Hi hi hi (New.)

[theatergeek]

Hello.
I am a 20 year old female.
And I am getting orthognathic surgery at the start of my winter break in December.

I don't know what the correct terms are for what I'm getting. These SARPE and Le Forte and BSSO things?...Hm not familiar. My top jaw is angled improperly, so I have a very open bite. So bone will be cut out. My bottom jaw didn't grow enough, and it's being scooted forward. And I have a weak chin, so in addition just for cosmetic reasons a piece of bone on the bottom of my chin is scooted forward.

I was supposed to get the surgery next month actually, but then my parents found out recently that when my Dad turn 60, we get way more insurance coverage. So more time in braces and more waiting. Ugh. I hate this so f*cking much... Can we cuss on here?

I just feel like this is the worst possible time in one's life to go through braces. When you're in grade school, lots of other kids have braces. So it's no big deal. Once you're in college, you're trying to get some independence and trying feel more grown up. And then there's college parties and hookups. When people guess my age, they guess about 17. Celebrating my 21st birthday with braces just sounds terrible to me. I hate making out with guys with them. I could go on about how braces have negatively effected me in the bedroom. Not sure if I can type all that on here.

I am very serious about making a career in musical theater. And I have talked to my surgeon, and he says that I need general anesthesia, and they have to stick a tube down my throat. I have been told that of general anesthesia is that it can permanently damage your vocal chords. Despite this risk, I'm pretty sure I'm doing the right thing. Right now, I have major jaw tension when I sing. Actually, I have major jaw tension all the time, it's terrible uncomfortable.

I am sorry I am ranting. I don't expect anyone to read all this. I guess I feel like I need someone to talk to about it. And I'm too embarassed about wearing braces to talk to my friends in person about it. I try to pretend I don't wear them. I have never taken a picture of myself smiling wearing them. Ick Ick Ick.

So um...hi.

[HokieTay]

I am sorry to hear you're having all these negative experiences with your braces. I am 24 and got them on shortly after turning 24 (for the second time too!). I was worried about having them at this age and told myself I wouldn't smile, would hide them, etc. However, I noticed no one else made a big deal out of them so why should I?

If anything, people have complimented me on them. I do get mistaken for a 17 or 18 year old a lot, but I don't mind that. And if guys are giving you a problem because of braces, well, then they're not worth your time.

[I love my teeth]

I totally see where you are coming from as well--but---I knew I needed to get this done when I was 22, but I said, no way, I am 22--no thanks----and didn't pursue it, now I am 38, and my teeth/bite is much worse over the last 15years........be glad you are doing this now--it will be done and over with.........heed my words of wisdom, hindsight is 20/20 and I wish I was done with this at 25 and now I am hoping to be done with it by 40!!!!!

on the flip side, I am only 5foot tall and with my braces, have also been mistaken for being much younger--only when you are 38, you love it and take it as a compliment..........ps-I also have a 9year old and may end up in braces with him---just another reason to get this done now, before kids---who really wants to pay for 2 in braces at once????

just an "old lady" perspective here! Good luck!!

[anaxthema]

I know exactly what you are talking about. I'm 20 as well (21 in three months), and in college. I actually feel like the dork that I am.

It sucks. It sucks A LOT some times. Over all though I have to say that it has sucked so much more in my head than in reality. People for the most part just don't seem to give a damn. You'd be surprised how many people (even really vapid ones) understand how expensive braces are and that some people simply didn't have the choice to get them has kids. I get a lot of crap from my friends about them, but it's funny and it's true. The ones who refuse to understand where you're coming from, and who are maliciously rude about it, are self hating co-k weasles and you've dodged a bullet.

Yes, I look like I'm 16 with these things on sometimes too, but I still manage to get into bars and go out with friends no problem. I even get suckers at the bank from time to time :3! Suckers as in candy on a stick, not sugar daddies. Dating has been... interesting, frustrating, and sometimes overwhelming. It's like having a bad hair day, but ALL the time. You just have to pull a Tim Gunn and "Make it work!". Charm your way past the hideous brace. Not taking yourself seriously works, and I've found that it also makes other people more comfortable with you as they don't feel so self conscious. At the end of the day/week/month if that didn't work just pout it out, and laugh when bad things happen to your married friends. The best part for me so far has been that almost all of my female friends have gotten fat (not 5lbs more like 30lbs) since their vows. The guys have all ended up working over time. Boring cows. Hahaha, ahhh karma is going to destroy me.

Anyway, like you said it's that formative time in one’s life where you just want to do your own thing in life, and are trying desperately to be independent. That is where having braces has really pissed me off. Waiting to feel like I'm in control of my life, and not my orthodontist has been hard. I want to go travel and do things on a whim and often I can't because A. I can’t afford it, and B. I have the responsibility of making to the orthos office on set dates. I hate making plans around appointments as I fly a lot. Nothing ticks me off more than cutting a vacation/visit short like a stupid 10 minute check up appointment. I've missed a few opportunities, because I'd rather stay with this ortho, and thus can't leave Vegas until my treatment is over, but hey, I'm only 20. I've got time on my side… I hope.

[Esoteric]

Its funny. I got braces on for the second time around at age 30 and think it's a lot easier than when I was 12 but that could be the company I'm around to. I look young already but strangely enough I haven't been carded once since getting braces even though they are clear. I'm thinking the fully sleeve tat has something to do with it though lol. If I were you I wouldn't put to much pressure on yourself about what other people think when you're at parties either, most guys won't care if you have braces if you're making out with them

[Esoteric]

Its funny. I got braces on for the second time around at age 30 and think it's a lot easier than when I was 12 but that could be the company I'm around to. I look young already but strangely enough I haven't been carded once since getting braces even though they are clear. I'm thinking the full sleeve tat has something to do with it though lol. If I were you I wouldn't put to much pressure on yourself about what other people think when you're at parties either, most guys won't care if you have braces if you're making out with them

[Esoteric]

Its funny. I got braces on for the second time around at age 30 and think it's a lot easier than when I was 12 but that could be the company I'm around to. I look young already but strangely enough I haven't been carded once since getting braces even though they are clear. I'm thinking the full sleeve tat has something to do with it though lol. If I were you I wouldn't put to much pressure on yourself about what other people think when you're at parties either, most guys won't care if you have braces if you're making out with them

[Esoteric]

Its funny. I got braces on for the second time around at age 30 and think it's a lot easier than when I was 12 but that could be the company I'm around to. I look young already but strangely enough I haven't been carded once since getting braces even though they are clear. I'm thinking the full sleeve tat has something to do with it though lol. If I were you I wouldn't put to much pressure on yourself about what other people think when you're at parties either, most guys won't care if you have braces if you're making out with them

[ladyjenie]

You have plenty of time to have the TJR but you will heal quicker the younger you are thus probably less complications. I had braces at 45 and now a 2nd time at 57 and I can tell you I have days that make me want to go have them taken off. But, I can't have the TJR w/o them and since I'm this near my surgery date I will endure the pain. You have age on your side so don't be embarrased about them, you will be rewarded after all this is over. Hang in there! Good luck, dear.

[sarpevictim]

Hi there! I'm a 20 year old female too so I kind of know what you mean. I just got done with a SARPE surgery (that's where they re-seperate your palate so that they can expand it). Then I get to wear braces for a year before I get a BSSO (that's where they take my bottom jaw and scoot it forward as you said, because it's underdeveloped).

I'm also in college and will also be turning 21 with braces. And the worst part is I now have a HUGE gap in my front teeth due to the SARPE surgery and have summer classes. Talk about awkward.

But look at it this way...you can't go back in time and get them in grade school. But you certainly don't want to wait until you're 40 to get all this stuff done because then you would have missed out on your youth and 20 years of a great smile.

So we just got to get through this and we'll soon be on the other side with great smiles and more opportunities for hook ups Thankfully I have an understanding bf that doesn't mind lip cuts from braces haha.

[changes09]

I got my braces when I was 22 i am now 23. Right after I got braces two more of my friends got braces! So I have some company! I already look like I'm younger and it only got worse w/braces. This is also my second time around.