How old for surgery?

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#1 Post by **Emmauk** » Thu Oct 07, 2010 3:26 am

Just wondering really how old people are when they have orthognathic surgery?

I have recently told a couple of people that i will soon be getting braces and that double jaw surgery will be in my future, the first thing they both commented on was my age and they thought i was a bit old to be starting this. I am 32 now so will be 34 ish when i have the surgery. I know most people have it done when younger but just wondered what everyone's thoughts were on this?

I have seen people a lot older on the forum having braces but not so sure about the surgery.

x

#2 Post by **Chefflaco88** » Thu Oct 07, 2010 3:33 am

I am 44 and had double jaw surgery 3 months ago.

#3 Post by **sauerkraut** » Thu Oct 07, 2010 3:47 am

32? Why, you're a young 'un

There are plenty of us old folks on here. I'm 46 and have my main surgery next month. There was a super lady who used to post a while back who had genioplasty (I think it was) in her 70s.

#4 Post by **Hyrule** » Thu Oct 07, 2010 4:31 am

i'm 28. There is never a too late date for getting braces and surgery. ( well maybe i would not do it if i was 50 passed unless i really needed it) the idea of only kids getting braces is old school. Alot of adults are getting braces theses days and most of them are getting surgery as well since they rarely operate on children.

#5 Post by **chicago29** » Thu Oct 07, 2010 6:08 am

I was 33 for the expansion surgery, and 35 for the bi-max. I never once thought I was "too old".

You shouldn't either...I say absolutely go for it.

Best of Luck!
-Chicago29

#6 Post by **badbite** » Thu Oct 07, 2010 6:15 am

I will be 35 when I have my upper jaw surgery. Never thought I was too old either.

#7 Post by **mamaneedsanewjaw** » Thu Oct 07, 2010 6:29 am

I am 35 and my surgery is on Monday.

#8 Post by **Marisama** » Thu Oct 07, 2010 6:42 am

I am 25 now and I will be having surgery when I'm 26. Apparetnly, the younger you are, the quicker the healing process is assumed to be. I've seen a number of people that are in their 30's get surgery and recovery just fine. I think you should evaluate the benefits you will receive from surgery for the rest of your life. I wish I would have done this 5 years ago, but insurance issues and poor direction from orthodontists made it difficult to do so.

#9 Post by **OhioM** » Thu Oct 07, 2010 6:51 am

My surgery in January was when I was still 37!

#10 Post by **Laundraholic** » Thu Oct 07, 2010 7:36 am

if it helps any, i got my braces when I was 32 also. Original timeline was to have the surgery about 18 months after that but as it stands I will be having the surgery in March of next year when I'll be 35.

You're DEFINITELY not too old.
At first when I was considering the surgery, I kept thinking "oh I should have gotten this done 15 years ago, or 10 years ago" but what finally convinced me was my husband pointing out that if I didn't get it done now, then in 10 years from NOW I'd still think "I could have gotten this done when I was 32 and it would have all been over".

My age posed a couple of more problems than if I had done this when I was 18 and just a student -- because I'm older my bones are harder and so it took longer than anticipated for my teeth to move to correct position.
I'm also dealing with 2 children now when I recover, but I have family support with that

#11 Post by **Emmauk** » Thu Oct 07, 2010 8:01 am

Thanks everyone you have put my mind at ease.

I was told to have this surgery when i was about 11 or 12 but the surgeon scared me so much that i wouldn't entertain it, they wouldn't let my mum in the appointment with me and when i came out she said i was as white as a sheet and i was told that it would be awful having to have my jaws broken. I dont really remember any of it to be honest but i have had a phobea of dentists for a while and wonder if it stemed from then. I think he went into the graphic detail of the surgery rather than focused on the benefits of it, i think at that age i was just far far too young to hear it.

Having a severe open bite has bothered me and i wish i had of had it done but at least i am seeing to it now. I have the support of my family and husband - with 2 young kiddies i will need it!

Anyway, as it turns out the surgeon that scared me half to death as a teenager is still on the cards to do my surgery. He was still not very pleasant to talk to but the way i see it is he is an excellent surgeon and i am prepared to put up with his terrible bedside manner to get the job done well.

Thu Oct 07, 2010 9:11 am

If I would have had the surgery 18 years ago when I should have had it I would have had to have my mouth wired shut for six weeks. Now they rarely wire you shut anymore. I won't even need a splint!

Also, it was a relatively new surgery 20 years ago and just think how much more they have perfected it since then!

#13 Post by **Rizzie** » Thu Oct 07, 2010 9:42 am

I'll be 59, next spring when I have my surgery. Since I had extractions and braces as a teen, braces and surgery offer the best solution for my bite issues. My ortho and surgeon aren't worried about my age--which is good, because I am worrying enough for all three of us!

#14 Post by **kmputnam** » Thu Oct 07, 2010 12:45 pm

I will be 1 week shy of my 36th birthday when I have my upper/lower jaw surgery at the end of the month...... Happy Birthday to me!!!

#15 Post by **OzzysMom** » Thu Oct 07, 2010 1:10 pm

I was 48. Never thought I was too old either. In fact, I think the older you are when you get it done, the more grateful you will be.