Hi everybody,
so I will have my double jaw surgery in a couple of months and I am worried about how people will react to the change in the appearance. what kind of reactions you got after surgery. I am going have the surgery anyways regardless what people think or say, but it is nice to predict their reaction.
thank you
reactions on surgery
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Broadway Bill
- Posts: 103
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VikingGirl
- Posts: 110
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Laundraholic
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This is my plan too!VikingGirl wrote:I had a haircut around the same time, so when people saw me again they blamed the change on my hair. It's very hard for people to tell that you had jaw surgery, if they don't know you had problems!
I'm going to get a haircut that I always wanted (but that I previously thought would accentuate my very strong jaw).
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sarahorsomeone
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My change was fairly dramatic in cosmetic terms, my face looks totally different from the nostril-area down; but I still look like "me". In fact I look more like "the me" I always had in my head, my self-image, than I did before surgery which is probably why I've had no trouble adjusting to my new appearance. I think (and my Mum agrees) I now look like an older version of how I did as a child before the growth of my jaws and tooth position got distorted.
Because the difference in my face isn't particularly subtle, people who see me regularly (family, partner, friends and orthodontic department) have noticed a big change. I think the main response has been to say how much better I look and nobody has reacted negatively. The nearest thing I've had to a negative reaction is people commenting on how bad it looked pre-surgery by comparison, which could offend some people, but hasn't really bothered me (I knew it looked bad
).
People who I only see occasionally haven't really commented, but it's easy to assume you just remembered someone wrong when you're not that familiar with them, I know I do that all the time. I think this is even more the case seeing as the results of jaw surgery generally look completely natural and most people who have no experience of this kind of thing don't even realise it can be done. I think I heard something on the radio a long time ago, where they got ordinary people (and possibly orthognathic surgeons too) to look at a group of pictures of people who'd had jaw surgery and people who just had a naturally good jaw position.. and nobody could distinguish between the two groups. Plus people aren't generally going to go up to a vague acquaintance and say "hey, did you just have jaw surgery or some sort of cosmetic procedure", even if they wonder it themselves!
I've also had a compliment or two on my appearance by complete strangers, which was nice, and didn't happen before surgery!
Because the difference in my face isn't particularly subtle, people who see me regularly (family, partner, friends and orthodontic department) have noticed a big change. I think the main response has been to say how much better I look and nobody has reacted negatively. The nearest thing I've had to a negative reaction is people commenting on how bad it looked pre-surgery by comparison, which could offend some people, but hasn't really bothered me (I knew it looked bad
).People who I only see occasionally haven't really commented, but it's easy to assume you just remembered someone wrong when you're not that familiar with them, I know I do that all the time. I think this is even more the case seeing as the results of jaw surgery generally look completely natural and most people who have no experience of this kind of thing don't even realise it can be done. I think I heard something on the radio a long time ago, where they got ordinary people (and possibly orthognathic surgeons too) to look at a group of pictures of people who'd had jaw surgery and people who just had a naturally good jaw position.. and nobody could distinguish between the two groups. Plus people aren't generally going to go up to a vague acquaintance and say "hey, did you just have jaw surgery or some sort of cosmetic procedure", even if they wonder it themselves!
I've also had a compliment or two on my appearance by complete strangers, which was nice, and didn't happen before surgery!
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mamaneedsanewjaw
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I totally agree with sarahorsomeones post. I think it depends on what type of surgery you are having and the degree of movement happening. My lower jaw was brought out 15.4 mm total (including the genio) so of course I look quite a bit different. But in a good way, I think. 
But there are many people who have slight changes in movement....like a difference of 5mm and their changes are much more subtle...but subtle in a good way
But there are many people who have slight changes in movement....like a difference of 5mm and their changes are much more subtle...but subtle in a good way
People really didn't even notice a difference in me. Only the people who know what they are looking at, or see what I looked like before, then you see that my upper lip is more even with my bottom lip and my nose is a bit wider and higher or something.
I didn't have a problem with my looks though, it was my bite that concerned me, I had no bite. Still some teeth that aren't touching, but its so much better, my top teeth actually go over my bottom ones and I can bite into things.
Its worth it and you'll be happy afterwords, its tough at first though but worth it.
I didn't have a problem with my looks though, it was my bite that concerned me, I had no bite. Still some teeth that aren't touching, but its so much better, my top teeth actually go over my bottom ones and I can bite into things.
Its worth it and you'll be happy afterwords, its tough at first though but worth it.
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ColoradoGirl
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- Location: Santa Barbara CA
Oddly, people who know me well don't recognize me at first (including a close friend and my dissertation advisor). People I'm friendly with but don't know too well think it's my hair, or they think I've just gotten braces (had 'em since last March). People who are only acquainted with me don't recognize me at all, either. Makes for some funny moments in hallways. 
My fam, other than my mom, haven't seen me yet, so I don't know yet about that dynamic.
My fam, other than my mom, haven't seen me yet, so I don't know yet about that dynamic.
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vincejawsurgery
- Posts: 55
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- Location: Singapore
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I met 2 people who said they preferred the old me.
The others all said I look very different and younger than before. Mostly positive.
The others all said I look very different and younger than before. Mostly positive.
Vince's Maxillofacial Surgery -> My blog
People's reactions
Hey there!
I had a lower BSSO (10mm) on October 04th and when I went back to work on October 27th, my colleagues and students all lavished me with compliments!
At the beginning, with the swelling, bruising and two drill holes in the side of my cheeks, I kept a low profile
I can't speak about upper and lower surgery, but I know that they people that matter to you will be amazed at the change. I have honestly yet to see an "after" picture that wasn't a remarkable positive change!
-Bri
I had a lower BSSO (10mm) on October 04th and when I went back to work on October 27th, my colleagues and students all lavished me with compliments!
At the beginning, with the swelling, bruising and two drill holes in the side of my cheeks, I kept a low profile
I can't speak about upper and lower surgery, but I know that they people that matter to you will be amazed at the change. I have honestly yet to see an "after" picture that wasn't a remarkable positive change!
-Bri