Re: How is it to breathe while wired shut?

[Guest guest]

I was not wired shut for my jaw surgery, but it is my

understanding that typically there is a splint that holds the jaws

open a small amount to allow access for drinking straws, etc.

However, I also think there are surgeons who don't leave any

opening... that is something I might run from and find someone

else. At any rate, be aware that wiring is not really the standard

practice anymore, it is used in cases where bone density,

securing hardware, complexity of bone movement, bone grafts,

etc. etc. necessitate the total immobilization. Then there is

simply surgeon preferences too. Most cases use heavy rubber

bands and splints. My personal feeling is that there needs to be

totally verifiable reasons for wiring as it is definitely something

that adds to the suffering involved in recovery. If your surgeon

tells you that you will be wired, ask for an explanation and if

you're satisfied with that, go ahead and proceed. But if you think

you'd like to at least take a chance of avoiding wiring, then talk to

a couple other doctors to get some other perspectives. Surgery

is as much an art as a science and there are numerous

perspectives held by surgeons on everything from wiring to how

far they'll advance your chin on a genioplasty. (I know.... I've had

two genioplasties, the second one being three times the amount

of advancement as the first which included in my jaw surgery).

>

> I talked to a guy who had this surgery done last year and he

said it

> was very difficult to breathe while his jaws were wired shut as

he

> also had a splint behind his front teeth. Is this splint standard

> procedure? What were your experiences? It almost sounds a

bit

> claustrophobic. I am curious to hear your experiences.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for your info. I will ask my surgeon for more detail. He told

me I would be wired for between 4 and 10 days. So we will see what

happens. This surgeon came highly recommended by 2 very well

respected OD in our area. I have talked to others who used different

surgeons in our area and had not so pleasant experiences. But I

still have lots of questions. I may need to schedule a 2nd consult.

appt. just to get through my 'new' list of questions. =)

By the way, do you have any relatives in the Nashville area? I know

some Bastian's here. That is why I ask.

> >

> > I talked to a guy who had this surgery done last year and he

> said it

> > was very difficult to breathe while his jaws were wired shut as

> he

> > also had a splint behind his front teeth. Is this splint

standard

> > procedure? What were your experiences? It almost sounds a

> bit

> > claustrophobic. I am curious to hear your experiences.

> >

> >