Re: To the New Guy

[Guest guest]

Hi Connie,

Great post! I agree, no one can make the decision to go forward or

to pass on the surgery except the person themself. There are many

aspects, and each person has to weigh the advantages and

disadvantages for themselves. It is completely individual and the

outcomes are individual as well. We each have to evaluate our

situation and determine for ourself whether the outcome will be

worth the difficulties. We do this for a WIDE variety of reasons.

There is really no " right " answer. It is up to the person.

And I also agree that this is a great support site. No one will

lead you to the end, but people will be here for those who have

quesions or concerns, and even occassional advise. But mostly for

the support that is generated by others sharing a similar

experience. That is what is so great about this site.

Thanks for the post, and I hope it helps the new members keep site

of their ability to research and make an informed decision. And to

get the support they need to get there!

Hugs,

Fran

> None of us can tell you whether or not to have this surgery, only

> you can decide. If you go looking for the negative aspects of

this

> surgery, you will find them. But if you decide to focus on the

> positive aspects of this surgery, you will be blown away. I have

> been reading posts on this site off and on since April. I have

read

> of people who were embarrassed by assymetry, underbite, overbite,

> etc. who were ecstatic after surgery. People with TMJ had their

> symptoms cured, and other people who couldn't bite through a

> sandwich or hamburger were now enjoying them.

>

> I am one of those people that you may have attributed some of

> the " negative " feedback to. Granted, I had an infection after

> surgery and recently rebroke part of my jaw. I posted to get

> support from the people on this board. After all, this is

> an " Orthognathic Surgery Support Board. " And boy did I get

support

> from all the wonderful people who frequent this board. What you

> need to know though is that I am happy with my results. Even if I

> currently am on a restricted diet, I feel much better now than

> before my surgery. Although I don't know the extent of relief

this

> will provide from my TMJ symptoms, I can tell you I am no longer

> having daily headaches. Also, even with a mouthful of braces and

a

> splint in my mouth, I am proud to smile. I no longer have a fear

of

> people seeing my crossbite.

>

> I think if a poll was done the majority of us would agree that we

> would have this surgery done again, even knowing what we do now.

I

> know from experience there is much I have learned. I have seen

> myself become a stronger person, have learned to love my friends

> even more as they offered to help take care of me. I have gained

> new friends, and learned to appreciate life more, especially food.

>

> It really disturbs me that in your post you said you don't get a

> good feeling about this surgery or " about this board. " I have

seen

> countless people provide encouraging information to you over the

> past few days. They have welcomed you by sharing their stories

and

> experiences. They have taken time out of their busy lives to

> respond to your questions. What part of all that would give you

> a " bad " feeling? This group is provided as a means of support.

The

> rest is up to each of us. We each carry our own load.

>

> After a long day, I come to this group to unwind because this is

> where I can always get a " good feeling " and be welcomed by

friends.

> But that is how I choose to view this group. I do hope that you

> find what you are looking for, whether it is to have the surgery,

or

> not. There is an abundance of information here, not only in the

> archives, but also in each one of us who have already began our

> journey, or have completed it. Keep an open mind, and a positive

> attitude.

>

> Connie

[Guest guest]

Thank you Connie. I too come to this board for the support. I

truely feel that, if I am left with a numb spot or some other minor

reminder, it will be worth it. I come here because no one else

understands what it is like to have daily headaches and facial

swelling. My boss will be happy when I have this surgery and I quit

taking off work due to the facial pain and headaches. Hearing the

stories here gives me hope that this will not be life long, and right

now I feel that I am giving up little pieces of me to the pain.

Rene`

> None of us can tell you whether or not to have this surgery, only

> you can decide. If you go looking for the negative aspects of this

> surgery, you will find them. But if you decide to focus on the

> positive aspects of this surgery, you will be blown away. I have

> been reading posts on this site off and on since April. I have

read

> of people who were embarrassed by assymetry, underbite, overbite,

> etc. who were ecstatic after surgery. People with TMJ had their

> symptoms cured, and other people who couldn't bite through a

> sandwich or hamburger were now enjoying them.

>

> I am one of those people that you may have attributed some of

> the " negative " feedback to. Granted, I had an infection after

> surgery and recently rebroke part of my jaw. I posted to get

> support from the people on this board. After all, this is

> an " Orthognathic Surgery Support Board. " And boy did I get support

> from all the wonderful people who frequent this board. What you

> need to know though is that I am happy with my results. Even if I

> currently am on a restricted diet, I feel much better now than

> before my surgery. Although I don't know the extent of relief this

> will provide from my TMJ symptoms, I can tell you I am no longer

> having daily headaches. Also, even with a mouthful of braces and a

> splint in my mouth, I am proud to smile. I no longer have a fear

of

> people seeing my crossbite.

>

> I think if a poll was done the majority of us would agree that we

> would have this surgery done again, even knowing what we do now. I

> know from experience there is much I have learned. I have seen

> myself become a stronger person, have learned to love my friends

> even more as they offered to help take care of me. I have gained

> new friends, and learned to appreciate life more, especially food.

>

> It really disturbs me that in your post you said you don't get a

> good feeling about this surgery or " about this board. " I have seen

> countless people provide encouraging information to you over the

> past few days. They have welcomed you by sharing their stories and

> experiences. They have taken time out of their busy lives to

> respond to your questions. What part of all that would give you

> a " bad " feeling? This group is provided as a means of support.

The

> rest is up to each of us. We each carry our own load.

>

> After a long day, I come to this group to unwind because this is

> where I can always get a " good feeling " and be welcomed by

friends.

> But that is how I choose to view this group. I do hope that you

> find what you are looking for, whether it is to have the surgery,

or

> not. There is an abundance of information here, not only in the

> archives, but also in each one of us who have already began our

> journey, or have completed it. Keep an open mind, and a positive

> attitude.

>

> Connie