Mandibular advancement

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone,

After an eternity of fixed braces I'm a couple of weeks away from my

surgery to advance my lower jaw and correct my retruded lower jaw

and overbite. The intention is to use plates and screws - not wires.

Is there anyone who has had the same lower jaw procedure and that

can share any useful information about their experience with me?

Does anyone regret their surgery?

Anyone believe they looked better before their sugery?

I'd greatly appreciate info on recovery time, comfort, appearance

etc in the days and weeks after surgery and, most importantly, the

length of time before " normality " returns.

Thanks in advance everyone and good luck with your treatments.

Constantine

[Guest guest]

Isn't one day an eternity in fixed braces? It was for me!

but yes, I had successful lower advancement in June 2002, and quite

pleased with the results. Had an easy recovery -- I have three

little screws in each side of the jaw. I wasn't banded or wired

shut, but I did have the splint wired into my upper brace.

It took about 7 weeks to be able to start eating " normal " (normal

meaning soft) foods. I waited a bit longer to take on the stiffer

stuff, and it was a year or so before I had any real confidence in

approaching a stick of raw broccoli and such. Not that my surgeon

told me so, but that was just me.

I don't look much different -- check the photos.

And yep, there are folks who are happy with the choice, (it saved my

teeth) and there are folks who are disappointed, and there are a few

folks who are miserably unhappy because they have loss of sensation

and/or pain.

I think most of us are pleased, though.

Good wishes for you!

Cammie

>

> Hi everyone,

>

> After an eternity of fixed braces I'm a couple of weeks away from

my

> surgery to advance my lower jaw and correct my retruded lower jaw

> and overbite. The intention is to use plates and screws - not

wires.

>

> Is there anyone who has had the same lower jaw procedure and that

> can share any useful information about their experience with me?

>

> Does anyone regret their surgery?

>

> Anyone believe they looked better before their sugery?

>

> I'd greatly appreciate info on recovery time, comfort, appearance

> etc in the days and weeks after surgery and, most importantly, the

> length of time before " normality " returns.

>

> Thanks in advance everyone and good luck with your treatments.

>

> Constantine

[Guest guest]

Hi there,

tomorrow is two weeks since my lower advance. Lowre only with

internal rigid fixation isn't that bad. i had liposuction and

geniopolasty, and i thought those were more uncomfortable than the

advance.

i had just a couple rubberbands to guide my bite, and could start

eating mushy foods (but still no chewing) after week one. it really

wasn't that bad at all. swelling/bruising varies for everyone,i had a

lot of both. just make sure to give yourself some time to recuperate

and you'll probably have an uneventful recovery

good luck!

pamela

>

> Hi everyone,

>

> After an eternity of fixed braces I'm a couple of weeks away from my

> surgery to advance my lower jaw and correct my retruded lower jaw

> and overbite. The intention is to use plates and screws - not wires.

>

> Is there anyone who has had the same lower jaw procedure and that

> can share any useful information about their experience with me?

>

> Does anyone regret their surgery?

>

> Anyone believe they looked better before their sugery?

>

> I'd greatly appreciate info on recovery time, comfort, appearance

> etc in the days and weeks after surgery and, most importantly, the

> length of time before " normality " returns.

>

> Thanks in advance everyone and good luck with your treatments.

>

> Constantine

[Guest guest]

One thing I wanted to add to that was, This group is so helpful be sure to ask

any questions that you have. It was so helpful to me during my recovery and

leading up to it. The advice you will receive is excellent.

dwilzen wrote:I had BSSO on Jan 10th, I am 9 weeks post op

and was just told yesterday from My surgeon that I can begin chewing on a normal

diet. That was a long time but I would rather be safe than sorry. I posted some

frustrating remarks a couple of weeks ago maybe you read them, But I am feeling

a little better about it now. The surgery to me as far as recovery was a breeze.

My mandible was moved about 7 mm forward and that part of it gave me no trouble

at all. No pain and had a splint wired to upper teeth for 3 weeks. I have one

screw on either side of my jaw and that is it. I have had no shifting or pain. I

was upset a few weeks ago about asymmetry issues but I don't think it is that

bad now. Maybe swelling has something to do with it. I am still numb in my lip

and chin and am remaing in positive that it will come back. But like I said the

recovery is very easy taking into consideration all we are going through. So

don't worry about it, Give yourself time to

heal, Don't jump to conclusions

to soon after surgery and since you are going through it anyway, Enjoy the time

off work or school and the whole process.

queelace wrote:

Constantine:

I had the same procedure 12 days ago. I had no wires, just a couple

of light elastics for a weeks or so.

What to expect? Well, I guess everyone's different. But, in my case,

I have found this experience to be tolerable but not something to do

unless you need to. I had major swelling for 3 days after the surgery

(I looked like I had hidden footballs in my cheeks) but 95% of that

went away quickly -- the remaining swelling is minor and will

dissipate over a month or two. I was heavily bruised from my jaw line

to my chest. This is about gone now.

Pain was a factor, but my doctor and the hospital made management of

that a priority. This is not a time to be a hero -- they can send you

to happy places if you let them know hnestly what you're feeling. I

was on Perc. for four days and Advil3 for another three before

graduating to regular Advil -- I take this now once or twice a day

depending on how I feel. Getting off the meds is a good thing,

assuming your pain is under control.

Speaking of pain, there really hasn't been that much, drugs

notwithstanding. I have more discomfort in trying to get my mouth to

open and close easily again than from the operation itself.

I was on liquids for maybe four days before venturing on to spoon-

fed, blenderized food, mashed potatoes, etc. Not having wires makes

all the diffence. I had my elastics clipped yesterday and am now free

to venture into real food with a serious caveat that going slowly

into increased food resistance is key.

I have numbness in my lower lip and chin. This has started to tingle

and perhaps resolve itself already. I'm told there is no guarantee

for if, when, how much actually comes back. But, the basic sensations

I'm getting now seem to indicate that some regeneration is trying to

take place -- and that's a good thing.

What's hardest about this? These is some obvious frustration in

learning how to eat again, manage pain, keeping yourself hydrated,

getting a good night's sleep, etc. These things for me have been

resolving themselves

>

> Hi everyone,

>

> After an eternity of fixed braces I'm a couple of weeks away from

my

> surgery to advance my lower jaw and correct my retruded lower jaw

> and overbite. The intention is to use plates and screws - not wires.

>

> Is there anyone who has had the same lower jaw procedure and that

> can share any useful information about their experience with me?

>

> Does anyone regret their surgery?

>

> Anyone believe they looked better before their sugery?

>

> I'd greatly appreciate info on recovery time, comfort, appearance

> etc in the days and weeks after surgery and, most importantly, the

> length of time before " normality " returns.

>

> Thanks in advance everyone and good luck with your treatments.

>

> Constantine

[Guest guest]

Dan, really good to hear. I don't blame you for being concerned when you had

your surgery. How emotional! You really do look good in the pictures and some

difference is noticeable.

Hope it keeps getting better, especially the remaining numbness.

I wish I was at the stage you are at....!

dwilzen wrote:

One thing I wanted to add to that was, This group is so helpful be sure to ask

any questions that you have. It was so helpful to me during my recovery and

leading up to it. The advice you will receive is excellent.

dwilzen wrote:I had BSSO on Jan 10th, I am 9 weeks post op

and was just told yesterday from My surgeon that I can begin chewing on a normal

diet. That was a long time but I would rather be safe than sorry. I posted some

frustrating remarks a couple of weeks ago maybe you read them, But I am feeling

a little better about it now. The surgery to me as far as recovery was a breeze.

My mandible was moved about 7 mm forward and that part of it gave me no trouble

at all. No pain and had a splint wired to upper teeth for 3 weeks. I have one

screw on either side of my jaw and that is it. I have had no shifting or pain. I

was upset a few weeks ago about asymmetry issues but I don't think it is that

bad now. Maybe swelling has something to do with it. I am still numb in my lip

and chin and am remaing in positive that it will come back. But like I said the

recovery is very easy taking into consideration all we are going through. So

don't worry about it, Give yourself time to

heal, Don't jump to conclusions

to soon after surgery and since you are going through it anyway, Enjoy the time

off work or school and the whole process.

queelace wrote:

Constantine:

I had the same procedure 12 days ago. I had no wires, just a couple

of light elastics for a weeks or so.

What to expect? Well, I guess everyone's different. But, in my case,

I have found this experience to be tolerable but not something to do

unless you need to. I had major swelling for 3 days after the surgery

(I looked like I had hidden footballs in my cheeks) but 95% of that

went away quickly -- the remaining swelling is minor and will

dissipate over a month or two. I was heavily bruised from my jaw line

to my chest. This is about gone now.

Pain was a factor, but my doctor and the hospital made management of

that a priority. This is not a time to be a hero -- they can send you

to happy places if you let them know hnestly what you're feeling. I

was on Perc. for four days and Advil3 for another three before

graduating to regular Advil -- I take this now once or twice a day

depending on how I feel. Getting off the meds is a good thing,

assuming your pain is under control.

Speaking of pain, there really hasn't been that much, drugs

notwithstanding. I have more discomfort in trying to get my mouth to

open and close easily again than from the operation itself.

I was on liquids for maybe four days before venturing on to spoon-

fed, blenderized food, mashed potatoes, etc. Not having wires makes

all the diffence. I had my elastics clipped yesterday and am now free

to venture into real food with a serious caveat that going slowly

into increased food resistance is key.

I have numbness in my lower lip and chin. This has started to tingle

and perhaps resolve itself already. I'm told there is no guarantee

for if, when, how much actually comes back. But, the basic sensations

I'm getting now seem to indicate that some regeneration is trying to

take place -- and that's a good thing.

What's hardest about this? These is some obvious frustration in

learning how to eat again, manage pain, keeping yourself hydrated,

getting a good night's sleep, etc. These things for me have been

resolving themselves

>

> Hi everyone,

>

> After an eternity of fixed braces I'm a couple of weeks away from

my

> surgery to advance my lower jaw and correct my retruded lower jaw

> and overbite. The intention is to use plates and screws - not wires.

>

> Is there anyone who has had the same lower jaw procedure and that

> can share any useful information about their experience with me?

>

> Does anyone regret their surgery?

>

> Anyone believe they looked better before their sugery?

>

> I'd greatly appreciate info on recovery time, comfort, appearance

> etc in the days and weeks after surgery and, most importantly, the

> length of time before " normality " returns.

>

> Thanks in advance everyone and good luck with your treatments.

>

> Constantine