the first step: braces

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone,

I am 22 and just graduated from college and am in the process of

preparing for orthognathic surgery. I have been told I needed this

surgery since I was really young and it is visible where my upper

jaw isn't aligned with the lower and so I know that I need it too,

but primarily for chewing and functional reasons, not cosmetic.

The problem I am having though is that I really do not want to get

braces. I know that is completely superficial, but I am having a lot

of trouble accepting the fact that I am going to have to get them

(although not for as long as some people, for me it is 6-9 months

before and the same after). My jaw problems now are not obvious at

all just looking at me and so I am just having so much trouble

coping with the idea of braces.

I have had braces before and so it is not the pain or anything like

that. I think mainly it is the connection I have of wearing braces

and appearing ugly or like a teenager or just not attractive and

that really bothers me. I was wondering if anyone else had trouble

with the idea of braces or if I am just that superficial and need to

get over myself.

Has anyone else worried about this? I don't know anyone my age that

has braces and so I just worry that for at least the next year I am

going to hate how I look and just really be critical of myself and

my looks. I know that this is going to be the hardest part for me- I

can take the pain, the post-surgery diet, all that stuff- the braces

are what gets to me. Is there anyone else that had these concerns

and how did you deal with them?

Thank you so much for your advice/suggestions

Molly