SARPE Surgery

[nesnob]

lueyfufu
I actually got my upper braces well before the surgery. I'm not sure how common this is, but I've really appreciated that it has given me time to get used to them. My teeth somehow felt well supported by the PE and the wires!

AjikanPanda
I don't think there is a risk of blindness with SARPE. There seems to be a small risk of blindness with some types of Le Fort, however you should know that there are many variations of the operation, and some are much more drastic than others.

However I had a question myself about numbness. I had my operation on 7/24 and am now recovering well (I'm already back at work), but I was initially numb across both cheeks, nose, and entire top lip, as well of course upper gums. My surgeon is acting like this is normal, and maybe it is, but it's a much larger area than I expected. Has anyone else had such extensive numbness?

Feeling has since returned to one cheek and one side of my nose, which is good, but the other side doesn't seem to be showing any improvement at all ...

Should I be worried?

Thanks![/b]

[AjikanPanda]

Tomorrows the big day!!

12:30 PM ill be in the OR.

Soooooo nervous!!

Hearing the risk of blindness really scared me alot!

Well... I'll keep thigns updated, by makign a blog!

wish me luck everyone!

[nesnob]

Good luck, ajikanpanda!

Just try to relax, and put your faith in the professionals

Please write and let us know how it goes.

[AjikanPanda]

Thank you!

honestly though, do you think I should worry about the risk of going blind?
Did any of you worry about this?

Yes I am going to update!

[nesnob]

AjikanPanda,

I worried about quite a few things, but honestly blindness was not one of them. There was a recent post in the "these comments have worried me" thread by KarlClayLA, with a picture of the different types of Le Fort:

viewtopic.php?p=271632&highlight=#271632

As you can see, the Le Fort II and III operations are close to the eye, and hence apparently have some slight risk. However the Le Fort I and SARPE operations (which are similar), are nowhere near the eye.

Just try and get a good night's sleep.

[AjikanPanda]

Oh really ?! I feel realived.
I'm happy their no where near the eye!
Thank you.

[lueyfufu]

Good luck, AjikanPanda!

[Elspeth]

Well I got my expander on today. Its very awkward but I'm getting used to it already.

I'm a bit worried now that without the SARPE this expander will do no good, considering there's 16 year olds getting SARPE but I'm not and I'm 19... my ortho said my palate will be expanded about 6 mm. I don't know whether thats a significant amount or not. My ortho got full x rays and stuff to be able to tell whether or not my palatal suture was fused, so I sure hope he's doing the right thing.

[AjikanPanda]

Hey-Surgery went great, althought I am cocnered about the bleeding

I am bleeding alot from my mouth and my nose.

Is this norma;?

[Selims]

Hi All,

I am looking for a random selection of you SARPEies to tell me how long the procedure takes from operation to getting the braces off.

Thanks!!

[Selims]

Hi All,

I am looking for a random selection of you SARPEies to tell me how long the procedure takes from operation to getting the braces off.

Thanks!!

[nesnob]

Hi AjikanPanda

My surgeon told me to expect a few nosebleeds in the first few days, and sure enough I had them. The amount of blood was similar to a normal nosebleed ... i.e. used up a few tissues, but then it dried up by itself. I didn't have any bleeding in my mouth. My surgeon said if blood started "gushing" out of my nose then to contact him immediately.

Good luck for a speedy recovery!

BTW, do you have any numbness? My entire top lip is still numb, as is one cheekm while the other cheek is slowly getting feeling back. It's bugging me quite a lot. For example, I wasn't able to tell I was having a nosebleeds until it started dripping! Ugh ...

Oh well, I'm assured it will get better in time.

[nesnob]

Hi AjikanPanda

My surgeon told me to expect a few nosebleeds in the first few days, and sure enough I had them. The amount of blood was similar to a normal nosebleed ... i.e. used up a few tissues, but then it dried up by itself. I didn't have any bleeding in my mouth. My surgeon said if blood started "gushing" out of my nose then to contact him immediately.

Good luck for a speedy recovery!

BTW, do you have any numbness? My entire top lip is still numb, as is one cheekm while the other cheek is slowly getting feeling back. It's bugging me quite a lot. For example, I wasn't able to tell I was having a nosebleeds until it started dripping! Ugh ...

Oh well, I'm assured it will get better in time.

[badbite]

AjikanPanda,

Hope your surgery went well. When I answered your post, I was thinking about my molars felling like marshmallows. My two front teeth did get loose. I felt that if I got bumped, one may actually come out. So don't worry if your teeth feel loose. You won't be able to bite down for some time anyway and they will tighten back up.

I don't know about the underbite. I have heard from some that it got better from sarpe. Mine has not. My open bite is worse since SARPE. I have an underbite and willl need upper jaw advancement to correct it.

[lueyfufu]

AjikanPanda: My OS told me to expect nosebleeds for the first several days. And I also had mild bleeding in my mouth from the incision for the first couple of days. As long as you're not spurting blood everywhere Tarantino-style, I think you should be fine.

Also, something I learned the hard way - try not to swallow the blood. It can upset your stomach and make you feel nauseous.