Re: To Gene (specific comments) and everyone interested in this discussion

[Guest guest]

Hi. I have been reading over the past posts and i just wanted to

add my view.

I am 3 years post op from upper/lower/rpe surgery for a severe class

III underbite. I had my surgery at the age of 17. I would just

like to say that everyones recovery and experience will differ from

the next and to say 'it was worth it' doesnt mean that this person

is simply 'satisfied' or perhaps unhappy with the outcome, but

rather that they feel their decision to go ahead with surgery and

the result simply out weighed any complications and pain the may

have experienced.

I personally had a difficult surgery lasting 7 1/2 hours and losing

over two pints of blood. I was in hospital 5 days and lost over a

stone in weight! I got an infection in week 2 and this set my

recovery back. I was on a strict 'mushy' diet until christmas 2002

i had surgery on the 1st of august 2002! Despite many set backs i am

glad with the decision i made and i do feel " happy and joyful " . And

as with many surgeries i do have residule numbness on a small corner

below my bottom lip, however this numbess was due to having my

wisdom teeth out 4 months before my inital jaw surgery, this

numbenss WASN'T as a result of my jaw surgery. But as many people

have stated that numbness is a very real risk and you have to be

ready to accept this factor if you do go ahead with surgery. The

way i see it this numbness was a small price to pay for what i have

gained from this surgery. For once in my life i am able to eat

without complications and i can breathe properly! I was also

fortunate to have this done at a young age, which is known that your

body bounces back quicker.

Also it was mentioned that the people who have had this surgery they

tend to visit the boards less often. Its natural that we should be

more active on these boards pre op approaching our surgeries and the

early stages of post op, where our concerns are far higher! We seek

the support to ease our concerns and remind ourselves that there are

others who are or have been through the same thing. Yes, initially

people dont appear on the boards as much post op, and for most of us

we would like to be on here more often! However once you come

through this surgery the concerns lesson and you start to rebuild

areas of your life that ultimatley have changed since the progress

of this surgery began. What we must remember is that to prepare for

surgery takes alot of time and dedication from ourselves, surgeons,

orthos and people that know us. Ultimalety our lives will be

distracted and focused on the surgery for some time. Once this

stage of our treatment is over we can focus on what we were doing

before this journey began, which is again natural. The surgery and

progress towards it can often take over our lifes for a while, but

once we have been through it, it is in a sense 'time to start living

life again'.

However i would just like to add that even though people post op may

not get on the boards here as often as we would like - due to geting

on with our lives after surgery, there are those such as susan

fiddlesticks and cammie and many, many more who are very active on

these boards. Many of which had their surgeries 3 years ago and are

still around on a regular basis to provide support to those who need

it. I just think that credit should be given to the likes of those

people and not taken away from them. Because these people are a

credit to themselves for the help they have given me and others over

the past!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ANd i cant thank them enough as i am sure

otehrs cant.

I hope i dont come across all upright and forward because i dont

mean to. i just feel that this surgery is entirely up to the

individual and their response and feelings regarding their

experiences are individual too and they shouldnt be judged or

questioned about their response and reactions to their experiences.

Regards

Kat_UK

csurgerysupport , " reni_mill " <reni_mill@y...> wrote:

> I know that this was not directed to me, but I disagree. Human

> nature is to take care of yourself and those you love. I know we

> form friendships on this board, but those friendships are founded

on

> this common link (surgery). The further you are removed from that

> the less you have in common. I had a surgery on my leg 10yrs ago

and

> was the 3rd person in the US to have it done. Initially, I talked

> with other surgeons and other candidates. 5 yrs ago, I was still

> deemed the best recovery to date (I no longer no where I fall

in). I

> recently talked with a gentleman that was having this performed

and

> he was full of questions I realized most of the specifics are no

> longer with me. I've forgotten most of the pain and recovery.

I've

> just been busy living and walking and enjoying my life. I have a

> scar, hence a trade-off, but I am 100% happy. Do you still post

to

> the site you mentioned? Just curious.

>

> > Thanks Cori.

> >

> > My comments follow.

> >

> > > Look at message 95848 for example, (I was able to

> > > find this quickly as I remembered that Carleen recently

checked

> > > in...).

> >

> > I did look at that message. This woman did NOT say she was 100%

> back

> > to normal. For example, she said nothing about numbness. If the

> > numbness was fully gone, why didn't she mention it? Surely it

would

> > be a wonderful fact to celebrate, and mention to others to

> encourage

> > them. I sensed no spirit of happiness in her post, more like

> > satisfaction about some trade-offs.

> >

> > All she said was, " It was worth it. " There's a big difference.

> >

> > > Also, and this is just my observation, once surgery is over

and

> you

> > > are feeling better and better, you tend to not come to the

board

> > > anymore as you have less questions and concerns.

> >

> > Now this is something I don't understand!

> > Any human being who went through something this major, if they

were

> > feeling truly great and wonderful, would surely take the time to

> pop

> > in and encourage others. But this would ONLY happen if they were

> > truly happy. If they were simply " satisfied " then yes, they

> wouldn't

> > come here much afterwards. See what I mean?

> >

> >

> > > I'm just out living my life like normal and my surgery

> > > is becoming more of something in the past.

> >

> > There's a difference between " like normal " and " 100% back to

> normal. "

> > I may be paranoid, but still, you know exactly what I mean.

> >

> >

> > Thanks again,

> > Gene