Post surgery and I look almost the same

[davinci7]

Hi,
I'm 4 weeks post op. I had both my lower jaw and upper jaws moved forward, This is my third surgery. I had the surgery done over 20 years ago when I was just 15 and it relapsed. I had a the upper jaw expanded open (lefort)18 months ago.
The swelling has gone down almost completely except for under my nose and middle face. I did not have any genioplasty because he wasn't sure if I needed it and he suggested I have it done in 12 months if necessary.

The problem is that I can see very little difference in my profile at all. My bite is now perfect which was the main reason I had the surgery, but I was expecting to see an improvement aesthetically, particularly as my lower jaw is quite receded and weak looking. At this point in time it looks the same. I have a very long face with a vertical jawline and a tiny chin.
The only difference I can see is that my middle face sticks out more (hopefully it is swelling), the area between my nose and my top lip is much longer (I can't close my lips at all now) and my nose is wider.

I am feeling some-what disappointed after all the pain and suffering I have been through. Maybe my expectations were too high, but when I looked at other people's before and after photos there seemed to be a considerable difference in appearance. Apparently the operation was difficult due to the previous surgery. My original overbite was 8mm.

Any thoughts?

[Tctjh0]

Do you know what your movements were?

[davinci7]

I don't know how much he moved my upper jaw forward but by after the lefort and all the orthodontics my overbite was only around 5 mm prior surgery.

[azjaw]

I am 9 weeks post op now and I had the same experience with surgery. I feel like my middle face sticks out to much although it is getting better now that the swelling has gone down more. The chin looks a little better but it isn't that much different. I would be really upset that I had this surgery because I think I actually look worse than I did before, but my TMJ pain is gone and I do feel like it is easier to sit with good posture so I don't have as much neck and shoulder pain. You look at some of the before and after photos and they look so great but I guess those might be the best case scenarios. Most of us probably look the same. Maybe part of it is just getting used to looking different. Most people seem to not really notice a difference so I am probably exaggerating how bad I look. Then again maybe they are just being polite.

[azjaw]

I just wanted to add that I did have the genioplasty and I still can't tell much difference so I think without it there would have been literally no difference at all.

[davinci7]

I've concluded that there really isn't any point worrying at this time while everything is settling down. I think we just have to wait it out until the 6 months mark. Although I really do hope that the space between my nose and upper lip decreases and I can close my mouth and stop drooling.
If we're still unhappy with the profile we can always get a chin implant which is a far less invasive procedure (although it means more expense).
There is also jaw enhancement surgery in which one can get a beautiful "hollywood" jaw through a jaw implant but it's not as common as most other cosmetic procedures so finding someone who really knows how to do it properly could be difficult. A similar result can also be achieved through fat transplant. I have no idea how much it costs.

Yes I've done my homework. I just like to know that improving my dorky chin is still an option.