Maxilla to far forward after Le Fort!!!???

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#1 Post by **traintrax74** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 12:55 pm

Hi all,

I had my surgery (maxillary advancement only) on Dec 20 and am feeling well. I had an issue with opening only 20 mm or so, but a couple of you posted, helping resolve that concern, so here's another one:

My maxilla looks to far forward to me now. I am wondering how much of this is swelling and how much of it will remain, because I really don't like the way it looks. Also, my upper lip supposedly had a really strong suture placed in it and it doesn't move when I smile. Criminy! I am not getting too frustrated, I just hope it gets better.

Any help would be awesome!!

Mon Dec 31, 2007 4:42 pm

Do you know how far forward it was moved?

#3 Post by **traintrax74** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 8:06 pm

It was moved about 7 mm I believe. The orthodontist wanted a bit of overcompensation to account for relapse, so I guess I am a bit too far. I just hope it will not be like this indefinitely.

#4 Post by **dubnobass** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 3:12 am

I would guess it's partially swelling, and partially you not being used to the new you. I had my lower jaw brought forward by 10mm, and at 2 weeks post-op I wept in the bath for a couple of hours because I firmly believed myself to look just like Desperate Dan:

Relative to how I used to look.. I do. Weirdly, I got used to having a big swollen jaw, so that now, 5 months down the line with only minimal swelling left, I feel my lower jaw looks too small and recessed again. Ah, the tricks our eyes play on us!

#5 Post by **traintrax74** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 9:53 am

These are all reassuring comments. I appreciate them so much. I guess I'll talk with my ortho about it.

#6 Post by **traintrax74** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 10:17 pm

Just wanted to note that since I wrote the above original post, the swelling has gone down and seems more normal. I still think my upper lip/nasal area is too far forward, but hopefully is just soft tissue and not bony.