Re: to jen with the great recovery after surgery

[Guest guest]

Hi - thanks for your email. You know I told my surgeon about

this site when I first met him and at my next appt he told me not to

get freaked from what I read, he said it scared him that he read so

many bad stories. You know, I would hate for this to sound bad - but

the worst stories I have heard have been from the US. Anyone I have

talked to or have personally known to have this surgery done in

Canada have not had any horror stories to tell me. I don't know if

it's because our medical system is different, but it may be that most

people here can afford to have really good surgeons because our

government subsidise the surgery (mine cost $4500). There are way

fewer surgeons in Canada than in the US so they get tons of

experience. My surgeon has done about 6,000 of these types of

surgeries and some people I have heard on here - their surgeons only

had done about 100 or so. My upper and lower only took 1hr 2mins and

some I have heard take up to 5 hours!

I am just past 4 weeks post op and only my chin and lower lip are a

bit numb. I can feel some touching on my lower lip (it has def

improved since the first week). I had heard this happens though so I

wasn't freaked by it and I know eventually it will go away. My chubby

cheeks will prob subside in about another 4 weeks but I dont look

bad, I just have a round type face. Get your surgeon to tell you the

percentage of surgeries he has done that his patients have had nerve

damage. My surgeon told me right up front and the percentage was

extremely minimal. Most surgeons will have a certain amt of patients

that have given the ok to be contacted by new patients so ask to

speak to some previous patients. Also, check up online to see if

there have been any malpractice suits against them.

I guess I was extremely trusting of my surgeon because I had heard

such great reviews about him from previous patients and also the

medical community in Vancouver.

Please feel free to contact me about any other questions you may

have. I know it's a bit overwhelming, especially when it is such a

long lead time.

Cheers, Jen

>

> Hi there - I am 4 weeks post op after having upper and lower jaw

> surgery. I am doing really well, although I still have a the chubby

> chipmunk cheeks going on :0) The first week or two I stuck to

> smoothies and soups - lots of juice too. I was banded with a splint.

> By the middle of week 2 I was eating softer foods like lasagna,

> canneloni, shepherds pie, oh yah and lots of ice cream!

>

> I didnt have any pain following the surgery. I was on morphine in

the

> hospital, but I am not even sure if I needed it...needless to say I

> didnt take any of the Tylenol 3's that I was sent home with. No meds

> whatsoever. However, I think I am pretty lucky considering some of

> the stories I have read on this website.

>

> Lucky that you only have to wear braces for 4 months - that's

awesome!

> Good luck with your decision.

>

> Cheers, jen