How old for surgery?
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geordie999
- Posts: 59
- Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 1:01 pm
- Location: Southern California
I'm 35 and had my double-jaw, Septoplasty and Geniplasty on Tuesday. I probably should have had it when I was young (around 10 or 12) after I had my braces off. But my parents were pretty freaked out when the Orthodontist mentioned jaw surgery and nixed that idea. The surgeons where I had my surgery done said they do these kind of procedures at least once a week and it is usually on 15 or 16 year old kids so I guess I'm a little older but still not too bad.
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I want to smile!
- Posts: 40
- Joined: Thu Mar 04, 2010 8:01 am
I had braces fitted at 31 and will have surgery some time around turning 33. Like a lot of you have said, I've known for years that it was necessary but was too scared to get treatment, until one day I went to a new dentist who said I should really look into it because my open bite is severe enough to warrant treatment on the NHS. And that point I realised it must be worse than I thought because the NHS won't do surgery just for the sake of it. Six months into braces, I looked at the photos the ortho took at the start of treatment and was truly horrified. Why had no one told me just how awful my teeth were getting?? I guess because they have gotten worse so gradually over the years the change was hard to see, but I'm definitely taking the surgery option this time round!
I want to smile - you and i are in the same boat then.
I have a severe open bite with lots of other issues and i am 32.
You are slightly ahead of me ive only had my braces for 3 weeks, it'll be interesting to see how we both do we may end up having surgery around the same time - what surgery are you down for? I think im having Lefort I and BSSO although no-ones actually giving me the names i kind of worked it out.
Where are you?, im in S.E England.
I have a severe open bite with lots of other issues and i am 32.
You are slightly ahead of me ive only had my braces for 3 weeks, it'll be interesting to see how we both do we may end up having surgery around the same time - what surgery are you down for? I think im having Lefort I and BSSO although no-ones actually giving me the names i kind of worked it out.
Where are you?, im in S.E England.
jeez i'm 22 and i feel young as hell now.
just had a SARPE and i'm gonna have a lefort I in a year.
i agree that you can never be "too old" to get this kinda stuff done. self-improvement is great whenever it happens.
i was a bit worried that all of this stuff would make me "miss out" on my early 20s but i've realized that it won't affect them much and it'll make my mid-twenties that much better. the sooner this gap fills in between my front teeth the better! won't mind the braces at all.
just had a SARPE and i'm gonna have a lefort I in a year.
i agree that you can never be "too old" to get this kinda stuff done. self-improvement is great whenever it happens.
i was a bit worried that all of this stuff would make me "miss out" on my early 20s but i've realized that it won't affect them much and it'll make my mid-twenties that much better. the sooner this gap fills in between my front teeth the better! won't mind the braces at all.
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I want to smile!
- Posts: 40
- Joined: Thu Mar 04, 2010 8:01 am
Hi Emma
I haven't used this board for ages but I think when I was last searching I came across your story and yes, we're in the same boat. No one told me the surgery names either, but from what I can make out it's Lefort 1 and BSSO. I need a wedge taken out of my top jaw (bigger at the back than the front) to push my top jaw up, then the lower jaw extended so that it 'fits' the new top jaw. The latter worries me because I already think my chin is big, but I'm hoping that even though the surgery will bring it forward it'll look smaller because I won't be stretching it to close my mouth. Does that make sense? I honestly can't wait to get it sorted. As I've got older I've noticed how forcing my mouth shut has made wrinkles in my chin and I want it fixed before it gets any worse (oh the vanity - perhaps it's a mid-life crisis)!
I'm in Surrey at the moment but moving to Devon at Christmas, so I have no idea what'll happen with my treatment. I'd like to keep the same ortho and surgeon because they seem really competent (though of course the people in Devon will be too - it's just somehow reassuring to stick with who you know), but realistically I have no idea how many appointments I'll need and how much effort it'll be making 7-hour round trips each time. Also, I met girl who have surgery a few months ago and her hospital said she couldn't transfer. Does anyone know how easy transferring is; and can anyone shed light on how regular appointments get nearer to surgery time please?
I haven't used this board for ages but I think when I was last searching I came across your story and yes, we're in the same boat. No one told me the surgery names either, but from what I can make out it's Lefort 1 and BSSO. I need a wedge taken out of my top jaw (bigger at the back than the front) to push my top jaw up, then the lower jaw extended so that it 'fits' the new top jaw. The latter worries me because I already think my chin is big, but I'm hoping that even though the surgery will bring it forward it'll look smaller because I won't be stretching it to close my mouth. Does that make sense? I honestly can't wait to get it sorted. As I've got older I've noticed how forcing my mouth shut has made wrinkles in my chin and I want it fixed before it gets any worse (oh the vanity - perhaps it's a mid-life crisis)!
I'm in Surrey at the moment but moving to Devon at Christmas, so I have no idea what'll happen with my treatment. I'd like to keep the same ortho and surgeon because they seem really competent (though of course the people in Devon will be too - it's just somehow reassuring to stick with who you know), but realistically I have no idea how many appointments I'll need and how much effort it'll be making 7-hour round trips each time. Also, I met girl who have surgery a few months ago and her hospital said she couldn't transfer. Does anyone know how easy transferring is; and can anyone shed light on how regular appointments get nearer to surgery time please?
I wouldn't have thought its a problem to transfer you over to another Max fax surgeon, you'll have to go to whichever hospital has a Max Fax clinic then you'll use the ortho that works along side your surgeon. Just hope one of the local hospitals has the facility. A lot of them in my area are shutting and all going to one hospital.
I dont know how often you'll meet with your surgeon but for me i have been told only 2 or 3 more times (the ortho that i am using although i am paying for private treatment will be in the final surgery with me and the Max Fax man), they work so closely together if he needs to speak about something then he will be able to and they will only involve me when the surgeon wants to see what hes dealing with and start evaluating to plan the actual surgery.
I dont know how often you'll meet with your surgeon but for me i have been told only 2 or 3 more times (the ortho that i am using although i am paying for private treatment will be in the final surgery with me and the Max Fax man), they work so closely together if he needs to speak about something then he will be able to and they will only involve me when the surgeon wants to see what hes dealing with and start evaluating to plan the actual surgery.