Re: Wired or Not Wired/ Helen

October 4, 2004

I think, Helen, that this is the " vertical cut " osteotomy that I was

mentioning as the one that requires wiring. I dunno why, but it has

been said here.

Cammie

>

> Hi --

>

> I was literally " wired shut " with wires for the first 2 weeks after

> my surgery (I had a Vertical Ramus Osteotomy; my lower jaw was set

> back 5 mm) but it was more because there was a question about a

latex

> allergy and he didn't want to use " latex " rubber bands if I had any

> type of allergy.

>

> After that I was " banded " shut but VERY TIGHTLY banded with about

20

> rubber bands for four more weeks. I think people often use the

> term " wired shut " loosely to mean anything where your jaw is

clamped

> shut, even if it is done with rubber bands vs. literal wires.

>

> I was curious about why so many people on this listserv seemed not

to

> be " wired " shut (either with wire or rubber bands) for more than a

> week or 2 and why I needed to have it for 6 weeks. I think it was

> because of the surgical operation I was having. I was told that

the

> lower jaw is most vulnerable to relapse so he needed to be the most

> conservative and use the most mobilization possible.

>

> Having said that, I will be 12 weeks post-op on Thursday and am now

> down to 1 rubber band that I wear when not eating to insure that my

> bite settles properly. Hopefully, my OS will remove it in the next

> week or two and then I can get finished with the orthodontics and

be

> done!

>

> Helen

October 4, 2004