week off and 2 weeks max. I think you'll be fine before

you go to school =] I hope you share your experiences with the

surgery

since you're so close to my age! What are u getting? Upper lower or

chin? or a combination?

Wish you luck.

[Guest guest]

I'm getting mine done before winter break, turning 18 on Dec 26th. I hope I will

have the surgery around the time as well as to not have it effect my school work

to much. I'm getting the jaw moved back a little. I really am worried about how

I will look, and how my mouth will be wired when I get back to school. I can't

do it during the summer before college because of the possibilty of doing ROTC,

the initial training starts very early in the summer and I need as much time to

heal and be able to function my mouth as I can before I get a waiver.

Re: 15 yr. old having jaw surgery,

has questions

I understand where you are coming from. I'm 16 but I will be having

my

surgery when I'm almost 18. (I just recently had my consult) My ortho

says it's safe for girls to have the surgery from age 14 and every

year from that age is harder. (longer time to heal) I'm worrying

about

swelling & school too! I'm hoping I'll get lucky and can get it

during

summer vacation before university. He has also told me that people

take about 1 week off and 2 weeks max. I think you'll be fine before

you go to school =] I hope you share your experiences with the

surgery

since you're so close to my age! What are u getting? Upper lower or

chin? or a combination?

Wish you luck.

[Guest guest]

I'm getting mine done before winter break, turning 18 on Dec 26th. I hope I will

have the surgery around the time as well as to not have it effect my school work

to much. I'm getting the jaw moved back a little. I really am worried about how

I will look, and how my mouth will be wired when I get back to school. I can't

do it during the summer before college because of the possibilty of doing ROTC,

the initial training starts very early in the summer and I need as much time to

heal and be able to function my mouth as I can before I get a waiver.

Re: 15 yr. old having jaw surgery,

has questions

I understand where you are coming from. I'm 16 but I will be having

my

surgery when I'm almost 18. (I just recently had my consult) My ortho

says it's safe for girls to have the surgery from age 14 and every

year from that age is harder. (longer time to heal) I'm worrying

about

swelling & school too! I'm hoping I'll get lucky and can get it

during

summer vacation before university. He has also told me that people

take about 1 week off and 2 weeks max. I think you'll be fine before

you go to school =] I hope you share your experiences with the

surgery

since you're so close to my age! What are u getting? Upper lower or

chin? or a combination?

Wish you luck.

[Guest guest]

Hi Bea! This is my second opinion. Before I got braces, I went for

my diagnostic appointment at an orthodontist and said right away

that I was most likely done growing (I'm 5'7 " and 120lbs. -about as

tall as both of my parents) and surgery would be the only way to

correct my jaw. Because of how quickly he said that, my parents

thought he was just trying to get money, so I went to my brother's

old orthodontist (whose office is an hour away, which can be a

hassle but we trust him so its worth it). After careful examination,

several x-rays, etc. he came to the same conclusion and referred me

to the best oral surgeon he knew. This oral surgeon said the same

thing as the first one, but pointed out that I am done growing, but

I have a tongue thrust habit, which could cause a relapse. However,

since he said that I've made a conscious effort to break that habit

and am nearly 100% sure I've succeeded.

[Guest guest]

Hi Bea! This is my second opinion. Before I got braces, I went for

my diagnostic appointment at an orthodontist and said right away

that I was most likely done growing (I'm 5'7 " and 120lbs. -about as

tall as both of my parents) and surgery would be the only way to

correct my jaw. Because of how quickly he said that, my parents

thought he was just trying to get money, so I went to my brother's

old orthodontist (whose office is an hour away, which can be a

hassle but we trust him so its worth it). After careful examination,

several x-rays, etc. he came to the same conclusion and referred me

to the best oral surgeon he knew. This oral surgeon said the same

thing as the first one, but pointed out that I am done growing, but

I have a tongue thrust habit, which could cause a relapse. However,

since he said that I've made a conscious effort to break that habit

and am nearly 100% sure I've succeeded.

[Guest guest]

Oh cool, I'm glad you got a 2nd opinion and addressed the relapse

thing.

Good luck and let us know how you are doing!

Bea

>

> Hi Bea! This is my second opinion. Before I got braces, I went for

> my diagnostic appointment at an orthodontist and said right away

> that I was most likely done growing (I'm 5'7 " and 120lbs. -about as

> tall as both of my parents) and surgery would be the only way to

> correct my jaw. Because of how quickly he said that, my parents

> thought he was just trying to get money, so I went to my brother's

> old orthodontist (whose office is an hour away, which can be a

> hassle but we trust him so its worth it). After careful

examination,

> several x-rays, etc. he came to the same conclusion and referred me

> to the best oral surgeon he knew. This oral surgeon said the same

> thing as the first one, but pointed out that I am done growing, but

> I have a tongue thrust habit, which could cause a relapse. However,

> since he said that I've made a conscious effort to break that habit

> and am nearly 100% sure I've succeeded.

[Guest guest]

Oh cool, I'm glad you got a 2nd opinion and addressed the relapse

thing.

Good luck and let us know how you are doing!

Bea

>

> Hi Bea! This is my second opinion. Before I got braces, I went for

> my diagnostic appointment at an orthodontist and said right away

> that I was most likely done growing (I'm 5'7 " and 120lbs. -about as

> tall as both of my parents) and surgery would be the only way to

> correct my jaw. Because of how quickly he said that, my parents

> thought he was just trying to get money, so I went to my brother's

> old orthodontist (whose office is an hour away, which can be a

> hassle but we trust him so its worth it). After careful

examination,

> several x-rays, etc. he came to the same conclusion and referred me

> to the best oral surgeon he knew. This oral surgeon said the same

> thing as the first one, but pointed out that I am done growing, but

> I have a tongue thrust habit, which could cause a relapse. However,

> since he said that I've made a conscious effort to break that habit

> and am nearly 100% sure I've succeeded.

[Guest guest]

simply_susan0,

I'm having upper, and they're gonna cut both sides of the inside of

my mouth (to get to the joints) to move the lower jaw (?) and

correct my TMJ problems. I'm not exactly sure of what they're doing,

and I don't wanna know until I'm recovering. Otherwise, it'll make

me more nervous. :\ I'd be more than happy to let you know how

everything goes!

P.S. My ortho suggested a chin implant, but said it was optional and

wouldn't make an extreme difference, so I decided against it. It

would've required additional inscisions, $, and raise the

possibility for infection anyway.

[Guest guest]

simply_susan0,

I'm having upper, and they're gonna cut both sides of the inside of

my mouth (to get to the joints) to move the lower jaw (?) and

correct my TMJ problems. I'm not exactly sure of what they're doing,

and I don't wanna know until I'm recovering. Otherwise, it'll make

me more nervous. :\ I'd be more than happy to let you know how

everything goes!

P.S. My ortho suggested a chin implant, but said it was optional and

wouldn't make an extreme difference, so I decided against it. It

would've required additional inscisions, $, and raise the

possibility for infection anyway.