Surgery on 5 December - Le Fort 1

[c]

I have been reading all of your posts, and although I usually don't join groups, I really would like to share my story and ask a few questions.

My bite became an open bite about 5 years ago during treatment for bruxism. Of course, I was incredulous that such a thing could happen, after having visited all of the surgeons, orthodontists and dentists in Miami. Has anyone else had the problem occur?

One year ago, I made the decision to correct the problem and had braces put on 1/2006. I was ready for surgery in July, but had to postpone for various reasons and decided upon December because it would be easiest to take the time off.

Surgery on 5 December, La Fort 1 only. A splint was placed in my mouth and I will wear this until mid-January until my bones are healed. I cannot even see my front teeth, and am trying to brush as best I can with a very sore upper lip. Any tips here? I had predonated 2 units of blood, and my own blood was given back to me during surgery because of a low iron count. The first week was very, very uncomfortable, and like many of you, I did not look in the mirror. Last week I visited my surgeon for the first post visit and he put rubber bands onto - one on each side - my braces. Without the bands, my teeth seem to hit more on one side. I am concerned about this and wonder if any of you could share how long it took before your bite was stabilized.

I have been sleeping with my head elevated, eating lots of high calorie foods in liquid form (not worrying about sugar, fat), taking walks and doing light weight work. Today was the first day that I feel OK to go out in public, although my lip is still very swollen. My nose is improved, as before it tilted to the left, now it is fairly straight. I hadn't expected this improvement.

I am impressed by how much research each of you have done. While I was very concerned about the surgery, I did not do too much research in order to not freak myself out. In fact, my surgeon only told me exactly what he was going to do the night before surgery - this is his style, not mine.

As I read more, I realized that I could have made myself a bit more comfortable availing myself of your tips and tricks. However, my surgery has made it fairly easy to eat and drink.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and please respond with comments or responses to my questions.

c

[Delag]

I can't answer any of your questions, but I do want to welcome you to the group. I am sure others who have already had their surgery will be more able to help.

[c]

Thanks Delag - appreciate the support. Quite a traumatic surgery to comtemplate and then actually do.

c

[thefuture]

My bite also came open because of treatment for bruxism. (a mouth gaurd to wear at night.) I feel a little violent towards the dentist who gave me the mouth gaurd right now because it has significantly altered the last 4 and a half weeks of my life and I still have a lot of recovery to go. Luckily I didn't act on my feelings because I wouldn't be able to come on this board and comfort myself with the knowledge of others who have gone through this and the knowledge that I'm not alone in this situation.

[c]

Yes, I feel the same way. I spoke to an attorney about the situation, and I was told that if I could fix the problem for $20 - $30K, then there was no way I would get anywhere with filing a lawsuit.

The odd thing is that about 1/2 of the dentists and orthodontists that I spoke with in ~2001 did not agree/believe that the device caused the problem. Since then, I have read about others like us.

It is really unbelievable that professionals could be so unaware of the consequences of the medical solutions that they propose.

Anyway, all behind me now. I just hope that my bite turns out OK.

Thanks for your post!

[c]

Thanks for the input Meryaten. I have been using salt water rinse and a prescribed rinse once a day, but there is nothing like a good scrub!

I am almost at two weeks post surgery, and my splint will be in until mid-January - so I will incorporate the hydrogen peroxide and see if it helps.

Thanks again.

[science teacher]

I had a SARPE procedure done 11/22. It is similar to the LeFort 1 in that it is upper jaw. It is almost the beginning of the LeFort 1 but do not cut clear through the bone.

It was very hard to get a good brush for a couple weeks. I didn't have a splint either.

Hope you get to feeling "normal" soon

Kim

[jsenigaglia]

c,

Careful with the Hydrogen Peroxide rinsing at such an early stage. I was told not to use it (even with water) cause it can be too much for all the new skin that is healing back into your mouth, and in turn extend the healing process rather than shorten it... Salt water was fine, but no peroxide, and no mouth washes that contained alcohol...

I had Lefort I, and a BSSO, so I did both jaws at once... I only had my splint on 2 weeks though, so Im not sure why you have to have yours so long? I guess each Dr is different. No worries though, as everything will get easier as you get more used to it. Once you get used to it, then it will be time for it to come off, and you will be back to normal... I do have to warn you though, try not breathing through your nose when they take that bad boy out... They smell terrible, haha. Good luck with the rest of your recovery.

Joe

[hoca]

Like with everything else after the surgery, it seems each surgeon offers different guidelines for post-op care. My oral surgeon gave me special mouth wash to use the first week, then I used ambesam (sp?) that the pharmacist recommended. I wanted to use a Waterpik, but I was told not to since it could lead to an embolism (sp?).

After my BSSO, Lefort 1, and something else (I can't remember what), I had a splint on my lower jaw for 7 weeks. It could've come off after 6 weeks, but my orthodontist was in Amazon, and my surgeon's 8 hours away.

Because I had the splint in forever brushing was next to impossible, besides the outside of my top teeth. I ended up rinsing with listerine and water 50/50 to try to kill germs and bad breath. A friend mentioned the other day (3 months after the surger) that it hadn't helped, but that noone would tell me I had bad breath since they knew I couldn't do anything about it. I almost wish he'd never said anything.

I don't know what to say to make the time with the splint go faster, but I will tell you that brushing after feels great (if not tender)!

[c]

Thanks for all of the input. I am now almost 3 weeks post surgery, and I am freaking about my continued swelling. Not that bad around my cheeks, but my upper lip is still very heavy - my lip however is just about normal. Anyone with any insight as to how long the upper lip takes to return to normal? Also, regarding the extras as mentioned in another post, my nose is now straight - the deviated septum has been eliminated and I can breathe much better.

I am going back to work next week, and have sent an explanation as to my surgery and how I will look to my team - it kind of looks as if I had a face lift!

I met with my surgeon on Friday, and the slated date to remove my upper splint is Jan 11, 2007. Any help about how to brush behind the splint in the back? my lip has allowed for the brushing in front. Any ideas as mentioned above about improving one's mouth odor during the time with the splint?

All the best to you for the holidays!

c

[c]

So, my surgeon removed my splint after 5 weeks 2 days, and he sent me to my orthodontist to have my top wire replaced and all else. My othodontist told me that he would not touch my wires or do any treatment until at least 2 months after surgery, so he prescribed a band to wear and that was it. My teeth are very sensitive, and I feel most comfortable with very soft foods - even more sensitive than with the splint. Seems that my orthodontist is a lot more conservative than my surgeon.

My teeth are very stained after 5 weeks of limited cleaning, but seem in decent shape. They do seem smaller however. My face is still swollen around my nose and upper lip, although, I do feel a lot more normal and colleagues seem to react to me in a more normal fashion - unlike the first few weeks.

My problem was caused by treatment for bruxism, so I have been researching alternatives. My surgeon told me to practice relaxation techniques, and I have read a bit about the use of botox. Anyone with any experience with botox in the jaw or other bruxism relief techniques?

let me know = and thanks for all of your comments

c

[science teacher]

I'm glad to hear your splint is out!!
My OS told me to massage, massage, massage the swollen area to help the swelling to go down. He also told me apply heat on my face to help remove swelling.
kim

[c]

Thanks Kim. Yes, splint was the worst. Now I am able to speak without lisping!

My husband thought it might be permanent

c