Metal Mouth Message Board

Hi everyone! This is my first-ever post on the board.

I'm a relative braces n00b; I've had ceramic uppers and lowers for about a month now. In fact, today was my first adjustment since getting braced! How about that.

I have a pretty severe underbite (malocclusion class III), along with a crossbite. So in addition to braces (my ortho thinks I'll be braced for ~16 months), I'm also supposed to have orthognathic surgery to move my upper jaw forward a little and my lower jaw back. Not sure exactly what procedure I'll be having, since I've only had one visit with the oral surgeon and I just started my treatment.

Anyway, I'm posting here because I work full-time and attend grad school part-time. Both doctors seem to think I'll be ready for surgery around September (after the fall semester starts). Has anyone been through this experience of having two rather sizeable obligations around the time of surgery? How long does one expect to be out of work and school afterwards? This is one of my most pressing questions right now. I'm seeing the oral surgeon in July to check my progress and determine if I'm ready for surgery yet, but I'd like to hear from others who have been through it.

Thanks!

I took a year off before grad school to get the surgery. I suppose if you're doing individual research/thesis work that doesn't require much social interaction you might be able to make it work. But as someone who just had double jaw surgery I must stress that the recovery process is serious and sometimes unpredictable. For instance, because one of my bones broke in the wrong place my jaws have to be completely tied shut for a minimum of six weeks. Eating and talking are difficult. Also, the first two weeks were absolute hell due to congestion and lack of sleep...school and work would have been impossible for me during that period.
My advice is to wait for, or create, a break in your school/work schedule so you can focus on recovery.

Im in the same boat as you. I will be having surgery April 27th which is during school. I will only be missing one week of school. I've done some research and looked at some videos on youtube and by day 7 post op there will still be noticeable swelling but it wont be too bad. Good luck with your treatment!

[quote="gavinfilan"]I took a year off before grad school to get the surgery. I suppose if you're doing individual research/thesis work that doesn't require much social interaction you might be able to make it work. But as someone who just had double jaw surgery I must stress that the recovery process is serious and sometimes unpredictable. For instance, because one of my bones broke in the wrong place my jaws have to be completely tied shut for a minimum of six weeks. Eating and talking are difficult. Also, the first two weeks were absolute hell due to congestion and lack of sleep...school and work would have been impossible for me during that period.
My advice is to wait for, or create, a break in your school/work schedule so you can focus on recovery.[/quote]

You're right, it is very unpredictable. Unfortunately, I'm not doing individual research work and have to be in class, so it's something I'll have to think about. Thanks for the input!

[quote="ramirezmu8"]Im in the same boat as you. I will be having surgery April 27th which is during school. I will only be missing one week of school. I've done some research and looked at some videos on youtube and by day 7 post op there will still be noticeable swelling but it wont be too bad. Good luck with your treatment![/quote]

Thanks, same to you! I was considering doing it over winter break (Dec-Jan), but the problem with that is kinda small but important. I'd like to be able to enjoy the holidays with my family. We'll see what happens, and (obviously) what the surgeon and ortho say!

Good luck!!