Re: New here - sort of!

[Guest guest]

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

>

> Hi all! I posted here a looooong time ago, been contemplating this

> surgery for a while. I

> recently found a dentist that I REALLY like, that I am willing to

> work with. He did a bunch

> of x-rays, did impressions (which I didn't know dentists did), and

> did a consultation with

> an ortodontist for me. Now I think I have decided to go ahead with

> the surgery, provided

> my insurance will cover it (fingers crossed!)

>

> My history - had bite problems since I was a little kid. Had braces

> when I was younger,

> like 13 or 14, to try and help since they couldn't do the surgery

> when you're that young.

> Well, my teeth are straight, but my bite is still off - I have a

> class III maloclussion (bottom

> teeth overlap top teeth), and a slight crossbite. Also have TMJ

> problems, very loud

> popping on one side, not to mention headaches and tinnitis - dentist

> says that my right

> joint is at stage IIIa at this time, and I don't want it to get

worse.

>

> The good news - according to the orthodontist, my teeth are aligned

> really well, so I may

> only have to have braces two months prior, and two months post

> surgery, which I am

> THRILLED about. They think that they will have to move both the

> upper and lower jaws,

> but I have not personally had the consult with the ortho or the

> surgeon yet, so nothing is

> certian.

>

> Anyhow - had some questions for those who have had the surgery.

> First, If you did have

> both jaws done, how long were you out of work? Did anyone have TMJ

> problems before

> surgery, and if so, did you notice a change afterwards? How long

did

> you have to stay on

> a liquid/soft food diet? Also, and this may be a stupid question,

> but if you take

> maintenance medications, do you continue to take them every day like

> normal? I imagine

> if you are just banded shut, this may not be such an issue, but what

> if you're wired shut?

>

> Sorry this is so long, it's just good to be able to talk to people

> that know about what I'm

> considering doing! Thanks!