Cosmetic jaw surgery in Australia

[MissH]

Hi I'm from Melbourne! I had a minor jaw surgery in July and am having a more major one next year.

It's worth going to see a surgeon to ask them yourself!

I went to Stephen Hookey in Ringwood and the CBD for my wisdom teeth.

Andrew Heggie is doing my big jaw surgery at the MOFS in the city!

Each person is different so it's better if you get a referral and go and speak to them I would think.

All you can do is ask!

[SingleJawMelb]

Let me just get my magic ball out and predict what is wrong and could help you with your issues....

Go and get the corrrct X-rays, and get a proper diagnosis from people who have studied for decades and get actual results.

With regards to the prices, Aussies pay into a health system. Even when you get it done on "private health insurance" the tax payer is contributing to the cost.

FYI Nastri studied in America for his surgery qualification. Not sure the reasons, cause it looks expensive, but whatever.

Australian doctors are working for a cheaper price, are conservative in their work... yet are getting results. Don't you think that's the best for the patient. They get surgery that will give them results, bad side effects reduced and back pocket looked after... sounds good to me.

Go to a dentist and get a referral to an Surgeon. Only s/he will know what's best for you.

[SingleJawMelb]

In the nicest possible way... you seem to have diagonised your "issues" yourself without any real professional opinion. You need to stop and speak to medical professionals so you can get answers that don't steam from 23 year old on a Googling spree (at this point you tell me you are a trainee doctor )

[SingleJawMelb]

So basically you are looking for one type of surgery because you think that will yield the best results.

You need to make an appointment to see a dentist/ortho/surgeon and get the ball rolling. You are making judgements like "the dentist doesn't always choose the best decision for their patients" and "not all professionals are equal".

You need to consider that doctors work in your best interest via their knowledge gain through years of surgery and moreover study. You have no idea what they will say, until they say it. You don't have an OPG or an CT scan of your face, so how can you be sure what will happen? Not sure why you think they wouldn't choose the best course of action, I suggest you think they won't do what you (think) you need and therefore what you (think) is best for you.

Everyone is busy and not all surgeons consult in Melbourne all the time. Get a referral to a couple and get the ball rolling. It will improve your anxiety. Consults take a couple of months to get anyway.

[SingleJawMelb]

Also the title is cosmetic surgery.... I don't think anything you want is for cosmetic reasons?

[SingleJawMelb]

I'm not sure exactly what you want doing because your profile looks fine and nothing obvious. But hey the photo may not be clear and in the flesh you may look different.

I don't think you've told us exacetly what you want done? A genioplasty?

You've written about your bite, sleep apnoea, tongue.... I can't stress enough that you need to do to the doctor to be properly assessed. Also as you are Australian I'm sure you will be able to claim a lot of the surgery on Medicare and private health because it will be reconstructive surgery and I'm sure you have some issues with your teeth concerning your bite.

Get a referral, make an appointment with a surgeon. Get expert advice.

[SingleJawMelb]

You need to go and get the referrals, X-rays and expert advice. You maybe surprised in what they say.

Word of advice. If you get your teeth done, your ortho works with that particular surgeon, it's a partnership, there is no need to go surgeon shopping. The surgeon had spent many years studying and also s/he knows what they are doing. Shop for your ortho, because you see them monthly but surgeon no.

I really don't think your chin is that bad. Sure you got bullied, but children are idiots and I got teased over silly things. Ask yourself this, are you ever going to be fully happy with the surgery, because you have got all this info and want a particular course of action. You are getting it done for cosmetic reasons not because it's been recommended by a doctor.

I don't like the phase "conservative". Your only reason for surgery is cosmetic, it's a great sign that doctors won't fulfill patients requests on whim.

I had single jaw and after reading about what can be achieved with double jaw and chin surgery I got excited thinking how my appearance could be changed. However I'm happy with my appearance because you have to work on your self esteem from within.

Go get an appointment with Alf, and invite me to the consult

[SingleJawMelb]

Again you are saying you know exacetly what a medical professionals will say, without actually speaking to any... yet you are a forum asking for help. I'm a stuck record and you need to see medical professionals - ortho and surgeon.

I feel like a complete stuck record and I'm going to say it bluntly. What you need from a surgeon he might not be willing to do, because you don't need it and the risks of benefits outweigh what you could gain.

Also in America the cosmetic industry is huge, they don't have a Medicare type system and they will take your money. I see very little wrong with your chin and as I've said plenty of times before, get the consuls. Get a definate action plan.

[snapdresser]

If anyone knows any surgeons in Australia, particularly Melbourne. Would you mind asking them if they do surgery on people such as me, ok bite but with bone deformities?

As you can tell, I've thought about all this a lot. I have some money saved up and my parents are willing to help me with financial support. Getting this sesame fixed would mean more to me than finishing my degree, getting a new car or house and so I've already accepted the risks, recovery, and costs in terms of time and money.

Any maxillofacial surgeon should be familiar with the idea that some people like to get this surgery for cosmetic reasons. They'll tell you that there are serious risks involved including permanent numbness, facial paralysis, creating or worsening TMJ issues, failed union, and that doesn't even include the risks of going under: any time you go under general anesthesia, there's a chance you could die on the table. They'll tell you all that in an attempt to talk you out of something so drastic for mere cosmetic reasons. That said, if you insist and you have the money, they'll likely be willing to take it. That's even more likely with top surgeons as they probably handle a lot more cosmetic cases than your run-of-the-mill maxillofacial surgeon who only addresses bite issues.

Like Rebecca was saying, this is all just talk. If you really want to move forward with it instead of just talking about it, make an appointment with a surgeon.

[mmkay]

I'm not sure exactly what you want doing because your profile looks fine and nothing obvious.

Seriously??????????

That photo screams classic suboptimal. That mandible is steep. Jawline poor. Weak chin. This is not simply in the OP's head and he's got a point when he says "And most adults are just as stupid as kids and they don't realise it."

OP, you are right to be googling this stuff, just be careful to keep an open mind. I'd perhaps not be thinking in terms so much of "what surgery do I need" but rather..."what is wrong with my face vs the ideal". This way you can ask surgeons what they are going to do about each problem, and if they can't why. You aren't going to look like the ideal whatever you do (very few people do) and it's not going to magically change your life.

I'd say a modified Serenity Prayer applies:
grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to choose the professionals that know the difference, because they sure as hell aren't created even.

I say this as someone who is basically at the other end of the process and made conservative decisions with my eyes largely open.

[SingleJawMelb]

I'm not sure exactly what you want doing because your profile looks fine and nothing obvious.

Seriously??????????

That photo screams classic suboptimal. That mandible is steep. Jawline poor. Weak chin. This is not simply in the OP's head and he's got a point when he says "And most adults are just as stupid as kids and they don't realise it."

OP, you are right to be googling this stuff, just be careful to keep an open mind. I'd perhaps not be thinking in terms so much of "what surgery do I need" but rather..."what is wrong with my face vs the ideal". This way you can ask surgeons what they are going to do about each problem, and if they can't why. You aren't going to look like the ideal whatever you do (very few people do) and it's not going to magically change your life.

I'd say a modified Serenity Prayer applies:
grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to choose the professionals that know the difference, because they sure as hell aren't created even.

I say this as someone who is basically at the other end of the process and made conservative decisions with my eyes largely open.

Haha I have no idea, like most people. Great tips/suggestions.

[SingleJawMelb]

I'm not sure exactly what you want doing because your profile looks fine and nothing obvious.

Seriously??????????

That photo screams classic suboptimal. That mandible is steep. Jawline poor. Weak chin. This is not simply in the OP's head and he's got a point when he says "And most adults are just as stupid as kids and they don't realise it."

OP, you are right to be googling this stuff, just be careful to keep an open mind. I'd perhaps not be thinking in terms so much of "what surgery do I need" but rather..."what is wrong with my face vs the ideal". This way you can ask surgeons what they are going to do about each problem, and if they can't why. You aren't going to look like the ideal whatever you do (very few people do) and it's not going to magically change your life.

I'd say a modified Serenity Prayer applies:
grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to choose the professionals that know the difference, because they sure as hell aren't created even.

I say this as someone who is basically at the other end of the process and made conservative decisions with my eyes largely open.

Thank you mmkay! Finally, someone cuts the fairytale sesame haha. I don't understand why people are against me brainstorming hard and going over every possibility. That way when I go to a surgeon and he suggests something I'll be able to have questions ready to go. For example, if a surgeon suggests bsso only, I'll question if there would be enough room for my tongue once my upper teeth are pushed back with braces to fix my leaning teeth (a lot of people wouldn't consider this because they don't know the technicalities and haven't put any responsibility on themselves to look out for their on interest). It's a mistake not to look out for yourself and consider everything. If he suggests a SG only I'll question if it will be sufficient and the possibility it might look silly or subpar compared to double jaw, because my whole jaw is most likely deficient. And if the surgeon puts out a solid argument why it will be fine and I'm sold then so be it.

My jawlines actually not bad but you can't tell from this picture. I do look okay from the front and that's also a motivator to get this done, because I feel like you would be more willing to get the mansion's hole in the ceiling fixed rather than a run down abandoned house (don't mean to sound insensitive or shallow, but this is how I feel and probably others do). I honestly do think this surgery would be life changing for me because If I were to spend rest of the years of my life with some actual bone support on my lower face then it's definitely worth 2 years of braces, some recovery time and money. I can't imagine what I'll look when I'm 40 and my soft tissue starts to sag. I will literally look like a worm. I honestly would be happy to be in braces as I enjoy the feeling of getting sesame done and knowing you are going to get a payout at the end of it. Basically, I'm happy when the balls rolling even if I'm having to deal with compromises.

People are happily dropping 30k on a new car for it to be worth 5k in 10 years, and what does a car really offer you? A temporary confidence boost because you're driving around a flash car that people won't give a 2nd thought to or rarely see. And yeah, my life's pretty good there is nothing else that needs addressing in my life currently, so I'm pretty convinced this is a great investment and the risks are definitely worth taking. Just fingers crossed I can find a decent surgeon in Australia that will perform double jaw on me if I need it (which I think I do). 20kish for increased confidence, potentially increased health (better posture, reduce chance I'll get sleep apnea later in life and increased airway) would pay dividends in the long term for sure.

Go forth and get some consults

A (second hand) car is a great investment because you can get from a to b. Also generally the more you spend, the higher in terms of safety it has. A car isn't an investment, it's more an item that people need/want. Nothing wrong with working hard and spending your money on items the person finds of value.

Plebs like me probably won't see any change in your jaw that's significant, your confidence will hopefully increase (if the surgery goes well) and that will be good.

[mmkay]

Plebs like me probably won't see any change in your jaw that's significant

But that's irrelevant - who cares if someone specifically notices you have a better jaw. What happens is that people think you look better, they just can't put their finger on the reason.

Anyway, good luck OP.

[SingleJawMelb]

My point is this. I don't think you have a hideous chin and I'm not sure any changes in your chin will alter your appearance in such a way that will make you more attractive.
If you think having your chin done will result in increased self esteem and confidence, and give you a better outlook
In life, do it. Just don't be calling others people cats, when you haven't made the effort to get a consult arranged haha.

[snapdresser]

Just don't be calling others people cats, when you haven't made the effort to get a consult arranged haha.

Oh snap