Metal Mouth Message Board

September 28th is the day! Looking for any/all support and tips on getting through the process! I've read so many good ideas about what to expect, what to have on hand, good things and bad. Im 51 years old and this is my second time going through this. The first time was back in 1985 (I remember the year because I was watching football when Joe Theisman busted his leg - immediatley causing lime jello to squirt out through my wired shut teeth!! LOL) I am really amazed that the entire proceedure seems much less complicated than it did back then. I was wired shut for 6 weeks with a splint, hospitalized for almost a week, and couldn't eat anything thicker than water! Now its 1 night stay in hospital and rubber bands - no wire!!!
So, if you have recently gome through this or have a surgery scheduled I would love to hear from you. By the way I will have both upper and lower jaws operated on because of an open bite, narrow palate, receding lower jaw!

Hi, and good luck with your surgery. I am due to have double jaw surgery on september 4th - only 2 weeks away! I've had braces for 2.5 years now and am 28 years old. I have an overbite and slightly gummy smile so will have upper jaw moved up and out, and lower jaw moved forward. I'm hoping I won't be wired shut either but am told I will have a splint for the first week. Will keep you posted on how it goes!

Good luck on the 4th! I'm excited for you! I am sure all will go well! I would love to hear about your experience pre and post surgery!

Hey, I have double jaw surgery on October 10th. I'm 36 and was first told I needed this done aged 14. I'm excited but also scared! Why are you having it done again Sherrylee and what will your movements be? What was your first surgery for?
Let's stay in touch!

Hi Beetle! My first surgery was for "long face syndrome", big open bite, over jet, narrow palate, and underdeveloped lower jaw. Basically, I couldn't eat anything that required "tearing" with my teeth. After the surgery things seemed fine -but the front didn't ever close completely, but enough that I could adapt my bite just fine. As I got older I noticed that my bite was changing again, but so slowly it didn't seem like a big deal. Because the open bite slowly opened again, I've ended up with crowns on most of my molars and back teeth. The dentist that I started seeing 2years ago was adamant that I see an orthodontist after I dislocated one side of my jaw eating a salad! I did and here we are today -round 2. The question came up about wearing a retainer after the first round of orthodontics an surgery, and I told them that I did everything I was told. I was never told to wear the retainer for life.... I think it was for about 2years post ortho. So, was it a failed surgery? Lack of info? Normal jaw growth? Who knows... I know I don't want to crack the rest of my teeth or pop my jaw out of place again! I'm ready to get this done.....

Hi Sherrylee,
poor you having to do this again. It's funny - my ortho never told me to wear my retainers forever either. I should have done. This will be my first surgery but my fourth round of braces. I want to wish you all the best - hopefully it'll be easier for you this time around:)

Thanks beetle! I'm hoping so too! I have a zillion things going on right now creating a bit of stress - not all bad - just a lot of stuff! I've been trying to step up my game nutritionally and physically to prepare for the surgery. If I hear the surgeon say " at your age..." one mor time I'm gonna have to hurt him! My mission now is to prove to him that at my age I can heal better than a younger person :0)
Keep in touch!

How long did the process take from the surgery consultation to setting a date? Must be so exciting!

I had my braces put on February 2011. My OD is a bit of a perfectionist (not a bad thing) and wanted to do as much work as possible prior to Surgery. The OS was ready to do surgery last month, but a pre-planned vacation would have been in the middle of recovery-I opted to postpone for a few weeks. I'm excited but starting to become a bit anxious!

I have my SARPE OP on the 5th of sept so I will let you know.

Good luck Pete! What is the expected recovery time from SARPE.

Not sure should be out same day maybe a week?

so my surgery for 4th sept has been cancelled due to emergency cancer ops, no new date yet.

Had operation this morning have to stay in overnight as my blood pressure went a mental during surgery. Passion is good.the girl after me came into recovery crying in pain might be worse for women? Lower passion tolerance maybe. Will update as the days go by just a bit swollen atm.

Still in hospital bleeding alot down throat. No real pain.