Re: NEW MEMBER...hav lots of questions

February 11, 2005

And there may be another option, too.

It may be that you can decide not to have the surgery now, and change

your mind when you're 25, or 35, or 45, or even 55... That's not the

easy way to go -- if you do so, it will likely require another set of

braces and ortho, before and after, because the docs usually move the

teeth into a different position for surgery.

But I had it done at age 56, almost 57. And my surgeon told me that

his oldest patient, at that point, had the surgery at age 62...

So it's not as though you just get one chance. Of course, your jaws

and joints may suffer some damage in the interim that you might

prevent by having the surgery now. But you definitely do not want to

go into it without having a pretty serious commitment to doing it.

Cammie

> > >

> > > im currently 15 yrs old and ive had braces for about 3 yrs

> now...my

> > > orthodontist wants me to under go lower jaw surgery but im

> really

> > > not sure whether i want to do it or not. at first i didnt even

> > > consider it but my parents want me to do it. im just really

> scared

> > > of the risks u could have after u have the surgery and i dont

> know

> > > what to do. my orthodontist really wants me to do this and its

> just

> > > so much pressure. i dont have any problems eating/breathing or

> > > anything..pls give me advice on what i should do or your

opinion

> on

> > > this. please reply back. thankyou

February 11, 2005

Hi Sweetie,

I was supposed to have surgery when I was 16. My parents said no

way. I am now 43 and had it three months ago. It was the best

decision of my life (other than getting married, going to school, and

having kids)

But I wouldn't let anyone pressure you. I would recommend making a

list of the pros and cons and then deciding. I ended up having tons

of fillings and crowns in my mouth and a rotten tooth pulled which I

am sure could have partially been prevented had I had the surgery

earlier. I have a proper bite now. I was getting bad headaches

because of my bite and as I got older, it got worse for me.

Let us know how we can help. You are lucky you have supportive

parents.

Shauna

>

> im currently 15 yrs old and ive had braces for about 3 yrs now...my

> orthodontist wants me to under go lower jaw surgery but im really

> not sure whether i want to do it or not. at first i didnt even

> consider it but my parents want me to do it. im just really scared

> of the risks u could have after u have the surgery and i dont know

> what to do. my orthodontist really wants me to do this and its just

> so much pressure. i dont have any problems eating/breathing or

> anything..pls give me advice on what i should do or your opinion on

> this. please reply back. thankyou

February 11, 2005

Hey there,

You know I was told I needed the surgery done when I was your age

too...but then when I got a second opinion the other ortho told me

that I should wait until I was completely finished growing, which

wasn't until I was around 17 or so. However, teens grow a lot earlier

these days so maybe you are finished. There is no harm in getting

another opinion :0) You don't have to tell your ortho, just ask your

parents if they can set you an appt with another ortho or even an

oral surgeon to see what they think.

My face didn't really bother me too much when I was in high school

but then it progressively started to bug me more and more - until

(now) 26 and I thought enough! I am getting it done! There is a bonus

getting it done now, your parents are supporting you and their

insurance prob covers a lot of the surgery. Once you are out of high

school, if you arent enrolled in full time school you may not be

eligible for full medical (at least thats how it is in Canada). So,

you may want to get it done before you finish high school :0)

Good luck with your decision.

Cheers, Jen