New here - sort of!

[Guest guest]

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!