Hi all, I just wanted to check in and say that I just passed my 5 month post-op date. The really great news is that I have not had a tension headache since my surgery!!! I had suffered with them almost constantly for 6 years prior.
I am very happy with my results but I have a question. Prior to surgery, I had a very severe mentalis strain in my chin if I attempted to close my mouth. Now, when I bring my lips together, I can see some strain but it is different than before and I believe it has to do with my muscle memory because sometimes I am able to relax it. Some people have told me that with such severe strain beforehand that it can take awhile before the muscles are able to relax enough on their own. I also still have a good degree of numbness in that area so I am wondering if that could play a role as well.
Any similar experiences or thoughts? Thanks
5 Months Post-Op
Moderator: bbsadmin
5 Months Post-Op
October 8, 2008 Lefort1(6mm impaction), BSSO, Genioplasty, Turbinectomies, Partial septoplasty, gum recontoring
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4beauty4symmetry
- Posts: 226
- Joined: Thu Nov 16, 2006 5:58 pm
- Location: boston
Hey Ozzy's Mom!
Remember me? Your fellow Costa Rican Orthognathic Surgery Tourist. Read over your post surgery posts. Congratulations. Sounds like you had a good experience and good result.
I had two surgeries Costa Rica, but they did not involve the nose area as yours did, and were less invasive. However, one reason I undertook the whole thing was because I was very tired of not not being able to achieve 'limp competence"-- the term for when your lips don't meet without strain
The Sarpe surgery took care of it--it elongated my upper lip so it was able to reach my lower, even though it was my chin that would pucker whenever I forced my upper and lower lips together.
I'm a bit unsure about where you are numb--is it your lower lip and chin area? At any rate, I can't see how your could be reflexively, or automomically, relaxing your lips if that area is still numb.
After my Sarpe, the only significany numbness I had was in the midface cheek area. Not the upper lip. After the BSSO and genioplasty, I had no numbness whatsovever, except a bit in the chin area, but, as I said, lip competence had already been achieved.
Don't know if any of this helps, but thought I would weigh in and say hi. Hi!
p.s. Have you asked Reiche his thoughts?
Remember me? Your fellow Costa Rican Orthognathic Surgery Tourist. Read over your post surgery posts. Congratulations. Sounds like you had a good experience and good result.
I had two surgeries Costa Rica, but they did not involve the nose area as yours did, and were less invasive. However, one reason I undertook the whole thing was because I was very tired of not not being able to achieve 'limp competence"-- the term for when your lips don't meet without strain
The Sarpe surgery took care of it--it elongated my upper lip so it was able to reach my lower, even though it was my chin that would pucker whenever I forced my upper and lower lips together.
I'm a bit unsure about where you are numb--is it your lower lip and chin area? At any rate, I can't see how your could be reflexively, or automomically, relaxing your lips if that area is still numb.
After my Sarpe, the only significany numbness I had was in the midface cheek area. Not the upper lip. After the BSSO and genioplasty, I had no numbness whatsovever, except a bit in the chin area, but, as I said, lip competence had already been achieved.
Don't know if any of this helps, but thought I would weigh in and say hi. Hi!
p.s. Have you asked Reiche his thoughts?
Dec 2006--RPE followed by SARPE surgery
Jan 2007--Braces
Nov 2007 BSSO mandibular setback, genioplasty, and two implant anchors. Surgery-eve reprieve from Lefort.
May 2008--Debraced
Surgeries in Costa Rica, Orthodontics in Massachusetts.
All to fix an openbite, crossbite, underbite, and two missing bottom molars.
Jan 2007--Braces
Nov 2007 BSSO mandibular setback, genioplasty, and two implant anchors. Surgery-eve reprieve from Lefort.
May 2008--Debraced
Surgeries in Costa Rica, Orthodontics in Massachusetts.
All to fix an openbite, crossbite, underbite, and two missing bottom molars.
Thanks for your response 4beauty!
Yes, my experience in CR was wonderful, just as you told me it would be!
My numbness is still in my lower lip and chin area. I do believe it's just my muscles retraining themselves, especially because sometimes I find it is totally relaxed.
I am going to contact Dr on Monday just to be sure.
BTW-Amazing results and I am so pleased!
Yes, my experience in CR was wonderful, just as you told me it would be!
My numbness is still in my lower lip and chin area. I do believe it's just my muscles retraining themselves, especially because sometimes I find it is totally relaxed.
I am going to contact Dr on Monday just to be sure.
BTW-Amazing results and I am so pleased!
October 8, 2008 Lefort1(6mm impaction), BSSO, Genioplasty, Turbinectomies, Partial septoplasty, gum recontoring