To the New Guy

[Guest guest]

Actually, if you will read carefully through the archives (and

that's no small task) you will find several people who are vehement

to a greater or lesser degree, about the surgery having been a

mistake.

I think that Andy, the trumpet player, feels that he lost more than

he gained, as playing the trumpet was his significant, identifying

factor, and he lost that through numbness. I hope that he has had

some other, better resolution, since. And I am confident that he's a

fine enough musician and person that he's found other identifying

abilities that serve him well.

Another past poster was really embittered, mainly, I think because

of the loss of sensation in and around the mouth. There were more

than a few posts from him suggesting that he'd made a dreadful

mistake in choosing the orthognathic surgery, and had found no

rehabilitation or aid. He was quite aggressive in trying to

discourage others, for quite a while.

Another poster had surgery with one of the pre=eminent surgeons in

the country. she found him unwilling to help or listen, after things

healed without appreciable satisfaction. Instead, she kept getting

messages from his staff about his sterling abilities.

I do not believe my own most excellent surgeon would have reacted in

any of these modes. I believe he would have kept on struggling to

get me a satisfactory result.

But as with else in life, whether you buy a Toyota or a Cadillac,

you pays your money and takes your choices. You may get procedures

that work wonderfully, or you may find yourself crumpled in a heap.

I hope you will get to know your docs well enough to trust them to

help you through any problems you may encounter. I'd go back to mine

in a flash, tomorrow, if I found something not working right for me.

Cammie

> > I'd like to thank Katja for her thoughtful, comprehensive

response.

> I

> > appreciate your comments and experience.

> >

> > Regarding my decision. I think it's a little unbalanced that all

the

> > opinions I'm hearing are " Yes, go ahead and do this surgery. "

> >

> > To make it fair, I'd also like to read the opinions of people

who

> > decided NOT to do it. " I decided not to do this surgery for

reasons

> X,

> > Y, and Z. I have no regrets that I avoided it, because A,B,C.

The

> > quality of my life is currently <whatever>. "

> >

> > Now where can I also read THOSE opinions? Probably not here...

> >

> > Thanks a lot

[Guest guest]

> Yes, many people who do go on living normally don't post

> as often. But there are those who do check in and are doing great.

and Cammie,

> both who have posted to you are both doing well.

Yes, but do these people have 100% of their sensation returned,

everywhere?

Or do they still have some small numb spot(s)?

Gene

[Guest guest]

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