jaw surgery

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#1 Post by **lindss20** » Sat Sep 09, 2006 11:27 pm

Hi everyone! its nice to read everyones progress. It really helps reading stories from people who have experienced the surgery. I just got braces on a week ago. My ortho said I would have them on for 4 months before jaw surgery. I was wondering how long after surgery have you had braces on for? Ah I dont want to have surgery, has the results been really positive for you guys?

#2 Post by **lindss20** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 8:34 am

Meryaten, that's great you are happy with your results!! 17.5 months after surgery sounds like a long time. I'm having upper and lower jaw surgery to correct a open bite.

#3 Post by **lindss20** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 7:27 pm

yeah I didn't think that sounded right. Thanks, i'm sure I will have many questions as it gets closer. Your so sweet, i've been reading many topics, and you always have information to share!

#4 Post by **Svensk Tiger** » Mon Sep 11, 2006 2:56 am

I haven't had my surgery yet but I was told it would be three to six months with braces afterwards.

#5 Post by **nvcarissa** » Mon Sep 11, 2006 6:35 am

Thirteen months of braces before my mandibular advancement. I am two and a half months post-op. Originally, my ortho told me 6-8 months of braces post op. However, he is a very conservative ortho, so I wouldn't be surprised if it goes longer than that. At least, that is what I am prepared for.

#6 Post by **KriegeR** » Mon Sep 11, 2006 3:03 pm

I haven't had my surgery yet, but I am currently 14 months into braces now, and my orthodontist is already saying that I am ready for surgery. However the decision will ultimately lie with my surgeon who I will be seeing in 4 to 6 weeks' time.

As a guide my orthodontist told me to expect between 12 and 18 months in braces pre-op, and then 6 to 18 months in braces post up. The reason for the long period post-op is to compensate for slight inaccuracies in the surgery. If the surgery doesn't quite get things right then these can be adjusted using braces, but this in turn requires a longer period.

Good luck with your surgery.

#7 Post by **chrisk** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 6:15 am

Hi lindass20

I was initially told I would have my braces 9 months pre-surgery and 9 months post surgery. My surgery happened in mid-August, 25 1/2 months after I got braces and I found out at my first post-surgery ortho appointment that I could be out of them by December, but more likely Jan or Feb. Anything less than the 9 months post-surgery is fine to me.

The surgery results for me have been fantastic. The hardest thing for me is that I didn't expect such a drastic change. I knew I would have some change but my changes have been huge. The surgery itself really wasn't so bad as everything was (and is) numb, but gradually improving. The first week was probably the toughest but no worse than having a difficult childbirth and the recovery following that. It really helps to have a positive outlook and although I've had a couple of days with short periods of feeling down, generally the surgery and recovery was not as bad as I had expected.

The numbness and residual swelling is frustrating sometimes, but at 4 weeks post-op it is still early days. I look in the mirror and see great results with my teeth and profile and positive comments from everyone I meet really help too.

Chrisk

#8 Post by **KathleenH** » Thu Sep 14, 2006 1:39 pm

I had my braces on for almost two years before surgery (upper and lower jaw), and nearly nine months after surgery. The original estimate was 15-18 months pre-surgery, and 6-9 months post-surgery, so the journey wasn't too much longer than expected.

I have been braces-free for one day, and am so thrilled with the results!

#9 Post by **Spooky** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 9:40 pm

The quote I got was 1 yr braces, then surgery, then 1 yr braces.

I have my braces on for 12.5 months and I am ready for surgery now. My surgery is 2 months away due to hospital scheduling, so I will be 14.5 months braced.

I am still thinking 1 yr afterwards; if it's less, then yipee!

OS can shorten brace time afterwards if they work more work during surgery. It all depends.