Metal Mouth Message Board

Hello everyone.

I know this question has probably been asked a million times and I apologies if it has.
Right now, I have Bluecross Blueshield of California (PPO) and I am trying to get jaw surgery.
I had a consult with Gunson in Santa Barbra and we discussed upper jaw surgery with a possible lower jaw surgery. However, he isn't "in network" with Bluecross.

I have been on a search for a good surgeon for the longest and am trying to get this done ASAP because I do not know how much longer I will be having this insurance. Time is of the essence!

I have taken a look at the bluecross blueshield federal employee provider listing and seen a bunch of doctors but I really need help on locating a doctor with a good reputation and also an artistic eye. I have self esteem issues because of my jaw issues and have been looking at before and after photos online at people who's had jaw surgery, and most of them look better than before, but some look way better before surgery. I don't think I could handle having surgery with a doctor who doesn't have an artistic eye. I've seen people who started off with a slight concave face like mine, who after surgery, ended up looking fantastic with beautiful high and full check bones, then I've seen some who ended up with a droopy/jowly look where their cheeks came out more but on the lower end of the cheeks.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, I'm desperate. I don't have tons of money for tons of consultations. Also, as I said, I don't know how much longer I will have this insurance. I MIGHT be able to switch to TRI-CARE insurance soon but I've heard that its better to have the Blue Cross insurance when it comes to jaw surgery.

I'm not from California so I don't know that many people to ask. HELP ME PLEASE!

*I've consulted with Gunson. I like, but cant afford, and hes not "in network"
*I've called Dr. Relle's office, not in network
*I've called Dr. Karas, he said to try UCSF (i don't know anything about this place. Are they students that work on you? Do you really want a student to do this type of surgery? I don't know)

HELP ME PLEASE.

USCF is an excellent network and an excellent hospital in San Francisco. Very highly respected.

You should know that Blue Cross/Blue Shield recently dropped Stanford Univ Hospital and all of its associated doctors.

Aside from that, I don't know anything else because I haven't had jaw surgery (but I live in the San Francisco area).

This surgery won't address your cheek bones. If you have "beautiful high and full check bones" before the surgery, they'll probably look great post-op. If not, then there's not as much supporting the soft tissues in your cheeks and it can look "droopy/jowly" post-op. Having a surgeon with an artistic eye won't change that. Note that surgeons put their most impressive results on their websites, often times featuring those with high cheek bones prior to the surgery.

That said, most maxillofacial surgeons have an "eye for aesthetics". They're working towards documented facial norms that are recognized as being aesthetically pleasing. If you have particular concerns about how you want to look afterwards, your surgeon should be receptive to those concerns. Good luck!!!

I just wanted to add that "droopy cheekbones" that accompany aging can be addressed. My dermatologist offers injections for that.