Firstly, I have to say what a wonderful forum this is! Although this is my first post being registered, I have been reading people's stories on here and its just so great to know that we are not alone in this long process of orthognathic surgery! People's stories here have been an inspiration to me in the long months up surgery and now after surgery, I decided to join in on here
Anyway, I'm Adam, 26 years old and from the UK! I had upper and lower jaw surgery on 1 February after being braced up since 8 September 2005 - almost 17 months!
I had an overbite and aswell as that I was not happy with when I smiled that I showed way too much of my upper gum - so the big reasoning factor of me going through this procedure I would say was/is 90% cosmetic 10% functionality.
The almost 17 months in braces, I thought would never end. I remember first being braced up and the initial pain for the first few days as the teeth began to shift.. thinking.. I want this over now!
I am now 10 days post op and apart from a bit of swelling and discomfort, I'm feeling great!
The worst part was the night following the surgery. I had to be kept in recovery all night attached to all these machines with an oxygen mask on and with a tube up my nose. My mouth and lips were dry and I was not allowed any water at all. I was only able to to dab my lips with water. It was such a long night and it was impossible to sleep. It was at that point I felt I had made a BIG mistake, but by morning I was relieved when I was moved to my hospital room.
I was put on sterile water for the next day which tasted absolutely disgusting but I was grateful to be having liquid.
I have not had to be on a liquid diet thankfully. My surgeon told me that I could eat soft foods pretty much straight away but not to chew, just break down with my tongue etc. so I've been on pasta, cottage pie, fish pies etc for my main meals whilst sticking with soups and smoothies for breakfast and at other times. Since the surgery I have lost about 7 pounds, but I'm monitoring my weight now and its keeping stable at the moment
although the swelling has gone down on the outside, I can feel there is a lot of swelling inside and people can't see that, but I'm so self conscious when I've been out in public that they can.
As for post op numbess.. I'm not totally numb anywhere. The bottom of my nose and above my top lip has not got total sensation but is a bit tingly as is the left part of my chin and bottom lip so I'm very thankful I can feel everything albeit not 100%. The sensation I have got in those places, I can best describe when you have an injection for a filling and when you start to get feeling back.
Well as I said I'm now 10 days post op and feeling good. I have no regrets about this surgery at all and so far despite still being slightly swollen..I'm more than happy with what my surgeon has done!
Best wishes
Adam