Re: First Timer with Lots of Questions!

[Guest guest]

Hi! I had lower jaw advancement on July 23 (3 weeks ago) and I have

screws and titanium plates in both sides of my jaw. I know of quite

a few people who do. But I suppose it depends on your specific case.

I had a catheter while in the hospital overnight. I did not know I

was going to have one, and I couldn't wait to get it out! It didn't

hurt but it was just very strange.

You are *always* recovering. Even a year from now. The initial

recovery phase is 4-6 weeks. I am to be wired shut for 4 weeks then

banded for 2, and my surgeon said that the bands are pretty tight so

I won't be able to talk with them on. So I assume after the full 6

weeks I'll be able to talk..if that helps you any.

My bottom lip and chin have been numb ever since my surgery 3 weeks

ago. I have heard it could take 9 months to a year, but that every

case is different and it could be as little as 2-3 months. Don't let

this discourage you.

As for finding a surgeon...try www.aaoms.org

My only " horror story " is that I hate this numbness. I am trying to

have patience though!!

-Ash

> Hi,

>

> Thinking about getting lower jaw surgery & have tons of questions.

>

> I thought my orthodontist told me that they no longer use screws.

Is

> this the case?

>

> Do they have to use a catheter, or can you opt not to?

>

> How long is the recovery time & how soon do you think you could

work

> from home (includes talking on phone)?

>

> How long does the 'numbness' last?

>

> Are there any good sites you recommend reading up on?

>

> What's the best way to go about finding a 'good' oral surgeon? I

> live in a very small town with few options (less than 5).

>

> Finally - I have read some horror stories about people who wish

> they'd never had it done b/c of discomfort and pain which occurs

> further down the road. Has anybody here had negative experience -

> aside from the recovery period?

[Guest guest]

Hi, I had lower jaw surgery on July 6th so I'm almost 6 weeks post

op. It is so different for everyone, it really depends on how many mm

you need your jaw advanced and just the preference of the surgeon. I

have 7 titanium screws (some people have plates also), I was

rubberbanded from the start (some people are wired and some don't have

anything), I didn't use a catheter - I personally could get up and go

to the bathroom just fine. Besides the eating aspect and being a

little swollen (not really noticeably) - I was fine and working after

2 weeks. If you are rubberbanded - even tightly, you can talk through

your teeth and it is really understandable so I talked after just a

few days. I still have numbness on a small part of my chin and about

half of my lower lip but it is slowly improving and I mean it isn't

really a big deal, I always forget that my chin is still numb.

Anyway, it just all really really depends. Hope this helps! I can

try to answer any other questions you have too, just let me know.

Val

> Hi,

>

> Thinking about getting lower jaw surgery & have tons of questions.

>

> I thought my orthodontist told me that they no longer use screws. Is

> this the case?

>

> Do they have to use a catheter, or can you opt not to?

>

> How long is the recovery time & how soon do you think you could work

> from home (includes talking on phone)?

>

> How long does the 'numbness' last?

>

> Are there any good sites you recommend reading up on?

>

> What's the best way to go about finding a 'good' oral surgeon? I

> live in a very small town with few options (less than 5).

>

> Finally - I have read some horror stories about people who wish

> they'd never had it done b/c of discomfort and pain which occurs

> further down the road. Has anybody here had negative experience -

> aside from the recovery period?

[Guest guest]

Hey there.

I had upper and lower jaw surgery. I know I have screws and

plates in my upper but, unless I'm crazy and missed them on the xrays

(which they're kinda hard to miss) I don't think my OS used screws on

the lower.

I had a catheter and I was really glad for it. I don't know if

you can opt out of it or not but I wasnt too thrilled about the idea

but it kept me from having to get up out of bed for 24 hours after

surgery which i don't think I could've done anyway. I had an NG tube

until 11 a.m. the morning after surgery so I definitely couldn't get

out of bed until then and I'm sure I probably had to go to the

bathroom in that 12 hour period at some point.

Recovery time varies by the OS. I couldn't answer the phone for three

weeks because I was tightly banded with a splint and wasn't

intelligible but now I just have to wear a band on each side and no

split so I can talk now.

My numbness, other than right around my nose where the plates are and

my upper gums, is gone. I think that's fairly quick for numbness to

disappear although my upper gums are completely numb. I know some

people who have lower are numb in their chin and lower lip for a long

time but mine was completely gone within the first week and a half.

My OD recommended me to my OS and I couldn't be happier. Someone who

works with your OD frequently is a good choice I think because they

know how each other works.

--

> Hi,

>

> Thinking about getting lower jaw surgery & have tons of questions.

>

> I thought my orthodontist told me that they no longer use screws.

Is

> this the case?

>

> Do they have to use a catheter, or can you opt not to?

>

> How long is the recovery time & how soon do you think you could

work

> from home (includes talking on phone)?

>

> How long does the 'numbness' last?

>

> Are there any good sites you recommend reading up on?

>

> What's the best way to go about finding a 'good' oral surgeon? I

> live in a very small town with few options (less than 5).

>

> Finally - I have read some horror stories about people who wish

> they'd never had it done b/c of discomfort and pain which occurs

> further down the road. Has anybody here had negative experience -

> aside from the recovery period?

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I had my surgery 14 weeks ago I had upper jaw surgery along with nose and cheek

bones. I have titanium plates and screws in both sides of my jaw and each side

of my nose.

I was told the day before surgery that I would have a catheter, I didn't know it

was there most of the time. I also had a bone graft which made it difficult and

painfull to get around. The catheter was left on for 4 days, but it usually is

taken out the day after surgery.

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi: My surgery was on Aug. 2nd (2005); To my knowledge I did not

have a catheter. The only thing I had when I woke up was the IV in

my arm. I have a titanium plate & screws in lower jaw; still have

sutures but can't even feel them. I had no rubberbands when I left

the hospital however on my first visit to surgeon 3 days later he

banded me but only for a couple of days. I went back to work just

under two weeks and I do answer the phone. (secretarial duties).

I still have complete numbness in lower lip & chin with tingling

sensations especially at nite. I slept in a recliner the first few

nights; drank liquids and now I can eat soft foods. KFC mashed

potatoes are good along with Mac & Cheese (chopped up). I lost 8 lbs

but already gained a few back. My orthodontist recommended the best

surgeon which is 140 miles round trip. It was all worth it; I have

nothing negative to say about any of the experiences (so far)

Hope this helps you out.

> > Hi,

> >

> > Thinking about getting lower jaw surgery & have tons of

questions.

> >

> > I thought my orthodontist told me that they no longer use

screws. Is

> > this the case?

> >

> > Do they have to use a catheter, or can you opt not to?

> >

> > How long is the recovery time & how soon do you think you could

work

> > from home (includes talking on phone)?

> >

> > How long does the 'numbness' last?

> >

> > Are there any good sites you recommend reading up on?

> >

> > What's the best way to go about finding a 'good' oral surgeon? I

> > live in a very small town with few options (less than 5).

> >

> > Finally - I have read some horror stories about people who wish

> > they'd never had it done b/c of discomfort and pain which occurs

> > further down the road. Has anybody here had negative experience -

> > aside from the recovery period?