Re: Anyone regret having their surgery done ?

[Guest guest]

thx susan I will strongly look into it first and see if its worth

the risks

> >

> > Hi guys im still in the deciding stage of if surgery is

something I

> > want to do seeing how its only for cosmetic and it looks ok now

> just

> > a slight gummy smile but only like a cm when fully smiling so

that

> > wasnt a concern of mine for me it was I have a bit of an

overbite

> > but everyone thinks i look normal but maybe i would look better

not

> > sure , guess I've always had one of those lips that are a bit

high

> > so unless I actually close my mouth on purpose then you always

see

> > my front teeth a bit . The two orthodontists i've seen both said

I

> > needed surgery to make the front teeth perfect again in the

front

> as

> > they have shifted over the years a bit.

> > Basically I was wondering out of all the people I've seen on

here

> > who have had the surgery or some form of it done, im wondering

how

> > many regret having it done and think either they look worse then

> > they did or they totally regret have it done and they were

better

> > before ?

> > I have to be honest I havent read very many people who have

said

> > they look great and it was a big improvement and so that worries

me

> > a bit. For me its cosmetic only so looks are everything for me

with

> > getting surgery done etc as im sure with a lot of people but

some

> > also have pain related issues and other major stuff.

> > I think like most of us out there considering it its the

wanting

> to

> > hear if people regretted it after and looked and felt worse even

> > months or years later because at least for me I dont want to go

> > through all this to look better and come out worse then before

and

> > on top of that pay lots of money and go through hell .

> > So any opinions as to how their surgery overall was and if

they

> > regretted getting it done etc I really would like to hear

anything

> > people have to say I mean you hear lot of people saying their

nose

> > is not straight and things like that so just want to know of

> anybody

> > thinks they looked better before and regret having it done.

> > Thanks for the opinions and stories it really helps others who

> > havent yet had surgery done and thinking of doing it.

> >

> > Maybe its just you only hear the worst case stories and

problems

> > on here and maybe the ones that turn out fine dont bother to

write

> > here? Im not sure so trying to get a feel for it , take care and

> thx

> >

> > Rick

[Guest guest]

-thanks tova , yeah its not an easy decision but hearing stuff like

this helps narrow down the choices and try to get a handle on what

is worth it and what isnt etc. Glad to hear yours turned out good so

far im sure if your getting good results now then its only to get

better so thats great. Guess you can try to picture how you will

look with the changes etc but its hard to really know for sure and

takes the big jump and finally doing it to really see. Thanks for

writing I have an appointment with my family doc tomorrow just

thought I would see what he had to say and if he heard of or has

seen first hand problems maybe etc so any information can only help

but thanks again and glad to hear your doing well hope the pain

is not too bad to deal with after

-- In orthognathicsurgerysupport , Tova Friedman

<teeze@m...> wrote:

> Last night was the first time since my surgery that I saw friends

I

> have not seen since before the surgery. My lower jaw advancement

was

> only minor- my boyfriend claims he sees no difference but he's

been

> looking at me from day 1 of surgery and my co-workers all saw me

when I

> was still rather swollen so they have said nothing about the

physical

> changes. My friends last night were almost weirded out by the

subtle

> changes and told me that before, they were not sure why I was

doing

> this. Now they could see and they thought it was an improvement.

That

> made me feel good. They also assured me I did not have angry chin-

> which I have worried about.

>

> Would I do it again?...I think so- though it's still a little

early to

> say. I, like you, did not feel I desperately needed it from a

cosmetic

> standpoint. To keep myself motivated, I focussed on the health

benefits

> which were also borderline in my case. I'd also look into the

> insurance... if they hadn't paid, there is no way I would have

forked

> over $20,000.

>

> Good Luck with your decision!

> T.

>

>

> >

> > Hi guys im still in the deciding stage of if surgery is

something I

> > want to do seeing how its only for cosmetic and it looks ok now

just

> > a slight gummy smile but only like a cm when fully smiling so

that

> > wasnt a concern of mine for me it was I have a bit of an

overbite

> > but everyone thinks i look normal but maybe i would look better

not

> > sure , guess I've always had one of those lips that are a bit

high

> > so unless I actually close my mouth on purpose then you always

see

> > my front teeth a bit . The two orthodontists i've seen both

said I

> > needed surgery to make the front teeth perfect again in the

front as

> > they have shifted over the years a bit.

> >   Basically I was wondering out of all the people I've seen on

here

> > who have had the surgery or some form of it done, im wondering

how

> > many regret having it done and think either they look worse then

> > they did or they totally regret have it done and they were

better

> > before ?

> > I have to be honest I havent read very many people who have said

> > they look great and it was a big improvement and so that

worries me

> > a bit. For me its cosmetic only so looks are everything for me

with

> > getting surgery done etc as im sure with a lot of people but

some

> > also have pain related issues and other major stuff.

> > I think like most of us out there considering it its the

wanting to

> > hear if people regretted it after and looked and felt worse even

> > months or years later because at least for me I dont want to go

> > through all this to look better and come out worse then before

and

> > on top of that pay lots of money and go through hell .

> >   So any opinions as to how their surgery overall was and if

they

> > regretted getting it done etc I really would like to hear

anything

> > people have to say I mean you hear lot of people saying their

nose

> > is not straight and things like that so just want to know of

anybody

> > thinks they looked better before and regret having it done.

> >   Thanks for the opinions and stories it really helps others who

> > havent yet had surgery done and thinking of doing it.

> >

> >   Maybe its just you only hear the worst case stories and

problems

> > on here and maybe the ones that turn out fine dont bother to

write

> > here? Im not sure so trying to get a feel for it , take care

and thx

> >

> > Rick

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

thanks laura, sorry to hear your not happy with it so far im sure in

time it will be good so try to stay positive until you see the

absolute final look etc. Its actually good to hear straight up blunt

facts even as scary as they may seem because I would rather know

what I would be getting into before and it only helps to be informed

of the risks etc to know if its the right thing for me or not etc ,

sad thing is i just wanted to get my front teeth straight again and

seems the two orthodontists who I saw wouldnt do it unless i had the

surgery so sounds like if i want them straight again i have to do

the surgery , geeeeeeze as if braces werent bad enough now i have to

decide if the risks are worth it for a nice smile . Thanks again

means a lot to hear this information and your thoughts without stuff

like this I would be totally lost like im sure many others are .

thanks again and dont worry if your not happy right now because in

time it may be just right and remember nothing cant be fixed

Rick

> >

> > Hi guys im still in the deciding stage of if surgery is

something

> I

> > want to do seeing how its only for cosmetic and it looks ok now

> just

> > a slight gummy smile but only like a cm when fully smiling so

that

> > wasnt a concern of mine for me it was I have a bit of an

overbite

> > but everyone thinks i look normal but maybe i would look better

> not

> > sure , guess I've always had one of those lips that are a bit

high

> > so unless I actually close my mouth on purpose then you always

see

> > my front teeth a bit . The two orthodontists i've seen both said

I

> > needed surgery to make the front teeth perfect again in the

front

> as

> > they have shifted over the years a bit.

> > Basically I was wondering out of all the people I've seen on

> here

> > who have had the surgery or some form of it done, im wondering

how

> > many regret having it done and think either they look worse then

> > they did or they totally regret have it done and they were

better

> > before ?

> > I have to be honest I havent read very many people who have

said

> > they look great and it was a big improvement and so that worries

> me

> > a bit. For me its cosmetic only so looks are everything for me

> with

> > getting surgery done etc as im sure with a lot of people but

some

> > also have pain related issues and other major stuff.

> > I think like most of us out there considering it its the

wanting

> to

> > hear if people regretted it after and looked and felt worse even

> > months or years later because at least for me I dont want to go

> > through all this to look better and come out worse then before

and

> > on top of that pay lots of money and go through hell .

> > So any opinions as to how their surgery overall was and if

they

> > regretted getting it done etc I really would like to hear

anything

> > people have to say I mean you hear lot of people saying their

nose

> > is not straight and things like that so just want to know of

> anybody

> > thinks they looked better before and regret having it done.

> > Thanks for the opinions and stories it really helps others who

> > havent yet had surgery done and thinking of doing it.

> >

> > Maybe its just you only hear the worst case stories and

problems

> > on here and maybe the ones that turn out fine dont bother to

write

> > here? Im not sure so trying to get a feel for it , take care and

> thx

> >

> > Rick

[Guest guest]

Thanks sara, Yeah it seems like changing your smile or appearance

even in the slightest ways would be hard to get use to , not because

it doesnt look good its just you see yourself a certain way your

whole life and then to see something different would seem alien and

im not sure if everyone feels that way but in the end if you dont

like your smile then doesnt matter if everyone loves it , bottom

line is it has to be what you want so im pretty nervous about it but

at the same time although I dont mind my smile im also not happy

with it because i use to have perfect teeth so the bite issue only

came up when i looked into have them fixed again and was told by two

orthodontists that the only way they would do the work is if i had

the surgery done so that was pretty dissapointing to say the least

and ever since i've been pretty stressed out because its like im

left with no easy choices to make and all these risks and stuff just

seems so hard to deal with but thanks for voicing your thoughts its

nice to hear real people sharing what they feel and think of what

they see in the mirror etc I hope your healing speeds up and you end

up happy with your results because its not right to have to go

through all the pain and tough times only to not be happy with or

have other side effects take care and thanks for your thoughts it

really helps a lot

Rick

> >

> > Hi guys im still in the deciding stage of if surgery is

something I

> > want to do seeing how its only for cosmetic and it looks ok now

> just

> > a slight gummy smile but only like a cm when fully smiling so

that

> > wasnt a concern of mine for me it was I have a bit of an

overbite

> > but everyone thinks i look normal but maybe i would look better

not

> > sure , guess I've always had one of those lips that are a bit

high

> > so unless I actually close my mouth on purpose then you always

see

> > my front teeth a bit . The two orthodontists i've seen both said

I

> > needed surgery to make the front teeth perfect again in the

front

> as

> > they have shifted over the years a bit.

> > Basically I was wondering out of all the people I've seen on

here

> > who have had the surgery or some form of it done, im wondering

how

> > many regret having it done and think either they look worse then

> > they did or they totally regret have it done and they were

better

> > before ?

> > I have to be honest I havent read very many people who have

said

> > they look great and it was a big improvement and so that worries

me

> > a bit. For me its cosmetic only so looks are everything for me

with

> > getting surgery done etc as im sure with a lot of people but

some

> > also have pain related issues and other major stuff.

> > I think like most of us out there considering it its the

wanting

> to

> > hear if people regretted it after and looked and felt worse even

> > months or years later because at least for me I dont want to go

> > through all this to look better and come out worse then before

and

> > on top of that pay lots of money and go through hell .

> > So any opinions as to how their surgery overall was and if

they

> > regretted getting it done etc I really would like to hear

anything

> > people have to say I mean you hear lot of people saying their

nose

> > is not straight and things like that so just want to know of

> anybody

> > thinks they looked better before and regret having it done.

> > Thanks for the opinions and stories it really helps others who

> > havent yet had surgery done and thinking of doing it.

> >

> > Maybe its just you only hear the worst case stories and

problems

> > on here and maybe the ones that turn out fine dont bother to

write

> > here? Im not sure so trying to get a feel for it , take care and

> thx

> >

> > Rick

[Guest guest]

Well thanks good to hear things are going along well so far its

always nice to hear a good story but at the same time the bad ones

help just as much. I dont have a problem with the being banded shut

for a bit and as much as that can be a pain im sure the main thing

for me is will i look wierd or better and will i end up losing

feeling in my lip or face and not having it come back or having my

jaw not be meeting right etc just stuff like that but as for the

pain i think that part you just deal with as long as you know in the

end its a better you but if not then that would really bring me down

and I dont know what i would do . Thanks for sharing your thoughts

and glad to hear things going nice for you take care

Rick

> > >

> > > Hi guys im still in the deciding stage of if surgery is

> something I

> > > want to do seeing how its only for cosmetic and it looks ok

now

> > just

> > > a slight gummy smile but only like a cm when fully smiling so

> that

> > > wasnt a concern of mine for me it was I have a bit of an

> overbite

> > > but everyone thinks i look normal but maybe i would look

better

> not

> > > sure , guess I've always had one of those lips that are a bit

> high

> > > so unless I actually close my mouth on purpose then you always

> see

> > > my front teeth a bit . The two orthodontists i've seen both

said

> I

> > > needed surgery to make the front teeth perfect again in the

> front

> > as

> > > they have shifted over the years a bit.

> > > Basically I was wondering out of all the people I've seen on

> here

> > > who have had the surgery or some form of it done, im wondering

> how

> > > many regret having it done and think either they look worse

then

> > > they did or they totally regret have it done and they were

> better

> > > before ?

> > > I have to be honest I havent read very many people who have

> said

> > > they look great and it was a big improvement and so that

worries

> me

> > > a bit. For me its cosmetic only so looks are everything for me

> with

> > > getting surgery done etc as im sure with a lot of people but

> some

> > > also have pain related issues and other major stuff.

> > > I think like most of us out there considering it its the

> wanting

> > to

> > > hear if people regretted it after and looked and felt worse

even

> > > months or years later because at least for me I dont want to

go

> > > through all this to look better and come out worse then before

> and

> > > on top of that pay lots of money and go through hell .

> > > So any opinions as to how their surgery overall was and if

> they

> > > regretted getting it done etc I really would like to hear

> anything

> > > people have to say I mean you hear lot of people saying their

> nose

> > > is not straight and things like that so just want to know of

> > anybody

> > > thinks they looked better before and regret having it done.

> > > Thanks for the opinions and stories it really helps others

who

> > > havent yet had surgery done and thinking of doing it.

> > >

> > > Maybe its just you only hear the worst case stories and

> problems

> > > on here and maybe the ones that turn out fine dont bother to

> write

> > > here? Im not sure so trying to get a feel for it , take care

and

> > thx

> > >

> > > Rick

[Guest guest]

thanks zulu, yeah I was steering to just having the braces done but

seems that isnt an option for some reason , maybe its that i had

braces as a teen and never wore my retainer at the time so they

figure it would only do the same thing. Yeah having a crooked face

or stuff not looking in the right spot etc would drive me crazy and

that is my worst nightmare so im really thinking this over and

trying to see what to do but the way the orthodontists recomend

surgery so fast all the time to everyone makes it seem like there

are no risks i mean why do they push people to doing something that

can have so many risks or complications? just to me they make it

seem like most people never have a problem and everything is rosey ,

i can honestly say i never thought i would be thinking of this stuff

and trying to decide what to do and its sooooooooooooooooo hard to

decide but thanks for taking the time to respond its nice of you and

i appreciate it

Rick

> >

> > Hi guys im still in the deciding stage of if surgery is

something

> I

> > want to do seeing how its only for cosmetic and it looks ok now

> just

> > a slight gummy smile but only like a cm when fully smiling so

that

> > wasnt a concern of mine for me it was I have a bit of an

overbite

> > but everyone thinks i look normal but maybe i would look better

> not

> > sure , guess I've always had one of those lips that are a bit

high

> > so unless I actually close my mouth on purpose then you always

see

> > my front teeth a bit . The two orthodontists i've seen both said

I

> > needed surgery to make the front teeth perfect again in the

front

> as

> > they have shifted over the years a bit.

> > Basically I was wondering out of all the people I've seen on

> here

> > who have had the surgery or some form of it done, im wondering

how

> > many regret having it done and think either they look worse then

> > they did or they totally regret have it done and they were

better

> > before ?

> > I have to be honest I havent read very many people who have

said

> > they look great and it was a big improvement and so that worries

> me

> > a bit. For me its cosmetic only so looks are everything for me

> with

> > getting surgery done etc as im sure with a lot of people but

some

> > also have pain related issues and other major stuff.

> > I think like most of us out there considering it its the

wanting

> to

> > hear if people regretted it after and looked and felt worse even

> > months or years later because at least for me I dont want to go

> > through all this to look better and come out worse then before

and

> > on top of that pay lots of money and go through hell .

> > So any opinions as to how their surgery overall was and if

they

> > regretted getting it done etc I really would like to hear

anything

> > people have to say I mean you hear lot of people saying their

nose

> > is not straight and things like that so just want to know of

> anybody

> > thinks they looked better before and regret having it done.

> > Thanks for the opinions and stories it really helps others who

> > havent yet had surgery done and thinking of doing it.

> >

> > Maybe its just you only hear the worst case stories and

problems

> > on here and maybe the ones that turn out fine dont bother to

write

> > here? Im not sure so trying to get a feel for it , take care and

> thx

> >

> > Rick

[Guest guest]

I don't regret it at all.

I also don't look much different -- but then I only had lower jaw

work, and it was pretty minimal -- 5 mm. forward and 3 mm. to the

right.

I would agree that I would not have done the braces, much less the

surgery, for pure cosmetic reasons.

And as for the person who said that " you use to be such a pretty

girl " ... well, the kindest thing I can say about her is that she

sorely needs to learn that it's impolite to make personal remarks.

That was just plain rude, not to mention insensitive and uncaring. I

would bet that you are still a pretty girl -- and that she could use

some work to improve her inner beauty!

Cammie

>

> I thought this was a good question and I was waiting to here

someone

> say " No " I don't regret it, however I haven't heard it. Well this

> surgery was the worse decision I could have ever made and if its

not

> for health reason than I would never, suggest it and your looks may

> be better but all my friends said I look like a diferent person.

One

> lady said to me " you use to be such a pretty girl " well I don't

> thinks that was necessary to say but it's true.

>

> My nose, lips and cheeks have settled differently on my face. I

> still have a little swelling so maybe things will get better. You

> ask for different opinions and this is mines, hope it helps.

>

[Guest guest]

I think you make excellent points, particularly about people who have

the surgery and are pleased, moving on with other parts of their

lives and not returning to post.

When I think of the many, many people I've exchanged notes with over

the past four years, only a tiny fraction of them are still on these

boards with any regularity. Most were quite pleased with their

results.

I know of a handful of people who emerged unhappy, a few bitterly so.

One fella lost all of his sensation and never got it back. Another,

at last report, had similarly lost sensation, and because he was a

trumpet player (a most excellent one, apparently, and playing the

trumpet was central to his happiness) suffered real misery over it. A

few people have had to have repeat surgery, and even fewer have had

to do it a third time.

But honestly, I don't think those would number 25.

And there have been hundreds, maybe thousands, who have come here for

help, hope and information.

I'm certainly not pushing the surgery at you or anyone else. I am

surprised that your orthos can't or won't do anything to help you if

you do not want surgery. I don't know much about orthodontics, but my

ortho knew when we started out that I hadn't committed yet to the

surgery, and that he could help me, even if I didn't have surgery.

But then, you may have some problems that I did not. (I had also worn

braces as a child, though, many long years ago.) I also know of at

least one other adult patient of his, for whom he recommended

surgery. She flatly told him, " No way! If I were going to spend that

kind of money, or wanted to do any surgery, I'd get a facelift! " (I

don't know what he responded to that.)

Cammie

>

> I'm in the same boat as you pretty much. I may have to have my

> upper jaw moved slightly higher and perhaps a little forward, my

> lower jaw forward and my chin maybe a bit. Despite all this, my

> bite is fine. Although the main concern for me is cosmetic, I also

> experience a breathing impediment (if you want to call it that)

> because of my jaws being back to far or angled incorrectly or

> whatever is wrong. I know this because when I thrust my lower jaw

> forward I can breath much easier. Anyway, if I could improve my

> appearance and breathing I would be a very happy person.

>

> I am also worried about getting an undesirable result but I think

> with a good surgeon the risks can be minimized. I've seen a lot of

> great before and after pictures. I think if you ask around on a

> board such as this the answers will be skewed in favour of regret.

> First of all a lot of people who respond will be still in the early

> days of their recovery. Swelling may not be down, there may be

> discomfort etc. People in that position are less likely to be in

> good spirit about the surgery and what they look like. Another

> reason would be that many people may not put as much weight on

their

> appearance as your or me and have undergone this surgery purely for

> functional reasons. Also some people may have wanted this surgery

> for functional and cosmetic reasons, yet maintain that they only

> wanted to improve the function of their jaws to avoid some sort of

> guilt of being vain. Lastly, I think a lot of people who get this

> surgery done and over with and have good results tend to move on

> with their lives and leave these boards. We don't get to hear from

> them. With that said, there are no doubt people who have had bad

> results, but I seriously can't imagine thousands and thousands of

> these procedures being performed where most of the people turn out

> uglier than they were before. Oral-Maxillofacial surgeons not only

> fix jaws, but also have a keen sense of aesthetics.

>

> Believe me, I really don't want to have to go through all this, but

> I think the results may definately be worth it. If I can get to

the

> point where I'm comfortable with my future orthodontist and surgeon

> then I will definately go for it.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Rick,

I had my surgery done almost a year ago, last February 25th. My

bite was fixed (my lower jaw was moved forward. However, I was

seriously unhappy with the chin. It was moved way too far forward

and gave me a long face. All I can say is feel comfortable with

your surgeon before you go through with the surgery. Surgery is an

art form and his idea of what I would look like with genioplasty was

very different from mine. I had my surgery through Kaiser and it

was paid for in full. I am going back to Kaiser to see if my chin

can be fixed. If they won't pay for it then it is off to a private

practice plastic surgeon. In my particular case, I found out from

others (too late) who have had surgery with my surgeon that he tends

to move chins too far forward. Just my luck. He did a fabulous job

getting the bite to match up. But, I could have done without the

genio. You never really know quite what you are going to look like

until the swelling goes down. Keep in mind though..... even people

who look a million times better after their surgery often feel

uncomfortable with their new look. It takes time to get use to

seeing the new you in the mirror. After about 6 months you will get

a good idea if you are happy with the results visually. In my case,

most people tell me that I looked way better before the surgery.

However, I do have a bite that matches up now and I can chew my food

with my mouth closed (the reason for the genio .... to hold my lips

together). Get lots of opinions and see lots of before and after

photos.

> > > >

> > > > Hi guys im still in the deciding stage of if surgery is

> > something I

> > > > want to do seeing how its only for cosmetic and it looks ok

now

> > > just

> > > > a slight gummy smile but only like a cm when fully smiling

so

> > that

> > > > wasnt a concern of mine for me it was I have a bit of an

> > overbite

> > > > but everyone thinks i look normal but maybe i would look

better

> > not

> > > > sure , guess I've always had one of those lips that are a

bit

> > high

> > > > so unless I actually close my mouth on purpose then you

always

> > see

> > > > my front teeth a bit . The two orthodontists i've seen both

> said

> > I

> > > > needed surgery to make the front teeth perfect again in the

> > front

> > > as

> > > > they have shifted over the years a bit.

> > > > Basically I was wondering out of all the people I've seen

on

> > here

> > > > who have had the surgery or some form of it done, im

wondering

> > how

> > > > many regret having it done and think either they look worse

> then

> > > > they did or they totally regret have it done and they were

> > better

> > > > before ?

> > > > I have to be honest I havent read very many people who have

> > said

> > > > they look great and it was a big improvement and so that

> worries

> > me

> > > > a bit. For me its cosmetic only so looks are everything for

me

> > with

> > > > getting surgery done etc as im sure with a lot of people but

> > some

> > > > also have pain related issues and other major stuff.

> > > > I think like most of us out there considering it its the

> > wanting

> > > to

> > > > hear if people regretted it after and looked and felt worse

> even

> > > > months or years later because at least for me I dont want to

go

> > > > through all this to look better and come out worse then

before

> > and

> > > > on top of that pay lots of money and go through hell .

> > > > So any opinions as to how their surgery overall was and if

> > they

> > > > regretted getting it done etc I really would like to hear

> > anything

> > > > people have to say I mean you hear lot of people saying

their

> > nose

> > > > is not straight and things like that so just want to know of

> > > anybody

> > > > thinks they looked better before and regret having it done.

> > > > Thanks for the opinions and stories it really helps others

> who

> > > > havent yet had surgery done and thinking of doing it.

> > > >

> > > > Maybe its just you only hear the worst case stories and

> > problems

> > > > on here and maybe the ones that turn out fine dont bother to

> > write

> > > > here? Im not sure so trying to get a feel for it , take care

> and

> > > thx

> > > >

> > > > Rick