SARPE Surgery

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#736 Post by **Ashley09** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 4:10 pm

Delag - This is the only ortho I have seen. He was recommended by my dentist (who I trust completely and entirely) and he seems to be a good fit for me. I have no doubt that his diagnosis and recommendations are correct, and I appreciate that he has just laid it on the table and allowed me to make my decision. I don't want to skip the surgery now just to end up needing it later (which means more time and money), nor do I want to have surgery unless it is completely necessary. Anyone have a crystal ball they can let me borrow?

#737 Post by **wardenclyffe** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 6:19 pm

Ashley,

You should definitely see more than one ortho. Unlike the $200 fee to see your surgeon, an ortho should give you a free evaluation. They want your business. If nothing else, you might hear what you need to hear. I probably should have had braces decades ago. Dentists told me that I should get braces, but I thought it was just a cosmetic thing. It took breaking a tooth so badly that it had to be pulled for me to realize that I needed to do something. Your crossbite might not be a problem. It may never be a problem. Your current ortho has obviously not convinced you that it is serious enough for you to jump in with both feet. Perhaps another one can, or maybe another ortho will say that it's not important functionally and it's just cosmetic. I dunno, but a second opinion can't hurt and it should be free.

Ward

#738 Post by **Ashley09** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 6:38 pm

I think you guys are right - Another opinion is the way to go. That being said (and I don't know why I didn't do this before) I have booked a consultation with my dentist to discuss my ortho's plan. My dentist has some orthodontic training so he should be able to provide some very valuable insight. Plus, there is the added benefit that he has been my dentist for my entire life so he knows my entire dental history. Thanks for hearing me out you guys. As expected, you have pointed me in the right direction!

#739 Post by **Delag** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 7:40 am

I don't mean to be a pain in the neck Ashley, but many many orthos give free consultations and I really believe that you can learn something from each one of them. It would be worth your time (in addition to seeing you dentist) to go see a few of them. I have found that there are many orthos and dentists that work together (and ortho OS teams as well) and they tend to think along the same lines-kind of like an old married couple who finish each others sentances. Wouldn't it be a good idea to get some 'independent' opinions as well?

#740 Post by **crazybeautiful** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 7:19 am

So I had SARPE on Friday- holy crap I look like a chipmunk! But s far there is no bruising and the swelling is much reduced from the past few days. My pills are making me drousy, so if there are loads of typos, that's why

The actual surgery was fine, but I cannot for the life in me manage to turn the expander, and neither can my mum. So, we rang the ortho and we are to go to see her on Wednesday to have a tutorial as to how my mum can do it, because I can't really see inside of my mouth can I?

Thankfully the delay will cause no detriment, but in a perfect world I should have turned it twice by now.

But other than that, I'm doing fine

#741 Post by **Ashley09** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 3:10 pm

crazybeautiful...good to hear your surgery went well!! I've heard that turning the expander can be pretty difficult but I'm sure you (or your mom) will get the hang of it soon enough. Keep us posted with your progress...

Ash

#742 Post by **Ashley09** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 3:10 pm

crazybeautiful...good to hear your surgery went well!! I've heard that turning the expander can be pretty difficult but I'm sure you (or your mom) will get the hang of it soon enough. Keep us posted with your progress...

Ash

#743 Post by **sauerkraut** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 12:04 am

Glad to hear things went well, crazybeautiful. The chipmunk look is great, isn't it?!

I'm sure you'll master turning the expander in the end - or your mum will! I must admit I never managed to turn my own expander, even though I'd had loads of experience with my daughter's. It's much easier on somebody else, when you don't have to juggle mirrors, lamps and expander keys all at the same time. Fortunately my husband helped me out, although he hated doing it, but at 4 turns a day

it was soon routine!

All the best, and as Ashley says, keep us posted!

#744 Post by **sauerkraut** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 12:14 am

MGood wrote:...

So... I am RPE FREE!! It feels so strange! My tongue doesn't know what to do with all of that extra space! He did put in a TPA, but that isn't bad at all....

A bit late, but CONGRATULATIONS!!

It must be a great feeling!

Hope things are getting a bit better with the bottom braces now as your mouth gets used to them.

#745 Post by **Delag** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 8:09 pm

I had yet another appointment with my ortho today. I had to get the bands off that he had put on for the the Lefort, and I had molds made for the RPE. I have 3 temp crowns on top - one came off in the debanding process, so from there I went to the dentist -Bah. I go back on Friday more for spacers, and I'll get the RPE next week.

I do worry that the ortho was so sure I would have the Lefort, that he placed the bands. This is another indication that he does not agree with the OS's treatment plan. I guess I just have to trust that he wouldn't let the OS do something that is not in my best interest.

One interesting thing - I will only have one side of my maxilla released. Most of the expansion is needed on one side. I hope I don't look like a lopsided freak when all is said and done. I wonder if this will make recovery eaiser or harder..... IÂ´ll let y'all know.

#746 Post by **shani** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 12:51 am

im not sure of what your total treatment plan is, but my OR had thought about a 2-3 peice le forte with expansion and BSSO and genio, she then sent me to a OS who decided she would do a SARPE to avoid the segmenting in the le forte since i had to have my wisdoms out she did the SARPE at the same time. when it came time for my bimax, she discovered that the surgery was too complicated for her and went from doing it on her own, to with a colegue to refering me completely to another surgeon. he then said that it should be a straight forward bimax since i had the SARPE, however when he looked at my models nothing fitted and he did the 3 piece. this kinda annoys me cos it feels like the initial surgery was pointless and the OR wouldn't take my RPE out for ages so i was stuck with it for over a year! so i kinda wish that they stuck with the OR's plan from the begining, she was right. maybe just try raising your feelings with your OR who seems to be quite good. it does suck being stuck with whatever they decide!

#747 Post by **Delag** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 7:04 am

That is it exactly Shani! My problem is that the OS is not comfortable doing the 3 pc Lefort with more than 6mm expansion. I could be done in one shot if he were willing to go that route.

My only other option would be to fly to the USA and use another surgeon. That opens up another can of worms - I have two kids and no family here. I live internationaly so it would be a major chore to work out childcare. Then I worry about what I would do if there were a complication, where I woud stay, and the added expense. *Sigh* Looks like I am stuck with the SARPE and bimax.

Shani - I would be really miffed at that first surgeon. You are well rid of her, but at least the had to guts to back out when she realized she was out of her depth. Are you more comfortable with the doctor who did the second surgery? I just saw in your other post that you are having a rough go of it right now. I hope you are over the worst of it soon.

#748 Post by **shani** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 7:26 am

delag, yes i am happy with the surgeon i have now, had a freak out at my appoint today and burst into tears when he asked me how i was going, but he is good.
i am pleased my old surgeon did refer me on, i had a couple of freaky appoints were she just looked at my molds and said, "umm, im not sure, ill call you" which was a little odd. i really liked her, but as i realise now, i dont think that she had ever done the surgery, apposed to my new surgeon who did 2 other similar surgeries on the same day as mine.
i dont know if the outcome would have been the same as it is now without the SARPE, but part of me knows it might have been, im just trying to think positive and just concentrate on the total outcome, in like 6 months or so, when i cant really remember how crap its been.
going overseas is a big step, and i can understand the anxiety, i guess that in the end, there is a reason they dont want to expand more than 6mm in the le fort and hopefully, despite the major pain in the butt, the final result will be worth it. and after all, just think in the long term how great it will be to smile your perfect pearly whites at someone!
so in short, i feel your pain, but i guess chin up

#749 Post by **jrp31** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 8:13 pm

Hi everyone i have been really busy latley. Just a note it took me 2 years to get things on the roll and the ortho i see was the first who was refered to me but he was the last one i went to see. i had seen like 10 diffrent orthodontist and some was a wait to get that first appointment. I am very happy with my decision. My mouth has gained 11 mm. the plan is set in stone RPE out jan2nd a week and a half of freedom then spacers in then 2 weeks later braces 2 hour appointment. no tpa. my gap is starting to close on its own its no longer a whole tooth gap and now more like 1/2 a tooth. a thought does antone notice their 2 front teeth coming in at an angle like a v as the gap closes and when you had the rpe in did you notice your teeth bowing outwards. It makes sense because its pushing on your teeth. But the 2 front teeth is that typical? for my crowding on the bottom which is bad i have a shwartz appliance in which works to upright my back teeth to make room for my front teeth no shaving down my teeth. the shwartz appliance you turn once a week or in my case about every 5 days its removable but you can only remove it when eating.I hope everyone is doing well. Joy

#750 Post by **na2r4** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 4:03 pm

Hey there every1! Hope u're all doing well. Been sooo busy lately, not had a chance to get on here. Expander is still in, might be coming out next month, i have power chains & springs on my bottom teeth & those are moving towards the back! Yay! Have one last tooth on the top that is almost in its place, but yes the gap is still there. Much smaller, I'm kinda used to it now. Lol!
I had one question though, i noticed that my palate expansion might be a little ASYMMETRICAL!!! Tan-tan-ta!!! Lol! Only on the right side, even my nose looks different on the right side! Has any1 else ever had this experience? I know it's definitely a little off, because when u look in my mouth the back of my right side teeth tip out more than my left side! I had been thinking all this time, that it was just my imagination, but in all honestly, I think i was right. I broke my nose when i was about 11yrs old, it hurt for years after that, but now i guess it settled & didn't hurt anymore till after the palate expansion & in pictures its off too & now i can see it in the mirror! Ay-yay-yay!! Anyone have any advice Pls?
I will be uploading more recent pics after my next visit to my ortho in 2-3wks. Hope u're all doing well.