Hello - I've just joined your group

[Guest guest]

Hello, I just joined your group, but I've been " living " with an

underbite for thirty-plus years. I would LOVE to have Orthognathic

Surgery, but my insurance won't pay for it, as it is considered a pre-

existing condition. As far as I'm concerned, it's a latent congenital

defect in need of correction. I received mine from my parents - got

my mandible from my Mom and my maxilla from my Dad. I'm about to

undergo an extraction of one of my teeth due to an abscess (it's

tooth #K) - the surgery is next Friday. Then, I'll be waiting for two

months for the extraction site to heal so that I can have an implant

installed. I've found a wonderful Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon (the

one who is doing my implant) who would also LUV to perform Bilateral

Mandibular Osteotomies with some Maxillary Advancement on me as well,

so we'll see. At this stage of my life, I feel that I'm finally ready

to undergo all this and I'm enthusiastic about what the future may

have in store for me. This will be the third time in the last twenty-

five years that I've considered this type of surgery; the previous

two times were for more cosmetic reasons. Now, it's all about

function. I've noticed big changes in mastication and speech; chewing

seems to take longer and if pressed for time I have noticed I swallow

partially chewed food: that can't be good for my GI tract. My speech

is becoming harder for others to understand; I guess I'm mumbling

more and forced to repeat what I am saying.// Well, thank you for

letting me tell my story. Would love to hear from any of you about

this, especially how to pay for all of this. /// Diane