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what can I do about it?Its not really that I like my performance less now... because I hated it before the op aswell. I guess I was just expecting a lot more of a change.azjaw wrote:Your surgeon should have told you there was the possibility you could like your appearance after the surgery less than before. My surgeon told me it is actually fairly common. It is really hard to not be happy with how you look. I have a lot of those issues myself. I am trying to decide if it is worth it to have surgery just for cosmetic reasons. There are other reasons as well but I am having trouble finding any hard data to show that surgery can help with those problems.
*appearance not performance! just been writing about performance so its on the brain apparently!Ellie wrote:Its not really that I like my performance less now... because I hated it before the op aswell. I guess I was just expecting a lot more of a change.azjaw wrote:Your surgeon should have told you there was the possibility you could like your appearance after the surgery less than before. My surgeon told me it is actually fairly common. It is really hard to not be happy with how you look. I have a lot of those issues myself. I am trying to decide if it is worth it to have surgery just for cosmetic reasons. There are other reasons as well but I am having trouble finding any hard data to show that surgery can help with those problems.
Sorry I think gummy was probably the wrong word! I meant, toothless I suppose, my top lip is short and doesn't lift enough to properly show my top teeth when I smile. People say it looks like I have no teeth when its natural, and when I force it I look completely odd. Apparently the only thing that could fix that though is some operation involving bone being taken from my ribs... just no-one told me that, and I was expecting from all the befores and afters I watched that my result would leave me looking like my family, all of whom have top teeth that show properly when they smile! I hate not having a proper smile...katsface wrote:Are the pictures you posted of you 'forcing' your smile? Because they don't look at all gummy or gappy. In fact, I think you're quite beautiful!
I had an ortho rip my smile to shreds a few years ago, and the emotional impact of that visit has been with me ever since. I've been lucky enough to find a different ortho who is honest and tactful to work with. I'm starting to put the injury to my ego behind me, but I know how hard it can be to struggle with the way you look. All I can say is, the older I've gotten, the easier it has gotten to not care as much. (Although, I still care!)
Anyway, since I don't think there is a picture showing the 'gummy gappy' smile you are frustrated with, it's hard to say what's going on. I have gummy smile, and I've read there can be many causes for it.
It's hard to say without seeing a picture of the problem if it's a bad result or not.
- You might have an over active upper lip (like me!) that pulls up too much when you smile. A cosmetic surgery can be done to lower the lip slightly and prevent the lip from curling up as much. I've also read that Botox can weaken the over active muscles to the same effect, although it would be a temporary fix.
- Or, your teeth may have erupted in a way that causes more gum to show than tooth. If that's the case, simple gum sculpting could fix the problem.
- I would hope if there was in issue with your jaw being too long (another possible problem) that your surgeon would have talked to you about it. So, my money would be on one of the first two issues I mentioned.
Thank youazjaw wrote:I couldn't see the pictures last night when I posted, probably because I was a new member, so I just wanted to post again and say I think you look very pretty. There is absolutely no reason that someone who looks like you cannot get a job so just get out there and do it. Looks matter a little bit but most people in the world are average looking and still manage to find employment and support themselves. What is more important is the skills you bring to the job. Even actors can't get away with only being pretty. They have to be able to at least have some skills at acting. Maybe reality TV stars is one exception.
You will find a partner who appreciates you as you are with time. Even most shy people find a partner eventually. You can keep having surgeries searching for perfection but you probably aren't going to find it. Look at Michael Jackson. He had who knows how many surgeries because he could afford anything he wanted and he ended up looking very strange.
i'm just so self-conscious/shy/awkward because of my appearance I feel like its going to make these things very difficult, especially the older I get. My degree would lead me into an artistic industry where there is a great deal of pressure to look good/be socially adept and good at networking which my appearance stops me from being, and relationships are just totally out of the question until I change, I can hardly say two words to most members of the opposite sex let alone make friends or flirt or anything! Anyway sorrry this is going a bit off track now, I just need to man upppppp
No one is totally perfect and I think everyone has little things about themselves that they are bothered by, that aren't a big deal to others. You do have the power to change it, if it's *that* important to you... I mean... there's always that option. but yeah... beware of following in Micheal Jackson's footsteps. Chasing the unattainable (perfection) can often be a disaster.
