Decided to go ahead!

Message

#16 Post by **phil** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 4:22 pm

zou wrote:Kelly J.

Welcome to the forum. It's okay to be apprehensive, but don't be scared. A ton of folks have gone through this and while there is always the possibility of complications (Phil is our poster boy for that) and there are some tough days, the end result is worth it (Phil is also our poster boy for this belief).

zou,

I would like to qualify what you said about me. No offense, but I never like anyone to put words in my mouth.

Yes, there always is the possibility of complications.

If I were to do it over again, I would have never had the second surgery to correct the first. In the end, the result MIGHT be fine, but the psychological toll has been astronomical, and I am a strong person. I've been through some really tough things in my life, but this has nearly done me in. It is only due to my good friends and my strong religious beliefs that I am alive today.

If you are considering orthognathic surgery, you MUST know that it is not absolute science. No surgeon can completely predict any outcome. You must gather as much information as you possibly can, weigh the pros and cons, and then make an informed decision. But, do NOT make it lightly. I didn't make mine lightly, and I never dreamed in a million years that everything that happened to me could and would. At this point, I don't care how things turn out, I'm just glad to be alive. Everything probably will be OK this time, but even if it weren't, I have learned my life lesson, and know that my life does not revolve around a Class I molar relationship!

There are those on this board that may try to dismiss my comments, and say that I represent a very small percentage. Well, that's true, until the percentage becomes YOU. Then, you may see the world from a different perspective.

I'm sure orthognathic surgery improves the lives of many people. A majority of cases turn out fine without any or only minimal complications. Please, please, PLEASE know that YOUR case DOES have the chance of being the one case in a million that doesn't turn out OK. You have to be willing to accept that risk.

There, I've said it. COME ON, EVERYBODY--TRY TO SHOOT ME DOWN!

#17 Post by **phil** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 4:59 pm

Meryaten,

Yes, I will affirm that at no time during my surgery and hospital stay was my PHYSICAL well-being compromised.

As to the outcome of my case at this point, I am afraid to be optimistic, given what I've been through. My surgeon says "things look fine," but of course makes no statements in regards to bone consolidation. There is a reason for that: "HE DOESN'T KNOW!" Neither would any other surgeon. As I said before, it is not absolute science. Only time will tell whether or not things turned out ok. Even with time, one can't be certain. The other case of nonunion that my orthodontist dealt with this year didn't show up until ONE YEAR after surgery, when the patient bit down on heaven knows what, and broke a plate. Only then did they discover that the bone had not healed.

The point I was trying to make is that cases DO go awry, and if anyone ELECTS to undergo orthognathic surgery, they must accept the possibility that THEIR case ends up in the 1-3% of cases like mine that fail. The other point that I want to reinforce is that such a stressful situation can make a psychologically strong person (like myself) buckle under pressure. Again, I am no wimp!

I'll make as many posts as are necessary to make my points clear.

#18 Post by **phil** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 5:40 pm

Meryaten,

The 3% is based on the percentage of cases that resulted in nonunion in the careers of my surgeon, orthodontist, and the surgeon with whom I consulted for a second opinion, all of whom have been working for more than twenty years (long enough to provide a decent sampling, statistically speaking).

I have never seen a figure in print, but I don't think anyone I've worked with would say that I'm too far off the mark with that figure. So, take it for what it's worth.

Perhaps we should ask the orthodontist from North Carolina who posts on AW his opinion.

#19 Post by **phil** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 12:11 am

Meryaten,

Thanks for the link to that data. 1% it is. Perhaps MY data is skewed by not quite as large a sampling!

#20 Post by **Kerry** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 2:45 am

opps hyjacked thread lol

I think it is good to hear both good and bad side obviously there could be complications but our surgeon Miss Mills has been doing this for a very long time so I have absolute faith everything is going to be fine.

Obviously its good to hear everybody side of the story whether it be good or bad and hopefully people can make there own judgments eh.

anyway back to the subject

#21 Post by **kelly J** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 9:30 am

Kerry wrote:opps hyjacked thread lol

I think it is good to hear both good and bad side obviously there could be complications but our surgeon Miss Mills has been doing this for a very long time so I have absolute faith everything is going to be fine.

Obviously its good to hear everybody side of the story whether it be good or bad and hopefully people can make there own judgments eh.

anyway back to the subject

Yes Miss Mills is fantastic and I feel very confident in her hands. Kerry and I are having almost the same treatment by the same team - very conforted by this as well. 3 1/2 weeks to braces - wish it was earlier, now I've made the decision I want to get started!

#22 Post by **Steph-in-WI** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 12:41 pm

I was specifically told by my OS that I have a 1% chance of condylar resorption (not sure where he got that statistic from either), which is often referred to as relapse (I think relapse is a common word used for complications after orthognathic surgery, but can be broken down into many causes such as resorption, non-union, etc.). My specific reason for being high risk is because I have a deteriorating condyle and my TMJ joints are unstable. When condylar resorption occurs, the condyle essentially "melts" away, a process which can occur very quickly, and is left without a "head" to fit correctly into the fossa (the ball and socket joint where your condyle connects to your skull).

Condylar resoprtion primarily occurs in females, although rarely does occur in males. Once it occurs, the treatment is relatively controversial, although I believe I know who I would go to should it happen to me -- there are very few medical professionals out there I would actually trust to operate on my joints.

With that said, I am taking all precautions possible prior to my surgery to stabilize my joints. I also suffer from severe migraines, TMJ pain and chronic discomfort. Since my condyle is already deteriorating, I have the risk of condylar resorption even without orthognathic surgery. So the surgery could help it by balancing my jaw, thus alleviating pressure on my TMJ joint. Or the movement could stress the joint more, triggering resorption. At this point, for me, the risk is relatively low compared to the reward, although 1% is a bit frightening of a statistic overall. In hindsight, we can always look back and wish we had made a different decision. Since I don't have the benefit of hindsight at this time, I can only learn as much as I can to educate myself on the risks and rewards and make a determination that I feel is in the interest of my long-term health.

Phil, I have been following your story and truly sympathize with all you have gone through. I can't imagine how disruptive this has been to your daily life, as well as the emotional toll this has taken on you. I think it is important that everyone knows the risks, albeit small, in order to make an appropriate and educated decision as to whether this surgery is for them or not.

Sorry for the additional highjack ... now back to your regularly scheduled program

#23 Post by **phil** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 8:02 pm

Steph,

Before we return to our reguarly scheduled program...

I just would like to say thank you for your compassionate response.

#24 Post by **Kerry** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 6:12 am

its getting closer to my date now kelly and im thinking maybe harvester will go down nicely thurday night lol or pizza or something crap before i have to eat softish food lol

#25 Post by **ZaraNataly** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 6:51 pm

Meryaten wrote:For my BSSO and mandibular midline osteotomy, my insurance and I were billed a total of around (*tries to remember*) $24k for mine, although insurance disallowed a good chunk of those costs (due to their contract with the OS, hospital, and anesthesiologist). However, at the low end, I've been told that my OS has a special all-in deal (including hospital fees etc.) for the uninsured that is more like $7k. (Since I am lucky enough to have great insurance, my out of pocket for the surgery was $1225)

At the other extreme, I've heard of some high-end chap in southern California charging more like $70k.

If you have major medical insurance, you should see if it covers orthognathic surgery.

Thank you!! I DONT HAVE INSURANCE and I hope i hope with all my heart that I can get some kind of deal...i really need this surgery...im really sad because i need it so bad. Thanks

#26 Post by **kelly J** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 3:37 am

Kerry wrote:its getting closer to my date now kelly and im thinking maybe harvester will go down nicely thurday night lol or pizza or something crap before i have to eat softish food lol

Last night of freedom Kerry - Harverster or pizza express sounds good to me. Will definately be on my way to my Fav restaurant in Esher the night before D-day!

Good luck tomorrow!! Tell Dr Power we've spoken!

K xx

#27 Post by **Kerry** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 6:19 am

lol ok, im aparently having nandos now chicken burger with corn on the cob ! i cant wait nowi have my braces put on at 10.30 am tomorrow so not much time to munch before hand, might leave a bit earlier to grab some food to eat before lol obviously have a brush after !